Catalog (335)

Confirmed by the experts at Sotheby's in Hong Kong to be the only surviving painting by 13th Century Chinese Southern Song Artist Chen Jue 陳珏(款). Signature and two seals. Ink and colors on silk, framed. 19.5 x 12.75 inches, 49.5 x 32.5 cm.

Only Pair of Korean Enlightened Saints (Nahan) Paintings Ever Offered for Sale. Set in beautiful landscapes, the Nahan on the right has subdued a demon who is supplicating before him. 18th Century. Colors on paper. 30 x 13.5 inches, 76 x 34 cm each.

This seven feet tall Antique Korean Trident is the only Joseon Dynasty Trident ever offered for sale. The few existing examples are all in museums in Korea. Only Korea has this type of trident with the small round iron cymbals under the fork for scaring off tigers and other wild animals. The shape of the fork is also uniquely Korean. The Chinese trident has much rounder corners. 82 inches (208 cm) tall, 8.5 inches (21.5 cm) wide.

This is a truly one-of-a-kind masterpiece of exquisite beauty that rewards long and repeated viewing. We have never seen a silver Joseon Dynasty lady's dagger (eunjangdo) with engraving entirely in a floral motif like this. The details are stunningly rendered along every millimeter of this fine work of art. Beyond the beauty of the luxurious surface, there is a deeper and thoughtful design that incorporates symbolism from ancient history. It is engraved with akebia mountain root (symbol of good health), lotus blossom (symbol of rebirth, because the lotus rises above the muck of the pond to show its face to the Sun), azalea (symbol of beauty and the "city flower" chosen by many of Korea's cities), peony (symbol of abundance because of its copious petals), banana leaf (the huge leaves are considered auspicious), plum blossoms (symbol of courage because they bloom before winter is not quite finished), and Korea's mugunghhwa national flower, the rose of sharon. Orchids are an ancient Korean symbol of purity, modesty, and virtue. The rock symbolizes eternity, so the combination of orchids and rock have the meaning of eternal adherence to principle. The dragonfly here is a symbol of purity. The small band in the middle has a key fret thunder pattern. Eunjangdo were worn by women of rank as a chest pendant and a symbol of their social standing. This dagger also served as a tool to save women from personal humiliation or peril, not by attacking an assailant but by killing themselves, under the Confucian moral obligation of medieval Korea 'to remain faithful to one spouse'. The silver chopsticks were used to determine the safety of food, as they would turn color if poison was present. 6 inches, 15 cm.

One-Of-A-Kind 18th Century Korean Staff Sword, Changpogeom, a style of sword unique to Korea, with seven gold inlay dots on each side representing the Seven Star Spirit (Chilseong), an ancient Daoist deity that controls fortune. Antique Changpogeom are rare. It's a staff with a fighting blade inside. And a Chilseong Changpogeom (Seven Star Staff Sword) is so rare that this may be the only surviving example. It is a large weapon, 43 inches (110cm) with a a 32 inch (81cm) blade, and the blade is a very high quality fighting blade. This is truly a museum quality sword.

South China/North Vietnam Yao Shaman Ka Dong Deity Ritual Mask. This fine old mask would have been used in the same family for several generations to perform rituals such as those for a newborn baby and maturation. The wood for this important mask would have been taken from dep in the forest where spirits were believed to live. 14.5 inches, 37 cm.

This pair of pillow ends is the oldest Korean embroidery we have ever offered. They are about 200 years old, from the early 19th Century. Please look especially at the close-up photos to appreciate the very fine technique employed in the details of this marvelous and rare pair. The peonies are a symbol of love and prosperity, and the butterflies are a symbol of happiness. Only very old fabric has such warm colors, and only the old embroiderers would have had the dedication and work ethic required to render such a masterpiece of early Korean embroidery. Each pillow end is 6 inches (15cm) wide.

Antique Korean Black Inkstone Box and Antique Inkstone. The poem on the lid is a beautiful work of calligraphy. It can be read in two directions as "Celebrated mountain object" and "Celebrated mountain extraordinary wisdom", meaning that this object will be used in the pursuit of wisdom. The inkstone has a banana leaf motif, referencing the 8th Century Chinese scholar and celebrated calligrapher, Huaisu who wrote on banana leaves when he ran out of paper. A rare and most interesting find. 9.5w x 6d x 2.75h inches, 24w x 15d x 7h cm.

Oil Painting by Park Deuk Soon (1910 - 1990), signed and dated 1949, with original frame. Park Deuk Soon studied in Tokyo with Ryohei Koizo and graduated from the Pacific Fine Arts School in 1938. He exhibited often at the National Art Exhibition and the Chosun Art Exhibition. He was also an educator and an active member of the Kukjeon, and served for a time as President of the Korean Painters Association. Frame: 23.5 x 19 inches, 59 x 48 cm; Painting: 17 x 12.25 inches, 43 x 31 cm.

Night Sky painted in 1985 by Renowned Korean Artist Don Ahn aka Ahn Dong Kuk (1937-2013). We encourage you to research Don Ahn's sales record and market prices on sites such as Artsy, so you can appreciate what a great opportunity this is to purchase an original work of art by the master at a price well below the actual value. Don Ahn was a pioneer of Korean art in America. In the 1950s he was the first to move permanently to the US and receive recognition here, beginning with the 1952 exhibition of his work at the Kilbride Bradley Gallery in Minneapolis, the very first exhibition of Korean contemporary art in America. His work is in the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art in New York, and other major museums. There was recently an exhibition of Don Ahn's work at the Walter Wickiser Gallery in New York's Chelsea art district. Ink on paper. Unframed Dimensions 15 x 13.5 inches, 38 x 34.25 cm. See also preeminent art critic Holland Cotter's review of Don Ahn's work in the April 4, 1997 New York Times article, Of Asians Among the Abstractionists, where he describes Don's paintings as "Exuberant" and "Inspired by Zen brushwork".

New Life Woodblock Print on Traditional Hanji Paper by Hong Sung Dam in 1982 (29 x 20 inches, 74 x 51 cm, including margins). Hong Sung Dam is a woodblock print artist who was a leader of the minjung, the peoples' political movement that arose from the ashes of the Gwangju Massacre where the Korean government slaughtered hundreds (some witnesses say thousands) of their own citizens in the streets in response to demonstrations in Gwangju. He was arrested in 1989, and suffered brutal torture in prison. He was released in 1992 after a three-year-long campaign by Amnesty International. After the subsequent democratization of Korea, Hong was commissioned by the government in 1996 to create the large (120 feet) Minjung Mural in Gwangju. Early minjung art is much sought after, and Hong Sung Dam is one of the most revered and acclaimed minjung artists. He donated much of his early work, so opportunities to buy are very infrequent (practically non-existent, actually). So we are very pleased to offer this rare collection of woodblock prints on traditional hanji paper by Hong Sung Dam that were created before his imprisonment, hidden from authorities by his friends, and donated to Amnesty International after their successful effort to get him released from prison. Own a piece of history and a beautiful work of art from a man who grew up in poverty (on the island of Haui) and illness (severe tuberculosis as a youth) to become an inspiring artist who gave his life to his art and his people.

Asmat Tribe War Shield and Spirit Protecting Shield, made on the Dutch (Indonesian) side of New Guinea (Irian Jaya) by the Asmat people. It shows carving done by stone or shell tools, rather than more recent metal-carved examples. 74 x 20 inches, 188 x 51 cm.

Newari Mask, 12 inches, 30.5 cm.

Nepalese Yak Hair Mask from the Humla Region. 8 inches, 20.5 cm.

Nepalese Terai Region Mask with a Third Eye. 9 inches, 23 cm.

Nepalese Terai Region Maiden Mask, 10.25 inches, 26 cm. From the collection of Irwin Hersey, renowned author on Asian and primitive art, and publisher of the Primitive Art Newsletter in the 1970s. Irwin Hersey was an advisor to museums and prominent collectors, and vetted pieces for many of the international tribal art fairs and Asian art fairs.

Rare Nepalese Shaman's Ritual Harness and Belt Suit of Bells, Feathers, Animal Hide, Shells, Fur, Metal, and Fabric. From the collection of Sam Hilu, prominent collector and author on Asian and African art. An old and rare piece that was used in rituals performed by a West Nepalese Shaman of the Magar Tribe in the Rukum District. Beautifully mounted and displayed on a custom metal stand. The suit was constructed in the 19th Century, but many of the bells used in constructing the suit date as far back as the 16th Century. 32 inches, 81 cm.

Nepalese Rai Tribe Mask with Pigment. 10.75 inches, 27.5 cm.