Catalog: Antiques: Regional Art: Asian (179)

Rare Pair of Boxes for Storing a Scholar's Name Seals, with Lovely Wood Grain and Metalwork. A scholar's name seals were among his most personal and treasured items. 6h x 5w x 5d inches, 15h x 12.5w x 12.5d cm.

Fine 19th Century Lacquered Chinese Theater Mask with a splendid face and big grin that looks great from every angle. From the collection of Sam Hilu, prominent collector and author on Asian and African art. Wood, lacquer, and pigments. 7.5h x 6.5w x 3d inches, 19d x 16.5w x 7.5d cm.

17 x 9 x 7 inches, 43 x 23 x 18 cm. Rare 18th Century Korean Animal Hide Box. There is a similar 18th Century example in the Tenri University Sankokan Museum, illustrated in the book The Korean Relics in Japan Volume 4, page 339.

Deluxe Pair of Finely Embroidered 19th Century Korean Pillow Ends from the renowned, published, and exhibited Lea Sneider textiles collection, with Peonies (symbol of prosperity) and Mountains (symbol of longevity). Frames: 9.5 x 9.5 inches (23 x 23 cm); Pillow Ends: 6 x 6 inches (15 x 15 cm).

17 x 9.25 x 6 inches, 43 x 23.5 x 15 cm. Rare 18th Century Korean Animal Hide and Wood Box. There is a similar 18th Century example in the Tenri University Sankokan Museum, illustrated in the book The Korean Relics in Japan Volume 4, page 339.

19th Century Korean Blue and White Porcelain Bottle with Beautifully Painted Peony Sprays. The peony is an ancient symbol of love and prosperity in Korea. 7.5h x 4.5w inches, 19h x 11.5w cm.

16.5 x 8.5 x 5.25 inches, 42 x 21.5 x 13.5 cm. Rare 18th Century Korean Animal Hide Box. There is a similar 18th Century example in the Tenri University Sankokan Museum, illustrated in the book The Korean Relics in Japan Volume 4, page 339.

Fine and Beautifully Embroidered 19th Century Korean Ironing Board from the renowned, published, and exhibited Lea Sneider textiles collection. This truly deluxe Korean ironing board is the finest example we have seen of an embroidered ironing board, and is filled with imaginatively rendered symbolism. Geese mate for life, so they are an ancient symbol of fidelity, and the lotus is a symbol of purity and rebirth, because the lotus rises above the muck of the pond to show its face to the Sun. 22.5 x 6.5 inches (57 x 16.5 cm).

Ming Dynasty Chinese Wood Sculpture of a General on Horseback, with original pigments. 11 x 5 x 3.25 inches, 28 x 13 x 8 cm. Purchased from Askenasi in Paris in 1978 by 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.

Dhyangro drums are usually separated from their phurba (ritual dagger) handles, and the handles are sold by themselves. This is a common occurrence with Nepali dealers. This is because the handles are easier to transport and sell. So it isn't very often that you see a completely intact, old Tibetan ritual drum. The drum is made of wood and animal hide, and has shaking balls inside for accenting the rhythms created by the shaman dancer. The handle is a wonderfully carved wood phurba (ritual dagger) with multiple faces. An old and beautiful piece that displays nicely. From the collection of Sam Hilu, prominent collector and author on Asian and African art. 26 x 15 x 5 inches, 66 x 38 x 13 cm.

Set of Three Brass Bowls, (right to left) one Goryeo Dynasty, one Joseon Dynasty, and one Early 20th Century. A fantastic set that spans a thousand years of Korean history. All three are beautiful examples of each time period, with wonderful forms and great patinas. Width and height, starting from the oldest (right to left): 6 x 4 inches (15.25 x 10 cm), 7 x 4 inches (17.75 x 10 cm), 5.5 x 4.5 inches (14 x 11.5 cm).

Large Prehistoric Bronze Age Korean Arrowhead of a scarce type and size illustrated in the catalogue: The 29th United Association of the University Museums of Korea Exhibition - Korea's Bow and Arrow. There are also similar examples of early Korean arrowheads in the December 1934 Transactions of the Korea Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society. 1500 - 300 BCE. 6 inches (15 cm).

Very Rare 19th Century Korean Woven Bamboo and Willow Gori Basket and Lid with a beautiful dark patina and very creative use of the bamboo and willow, on both the exterior and interior of the basket. For a similar Korean Bamboo and Willow Gori Basket, please see page 106 of Korean Cultural Heritage 2, published in 2002. 12 x 3 inches, 30.5 x 7.5 cm.

Korean Scholar's Inkstone Box constructed entirely of paulownia wood, a very desirable wood for scholars and collectors because of its unique and beautiful grain and its natural bug repellent qualities. Below the inkstone compartment there is a larger compartment for holding what was called the scholar's four friends: brush, ink, paper, and inkstone. The inkstone box was a Korean scholar's most treasured item. This is a beautiful and fine example. Its simple, quiet beauty was perfect for the scholar's Confucian aesthetic, and will look great with any kind of decor. 12.5 x 8 x 8 inches, 32 x 20 x 20 cm.

Pair of Framed Korean Antique Embroidered Pillow Ends with a Happy Peacock Family and Flowers. Peacocks symbolize the 9 Virtues: a tidy face, clear voice, careful walk, appropriate behavior according to place and time, moderation in eating and drinking, knowing how to be content, existing together, not being obscene, and always returning. Eternity and continuity are symbolized by the lovely multi-colored repeating 'ryul' characters that are embroidered all around the borders. These are set in deep frames made of exotic paulownia wood, a wood prized for its beautiful wide grain. Eternity and continuity is implied through the lovely multi-colored repeating 'ryul' characters that are embroidered all around the borders. A charming, auspicious, and finely embroidered pair of Antique Korean Pillow Ends framed for display. Each Frame: 7.5 x 7 inches, 19 x 19 cm; Each Pillow End: 4.25 x 4.25 inches, 10.75 x 10.75 cm.

Antique Nepali Sarangi Musical String Instrument with sublimely rendered animal and human figures, from the published and renowned collection of Sam Hilu, a prominent author and adviser on traditional Asian art, 29.75 x 7.75 inches, 75.5 x 20 cm.

Antique Nepali Sarangi Musical String Instrument with script and sublimely rendered human and animal figures and representations of modes of transportation, from the published and renowned collection of Sam Hilu, a prominent author and adviser on traditional Asian art, 27 x 8.75 inches, 68.5 x 22 cm.

Pair of Framed Korean Antique Embroidered Pillow Ends with the Characters 'Su' and 'Bok', Long Life and Happiness, and Peonies, ancient symbol of love and prosperity. These are set in a deep and lovely frame made of exotic paulownia wood (odong namu), a wood prized for its beautiful wide grain. Each Frame: 8.5 a 8.5 inches, 21.5 x 21.5 cm; Each Pillow End: 4.75 x 4.75 inches, 12 x 12 cm.