Catalog: Antiques: Regional Art (180)

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.

Early 20th Century Large Black-Lacquered Mother-of-Pearl Box, in fair condition with much loss of the mother-of-pearl. The brass hardware is old but is not original. 31.5 x 18.5 x 16.5 inches, 80 x 47 x 42 cm.

Tibetan Tiger Mask, 10x9x7 inches, 25.5x23x18 cm.

Newari Mask, 12 inches, 30.5 cm.

Calligraphy by the Joseon Dynasty's Last Prime Minister, Lee Wan Yong aka Ildang (1858 - 1926). He was prime minister of Korea in 1906 - 1910. Lee is Korea's most infamous traitor, the "Benedict Arnold of Korea", for signing the Japan-Korea Annexation Treaty in 1910. Connoisseurs begrudgingly acknowledge his great talents as a calligrapher, but the disdain with which he is regarded keeps the demand, and thus the prices of his work very low. Mounted on sky blue silk. Scroll: 74.5 x 17.5 inches, 189 x 44.5 cm; Calligraphy: 51.5 x 12.75 inches, 131 x 32.5 cm.

Nepalese Mask of a Humla Aesthete with a Thorja Topknot. 11 inches, 28 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.

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

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.

Early 20th Century Tibetan Thangka of Mahakala and Consort from a renowned and published collection. Very Good Condition. 28 x 21 inches, 71 x 53 cm.

Early 20th Century Tibetan Thangka of Unusual Garuda from a renowned and published collection. Very Good Condition. 27 x 20.5 inches, 69 x 52 cm.

Rare Embroidered Korean Antique Child's Belt (Dolddi) with Sipjangsaeng, the traditional ten symbols of longevity: Sun, mountains, cranes, bamboo, tortoise, pine tree, water, bullocho, clouds, and deer. When the deer, tortoise, and crane are paired, as they are here, they are also a symbol of eternal love. The bamboo is a symbol of integrity and resilience, because it bends in a strong wind and returns to its upright position. The butterfly is a symbol of happiness, and is often paired with the peony flower, an ancient symbol of prosperity. The lotus blossom is a symbol of purity and rebirth, because it rises above the muck of the pond to show its face to the Sun. A beautifully and meticulously embroidered work of art. 16 x 3.5 inches, 40.5 x 9 cm.

Calligraphy by Korea's Most Famous Calligrapher, O Se Chang aka Wichang (1864 - 1953). Not only is O Se Chang the most renowned calligrapher in Korean history, his books on calligraphy have become the definitive texts on the subject. He is famous for his works in seal script, as in this example here. 53 x 12 inches, 134 x 30 cm, unmounted. O Se Chang's calligraphy is currently prominently featured in the Los Angeles County Museum of Art's exhibition on Korean calligraphy, Beyond Line: The Art of Korean Writing, including his work on loan from the National Museum of Korea.

Rare and Fine Painting on Silk of Dokseong, The Hermit Saint, from the renowned Charles J. Chu Collection. Sold on June 25, 2010 in Skinner's Asian Works of Art auction (Sale 2512, Lot 445). We sold the last Dokseong painting we had to the Art Institute of Chicago. This is a rare opportunity to acquire a beautiful and important painting with an impeccable provenance. Dokseong is portrayed here in a heavenly landscape filled with ancient symbolism, as he sits under the pine tree (symbol of longevity) with a stack of books, beside peonies (symbol of wealth, in this case, a wealth of knowledge and natural beauty), in front of waterfalls and a river (symbols of eternal life), atop a rocky plateau with freshly blooming orchids (orchids are an ancient Korean symbol of purity, modesty, and virtue; rocks symbolizes eternity; so the combination of orchids and rocks have the meaning of eternal adherence to principle). His robe is adorned with clouds (symbol of longevity) and chrysanthemums (symbol of abundance). The chrysanthemums are echoed in the bookshelves. The melons and pomegranates atop the books are fruits with many seeds, so they symbolize plenty. In this case, they represent nature's abundance. Frame: 42 x 33 inches (107 x 84 cm), Painting: 36.5 x 27.25 inches (93 x 69 cm).

Early 20th Century Tibetan Thangka of Mahakala and Consort from a renowned and published collection. Very Good Condition. 27 x 20.5 inches, 69 x 52 cm.

Rare and Beautifully Embroidered Joseon Dynasty Korean Scholar's Rank Badge (Fusu) adorned with metallic thread throughout giving it a luxurious sheen. After 19 years in business, we have finally acquired a rare Korean rank badge (fusu) for the first time. This one belonged to a scholar aristocrat, as indicated by the cranes. It is rendered in a unique and lovely golden palette and is wonderfully designed with clouds (symbol of longevity), peonies (symbol of wealth or abundance), and rows of wan symbols (the wheel of life and symbol of universal peace and harmony). The wan is a symbol so ancient it actually predates Buddhism and originally represented the revolving sun. In Buddhism it represents the Heart of the Buddha, happiness, and resignation of spirit. 17.5 x 10.5 inches, 44.5 x 27 cm.

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.

Fine Old Balinese Barong Mask. Best known antique example on the market. With handles and movable jaw. From a published and renowned collection. Barong, King of the Spirits, protects families from the evil Queen Rangda of the mythical Leyak child-eating witches. 17.5 x 11 x 9 inches, 44.5 x 28 x 23 cm.