Minghetti or Cantigalli bust of a youth in faience. This lovely hand made sculpture is a masterful work, probably dating to late 19th century by Angello Minghetti, Bologna,  More »

Minghetti or Cantigalli bust of a youth in faience. This lovely hand made sculpture is a masterful work, probably dating to late 19th century by Angello Minghetti, Bologna, Italy Please view my other Minghetti works of . This work is in transit from Italy. Please Inquire. New photos will be added. Fully guaranteed to be of the period. Please view my French and Italian 18th Century and earlier collections. Dimensions: Height 11 Inches (28cm) Width 12 Inches (30cm),p> Condition: Very Fine, a small flake on the nose, no repairs A stunning and masterful work   « Less

Hand sculpted Japanese SHINO POTTERY OKIMONO, a signed rendition of a very fierce SHISHI, or Foo Lion. This is a particularly nice and unusual one of a kind sculpture, in  More »

Hand sculpted Japanese SHINO POTTERY OKIMONO, a signed rendition of a very fierce SHISHI, or Foo Lion. This is a particularly nice and unusual one of a kind sculpture, in white pottery with a clear overglaze glaze. The sculpture is marked with an impressed SHINO signature on base. Condition: Excellent, no chips, frits or damage, Dimensions: Height 4" Length 5"   « Less

Here is a beautifully carved early pair of Japanese Shishi in fine gilt on red lacquer over wood. They are most likely temple carvings, and have been mounted previously.  More »

Here is a beautifully carved early pair of Japanese Shishi in fine gilt on red lacquer over wood. They are most likely temple carvings, and have been mounted previously. These 19th century, or earlier figures are from Japan, purchased in Hawaii. The charming pair display beautifully and are in excellent condition. Condition: Fine, wear appropriate to the period. Dimensions: Height: 3 1/2" Length 5 1/2"   « Less

19th century sculpture of a lion, Signed in the cast "Bonheur".W: 19.5" x H: 8" x D; 4.5"

19th century sculpture of a lion, Signed in the cast "Bonheur".W: 19.5" x H: 8" x D; 4.5"   « Less

An Abstract carved marble sculpture on a rock base. 20th Century.H:10.5"

An Abstract carved marble sculpture on a rock base. 20th Century.H:10.5"   « Less

Seated on a terraced, ornate "cushion" is the serenely elegant Buddha wearing a corrugated headdress with a pointed central appendage (ushnisha). The body displays a  More »

Seated on a terraced, ornate "cushion" is the serenely elegant Buddha wearing a corrugated headdress with a pointed central appendage (ushnisha). The body displays a combination of sensuality in the finely modelled limbs, and austerity in the straight back posture and other- worldly expression of the face. The artist has achieved a sense of perfect balance in this sculpture, recalling the Buddha's exhortation to harmonize the material world with the world of the spirit.Rattanakosin came into being when King Rama I ascended the throne in 1782. He decided to establish the new capital on the east bank of the Chao Phraya River for better security from Burma. King Rama I was determined to build a new capital to revive the glory and splendor of old Ayutthaya. The new capital was proclaimed and hence began the Rattanakosin era or Bangkok period under the glorious reign of the Chakri Kings. - (PF.5293)   « Less

The Mandalay Period represents the last great cultural flourishing of Burmese art. The period was named after the city of Mandalay, which served as capital of Myanmar for a  More »

The Mandalay Period represents the last great cultural flourishing of Burmese art. The period was named after the city of Mandalay, which served as capital of Myanmar for a brief period (1860-1885 A.D.) during the reign of King Mindon. After the Anglo-Burmese Wars, northern Myanmar was shut off from the coastal areas that were controlled by the British. King Mindon founded the new capital at a sacred site at the foot of a large hill. The center of the city was designed in the perfect geometrical form of a Buddhist Mandala, giving the city its name. Although this short-lived kingdom finally fell to the British forces in 1886 A.D. during the Third Anglo-Burmese War, the Royal Guilds that created such remarkable works of art for the King remained in the city where they continued to produce sculptures in the Mandalay style.The historical figure, Buddha Gautama Sakyamuni is the Buddha of compassion who, having achieved the highest evolutionary perfection, turns suffering into happiness for all living beings. Born around 560 B.C. somewhere between the hills of south Nepal and the Rapti river, his father was a Raja who ruled over the northeastern province of India, the district including the holy Ganges River. The young prince was married to Yashoda when he was about 17 years old and together they had a son named Rahula. At the age of 29, he left his life of luxury, as he felt compelled to purify his body and make it an instrument of the mind by ridding himself of earthly impulses and temptations. The luxurious gilt wooden frame decorated with inlaid glass that surrounds the Buddha is a reminder that such sculptures did not exist by themselves, but were the focal points of temples and shrines. Although this work is still removed from its natural context, the frame helps convey how this Buddha would have related to his original setting. This tall work is clearly meant to dominate the spectator with both its size and its splendor. This magnificent sculpture of the Buddha was surely once the focal point of a Mandalay shrine that would have captured the eyes and hearts of the faithful with its artistic beauty and spiritual brilliance. - (X.0223)   « Less

After the destruction of Ayutthaya in 1767 by the Burmese, King Tak Sin the Great drove out the invaders and reunified the country, establishing a new capital at Thonburi, a  More »

After the destruction of Ayutthaya in 1767 by the Burmese, King Tak Sin the Great drove out the invaders and reunified the country, establishing a new capital at Thonburi, a strategic river port town at the mouth of the Chao Phraya River. After Tak Sin was deposed, Thong Duang was chosen as king, known as Rama I, establishing the Chakri Dynasty which continues to reign over Thailand to this day. He moved the capital across the banks of the Chao Phraya River to its present location of Bangkok. The art of this period is known as the Rattanakosin style, although it is also referred to as the Bangkok style. Naturally, Rattanakosin art carried on many of the traditions of the Ayutthayan style, thereby establishing a link with the past.The historical figure, Buddha Gautama Sakyamuni is the Buddha of compassion who, having achieved the highest evolutionary perfection, turns suffering into happiness for all living beings. Born around 560 B.C. somewhere between the hills of south Nepal and the Rapti river, his father was a Raja who ruled over the northeastern province of India, the district including the holy Ganges River. The young prince was married to Yashoda when he was about 17 years old and together they had a son named Rahula. At the age of 29, he left his life of luxury, as he felt compelled to purify his body and make it an instrument of the mind by ridding himself of earthly impulses and temptations.This gorgeous gilt bronze Buddha is seated in the dhyanasana position high upon a tiered base. With his hands, the Buddha forms the bhumisparsa mudra, which can be literally translated as the “gesture of touching the earth” in which the Buddha touches the ground in order to call on the earth to witness his enlightenment. Calm and serene, he looks downwards with half closed eyes. The Buddha’s distinctive tightly curled hairstyle is typical of Thai representations. A flame of enlightenment rises from the top of his ushnisa, a bump symbolic of the Buddha’s infinite wisdom. The sculptor has masterfully molded the subtle folds of fat around his neck, again indicative of the spiritual fullness and inner peace embodied by the Buddha. The Buddha wears a robe decorated in floral motifs, a type specific to the Rattanakosin era, from the reign of Rama III onward (1824 A.D.) Overall, this exquisite sculpture beautifully memorializes one of history greatest holy figures. - (X.0243)   « Less

The Edo Period, the final period of traditional Japan lasting from 1603 until 1867, was a time of internal peace, political stability, and economic growth. The Shogunate, a  More »

The Edo Period, the final period of traditional Japan lasting from 1603 until 1867, was a time of internal peace, political stability, and economic growth. The Shogunate, a military dictatorship that effectively ruled the land, was established by Tokugawa. Although Edo was the Imperial and spiritual capital of Japan, Edo (now called Tokyo) became the political, administrative, and military center and grew into the largest metropolis in the world, perhaps nearly twice the size of Paris and London. The arts flourished during the Edo period and much of the history of the era and the city can be traced through the woodcuts of artists such as Hiroshige. Japan opened up to the west and expanded its economic horizon to the point that, by the end of the Edo period, merchants had become more powerful than Samurais.An inscription, partially in Sanscript, adorning this work can be translated as: "Produced by Tadazou Iinuma, first year of Shouho, Kanoe. Prayed for and requested by Ryozen, master of Shingon religious party, Dainichi-Nyorai, Yudo-no-San Temple, of the highest social class." This monumental bronze sculpture likely once dominated the interior of a temple. Judging from the inscription, it is likely that this word was once placed in the Yudo-no-San Temple. We can imagine tired pilgrims struggling to climb the mountain, only to arrive at the top and have their energy revitalized by this monumental sculpture. In the Vajra mudra, the index finger of the left hand is clasped by the five fingers of the right; this is also known as the "six elements mudra," or the "fist of wisdom" mudra, for it symbolizes the unity of the five worldly elements (earth, water, fire, air, and metal) with spiritual consciousness. - (X.0253)   « Less

After the destruction of Ayutthaya in 1767 by the Burmese, King Tak Sin the Great drove out the invaders and reunified the country. He also established a new capital at  More »

After the destruction of Ayutthaya in 1767 by the Burmese, King Tak Sin the Great drove out the invaders and reunified the country. He also established a new capital at Thonburi, a strategic river port town at the mouth of the Chao Phraya River. After Tak Sin was deposed, Thong Duang was chosen as king (becoming known as Rama I) and established the Chakri Dynasty which continues to reign over Thailand to this day. He moved the capital across the banks of the Chao Phraya River to its present location of Bangkok. The art of this period is known as the Rattanakosin style, although it is also referred to as the Bangkok style. Naturally, Rattanakosin art carried on many of the traditions of the Ayutthayan style, thereby establishing an important link with the past.Buddha Gautama Sakyamuni is the Buddha of compassion who, having achieved the highest evolutionary perfection, turns suffering into happiness for all living beings. Born around 560 B.C. somewhere between the hills of south Nepal and the Rapti river, his father was a Raja who ruled over the northeastern province of India, the district including the holy Ganges River. The young prince was married to Yashoda when he was about 17 years old and together they had a son named Rahula. However, at the age of 29 he abandoned his life of luxury, as he felt compelled to purify his body and make it an instrument of the mind by ridding himself of earthly impulses and temptations.This gorgeous gilt wood Buddha is seated in the dhyanasana position, high upon a tiered base. With his hands the Buddha forms the bhumisparsa mudra, which can be literally translated as the gesture of touching the earth in which the Buddha touches the ground in order to call on the earth to witness his enlightenment. Calm and serene, he looks downwards with half closed eyes. The Buddha's distinctive tightly curled hairstyle is typical of Thai representations. A flame of enlightenment rises from the top of his ushnisa, an eminence symbolic of the Buddha's infinite wisdom. The sculptor has masterfully moulded the subtle folds of flesh around his neck, again indicative of the spiritual fullness and inner peace embodied by the Buddha. The Buddha wears a robe decorated in floral motifs, a type specific to the Rattanakosin era from the reign of Rama III onward (1824 A.D.). This sculpture is a truly spectacular representation of one of history's greatest religious figures. - (X.0259)   « Less