Ancestral Items

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  • Sale!

    Ancient Han Dynasty Glazed Hu Jar, China (1604AOK) $595

    Original price was: $595.00.Current price is: $505.75.
    H: 6.75” Dia: 6″ | FREE SHIPPING IN CONTINENTAL U.S.!

    This 2000 year old heavy wine vessel called a Hu is covered in a dark-green lead glaze used often during the Han dynasty for burial items called mingqi, a variety of which were placed in tombs to provide comfort to the deceased in their afterlife. With a characteristic elegant hu shape, it rests on a wide foot and rises to a minimally decorated globular body with low relief horizontal bars, a wide tapering neck and is topped by a wide flaring bowl-like mouth. Its underside, like most, was left unglazed.

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    Ancient Han Dynasty Pottery Pig, China (2029BKE) $395

    Original price was: $395.00.Current price is: $335.75.
    H: 2.5”  W: 4.5”  D: 2.375” | FREE SHIPPING!

    This glazed pig mingqi was one of many items made for a tomb to placate the spirit of the deceased and assure the soul’s access to the things enjoyed when alive. This animal mingqi confirms the importance of pigs as a food source and of raising livestock in Han China. An alert animal whose stocky body is typical, it’s dark lead green glaze and damp tomb created a chemical reaction over centuries making it a lustrous, iridescent green impossible to copy that is highly valued in China and by collectors. In very good condition, it has expected glaze losses, minor abrasions and cracks due to its age and long tomb burial.

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    Ancient Harpocrates Figurine, Roman Empire, Alexandria (1844BHK) $395

    Original price was: $395.00.Current price is: $335.75.
    Ht: 6.5”  W: 2.625”  D: 1.75” | FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S.!

    This ancient figurine is Harpocrates the Greek god of silence and secrets holding a jar made for a home shrine.  He probably represents a royal and temple cult, as he wears a double crown symbolizing both Upper and Lower Egypt and his royal emblem signifies his association with the reigning Egyptian king, who was considered a manifestation of the Egyptian god Horus. Missing part of his right side when excavated, and no with no repairs this is a true slice of history. It pairs well with #1845 Ancient Pottery Figurine of Child Nurturer Goddess.

     

  • Sale!

    Ancient Pottery Figurine of Child Nurturer Goddess, Roman Empire, Alexandria (1845BHK) $395

    Original price was: $395.00.Current price is: $335.75.
    Ht: 6.75” W: 3” D: 2” | FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S.!

    This Roman Egyptian figurine from Alexandria of a woman holding a young child is a Kourotrophos, a class goddess figures holding infants or children. Referred to as “child nurturers”, these were revered deities, cult figures and mortals who were also fertility symbols and protectors of the young. Made from a bivalve mold, this terracotta figurine was probably placed on a home altar for protection. Mother and child figures like this are universal and appear in cultures throughout the world. It pairs well with #1844 Ancient Harpocrates Figurine.

     

  • Sale!

    Antique Agricultural Deity and Spring Ox, China (16337LKE) $885

    Original price was: $885.00.Current price is: $752.25.
    H: 14.25”  W: 7.125”  D: 4.875” | CALL 213-568-3030 FOR SHIPPING

    To pay homage and respect to one’s ancestors, Chinese rural families commissioned images to honor and protect family members, and in some instances, their domestic and farm animals as seen in this exceptional, fine and rare carving.  Intricately carved from one piece of wood, it depicts a Taoist official holding a hu tablet on top above  the “Spring Ox” accompanied by the “Herd Box”, who together perform an ancient agricultural rituals at the end of each winter to wake the earth up so that spring can arrive.

     

  • Sale!

    Antique Ancestor Figure in Official’s Attire, China (16752) $2285

    Original price was: $2,285.00.Current price is: $1,942.25.
    H: 34″  W: 11.25″  D: 7.25″ | FOR SHIPPING INFORMATION CONTACT US AT 213-568-3030

    Although this wonderfully carved antique figure portrays an ancestor depicted as an official, his atypically benevolent and finely modeled face makes him a very endearing figure. Old and weathering from age in its rear, this piece was repainted probably in the 20th century, as was always periodically done with old figures with losses, here especially due to the seasonal South China climate. With his individualized convincing features, he is a very relatable rather than authoritarian figure, possibly resulting from the affection of the family that commissioned it.

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    Antique Ancestor in Horseshoe Chair, China (19504BSE) SPECIAL PRICE

    Original price was: $650.00.Current price is: $446.25.

    Artisans who were commissioned by family members to carve an ancestor figure they often emphasized positive personal features as well as their high status (or wish to enhance it). So,…

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    Antique Ancestor Official in Ornate Robe with Raised Lacquer Designs (5686BREM) SPECIAL PRICE

    Original price was: $4,950.00.Current price is: $4,207.50.
    H: 23.5″  W: 15.625″  D: 10″ |CALL 213-568-3030 OR EMAIL [email protected] FOR SHIPPING COST

    This exceptional Qing carving portrays a seated official ancestor wearing traditional official’s attire, a red and black official’s hat and black boots. His inset glass eyes and high cheekbones frame a large curved nose, a strong projecting chin and forehead wrinkles indicating a man of importance with the wisdom of age who demands respect. The top two robe layers have wide borders with marvelous raised lacquer decorations that include beautiful cloud forms, flying phoenixes with spread wings and floral sprays.

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    Antique Ancestor with Removable Head, China (5623LKE) $785

    Original price was: $785.00.Current price is: $667.25.
    H: 10.25”  W: 5.125”  D: 4” | FREE SHIPPING!

    This very finely carved figure of an ancestor was commissioned by a family of either high status or wealth, having been carved from a single piece of an exquisite and rare hardwood with a lustrous patina.  The exquisite carving in beautiful dense wood and patina make this a wonderful and distinctive piece.

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    Antique Carved Standing Ancestor Official, China (18017ESK) $425

    Original price was: $425.00.Current price is: $361.25.
    Ht: 8.25″  W: 3″  D: 2.125″ | FREE SHIPPING!

    Dressed in a red robe with a high neck collar, extremely wide sleeves extending below the knees and a belt around his waist, this ancestor figure portrayed as a civilian official standing on a rectangular base with hands together wearing a long civil official’s robe that extends to his shoes but has no rank badge indicated.

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    Antique Carved Wood Taoist Priest, China (16157ERK) $350

    Original price was: $350.00.Current price is: $297.50.
    H: 9.25”  W: 4.5”  D: 3.25” | FREE SHIPPING

    This well carved image probably is a Taoist official that was placed on a home altar along with other religious and ancestral carvings to summon good wishes and energy and ward off malevolent forces. His high status and importance as a Taoist official are affirmed by his static pose, solemn face, official’s robes and refined hat and the red and gilt pigmentation covering the front and back.

  • Sale!

    Antique Civilian Official Ancestor Figure, China (16848BEM) $395

    Original price was: $395.00.Current price is: $335.75.

    H: 13.75″ W: 5.25″ D: 4″ | FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S.!

    This ancestor figure, carved in boxwood the preferred wood softwood during the Qing Dynasty, is portrayed in the characteristic pose of a Chinese civilian official, grasping his official’s belt with his right hand to demonstrate his important stature – which was really not so important for this gentleman, given his humble seating furniture and his modest attire. His right hand rests on the his knee as he sits erect on a thick low-back pedestal. Unlike many officials who are serious, this one is more approachable, with simple deeply carved smiling features, high arching brows and a black painted mustache and beard.

     

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