ASIAN ANTIQUE COLLECTIBLES at Lisa Cohen (Family Jewels)

PLEASE NOTE THAT I WILL BE ON VACATION FROM JULY 7th TO JULY 22nd 2008! Any orders during that time will be processed by July 31st. Please be patient and no that I will have limited, if any, internet access during that time.

Item #

Description

Price

Click here to enlarge image and see more about item 4810: VINTAGE WOODEN CARVED HAPPY BUDDHA STATUE FIGURINE

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4810

VINTAGE WOODEN CARVED HAPPY BUDDHA STATUE FIGURINE From my private collection, hand carved wooden statue of a very happy Buddha, about 4" tall, appears to be real carved ivory teeth and eyes inset into the wood.

Unsure of exact age; I've had it for about 15-20 years, nice condition, no damage or repair, lots of character.

Click here to enlarge image and see more about item 9544: UNUSUAL ASIAN METAL ARTIFACT not sure what this is!

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9544

UNUSUAL ASIAN METAL ARTIFACT not sure what this is! About 4 1/2" wide, heavy base metal, I don't know what this is. Little man sits on top amnd is removeable. VERY COOL!

Tell me what this is!

Click here to enlarge image and see more about item 8233: OLD ART DECO CHINESE ENAMEL PERFUME or SNUFF BOTTLE

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8233

OLD ART DECO CHINESE ENAMEL PERFUME or SNUFF BOTTLE Apprx 3 1/8" by 2 1/2", stamped "CHINA" which dates it before the 1920s. Lovely little bottle, butterfly motif, nice Asian design, looks as if it has sustained some damage from heat, unsure. Phots included to show condition; price reflects condition.

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8996

LOVELY VINTAGE HUGE CHINESE EXPORT VASE URN Gorgeous vase with vibrant colors and design. Pinks and greens with an Oriental design, flowers, apprx 13.5" tall. Splendid graceful shape, nice markings, probably circa 1940s-60s. Came out of a local estate, very good condition, no damage or repairs.

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9802

COOL 1941 RICE PAPER HAND PAINTED JAPANESE CALENDAR Apprx 14' by 6.5", roll up calendar, wooden dowel at top with a larger wooden dowel at the bottom. &extured rice paper with an amazingly lovely hand painted floral design. 1941 calendar attached. Rolls up...I may have a little silk covered box to go with this...if so I will include it.

Lovely WW2 era collectible.

Shows wear but still in decent vintage condition.

Click here to enlarge image and see more about item 3062: LOVELY ANTIQUE CHINESE BRASS ENAMEL MATCHBOX HOLDER

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3062

LOVELY ANTIQUE CHINESE BRASS ENAMEL MATCHBOX HOLDER Stamped "CHINA" on the bottom, early 1900s, lovel enamelling, footed, apprx. 2 1/4" by 1 1/2" by nearly 1" high.

Good condition, warm unpolished patina, unusual piece.

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3544

ANTIQUE BONE & HANDPAINTED SILK FLOWERS JAPANESE FAN Apprx 15" when fully opened, circa 1920s or 30s, real natural bone handle and end pieces, including the bottom loop. Beautifully hand painted on silk, pink roses, each rose in realistic detail. As a bonus a handpainted butterfly is painted across the wooden section.

Very good condition, no damage or repair, some expected age discoloration, but nothing detracting. A lovely piece to use and display.

Click here to enlarge image and see more about item 3561: OLD HANDMADE CHINESE INLAY JADE LACQUERED WALL PLAQUE

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3561

OLD HANDMADE CHINESE INLAY JADE LACQUERED WALL PLAQUE Measuring approximately 23 3/4" by 9 7/8", I was fortunate enough to buy this fabulous Chinese lacquered framed inlay sculpture. I'd guess it dates to the 1940s or 40s, still having the "HONG KONG" mark on the back.

You are buying on the one on the RIGHT ONLY! The RIGHT plaque shows an arrangement with a floral motif in little buds, perhaps some sort of Apple Blossom. THE OTHER ONE IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE!

Each matching piece is shown in a lovely long rectangular black lacquered frame with a Chinese motif brass hanger in the center at the top and silver and gold painted decorations along the border.

This piece has an ornate inlaid design in a nice Asian motif. A gorgeous long stone vase with hand painted decorations holds the floral arangement in a raised design in materials that appear to be jade. I'm not sure if other materials like soapstone, shell, or coral were also used. A nice hand painted swirling design encircles the urn at its widest point. The elegant sculpture is in earthtones of pale greem, burnt orange, cream, and even a pale yellow.

Well made, the piece is backed in black painted wood, and they show minimal, if any wear. No damage or repair or missing pieces, all of the sculpture is intact and ready to display!

Click here to enlarge image and see more about item 3560: IMPORTANT 19th CENTURY CHINESE EMPRESS SCROLL PAINTING!

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3560

IMPORTANT 19th CENTURY CHINESE EMPRESS SCROLL PAINTING! From a local estate collection, this is a rare and important one-of-a-kind Chinese scroll painting from the 1800s. The amazing piece is approximately 27" by 66". It is ornately hand painted with exquisite detail. The scroll has a thin strip of wood at the top and a round wooden rod at the bottom.

The 19th century painting depicts a Chinese empress in traditional costume. Her face is incredibly realistic and her headdress is vibrant and intricate. She wears a crimson red robe with rich decorations. A painted foo dog is below her.

In well preserved condition, this is as nice as they come. It has expected wear, and the heavy parchment type paper has a silk like border vertically down the sides. Other than some minimal wear on the edges and near the top, it is in excellent condition, the painting unfaded and quite special. Shop price was over $1800 on this painting.

Click here to enlarge image and see more about item 3673: SUPERB VINTAGE CHINESE SNUFF BOTTLE w DRAGON DESIGN

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3673

SUPERB VINTAGE CHINESE SNUFF BOTTLE w DRAGON DESIGN Apprx 2 1/4" by 2 1/4", unsure of age, estimate it to be mid 1900s, milk glass Chinese snuff or perfume bottle, dragon painting on each side, little real jade top stopper with original dauber.

Good condition.

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3906

SUPERB ANTIQUE BRONZE CHINESE BUDDHA FIGURE for INCENSE Measuring a tad shy of 6" tall and about 3.5" at its widest point, this Chinese figural statue of the Buddha dates to the early to mid 1900s. It's heavy and made of bronze and has a rich warm patina.

Beautifully detailed, I think this may have been an incense burner as it is hollow and has little holes at the corner of his smiling mouth. If not originally intended to use for incense, it would still be a terrific use for such a cool statue nevertheless.

The Buddha is a Chinese style Buddha with great detail. He wears a draping robe, has a big belly and breast area, and has interesting short arms. He's in vry good condition with the exception of a small place on the back of his right shoulder where a small piece of metal has chipped off. This is not noticeable at all from the front and it still has an attractive and authentic look and feel.

Sure to please a collector of Asian items, this laughing Buddha has been in my own collection for nearly 15 yrs. I actually paid nearly $100 for this at an antique show here in Atlanta and am offering this for a fraction of my own cost. Don't miss this special icon!

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3943

ANTIQUE CHINESE STAMP BOX FLOWER ENAMEL on BRASS This is a fine Chinese stamp box. Measuring approximately 3 1/4" across, 1 1/8" high, and 1 1/2" deep, this piece predates the art deco flapper era by a few years, I believe.

The diminutive little box is made of brass and stamped "CHINA" on the bottom...in the 1920s, the words "MADE IN" had to be added to the marking, so this piece was made prior to then.

The box is simply lovely!! Adorned on the top and sides with gorgeous enamelling, the box opens on a hinge to reveal a divided compartment to house your stamps. The flowers are hand done...this may even be considered a form of cloissone (cloissone'), though I am not positive. Regardless, the design is vibrant with a yellow background and bright blues, greens, pinks, and a bit of purple.

IN excellent condition, the enamel has minimal wear; it's not perfect. There are a few VERY MINOR places, much less than expected on a piece that dates back to the late Victorian and Edwardian age. The enamel is unfaded and bright and the hinge is original and functional. A great piece to add to your collection of Oriental collectibles, don't pass up this lovely piece!

Click here to enlarge image and see more about item 3960: SUPERB ASIAN ANTIQUE IVORY NETSUKE GOAT or RAM

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3960

SUPERB ASIAN ANTIQUE IVORY NETSUKE GOAT or RAM Unsure if this is Chinese or Japanese, this antique netsuke looks to be a late 19th century to early 20th century piece. It measures about 1 3/8" long and nearly an inch high, and it's made of solid natural ivory, I was told by the local estate where I purchased this that this is true tusk ivory, but not being an expert, I am not 100% sure.

The miniature sculpture appears to be an animal of some kind. I think it is either a ram or a goat. It was difficult to photograph, but it's very nice with an aged patina to the ivory, nice graining evident, and lovely details including curved horns like a ram. Maybe a Mountain goat? On the bottom it is signed by the artist...it kind of looks like "NIC...??" but I believe it's Japanese or Chinese letters.

Whether from Japan or China, this is a superb piece in excellent condition. There are two holes on one side with a metal loop in it to hang from a chain as a piece of jewelry if desired, and the netsuke is free from damage or repair. Sure to be a welcomed addition to any collection of Asian memorabilia, this is a nice Oriental ivory treasure not to be missed!

Click here to enlarge image and see more about item 4837: ANTIQUE CHINESE MOTHER of PEARL GAMBLING GAMING CHIPS

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4837

ANTIQUE CHINESE MOTHER of PEARL GAMBLING GAMING CHIPS This is for a collection of 4 hand carved mother of pearl antique Chinese gaming chips. They have never been online before and have been in my private collection for nearly 25 years. They are authentic, in excellent condition, and one price gets all four.

From a 1999 article, here is some more information about these miniature carvings. If I was going to keep them, I think I'd set them in gold or silver and make pendants from them. The largest chip in this collection is probably the rarest as it has a lovely carved seen and an interesting monogram on the back. The smaller rectangular chip is also a nice scenic carving as does the smallest of the rectangles.

From the article:

"Card games with quaint names like Piquet, Quadrille, and Spinado were the rage in the 18th and 19th centuries, as popular as today’s bridge, poker, and blackjack. Although the games are long gone, their mother-of-pearl gaming chips live on as collectible antiques and highly fashionable jewelry.

The most beautiful antique chips are the ones carved and engraved by the Chinese between 1720 and 1840. These undervalued mother-of-pearl chips are readily available. Most important, they often can be dated. Provenance can frequently be determined from engravings on the chips, and, since the chips were transported from their place of manufacture, still-extant shipping records document details such as who commissioned them and what price was paid.

Aristocrats often arranged to purchase exotic gaming chips through sea captains and agents of the Honourable East India Company (HEIC). As part of their salary, crew members were allocated a small area in the cargo hold in which to transport items to sell personally back in the motherland. The shipping companies themselves were primarily interested in major products such as tableware and tea rather than in small trinkets like mother-of-pearl gaming chips.

According to Derek Cowan of Lansdown, England, an internationally renowned collector, the earliest recorded gaming-chip purchase was cataloged by HEIC in 1716 and included three dozen fish counters (the fish being the Chinese symbol for luck) along with six dozen others, commissioned and purchased by Lady Griselle Baillie. Because transit time would customarily be two to three years, Lady Baillie would have received her gaming chips around 1718.

Shape, design, and value. The value of antique Chinese gaming chips depends on your point of view. To exonumiasts (collectors of coins and tokens), value is based on the number of chips produced, whether they were personalized or provenance can be determined, the armorial design (if present), the detail and expertise of the carving, the chip’s shape and thickness, whether the border includes serrated or carved edges, and the design of the engraved scene. Engravings of doves and flowers, which appear on thousands of gaming chips, are less prized than armorial chips, particularly those that belonged to "the first governor of New York" or other colonial notables, says Cowan.

From the jewelry designer’s point of view, the overall shape, border details, quality of the engraving, and design of the engraved scene are the key factors.

Because collectors and jewelers base their value judgments on different factors, the highest-value gaming chips generally aren’t used in jewelry. Instead, these chips are purchased by serious collectors like Cowan. In order to obtain a top-valued piece, a collector may have to buy 1,000 less-prized chips, which he or she may resell to jewelry designers or others.

Most antique game-counter shapes are round, rectangular, square, cushion, marquise, oval, single fish (carp), or two crossed fish (dolphins). The single carp and crossed dolphins were the two most frequently commissioned shapes. According to Inge Sarosi, a Los Angeles designer and manufacturer of gaming-chip jewelry, the circular and square chips lend themselves best to jewelry; however, these shapes are the hardest to find. Rectangular chips, while more rare than fish-shaped, look "too much like a business card" and therefore are not as valued by designers, she says. Border details add interest to the piece, so designers seek out edges that are serrated, carved, or carved and pierced.

Designers will use interestingly shaped chips in their entirety for jewelry and will cut up older, damaged game pieces, using the better-quality portions. Armorials are typically kept in one piece, mainly because of their value to collectors.

The engraving on gaming chips is often highly detailed. Early engraving designs include scenes from Chinese poetry or philosophical stories; many depict Chinese flora and fauna, as well as views from everyday life. However, once the British got interested in gaming chips, their influence became evident. There are four types of British engravings: the coat-of-arms, displaying helmet armor ("helm") and crowns ("coronets") representing the history and wealth of the family who commissioned the chips; the buyer’s monogram; numbers from 1 to 1,000, for games requiring point tallies; and card suits and game names.

Beware the fakes. Cowan, Sarosi, and other experts are concerned about the proliferation of faux Chinese gaming chips. It’s very difficult to distinguish the new hand-carved chips from the antiques, even for those who know what to look for. The key to determining the fakes is to note the absence of cross-hatched engraving underneath the principal scene. No one as yet has been able to reproduce the fine engraving seen on the antique chips. The engraved design can also be a sign of the fake, depicting "current Chinese inspiration," as Cowan puts it. The faux chips use no armorials or monograms."

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9287

ANTIQUE CHINESE BRASS SCENIC ENAMEL TRINKET BOX CHINA Purchased in an estate. Solid brass, stamped "CHINA", dates to the early 1900s, pre 1920s. Nice heavy weight, beautiful enamelled raised relief scene of Chinese men carrying a little people-carrier type of box. The lid has an orange knob at the top that a