Catalog (628)

Introduction: Wai Ming's original oil paintings and fine art reproductions, mainly of oriental subjects, are admired and collected by people throughout the world, including the famous and foreign dignitaries. Seldom has the impact of an artist been so immediate as that of Wai Ming on his arrival in San Francisco from Hong Kong in 1974. His artistic sensitivity is combined with a startling realism that has caught the attention of the public. His four paintings that he displayed at Swanson...

Description: Superb and one of a king hand made Gold Mirror, 19th century Quajar era, wooden mirror covered by pure gold panels, chisel and engraving work is absolutely fascinating depicting different figures in different position, boarders with floral design. Dimensions: The height of mirror is 15 inches with the width of 7.75 inches and depth of 5/8 inches. Condition Reports: very good condition with a few minor missing spots which I tried to show in close capture images therefore you can m...

AN ELEGANT GERMAN SILVER AND IVORY FIGURE OF A KNIGHT An appealing and superb standing Teutonic Knight in full armor, with ivory face and hands, holding a long sword in the left hand and a shield in the right, mounted on black granite base with beveled edge. Unknown maker, circa 1940 and it bears STERLING, GERMANY, 925. size: 21-1/2 inches high, including the base, 2-1/2 inches. Condition: Minor surface scratching, cracking to ivory, minor scratching and chipping to granite base. I acquired ...

with gold in-lay on the ivory handle and gold in-lay on the blade on four different framed writings (to translate, made by Esfahani, describing ali Allah). L: 40 5/8 in.(103cm)

(lot of 2) Persian Shamshir sword, early 19th century, the hilt with wooden grips (likely replaced) with engraved cross bar guard and strap, surmounting the curved Damascene blade, having two gold inlaid Koftgari cartouches inscribed, 'Amal-e Assadollah' (The work of Assadollah), which may be an honorific rather than an actual maker's mark, this inscription honors one of the great sword makers of the Safavid period and may have been given to master Persian sword smiths, the sword also appears to...

Description: A rare example of fine early Quajar-era quality and form, the translucent blond ramshorn grips with rolled Ottoman-type pommel. The guard forged of Persian black wootz damascus steel with gold inlaid borders, the tangband of brass. The blade of complex form; long,lightly-curved, single-edged and fullered, with distinctive javelin head motif to the tip, forged of Persian black Damascus wootz steel with finely chiseled panels bordered in gold to each side of the forte: on the right...

Safavid Dynasty. (1502–1736) Persian dynasty. It was founded by Isma'il I, who, by converting his people from Sunnite to Shi'ite Islam and adopting the trappings of Persian monarchy, planted the seeds of a unique national and religious identity. He captured Tabriz from the Ak Koyunlu and became shah of Azerbaijan (1501) and Persia (1502). 'Abbas I (r. 1588–1629) brought the dynasty to its peak; his capital, Isfahan, was the center of Safavid architectural achievement. The dynasty decl...

Dating: 17th Century Provenance: Germany Straight, flame-shaped blade, on a side a strong raiser worked with woven chiselling, the tip shaped as an arrow. The quillon as bat wings, with hollow faces engraved with racemes. Bone grip, flat on a side and convex on the other, decorated with engraved effigy of soldiers and flowers within frames, iron cap. Scabbard of bone sectors engraved with floral motifs, with grotesque figures, at the front the high-relieved effigy of a soldier in his armour. D...

A rare example of fine early Quajar-era quality and form, the heavily-gilt hilt with fluted grip, the straight,broad, single-edged blade forged of Persian black Damascus wootz steel with finely chiseled panels bordered in gold to each side of the forte: on the right is a Quranic passage, on the left two cartouches; the upper with, O Fulfiller of needs! the lower depicting the lion associated with Assad Allah, followed by a crescent moon and star inlaid in gold, light wear to gold work, Over...

With elephant grips and characteristic steel pommel cap and guard displaying wootz pattern and silver wire wrap to base. The robust, shallowly-curved blade finely wrought of Persian black wootz in the well-known Ladder Pattern and signed in a pair of inlaid cartouches at the right forte, containing the name and title of Shah Abbas I of Iran (e. 1588-1629,) ABBAS SHAH BANDE-YE VILAYET together with the maker’s name, AMAL-E ASSAD ALLAH (Work of Assad Allah.) In its embossed leather over woo...

A FINE 16TH CENTURY PERSIAN JAMIYA, with doubled edged curved steel blade, the carved ivory handle with Arabic inscription "Made by Haji, Enthronement of the King Cumar Farug the Second 986 AH," which equates to the year 1578. It also exhibits the image of Persian mythical King with his inscribed name "Houshang". The length oh khanjar is 18 inches. Condition Report: This item is in great condition.

Wide, double-edged blade with thin central raiser, base with two cartouches bearing gold-inlaid inscriptions in Arabic; iron, two-pieces grip with langets, quillons faced towards the blade ending in stylized elephant's heads. Sword bears name of Qujar king Nase-Al-Din Shah on one side and his title on the other. Naser-Al-Din Shah ruled from 1848 until his assassination the day before country was celebrating his 50th year of his reign on 1898. Surface finely engraved with birds and floral motifs,...

The katar is a type of push dagger from India. It is characterised by its H-shaped horizontal hand grip, which results in the blade of the sword sitting above the user's knuckles. Unique to South Asia, it is the most famous and characteristic of Indian daggers. Most katar have straight blades, but in south India they are commonly wavy. The Indian nobility often wore ornamental katar as a symbol of their social status. Description: A massive example, the steel hilt with finely chiseled gr...

Chinese silver three-piece tea set: teapot with hinged cover, creamer, and sugar bowl; all with bamboo motifs, bears silver mark to the base. Total weight: approx. 29.5 troy ozs.; Size: Dimension of teapot is 10 1/2 x 5 1/2 inches, Sugar 7 x 4 1/4 inches and Creamer 5 1/2 x 3 inches. Condition Report: Fair condition.

Very well crafted Continental .800 silver chariot, cupid riding the vehicle and pulled by a goat, late 19th century period, gold washed interior, hallmarked. Size; Measurements of this item are 9.5"l x 4.75"h x 3"w. Condition Report; Condition consistent with age, no issues noted.

The Quran, literally meaning The Recitation, is the central and holy text of 1.2 billion Muslims all around the world which is believed to be word of god and regarded as the miracle of Mohamed and proof of his prophethood. Quran is widely regarded the finest book of literature in the Arabic language. It is composed of different "suras" regarded as Maccan or Medinan depending on place of their revelations by angel Gabriel over period of 23 years. The fist sura was revealed to Mohammad at the age...

The beaked iron grip lavishly inlaid in gold overall in alternating bands of vinework and beading, the pommel with concealed container has a hidden compartment probably for storing poison in case of being captured. Forte of straight, single-edged blade decorated en suite with gold panels. In its velvet-covered wooden scabbard. Late 19th century. Overall length 35.8 cm. Condition Report: Excellent.

The origins of the hookah come from the north western provinces of India along the border of Pakistan in Rajasthan and Gujarat nearly a millennia back. In Persia, before the age of cigar and cigarette, hookah was used for generations and generally they were made from clay. The aristocrats and wealthy had the upper section of their hookah made from silver and the base was porcelain or crystal. Therefore crafting the hookah's top section became an stage for the silversmiths to exhibit their talen...

The origins of the hookah come from the north western provinces of India along the border of Pakistan in Rajasthan and Gujarat nearly a millennia back. In Persia, before the age of cigar and cigarette, hookah was used for generations and generally they were made from clay. The aristocrats and wealthy had the upper section of their hookah made from silver and the base was porcelain or crystal. Therefore crafting the hookah's top section became an stage for the silversmiths to exhibit their ta...

Incredible pair of Austrian silver figural candlesticks, decorated with a semi nude couple in antiquate Greek style attire each holding a candle holder over the head, right bellow their feet, four medallion exhibiting Greek men and women in relief. Maker: Eduard Gottsleben, Vienna, c. 1880, marked E.G. and the Diana touchmark. Size; Height of each item is 15 inches, weight 72.5 troy oz. Condition Report; Great condition with no imperfections.

Group German style sterling silver and etched glass barware, early 20th century period. (8) pcs., incl. (2) matched decanters, mark of Edward Ball Co., NY; (5) glasses retailed by S. Wyler, Inc., NY; and (1) English decanter bottle, circa 1902, maker B. Muller & Son, 11.5"h x 4.25"w x 3.5"d (tallest). Condition Report; Good condition, no issues noted.

Artist: (1875-1908) with six character mark Title: CHINESE DRAGON DESIGN PORCELAIN CHARGER. Date: (1875-1908) Medium: porcelain. Dimensions: 17 inches in diameter. Description: painted with a dragon at middle surrounded by four more dragons amid clouds with dragon design on reverse rim. Signature: with six character mark on reverse. Condition Report: Very good condition.

Chinese delicately carved jadeite "pebble"; of unusual form: rendered as a lily pad wrapped about swimming fishes with scrolling foliage in deep relief; the interior of light green with a polished rust color pebble exterior, artist has rendered great workmanship featuring this wonderful carving, late 19th/early 20th century period. Size; Length of carving is 7 1/2 inches, in great condition with no imperfections.

Finely crafted Pair of German .800 silver gilt figural compotes, early 20th century period, each fitted with a later Paragon porcelain bowl, hallmarked. Size; Height of each compote is 6.5 inches with diameter of 9 inches. Condition Report; No imperfections noted.

Myanmar silver-work is an ancient industry dating back to the 13th Century. Monarchs customarily used silver and gold bowls as rewards for the ministers and the attendants' loyalty and faithfulness to the royal family. Silver items were also a symbol of wealth because only the ministers, the generals and the rich citizens used silver for items such as betel-nut boxes and stands, flower bowls and vases, spittoons, daggers, dagger sheaths, and regalia and waistbands for the kings. Descriptio...

Introduction: Myanmar silver-work is an ancient industry dating back to the 13th Century. Monarchs customarily used silver and gold bowls as rewards for the ministers and the attendants' loyalty and faithfulness to the royal family. Silver items were also a symbol of wealth because only the ministers, the generals and the rich citizens used silver for items such as betel-nut boxes and stands, flower bowls and vases, spittoons, daggers, dagger sheaths, and regalia and waistbands for the kings. ...

Dating: Early 19th Century. Provenance: Indo/Persia. Slightly curved, double-edged blade, ribbed at the tip, with double fuller, decorated with a gold-inlaid, floral cartouche at the forte; rock crystal grip, slightly curved, with pommel worked as a bud. Dimensions: length, 35 cm.

The Burmese were master silver workers and high relief repousse bowls are their specialty. This bowl is exceptional, it consist of the bowl which has been hammered to a round and very smooth shape and then the wonderful repousse work on a outer layer that has been masterfully wrapped around the inner bowl. The work is executed so fine that it seems to be one piece and you won't notice it until upon close and careful inspection. Dimensions: this item has a height of 6 inches and a diameter o...

The elegant black horn hilt with fingerstalls and crested karabela-type pommel, the fine, sinuous blade multi-fullered on the obverse and inscribed in gold, the reverse with a single narrow fuller at the spine and a panel of gold inlay in intertwining vine motifs. In its wooden scabbard covered entirely in embossed and chased silver displaying Ottoman baroque flowering vine motifs and terminating in a monster head finial. Mid-19th century.Grips with areas of worming. Named for the town near ...

Antique Manuscript cover gifted to Baber, Founder of Indian Mughal Empire, The great grandson of Tamerlane, Babar, who on his mother's side was descended from the famous Genghiz Khan, came to India in 1526 at the request of an Indian governor who sought Babar's help in his fight against Ibrahim Lodi, the last head of the Delhi Sultanate. Babar defeated Lodi at Panipat, not far from Delhi, and so came to establish the Mughal Empire in India. Babar ruled until 1530, and was succeeded by his so...

Massive and antique, Chinese Ming-style porcelain dragon dish: with writhing dragons centering an aubergine dragon; amid clouds to the interior and exterior on a bright yellow ground; with six-character mark. Size: Diameter of this fine dish is 20 inches. Condition Report: Good Condition.

"The first and last thing required of genius is the love of truth," so spake one of of history's few true geniuses. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Germany's brilliant scientist, philosopher, and poet, was born at Frankfort-on-the-Main, August 28, 1749. Originally a lawyer, Johann had an awakening while sojourning in Italy in 1786 and resolved to devote his life instead to the pursuit of truth, to poetry and science. According to Richard Allen, Goethe was to become "one of the giants of Europea...

Introduction; Hans Muller was born in Vienna Austria on January 10th 1873. He was a pupil of the sculptor Edmund Hellmmer at the Vienna Academe of Art. Much of his work is on permanent display in the Simu Museum in Bucharest, Hungary. Description; Superbly crafted bronze sculpture of standing gentelman, it seems to be elder Goethe. This item stands 10.5 inches long on a 2 inches marble base, total height is 13.5 inches. sculpture is from late 19th/early 20th century period. Condition Report;...

Set of twelve stone seals with related zodiac symbols and poem, China; marked. Dimensions: Size of all are approx. 4-1/2"H x 1-3/8" squared. Condition Report: Very good condition.

Fine Chinese export semi-eggshell enameled porcelain plate, depicting a finely and delicately painted young woman and child reading in a courtyard setting within a rim of alternating scenic cartouches highlighted in gold and executed on a thin porcelain plate with raised rim foot on verso, 18th century period. Size; Diameter 8 inches, in good condition.

Description: Superb painting of Queen Victoria, in her old age, dressed in red with white lace, sitting and slightly looking to her right. This portrait is French and the artist name and the year,1878, and place, Paris, along with more information is engraved on the back. Size: The portrait is 2 1/4" in height and1.75" wide, in perfect condition, set in a 4"H X 2.75"W fine gilt bronze frame. The workmanship is absolutely superb and the artist has exhibited his great talent successfully thro...