1. “Moon Festival”

A rare antique Chinese oil painting depicting the women and children of a Chinese household celebrating the festival of the full moon. The artist has masterfully captured the nuance of light and shadow, gently illuminating his subjects with moonlight and candles. There is an atmosphere of both mystery and delight in this captivating composition. China, circa 1820. 

Measuring 30 ¼” high by 42 ¼” wide.

2. An antique Japanese architectural carving of a sacred crane within the branches of an old gnarled pine. The crane is a symbol of wisdom and longevity and the pine is strength and endurance. Japan, circa 1890. Architectural sculptures referred to as Ranma were traditionally placed in an affluent household in a position of prominence in the transom between rooms, above the fusuma (sliding doors) and below the ceiling. Their openwork designs allowed air to circulate and often at sunrise and sunset they offered a play of silhouettes in the adjacent room. Both sides were equally refined in detail, however, there is a front and back to the sculpted tableau where orientation was determined by the significance of the rooms.

Measuring 15” high by 65 ½” wide, including lacquer frame.

3. An antique Tibetan Thangka painting of Vajradhara and Prajnyaparamita in father-mother union posture upon a lotus throne. The primal Buddha Vajradhara, incarnation of the diamond, symbolizing the uncreated and indestructible nature of truth. Vajradhara’s body is deep blue in color indicating the boundless nature of his omniscient mind. The posture symbolizes the union of compassion and wisdom. The consort is Prajnyaparamita (transcendent wisdom), regarded as mother of all Buddhas, she destroys and purifies the evil of ignorance. Their faces reflect a highest harmony, symbolic of profound absorption into the clear light nature of mind, devoid of limitations and pervaded by inconceivable bliss. Below them are three images: at right Akshobhya (Wisdom Buddha), at center auspicious offerings, and at left Dharmatala (the messenger of the Arhats) carries a backpack of books and is accompanied by his tiger as a small figure of Amitabha manifests in a plume of smoke. Above they are flanked by enlightened Lamas Ajita and Pindola. Mineral pigments of canvas. Circa 1900. Purchased in December 1977 from the widow of the late Dr. Evans Wentz, San Diego, CA.

Measuring 52” high by 34” wide.

4. An antique Tibetan Buddhist Thangka depicting the life of the Buddha illustrated in a circular tableau of the twelve most iconic moments of his life. The central figure of Shakyamuni is seated upon a lotus dais with right hand in Bhumisparsha, the earth witness mudra, and his left hand holding a vessel filled with myrobalan nectar. He is surrounded by a radiant nimbus that extends to celestial realms guarded by the great Garuda. Above this, he is blessed by the Ten Buddhas, as well as to the right honored by Eight Mothers. His two great disciples Shariputra and Maudgalyayana are in attendance at the base of his throne. Beginning upper left, the iconic events unfold as follows: Queen Maya’s dream, the birth of Siddhartha, the young prince’s early years, palace life within the court, the four encounters, Siddhartha secretly leaves the palace, the six ascetic years, the defeat of Mara, enlightenment, proclamation of the teachings, preaching the Dharma, and the Parinirvana. Mineral pigments with gold leaf detail create a rich tapestry that pays homage to the Buddha and his journey to enlightenment. 19th century. Purchased in December 1977 from the widow of the late Dr. Evans Wentz, San Diego, CA.

Measuring 44 ½” high by 32” wide.

5. (5) Nakula Arhat - Meditating Luohan

A collection of hand drawn rubbings of the portraits of Luohans from original engraved stone tablets that were commissioned in 1764 by the Chinese Emperor Qianlong. The engravings were done in tribute and as preservation of the remarkable paintings of renowned artist Guanxiu (832-912). They were housed in the Shengyin Temple of Qiantang (present day Hangzhou) that was destroyed, along with its contents and the paintings, during the Taiping Rebellion of the mid-19th century. The tablets mounted like facets into a marble stupa remained unharmed during the rebellion. Rubbings were commissioned from these stones from the latter half of the 19th century to the early 20th century. As these stones are important cultural property, it is our understanding that rubbings are no longer permitted, to preserve the stones for all posterity.

Measuring 52” high by 26 ¾” wide, or 45” high by 20” wide unframed.

6. An Edo Period Japanese Scroll painting mounted in gaku (screen style). The painting depicts a classical portrait of Kwan Yin or Kannon, Goddess of Compassion, seated in the posture of royal ease on a kang beneath a flowering plum tree. On the kang is a phoenix censor and various auspicious items, including a bundle of scrolls, symbol of wisdom. Before her stands a young attendant offering her the peaches of the genii, the fruit of immortality. Gesso and mineral pigments on silk. Circa 1780's.

Measuring 56 ¼" high by 28 ¼" wide.

7. An extraordinary antique Japanese hand embroidered tapestry. Depicted is a landscape of a river flowing beside a thatched cottage as it passes through an autumn forest and above in the distance the iconic Mt. Fuji rises. The entire tapestry is created by hand embroidered individually laid couching and satin stitch. The raw silk threads that were spun to create this work of art have been hand dyed with various natural pigments. There is an overall atmosphere in this beautiful textured composition that evokes a sense of a gentle life in communion with nature. Circa 1890. 

Measuring 75 ½” high by 50 ¾” wide.

8. Frog on Hydrangea in Summer Rain
Jo (fl. ca. 1920-30's)

Publisher: Kato Junji
Late Taisho / Early Showa

Measuring 20” high by 11 ¾” wide (framed), and 14 ¾” high by 7” wide (unframed).

9. Fuji Chrysanthemum with Cricket
Jo (fl. ca. 1920-30's)

Publisher: Kato Junji
Late Taisho / Early Showa

Measuring 20” high by 11 ¾” wide (framed), and 14 ¾” high by 7” wide (unframed).