Early 1800s Sculptures and Carvings

This ceramic tsa tsa brick depicts a series of six Buddhist deities. It was crafted as a meditation by a Buddhist monk in training and traditionally would have...

This stack of three molded ceramic tsa tsas depict Buddhist deities. Each was a meditation created in a monastery by a Buddhist monk in training. They were sol...

This stack of two molded ceramic tsa tsa bricks depict Buddhist deities. Each was a meditation created in a monastery by a Buddhist monk in training. They were...

This intricately done sculpture depicting a stoic lion at rest on a limb is beautifully cast with a dark rich caramel patina. Mounted on a black marble base that beautifully, as well...

Do you know what Daikokuten is? This god in Japan is an old god who has existed since the end of the Muromachi period (16th century) as one of the seven gods who bestow happiness. He...

This gorgeous Japanese red lacquer traveling shrine (zushi) protects a miniature statue of Bishamonten, the Buddhist God of Warfare here depicted as an armor-clad warrior. A fearsome protector, he is thought to defend sacred places, punish evil-doers, expel demons and bestow wealth. In this example, Bishamonten stands atop a crouching demon, dressed in finely painted armor...

Antique 19th century Chinese carved gold gilt and painted wood wall panel or plaque with scholar and warrior figures scene. Signed on back as p...

A rare and unusual Chinese Ming Dynasty bronze figure of the Buddha as an infant. The young Prince Siddhartha, who would grow up to become the Buddha, is portrayed standing, one hand pointing to the sky, the other to the ground. He is naked, save for a baby apron...

Two exquisite Japanese musha ningyo dolls, crafted as courtiers, Edo Period, early 19th century, Japan. The older man can be identified as the h...

A 19th century Asian stone architectural fragment. This intriguing sculpture probably had a utilitarian function as a water deposit. As often in China prac...

Spectacular 19th century Japanese late Edo period six-panel byobu screen depicting Yoshitsune and Benkei, two heroes of Japanese folklore. Crafted in ink and natural color pigments on mulberry paper with thick gold leaf borders on each panel. The character Yoshitsune is seated under a blossoming cherry tree in full armor holding a fan. The warrior priest or monk Benkei is depicted kneeling on a leopard skin...

On offer is an impressively large and finely cast Sino-Tibetan gilt antiquebronze statue of Vajrasattva Bodhisattva, circa 19th century maybe earlier. The deity is depicted seating i...

A fine quality Meiji period (1868-1912) Miyao bronze statue of a female muscian, having wonderful gilded high lights and mounted on a hardwood stand. Sign...

This is a stone statue of Jizo Bodhisattva, believed to have been created on Sado Island in Niigata Prefecture during the Edo period. On Sado Island, there is a small Jizo hall known as “Nashinoki Jizo,” where numerous stone Buddha statues dedicated by local people since the Edo period are still enshrined today. The sight of these statues, densely covering the ground, conveys the everyday prayers of the people of that time—their heartfelt wishes for children’s growth, recovery from illness, and protection in daily life. Against this background, Jizo worship on Sado Island is closely connected to the concept of “Migawari Jizo,” or substitute Jizo. This belief holds that Jizo takes upon itself the misfortunes and suffering that would otherwise befall people. It was a common practice for people to dedicate Jizo statues...

This is a pair of pottery Komainu (guardian lion-dogs) believed to have been made during the Edo period, in the area around present-day Aichi Prefecture, Japan. Komainu are mythical...