Ming Sculptures and Carvings

This richly sculpted hand carved and gilded Bodhisattva sculpture is almost certainly a fragment of a larger structure, likely an architectural ornament from an East Asian Buddhist t...

An Important Chinese Carved Wood Figure of Guanyin, Ming Dynasty, 17th Century Description: A dignified portrayal of the bodhisattva, respl...

A fine and unusual carving of a mythical animal, possibly a pixiu, of celadon and russet nephrite jade, Ming Dynasty or earlier, China. The mythical animal masterfully carved as a...

A superb Chinese yellow and russet nephrite jade carving of a mythical beast, Ming Dynasty (1368 to 1644) or earlier, China The mythical beast is portrayed with feline features, i...

The magnificent 31 lb bronze Buddha statue, crafted in the Ming dynasty style, captivates with its timeless beauty and serene presence. Depicting a young Shakyamuni, the statue exude...

A very large antique Asian wood carving of the iconic Laughing Buddha. The sculpture has great form, the Buddha with his right hand resting ...

China, a carving of a canine “Pug”, Ming Dynasty, 1368-1644 CE Dimensions: 38 cm, 15” High Photographs taken indoors and out of doors for your viewing pleasure. The hand carved limestone beast shown on its haunches with naturalistic joyful expression and a well defined compact head, ears, noes, eyes, feet, and tail parted to one side on reverse with distinctive collar ornament seated four square on a thick base all-over showing a weathered surface from significant age. Formerly exhibited “Asia Week” New York City, Fuller Building, Hutton Gallery 2006. Provenance: ex collection luoyang, Henan Province, China. Includes custom display base as shown Catalog reference: 35 years collecting 35 treasures, Number 35, p.76 (photo) In ancient China, it is a well-known fact that several types of small dogs were bred and were favored pet gifts between emperors and kings including Lion Dogs, Pekingese and Lo-sze breeds. Some Lo-sze are pictured wearing collars with bells a frequent combination fancied by European royalty of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. Lo-sze or pugs were prized for their compact body, good bones, flat face, square jaw, short coat, curled tail, side set back ears, and temperate disposition. History: Placing stone animals in important tombs can be traced back at least to the Qin Dynasty (221-206 BCE), some two thousand years ago. In ancient times, stone animals and human figures placed before imperial tombs symbolized royal power and privilege in addition to decorative functions. The first Ming tomb...

A fantastic pair of large Chinese tileworks sancai glazed Buddhistic lions and attendants, late Ming Dynasty, first half of the 17th century, Shanxi, China. Presented on custom 20th century wood and lacquer table-form stands. This pair of lions and attendants portray Buddhist lions...

19th century Buddhist carving of Guanyin, shown standing with flowing robes on a rocky outcrop, mounted on a lobed wooden base. She holds a bottle in one hand and a basket of fruit i...

A 19th century Chinese Ming dynasty hand carved stone monkey sculpture. This Chinese sculpture features a monkey figure, sitting on a rock formation, holding a square item, perhaps a...

A Chinese Ming Dynasty period (1368 - 1644) hand-carved stone Foo Dog guardian lion sculpture depicting a male placing his paw atop a ball. Created in Ch...

A Large and Rare Chinese 18th-Century or possibly earlier Patinated Bronze Bust of Guanyin This large Patinated Bronze Bust represents Guanyin, the Bodhisattva of Compassion, portra...

A remarkable pair of large Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) earthenware Imperial roof decorations - ornamental architectural terracotta roof tile beasts. 15th/16th century or earlier, Northern China, most likely Forbidden City, Dongcheng District, Beijing, figural pottery modeled as mythical qilin (foo dog / guardian lion), the crouching beast with legs back and flaming body depicted ready to pounce. Retaining partial remnants of the red wax export seal, indicating they are authentic and were legally exported out of the country. Dimensions: (approx) Largest: 18" Tall, 19" Wide, 8" Deep History: Chinese roof tiles have been a part of Chinese architecture for over 2,000 years. These unique and beautifully crafted tiles have become an integral part of traditional Chinese culture, and have gained international recognition for their beauty and cultural significance. In this article, we will explore the different types of Chinese roof tiles, their construction, cultural significance, preservation and restoration techniques, and modern uses. Chinese imperial roof decorations or roof charms or roof-figures (Chinese: 檐獸/檐兽; pinyin: yán shòu) or "walking beasts" (Chinese: 走獸/走兽; pinyin: zǒu shòu) or "crouching beasts" (Chinese: 蹲獸/蹲兽; pinyin: Dūn shòu) were statutes placed along the ridge line of official buildings of the Chinese empire. Only official buildings (palaces, government buildings, and some temples) were permitted to use such roof decorations. Occasionally arranged in an outward marching procession with various different examples, the number and type indicating the importance of the duties performed within the building or within the courtyard protected by a gate. With a maximum number of nine, the mythical beast was one of the highest in rank, thus modeled set to pounce upon the man and lower ranking creatures, ready to devour them should they stray from performing their duties with faithfulness and rectitude The Design and Construction of Chinese Roofs: The roof design is an important aspect of Chinese architecture, with each component of the roof playing a specific role. Chinese roof tiles fit into the overall design of the roof and are placed on top of wooden supports called purlins. The interlocking system of Chinese roof tiles ensures that they stay in place and prevent leaks. Ridge tiles...

A carved wood Budda from the Shanxi region, made during the Ming Dynasty. The carved figure has an ancient polychrome finish.

Ming musicians (men) 7.75h A set of glazed musicians with drums and trumpets. The base of the sculpture is 2 inches by 2.25 inches - the stand measures 3 inches by 3 inches. Whi...

A striking pair of large Chinese glazed and painted pottery figures, Ming Dynasty (1368 to 1644), circa 16th century, China. The impressive and realistically modeled figures each portrayed standing upright upon a sancai (three color) glazed pedestal of kang table form. The man is dressed in a short black surcoat over a long robe and pants, a smart cap upon his head. His face is warm and welcoming, with wide eyes and a slight smile on his lips. He holds his hands out in front of him, palms up, almost as if shrugging, though presumably originally holding an object or offering, now lost. The woman of slightly smaller stature, and dressed in a longer surcoat over a long robe and skirt. She wears a fitted cap upon her head. Her hands also held out in front, grasping long lost objects. Her face is slightly more severe, with a somewhat pinched look, and slight frown upon her lips. The size of these figures is remarkable, as is the realism and attention to detail, almost as if they were modeled after real people, as opposed to the more common and generic Ming Dynasty pottery...

Rare pair of large Chinese carved stone foo dog guardian lions. Originated from a house of a mandarin (a public official in the Chinese Empire), located on The Silk Road. Here they were placed in front of the gate, with the gate doors mounted on the base behind the lions. The pair consist of a male with a ball on his back, and a female holding a puppy. The ball represents the world and the puppy represents nature or a nurturing spirit. One stand lightly carved with a horse, the other with a deer. The front of the stand is carved with camel...

MAGNIFICENT! BRONZE LION INCENSE BURNER! EXTREMELY RARE! APPROXIMATE DIMENSIONS: 7" Tall x 7" Wide Well cast, standing on all four legs (very rare pose!) while twisting its sin...

China, a monumental pair (2) of 500 year old lime stone “Spirit Path” Equine horse head sculptures. Ming dynasty, (1368-1644 CE). Please view our video. A pair of near life size and robust head sections with fine, wavy combed manes, well defined mouths, ears, nostrils, and ornamental bridles, all carved in a medium to dark gray limestone with considerable weathering to surfaces. The smaller head with a later inscription on bottom and signed “Zhuang”. Formerly exhibited “Treasures from Asia”, Shelburne Vermont, Shelburne Art Center, 2006. Originally found in the vicinity of the village of Chuan near Luoyang City, Henan Provance, China. Each mounted on a custom iron display stand. Dimensions: A the smaller 32.5cm, 13” high and 62.5cm, 25” in length and with display stand, 60cm, 24” high; b the larger 37.5cm, 15” high and 67.5cm, 27” in length and with display stand 65cm, 26” high. Please view additional photographs from our Chinese antiquities catalog 35 Years Collecting 35 Treasures, page 60. History: Placing stone animals and human figures along spirit paths in front of important tombs can be traced back at least to the Qin Dynasty (221-206 BCE), some two thousand years ago. In ancient times, stone animals and human figures placed before imperial tombs symbolized royal power and privilege in addition to decorative functions. Life size “spirit path” stone horse sculptures are known and can be viewed from Ming dynasty tombs including thirteen imperial tombs of the Ming Dynasty scattered over an area of forty square kilometers in Changping District to the northwest of Beijing. The first Ming tomb...

Chinese late Ming dynasty bronze figure of the Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara, also known as Guanyin (Quan Yin, Kwan Yin, Kuan Yin), 17th century, China  The figure well cast in two ...

A decidingly charming Chinese polychromed and gilt cast bronze figure of Nanhai Guanyin, Guanyin of the South Sea, Ming Dynasty, 16th/17th century, China. Guanyin, the bodhisattva of compassion, is portrayed here as a beatific figure seated upon a raised lotus pedestal over waves. Guanyin is dressed in heavy robes, and wears an elaborate headdress. The small figure of Amitabha Buddha in the headdress positively identifies this figure as Guanyin. Guanyin rests one hand in his lap, holding a cup of pure water said to be able to alleviate all suffering. His other hand is raised, holding a willow branch which is used to sprinkle the healing waters. The two lotus blossoms to either side of Guanyin would originally have supported figures of the acolytes...

A Small Chinese Carved Timber Polychrome Figure, Ming Dynasty Provenance: Private Old Australian Collection Acquired in Beijing Market in 1980s. Description: The cavity in the back...

Calligraphic inscription upper right. Composition of leafy branches with berries and flowers and with a bird perched on one of them in the center. Dimensions: 15 3/4 x 27", Depth 2...

This hand carved Chinese wooden horse is a type of centuries-old burial figurine known as míngqì. Depicting the pleasures of daily life, míngqì f...

A small and charming Chinese cizhou ware glazed pottery figure of a Taoist deity or official, Song to Ming Dynasty, 13th - 15th century, China, ex. Christi...

A Large Antique Chinese Carved Timber Figure of Guanyin Riding an Elephant Description: Enlivened with polychrome application, the bodhisattva seated in 'rajalilasana' astride a rec...

Very serene depiction of a Lohan carved in wood, eroded with the pass of time. Lohan is the Chinese term, derived from the Sanskrit word Arhan, for a disciple or follower of Buddha w...

Over four hundred years ago, these rare stone finials once adorned the garden or courtyard of a traditional Qing-dynasty home. Hand-carved in Shanxi province, they offer a rare glimp...

A stoneware shrine model with a figurine made in Ming dynasty (15th-17th century) in China and used as funeral burial objects. It is not known whether the two objects were originally associated, but they display similar glaze and oxidation and were in the same collection. The stoneware building is an architectural rendering of a typical ancestor shrine used at the time. It features a single room behind an elaborate front with double doors, under a multiple layered eaves. There are great architectural and decorative details throughout. The green glaze shows a wonderful silvery oxidation, an indication that the piece was buried in the ground. The side appears to be glazed lightly originally and some scrape marks and oxidized glaze residues remains. The back is unglazed. The figure is a typical tomb figurine...

An all original, 18th century, hand carved, solid wood statue of a young Ming warrior on horse. Warrior wears a full, elaborate armor fronted with a shield under a large circular col...

A Chinese stoneware day bed model circa Ming dynasty (15th-17th century). The miniature models were traditionally made as burial offering objects. Pottery models of daily life necess...

A magnificent pair of male and female courtiers from the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 CE) in excellent condition. They are wearing traditional Daopao robes in green and black garments wit...

This remarkable 19th-century Chinese hand-carved wood statue depicts a seated Ming scholar / official in traditional robes and headdress, retaining its beautifully aged original hand...

An attractive carved wood figure of the Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara, known as Guanyin in China, late Ming Dynasty, early 17th century, China. Guanyi...

A scarce 600 year old (approx) Chinese pottery Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) large glazed earthenware míngqì tomb figure, modeled as horse sculpture with saddle, stirrups, and integral ba...

A compelling and sculpturally expressive Chinese Ming dynasty earthenware figure depicting a mounted rider, created as a funerary object (mingqi) during one of China’s most artistically vibrant periods. The figure portrays a dignified male rider seated astride a caparisoned horse, his posture upright and composed, conveying both status and quiet authority. The rider is dressed in a simply rendered tunic with incised detailing and a rounded cap, his features softly modeled with a calm, introspective expression characteristic of Ming figural...

Extremely rare Chinese model of a countryside villa for the royal courtiers and ministries of the Ming Dynasty -1368-1644 AD- showing three guest houses and one main entry. The villa is surrounded by a cuadrangular wall painted with bucolic scenes of garden, mountains, and bamboo forests. The roof tiles are glazed in green enamel with yellow finials – as the ones in the forbidden city – typical from the Ming epoch. Truly a museum piece. The doors swivel and are painted in ochre. State of preservation: impeccable mint condition with original paintings, all of the original parts are complete, except for one house which is missing part of the plinth (broken during transport). Each part has been tested for authenticity, consisting of eight separate TL tests...

Wonderful celestial deity head with a jovial expression in stone with a finely engraved cap. It is mounted on a custom lucite base. This piece is accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity, and Certificate of Expertise by Jean-Yves Nathan - Specialist in Asian Arts for the CEDEA (The European Confederation of Art Experts). The Ming dynasty was the ruling dynasty of China – then known as the Empire of the Great Ming...

Ananda is portrayed in a typical fashion, as a youthful monk with a shaved head and dressed in simple robes. He stands upon a double lotus pedestal with hands clasped in front of him...

A fantastic Ming dynasty polychrome wood statue of a Mongo warrior, standing firm and commanding, with large, alert, bulging eyes, a broad nose and mouth—facial features of the north...

Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this remarkable antique Chinese carved wood figure of Guanyin (觀音), the Bodhisattva of Compassion, which we ...

A Chinese Ming Dynasty period stucco head of a court lady from the 15th or 16th century, mounted on a wooden stand. Crafted in China during the Ming Dynasty, this stucco head is moun...

A LARGE WOOD FIGURE OF GUANYIN WITH TRACES OF PIGMENTS MING DYNASTY (1368-1644) The bodhisattva is shown seated in padmasana, wearing long flowing ro...

A Small Chinese Carved Timber Gilt and Polychrome Figure, Ming Dynasty Provenance: Private Old Australian Collection Acquired in Beijing Market in 1980s. Description: The cavity ...

A Chinese Ming Dynasty painted terracotta courtsman figure with original polychromy. Attracting our eye with its weathered appearance and subtle polychromy, this Ming Dynasty terracotta courtsman figure exudes historical charm and elegance. This exquisite statuette, dating from the Chinese Ming Dynasty, features a courtsman resting on a hexagonal base, providing a stable and aesthetically pleasing foundation. Topped with a simple headdress and clothed in a long, flowing robe, the figure showcases a slight movement of the hips, creating a sense of liveliness and grace. His right arm is extended in a gesture, while his left arm remains hidden under his clothes, adding an element of mystery and sophistication. The original polychromy, though weathered, adds a touch of vibrant color that enhances the figure's visual appeal and historical authenticity. This Chinese courtsman figure will make for an exquisite decorative addition to any home. Its refined elegance and rich cultural heritage make it a versatile piece, perfect for placing on a commode, side table, or shelf. Whether in a living room, study, or entryway, this Ming Dynasty figure will bring a touch of ancient Chinese artistry and timeless beauty to any interior space. With its harmonious blend of form and function, this painted terracotta courtsman figure celebrates the enduring appeal of Ming Dynasty art...

Early Chinese stone Budha hand fragment. A stone sculpture of a Buddha hand in a traditional gesture known as Verada Mudra, meaning Compassion / Sincerity. Once part of a large Buddha sculpture...

Oriental Sculpture - Buddhist deity. Gilded bronze sculpture; Minguo period (1912-1949). Dimensions: 20x13 cm.

A Small Chinese Carved Timber Gilt and Polychrome Figure, Ming Dynasty Provenance: Private Old Australian Collection Acquired in Beijing Market in 1980s. Description: The cavity in...

Diminutive Chinese bronze metal Buddha sculpture depicted sitting. Beautifully crafted in the Ming style with intricate details. The bronze has a rich pat...

A beautiful and serene Chinese Ming dynasty carved wood figure of the Buddha Amitayus, the Buddha of long life, and a form of Amitabha Buddha. He is seated in dhyanassana, dressed in...

A petite Chinese Ming dynasty green glazed terracotta court official figurine from the 15th or 16th century, with original polychromy. Attracting our eye with its vibrant polychromy,...

Oriental Sculpture - 'Immortals' sculptural group in soapstone. Chinese; Minguo period (1912-1949); in soapstone. Composed of three sages and two assistants; each with their respecti...

Oriental porcelain - Teapot. Made of Chinese porcelain from the Minguo period (1912-1949). Polychrome and gold decoration depicting landscapes with figures. Minor flaws. Height: 12.5...

Oriental porcelain - Three cruets with lids. Made of Chinese porcelain; Minguo period (1912-1949); polychrome decoration with oriental figures and vegetal elements. Dimensions: 15 cm.

Oriental porcelain - Two sculptures. In Chinese porcelain, Minguo period (1912-1949); polychrome decoration. Missing pieces. Height: 28 cm

A hand-carved stone pillar on a wood stand. Hunan, China, circa 1560. Not unlike the smaller Scholar's rocks, this stone pillar was placed in gardens as...

Oriental Sculpture - Guanyin Buddha in Meditation - 80 cm. Chinese sculpture from the Minguo period (1912-1949) in bronze. Polychrome decoration. Dimensions: 80x50x32 cm

A Small Chinese Carved Timber Polychrome Figure, Ming Dynasty Provenance: Private Australian Collection Acquired in the Beijing Market in 1980s. Description: The cavity in the ba...

A cast iron bell, when struck with a wooden beam, announced the time of day to villagers. This monumental example is covered in relief casts of chrysant...

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...