This is a very handsome Chinese rock crystal carved brush rest carved as a mountain group. The piece dates from the Qing dynasty, circa 18th-19th century. It is mounted in a custom carved hardwood stand. The stand measures 3 1/4"long by 1"wide by 1/2" thick. The rock crystal mountain range measures 2 3/4"long by 1 1/4"high by 1/2"thick at the thickest part. It is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks or other problems...

This is a handsome pair of scroll weights made from Hongmu wood and having inserts on the top of each of bamboo. On the bamboo inserts is a design of landscapes and calligraphy. They were made by a carver by the name of Mu Shan; whose surname Zhou is seen in the little seal under the characters. The calligraphy on the two sticks reads as “Autumn Scenery and Vase Skies".

The weights each measure 9” long by 1 ¼” wide by 1 ½” deep and are in excellent condition...

A small Japanese water dropper (suiteki) – solid white glaze porcelain with the exception of five orange dots used to highlight the central prunus blossom. The blossom and scrolling vines are molded into the dropper. Measures 2 3/6" by 1 7/8" and stands 7/8" high on four short feet located at the corners. Excellent condition with some evidence of wear on the bottom of the feet and ink stains at the corner hole where the water drips out...

This is a study stone for the scholars studio – made in the shape of three peaks in a distant mountain range. The stone appears to be volcanic rock - possibly a light-colored, uniformly solid rock called rhyolite. There is no fitted base for the stone – but is does stand evenly and does look very much like a distant range when looked at on a table or shelf. The piece measures 8” long by 6” high by 4” thick and is in excellent condition...

This is a small brush washer on tripod legs glazed in a lovely soft turquoise/celadon glaze. On the side and top of the rim is a design of low relief flowers connected with vines. The top opening of the piece has an evert rim – probably useful in rubbing the excess ink off the brush as it emerges from inside. The inside is white glazed and shows signs of old ink from brushes having been dipped into the washer.

The brush washer measures 2 7/8” diameter and is 1 5/8” deep...

A very finely carved bamboo wrist rest as used in the scholar's studio to protect the item he is painting from having the ink smear. The design on this piece is a fascinating picture of Kwanyin riding on the back of a fierce fire breathing animal - possibly a shi shi (although they are usually shown as more benign). The design is all hand carved.

The wrist rest measured 9 3/4" long by 3 3/4" wide and is 7/8" high at the tallest point of the curved top...

A Chinese viewing stone for the scholars desk. This one is made of pure quartzite and resembles a group of ice boulders piled up – perhaps like the end of a glacier. The stone measures 6” wide by 4 ½” high by 3 ¾” deep and is mounted on a nicely fitted wooden stand with legs. We believe this one dates from the late 19th to early 20th century...

A scholars viewing stone made from what appears to be soapstone with aggregates of other rocks – different colors of grey, pale yellow, bluish grey and dark streaks. Obvious signs of some tooling to smooth the stone out and bring out the natural colors. The stone is in a poorly carved stand that has been stained a dark red – it would need some more work to make it a stable stand.

The stone measures 8 ½” wide by 5 ½” high by 1 ¼” thick...

This is a lovely pottery waterdropper as used by scholars to apply small amounts of water to the solidified ink stones when doing calligraphy...

A PERSIAN QAJAR BRASS SCRIBES SET - an enclosed metal brush holder used when by a Persian scribe. The hinged bowl held the thick,pasty ink and the hollow handle held the long handled brush. This fine example is unembellished with a stylized geometric floral pattern -probably of lotus buds. The ink pot has a hinged lid with a swiveling lock to hold it closed.

The piece measures 7 3/8" in length. - the ink pot is 1 3/4" by 1". The end next to the ink pot would have once had a lid to it, h...

An Arita rectangular water dropper with underglaze blue border surrounding a low relief molded chrysanthemum. This dropper is similar to another one on our site - #308933 - but is more finely detailed on the flower petals. One side of the dropper is very slightly rough and it appears to have been used as a match striking surface; probably to soften the hard ink before using the water to mix it further. The piece is in excellent condition with the usual ink stains at the spout and at the top wate...

A nicely molded and patinated Bronze scroll weight in the shape of Liu Hai riding on the back of his companion, the three legged toad. This miniature charmer measures 1 5/8" high by 1 1/4" wide by 1 1/2" deep. We date this piece to the late Ming to very early Qing Dynasty circa 1550-1725. The condition is excellent with fine patina.

Liu Hai is a very important Chinese god who represents prosperity and wealth. He was a Minister and an alchemist in China in the 10th century who became fri...

Japanese Meiji to Taisho lacquer suzuribako – omega shaped with two makie gold lacquer butterflies facing each other in the center of the upper section – geometric border in makie gold edges – inkstone inside – two cracks on lower box flanking the inkstone. Measures 6 5/8" wide by 4" high by 1 3/8" thick.

Good condition - the lower section has two cracks on opposite sides of the space where the inkstone rests - we think this might have been caused by expansion of the stone in some...

An Arita rectangular water dropper with underglaze blue border surrounding a low relief molded chrysanthemum. One side of the dropper is rough and it appears to have been used as a match striking surface; probably to soften the hard ink before using the water to mix it further. The piece is in excellent condition with the usual ink stains at the spout and at the top water entry hole. Measures three and three quarter inches long by two ad three quarter inches wide by one and one eighth inches hig...

A very attractive Chinese 19th century scholars water dropper executed in the Ming style but dating from the 19th century. . The piece is executed in lovely blue underglaze and is formed in the shape of a Chinese Junk vessel. In addition to the opening on the spout, there is a further opening at the top of the dropper. Once the body was filled with water through this portal, sealing this orifice with the finger momentarily would result (through surface tension forces) in a drop of water coming...