Catalog (344)

Extremely Scarce Set of Five Prehistoric Korean Arrowheads from Korea's Neolithic Period 8000-1500 BCE. These faceted arrowheads are identical to the Neolithic arrowheads on page 31 of the catalog, the 29th United Association of the University Museums of Korea Exhibition - Korea's Bow and Arrow, The Military Academy Museum. Sizes range from 1.75 to 3.25 inches. It is unlikely you will ever again see prehistoric Korean arrowheads offered for sale.

Extremely Rare Set of Three Mumun Pots from the 3rd Century BCE from the Koejongdong site in Daejon near the Geum River. A similar example from the National Museum of Korea can be seen in Plate 34 in The Prehistory of Korea by Kim Jeong-hak. Prehistoric Korean pottery is so scarce outside of museums, that this is the only time we have ever acquired any. According to Professor Choi Jong-taek of Korea University, these everted lipped pots with their distinctive color and texture date from the period in Korea when the Bronze Age was giving way to the Iron Age, and the Mumun pottery period was ending with these types of pots with a greater hardness and fired at a higher temperature than previous Mumun pots, that is, about 300 BCE. This was a brief but very important transitional period into higher technology and culture in Korea, from the the end of the Mumun Pottery Period to the beginning of the Iron Age, so pieces from this defining period are rare. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for a collector. Dimensions from tallest to shortest are: #1 - 4 inches height x 11.5 inches circumference (10 cm height x 29 cm circumference); #2 - 3.5 inches height x 14 inches circumference (9 cm height x 35.5 cm circumference); #3 - 3 inches height x 12.5 inches circumference (7.5 cm height x 32 cm circumference).

Exceedingly Scarce Set of Three Iron Age Korean Pots with Exquisite Color and Beautiful Form. 4th to 1st Century BC. You are unlikely to ever see another Iron Age Korean pot offered for sale, much less a set of three. The remaining examples are all in museums or tightly held private collections. These prehistoric pieces are finely potted and made from soft and sandy red clay. They are aesthetically striking in both color and form and are historically significant. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the scholar/collector/art lover. Right Pot Dimensions: 16.25 inches (41cm) circumference, 3.25 inches (8.5cm) height. Middle Pot Dimensions: 18.25 inches (46.5cm) circumference, 4 inches (10cm) height. Left Pot Dimensions: 12.5 inches (32cm) circumference, 2.75 inches (7cm) height.

Large Prehistoric Bronze Age Korean Arrowhead of a scarce type and size illustrated in the catalogue: The 29th United Association of the University Museums of Korea Exhibition - Korea's Bow and Arrow. There are also similar examples of early Korean arrowheads in the December 1934 Transactions of the Korea Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society. 1500 - 300 BCE. 6 inches (15 cm).

Rare and Ancient Celtic Stone Janus from the Published and Renowned Collection of Irwin Hersey, renowned author on primitive art, and publisher of the Primitive Art Newsletter in the 1970s. Irwin Hersey was an advisor to museums and prominent collectors, and vetted pieces for many of the international tribal art fairs. 4.5 inches wide, 3 inches high.

Rare 5th Century Korean Gaya Water Jar of Classic Form, Color, and Design. The decoration is incised into the clay between the carved bands before firing. Gaya was a confederation of small states independent from and influential on the the Silla Kingdom and its pottery, until Silla annexed Gaya in the 6th Century. The long neck keeps water from sloshing out while the jar is being carried. Height: 10 inches, 25.5 cm.

Rare and Fine 5th to 6th Century Silla Jar with Beautiful Form and Design. Silla ware is the most undervalued and underpriced of Korean antiquities. It preceded and influenced the Sue ware of Japan. This jar is a precursor of the round 19th Century Korean Moon Jars that now sell for hundreds of thousands and sometimes millions of dollars. The body is similarly constructed of two wheel-thrown halves, but adds a perforated attached pedestal and ridged tall neck and features incised wave patterns created with a comb around the circumference of the body and neck. The tall neck helped to keep the contents from splashing out. Traces of accidental ash glaze occur throughout. For a similar jar see Syracuse University Museum's Catalogue # 62-301 in the 1965 John R. Fox Collection of Korean Ceramics exhibition catalogue pages 6 and 29. Jars identical to this one are in the Great Tomb of Hwangnam, the largest Silla tomb. This dual King and Queen's tomb is shown in the last photo here. Height: 11.5 inches, 29 cm. Circumference: 31 inches, 79cm.

A Rare, Tall Masterpiece 5th to 6th Century Silla Jar with a Luxurious Drip Glaze. This is a rare opportunity to add a true masterpiece from 1,500 years ago to your collection. Silla ware is the most undervalued and underpriced of Korean antiquities. It preceded and influenced the Sue ware of Japan. This is the most beautiful example of a Silla jar we have seen. The entire circumference is richly adorned with an abundant accidental greenish brown drip glaze that culminates in vibrant pools. It is a rare form with a tall perforated pedestal and a tall neck with a dramatic V-form. Both the ridged pedestal and ridged neck feature incised wave patterns created with a comb around the circumference. The tall neck helped to keep the contents from splashing out. As if to reward prolonged viewing from every angle, the body has a secret band of unique punctuated comb incisions hidden at the bottom where the body meets the pedestal. Glaze has dripped to the bottom of the pedestal, as well. Given its total height in proportion to its body, imposing grandeur, and luxurious design, we can say with certainty this jar was utilized for ceremonial purposes. The National Museum of Denmark has a similar jar in its Kalbak Collection. Height: 12 inches, 30.5 cm. Circumference: 25.5 inches, 65 cm.

Rare 5th to 6th Century Silla Jar with Separate Single-Level Perforated Stand and Perforated Knobs. This type is so rare, only one other example has been published as far as we know. It appears in Volume 1 of Korea's Pottery Heritage by Edward B. Adams. While the perforated knobs here, utilized to run a cord through, do appear on other Silla ware on rare occasion, they are not on the similar example in Adams' book. This is the only jar with this combination of features. So if you are looking for a unique addition to your collection, you cannot do better than this one-of-kind and striking ancient jar. Silla ware is the most undervalued and underpriced of Korean antiquities. It preceded and influenced the Sue ware of Japan. Accidental ash glaze occurs throughout this example. The ridged neck here features an incised wave pattern created with a comb around the circumference. The tall neck helped to keep the contents from splashing out. The stand has been glued where it apparently once split in half. Jar Height: 10 inches, 25.5 cm. Jar Circumference: 29.5 inches, 75 cm. Stand Height: 4.25 inches, 10.75 cm.

12th Century Conical Pure Celadon Bowl with perfect color and rare, sublime form. 6w x 2h inches, 15w x 5h cm.

Very Rare 13th Century Celadon Bowl with Elaborate Gold Painting. Gold-painted celadons were produced during a short period of time in the late 13th Century in Korea, so they are very rare. Black and white slip inlay is used for the design of the Willow Trees (ancient symbol of peace and contentment), Duck Family (symbol of blissful family life), Pampas Grass (symbol of autumn), Bullocho (mythical longevity plant), Lotus Blossoms (symbol of purity and rebirth), Chrysanthemums (symbol of well-being and abundance), and Orchids (symbol of modesty). Real gold paint is used throughout, for the bullocho, the pampas flowers, the irises, the ducks, the three rings that circle the interior of the bowl at the top to create a band for the inlaid floral scroll, and the two rings at the bottom of the bowl interior that create a solar center for the gold chrysanthemum. The exterior of the bowl is as elaborately inlaid as the interior, with gorgeous floral scrolls and sprays throughout, and a ring of stylized lotus blossoms at the bottom. Old gold lacquer repair like you see here is considered desirable by serious collectors and adds value along with character and history to a very rare, true masterpiece of celadon. As a philosophy, "golden repair" treats breakage and repair as part of the history of an object, rather than something to disguise. Pieces were even sometimes deliberately broken in order to apply this aesthetic to them. Joan Cummins, Curator of Asian Art at the Brooklyn Museum, wrote in an article about kintsugi (gold lacquer repair), “The repair is considered an improvement, adding visual and textural interest—like lightning in a night sky or laugh lines on a face. It brings a note of hope to the piece: maybe we can be repaired, too, and maybe we will be better for it.” 7.5w x 2.75h inches, 19w x 7h cm.

Chinese Junyao bowl from the Yuan Dynasty. From the collection of Irwin Hersey, renowned author on Asian and primitive art, and publisher of the Primitive Art Newsletter in the 1970s. Irwin Hersey was an advisor to museums and prominent collectors, and vetted pieces for many of the international tribal art fairs and Asian art fairs. He purchased this bowl from PB Auction in 1975. 4.5w x 1.75h inches, 11.5w x 4.5 cm.

Chinese Song Dynasty Guanyin Wood Sculpture. 41.5 inches, 105 cm.

Very Rare Goryeo Dynasty Gan Chal Calligraphy by the famous scholar Jeong Yi Oh aka Gyo Eun, born 1347. Frame: 19 x 19 inches, 48.25 x 48.25 cm; Calligraphy: 12 x 12 inches, 30.5 x 30.5 cm.

15th Century Gilded Tibetan Manuscript Cover. 28 x 11 inches.

13th Century Korean Inlaid Celadon Cosmetic Box. The chrysanthemum's many petals is an ancient symbol of an abundant life or fertility. Encircled with a key fret thunder pattern and rolling clouds motif. A rare and gorgeous piece. 3.25 inches wide x 1.75 inches high; 8.25 cm wide x 4.5 cm high.

Ming Dynasty Chinese Wood Sculpture of Emperor and Empress. Purchased from Askenasi in Paris in 1978 by Irwin Hersey, renowned author on Asian and primitive art, and publisher of the Primitive Art Newsletter in the 1970s. Irwin Hersey was an advisor to museums and prominent collectors, and vetted pieces for many of the international tribal art fairs and Asian art fairs. 8.5 x 5 x 2 inches, 21.5 x 12.5 x 5 cm.

Lovely 13th Century Korean Celadon Chrysanthemum and Bullocho Bowl. The chrysanthemum is a Korean symbol of plenty, as represented by its many petals. The mythical bullocho plant is an ancient symbol of longevity. 4.5 inches (11.5cm) wide by 1.5 inches (4cm) high.