dragons

Carved wooden Chinese Dragons

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Category:

Asian Art

Condition:

Good

Long Description:

This Chinese wooden carving was purchased in mainland China or Hong Kong in about 1955. It was made in three pieces. The central largest piece appears to be made of rosewood and consists of six small dragons with ivory teeth and elaborate tails entwined about a seventh larger Dragon. A few of the teeth are missing. Their eyes are white with black pupils. All of the dragons are looking at a stylized sun or flower which is a seperate piece also thought to be rosewood.

The upper piece sits loosely in the central part and is tilted a bit in the pictures but could be easily centered. Some of the detail in the carving looks like flowers (water lilys?). The upper piece has a few small cracks on it and one of the legs of the small dragon in the center is broken (offset) but no pieces are missing. The base is made from a black wood (ebony?) and shows nine carp swimming in the ocean and spewing water. The center front of the base has a symbol carved in to it (see picture below). The bottom of the large central piece has several Chinese characters carved into it that my Chinese friends tell me either pre-date todays simplified form or are someones name (the artist?)

Would be interested in knowing how old it is. What wood it is made of. Whether the symbol in the base piece is decorative or means something. What the characters on the base translate as.

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Photos:

Japenese Dragon Silk wall art

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Category:

Asian Art

Condition:

Excellent

Long Description:

This is a beautiful Japenese Dragon embroidery. It is hand wrapped silk and metallic thread on black silk. There is some fading of the black silk but no tears. I believe this to be Japenese because the dragons have 3 toes. The dragons are female because of the fan tails but that is the limit of my knowledge. I was told by an appraiser that this is possibly 18th century if not older and could bea "sleep" ?? Would love to know more about this. The back has a seal from the company that framed it here in the states and I do not know where the sticker below it originated from. There are no other markings that I can see. Depending on how the light hits this art it will look more gold or more silver (see first 2 pictures).

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Photos:

pair of marble and brass lamps with dragons and peacocks

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Category:

Lamps and Chandeliers

Condition:

Good

Long Description:

This is a pair of marble and brass lamps. The marble is white and gray. The base, cuffs and top are brass. The upper cuffs of the brass are detailed. One lamps has a pair of peacocks and the other lamp cuff has a dragon. Both lamps appear to be rewired and sockets don't appear original. Only have one cradle. Both lamps do work though. Discolored area on marble below the brass cuff with the dragons on it. Patina remains intact since I'm not sure how to remove it or if it should be removed. Both lamps have had only a wiping off with water damped cloth. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

PS-I found a pair of lamps like these on eBay Item number:330457487587. They describe these lamps as "James Mont era Hollywood Regency Marble Table Lamps" and are asking over $1800.00 for the pair.

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Photos:

Minghetti Dragon Piece

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Category:

Ceramics and Porcelains

Condition:

Excellent

Long Description:

I posted this item a few days ago as a lamp. I found out that someone had actually made this into a lamp and that it is common for people to make light fixtures out of antiques. The added items lowered the value drastically so I removed the lamp portion and realized that this piece was in perfect condition! Maybe just a few small knicks on the inside. Thanks to "prozak" who mentioned an artist "Angelo Minghetti" I found the artist's signature and it IS his work. I hear these pieces are rare and highly sought out in Italy? Can anyone give me a rough idea of what this is worth? It is very hard to find information on this artist in English online...

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Photos:

Dragon Table Lamp

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Category:

Lamps and Chandeliers

Condition:

Excellent

Long Description:

This was purchased at "Gable's Department Store" established in 1880. The building this was placed in was built in 1888. This piece has been in the famiy for almost 100 years. I am looking for someone to give an opinion as to how old this really is? I've never seen anything like it. The flowers are illuminated by small bulbs when this is plugged in. It reads "Bologna, Italy" and "Salve" has been painted within a banner on the design.

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Photos: