Asian cultures are among the oldest in the world and are associated with some of the finest and most interesting antiques and collectible objects on the planet. Innovation and top-notch artistry led to the creation of fine porcelain ware, painted silk scrolls, and paper screens seen in both Chinese and Japanese cultures.

Japanese's ancient style of dress, colorful kimonos robes inspired by the Noh theater, is highly collectible, as are netsuke, the figurines carved out of ivory or coral used to fasten containers called inro to men's obi sashes. The Japanese were also known for their ukiyo-e woodblock prints and technically superior samurai swords.

Chinese artisans mastered the skill of carving jade, a precious stone believed to have special powers, into delicate figurines, jewelry, and other objects such as weapons. Ancient Chinese potters, meanwhile, created the jade-like celadon glaze for stoneware and strong white clay now known as porcelain. Both Chinese and Japanese artists painted extravagant, intricate scenes onto their vases, bowls, and other porcelain objects. Common motifs on these vases, as well as in Asian antiques and statues, include Dragons, lions, tigers, Buddhas, flowers, birds, mountains, moons, and characters from folklore.

Interviews & Articles

Unraveling the Ancient Riddles of Chinese Jewelry

Chinese jewelry and objects of adornment are exquisite puzzles: Why does a delicate, wafer-thin pendant feature a pair of catfish … [more]

How Collecting Opium Antiques Turned Me Into an Opium Addict

You really have to work hard to get hooked on smoking opium. The Victorian-era form of the drug, known as chandu, is rare, and the… [more]

Rhino Horn Poachers Hit World Museums

Today the "New York Times" reports that as many as 30 museums in Europe have experienced thefts of rhinoceros horns in 2011. A rec… [more]

'Roadshow' Trumpets $1 Million Rhino Horn Cups, Despite Role in Species' Decline

The Internet is abuzz with news that during a recent taping in Tulsa, Oklahoma, an appraiser for "Antiques Roadshow" was asked to … [more]



Best of the Web (“Hall of Fame”)

Asian Art Museum

Asian Art Museum

This online exhibition from San Francisco’s Asian Art Museum is a great showcase of several thousand Asian antiqu… [read review or visit site]

Gotheborg.com

Gotheborg.com

Jan-Erik Nilsson's extensive reference on antique Chinese porcelain. Jam-packed with information (e.g. on porcelain… [read review or visit site]



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*nr* Chinese Blanc De Chine Porcelain Figure Of Reclining Guanyin Holding LotusChinese White Nephrite Jade Vase With Cover, Chilong Design, Loose Ring HandlesRare Chinese Export Silver Dragon Tea Set By Wang Hing & Co 1890sChinese Celadon Jade Covered Vase, Birds & Trees W/ Flowers, 19th CenturyChinese Green Nephrite Jade Pear-shaped Vase With Cover, Scrolling Lotus DesignRare Antique Chinese Armor Sword With Gold Button Qing DynastyLarge Chinese Celadon Nephrite Jade Snuff Bottle, Bats & Cranes, 18/19th CenturyA Very Unusual Quality 18th Century Chinese Carved White Jade Belt BuckleK:japanese Daisho Sword Jyumyo And Hirotaka W Nbthk,koshirae3 Lb Antique Beautiful Chinese Hand Carved Export Sterling Silver Teapot Chinese Nephrite Jade Carving, Maiden W/ Fan & Chrysanthemums, Fine OpenworkChinese Green Jade Jadeite & 18k White Gold Pendant / Brooch, Floral Design *nr*Chinese Export Silver Wang Hing Dragon Motif Tea Pot C.1890 - AntiqueWw2 Japanese Sword Shin Gunto Samurai Sword Gendaito In Great ConditionLarge Amazing Chinese Antique 16c Ming Blanc De Chine Buddha Statue Marks Lk160 A Chinese Hardwood Table Screen With A White Jade Plaque 18th CChinese Opium Lamp Silver Export 387 Gr Circa 1900 Dragons Chasing Pearl Moon.A Very Unusual Quality 18th Century Chinese Carved White Jade Belt BuckleTrue Pair Antique Signed Chinese Porcelain Painted Miniature Vases Chinese Bronze Incense Burner / Censer, Scholar Seated On Qilin, 18/19th CenturyChinese Painting By Zhang Daqian Fine Antique Japanese Katana Samurai Sword In Storage Mounts Wwii Officer Estate Antique Chinese Rosewood Coffee TableNaginata (nagamaki) Antique Japanese Naginata W/ Makie Koshirae Early EdoAntique Wwii Japanese Katana Samurai Sword W/ Officers Mounts Signed K:japanese Katana Sword Fujishima W Nbthk,koshiraeChinese Tibetan Superb Old Bronze Gilt Buddha Dignitary HeavyAmazing Perfect Chinese Porcelain Snuff Bottle 19th C. AcrobatPair Antique 19th C Chinese Porcelain Rose Famille Vases Immortals Qing Dynasty Chinese Aventurine Quartz Carving Of Scholar With Cup, Hard Wood StandAntique Chinese Huge Famille Rose Porcelain Buddha With Chinese Stamp .Antique Chinese "faux Ivory" Carved Cantonese Fan Eventail 19cAntique Chinese Porcelain Famille Tray Plaque With Scholar Signed1886 Japanese Wb Print 100 Aspects Of Moon Benkei Sea Moon By YoshitoshiFine Chinese Antique Silver Round Box With Two Jadeite BangleBuddha Amida Amitayus Nyorai Japan Gilt Lacquer Temple Buddhist Altar Image YqzVery Rare Signed Namikawa Yasuyuki Unique Cloisonne VaseAntique Chinese Tianqi Period Of Ming Dynasty Bronze Buddha Statue Marks Lk169Set Of 4 Beautiful Chinese Antique Famille Rose Porcelain Plaques / PanelsChinese Jade Jadeite Figure Carving Of A Maiden Holding Fan W/ Wire Inlaid StandFine Antique Japanese Wakizashi Samurai Sword W/ Full Mounts Wwii Officer EstateA Very Unusual 17th Century Ming Dynasty Chinese Gilt Bronze VaseJapanese Mixed Metal Inlay Bronze Plate Meiji Period Antique Persian Islamic Silver Vase Wildlife - Persische Silbervase TierszenenVery Fine Chinese Porcelain Teapot &cover With Butterfly 18th KangxiSuperb Chinese Porcelain Snuff Bottle 19th C. Iron-red FishLarge Antique Chinese Thai Gilt & Lacquered Bronze Rattanakosin Statue Of BuddhaJapanese Sword Bishu Mihara Ju Masamori Saku, Aikuchi Koshirae, About 1573Antique Chinese Natural Sea Coral Enamel Gold Gilt Silver Bracelet Salmon CoralRare Chinese Porcelain B&w Vase Qing 19th China - Qianlong Kangxi Yongzheng Mark*sc* Exceptional Group Of 5 China Ming Dynasty Pottery Warriors!Antique 19c Chinese Rose Medallion Reticulated Porcelain Bowl And Under Plate Antique Chinese Gilt Bronze Statue~ Possibly 18c / 19c ~ Very LargeK:japanese Katana Sword Fujiwara Masakatsu W KoshiraeFine Antique Wwii Japanese Katana Samurai Sword W/ Mounts Officer Estate SignedChinese Export Silver Prunus On Cracked Ice Vase C1890 Wang HingAntique Shinshinto Japanese Sword Samurai Wakizashi Katana In Edo KoshiraeAntique Sang De Boeuf Oxblood Red Glazed Porcelain Bowl From Qing Royal KitchenSigned/dated Shinshinto Katana Japanese Sword Wwii Mount Tsuba Samurai Fuchi