Traditional Sculpture in China - Facing An Uncertain Future

The people of China have a long history of creating beautiful works of art from many different materials. From rosewood, bronze, and metal, to rhinocerous and mammoth tusks, jade, and coral, many seemingly ordinary materials have been transformed into some of the most intricately detailed works of art available anywhere.

China, it would seem, is facing a tug of war of sorts, on many different fronts. Many of the young people of China are not interested in learning the traditional techniques of sculpture taught in the schools there. Some of them are interested in learning the craft, but are not interested in pursuing it as a profession.

In addition, many modern artists have been trying to pick up the pieces of what is left of the ancient and traditional culture of China, including the sculpture and religious beliefs. These artists are attempting to create a new generation of art based on the traditions of the past that remain in the present. According to a recent New York Times article, "Tang Yuhan, born in 1985, nearly a decade after Mao's passing marked the close of the Cultural Revolution, said that she and other young artists have started sifting through the centuries to transmute some aspects of classical culture into "art for the new generation."" This likely means that much of what collectors seek as traditional sculpture will be changing into something new. And as more of the traditional art is purchased for private collections, only the new types of sculpture will be available.

Some of the highly specific traditional sculpture crafts are dying out in a different way, such as the craft of Liaoqi. Liaoqi is a form of glass sculpture that requires a piece to be started and completed in one sitting, with no molds. In an article on the NTD television website, we are introduced to Xing Lanxiang and her family. She is one of only four masters of the craft of Liaoqi remaining in China today. Although Xing was able to pass the craft on to her sons, one of her sons is facing great difficulty in passing the craft down to his daughters.

Liu Yu said in the article, "My daughters are not that interested in Liaoqi making. They thought it's too tiring…From their point of view, Liaoqi making is only an interesting handicraft or one of their hobbies. They have never thought about taking it up as a lifelong career." This is a craft that could die out very soon if the four remaining masters face similar difficulties in passing the craft down to the next generation.

It is hoped that the traditional cultural treasure of Chinese hand carved sculpture, as well as Liaoqi and other similar crafts, are able to survive. Out of the great turmoil that was the Cultural Revolution, something new and amazing can be born. Only time will tell.

Articles reference:

New York Times Article

NTD Television Article

Art Deco Style Pieces Show Interest and Appeal

Art Deco style is one of the most interesting and appealing styles of the modern age. It was created before the mid-century modern and modern styles, and features bold lines and symmetrical shapes.

In most pieces created in the Art Deco period, as well as those created in the styles afterward, the symmetry, bold lines, and geometric shapes are apparent. All types of decoration were created in the Art Deco style, from desks and furnishings to lamps, vases, and other decorative arts.

Several beautiful pieces created in the Art Deco style are featured on d-vers.com.

One such example can be found at the following URL: Pair of glass vases. This is a beautiful set of hand blown glass vases, combining frosted and clear glass. The shapes on each side are reminiscent of those atop the Chrysler building in Manhattan, a building also created in the Art Deco style.

Another example can be found at this URL: Art Deco settee. This interesting and unique leather settee was made in France, and features symmetrical designs on the settee's back, which are duplicated in reverse on the bottom. This settee can be turned upside down for an identical settee, which is a very interesting concept for a settee.

As you can see, Art Deco is a very interesting and unique style which was a departure from many of the styles which preceded it. To many people, Art Deco was the definition of modern style at the time, and represented progress and a break from prior generations and styles.

For other interesting items, please visit our website at d-vers.com

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Georgian Burl Walnut Tripod Pedestal Table From England With Rare Burl Top

An extremely rare Georgian tripod pedestal table can be found by clicking here.  This table is of exceptional quality, and is all original.

The rarity of the table comes from its apparently solid burl walnut top.  On most, if not nearly all, pieces of antique burl walnut furniture available, the burl walnut portion is a veneer.  On this particular table, the burl walnut irregularities show through on the bottom.


A table such as this is unique, as the burl walnut (or a burl of any type of wood) is an extreme rarity.  Normally a burl is caused by a reaction of a tree to some sort of disease, insect, or other environmental condition, so it does not happen to many trees.

Add to that the fact that most burls are not very large at all, and you have in this piece of furniture a very rare find indeed. This table was made in the 19th Century in England.

For other rare and interesting pieces, please visit our website by clicking here. 

Art Deco Hand Blown Frosted and Clear Glass Vases

A pair of hand blown glass vases from the Art Deco in France are a beautiful and modern decoration for the collector of antiques and decoration from that period.  The Art Deco period borrowed many of its elements from other movements, such as cubism and modernism.

These influences especially can be seen in this lovely set of vases, with their square cubist shaped layered pedestals, and the interesting cubic  and modern designs in the frosted glass.  The designs in the frosted glass resemble the designs in the Chrysler building, which was also an Art Deco style building.

Stylistic elements in the vases, such as the stylized leaf veins in the clear glass, add to their charm and elegance.  This pair of vases was created in France, where the Art Deco style and movement were born.  This beautiful set of Art Deco vases would make a lovely gift, and would fit with nearly any modern decor.   They can be found by clicking here.    

For other interesting and unique decorative arts and antique items, please visit our website at d-vers.com, by clicking here. 

Gentleman’s Emerald Ring In Custom Dragon Design Motif For The Man In Your Life

A great gift for the man in your life, especially if he likes dragons and fantasy creatures, would be the large emerald ring on d-vers.com.  It’s made of high quality 18K gold, which has been formed and sculpted into the form of a dragon clasping the emerald in its claws. 

The dragon motif is highly detailed, and clearly depicts a fierce dragon grasping the emerald.  The emerald itself is very large, measuring 15.77 mm and 7.93 mm at its farthest points.  The emerald is transparent with good clarity, and the color is beautiful. 

This would make a great gift for the man in your life.  It can be found listed on d-vers.com, by clicking here. 

For other interesting items, please visit the main site, here. 

Christmas Gift Ideas For Your Antique and Decorative Arts Collecting Friends

It’s that time of year again, when everyone is thinking about the ones they love... and what their loved ones should receive for the holidays.  In this blog post today, I will list some gift  ideas for your friends and family who are collectors of antiques and decorative arts.  Even non-collectors can find gifts they will love on d-vers.com Online Gallery, as many of our items, especially the silver items, are investment pieces. 






One of the most valuable and highest quality pieces listed on d-vers.com is the Georgian Sterling Silver Warwick Vase listed here.  This piece is finely detailed and features Bacchic ornament.   It is inspired by the porcelain vase found at Hadrian’s Villa in 1770, and it is one of the largest Warwick vase examples in sterling silver.  Please click here for the Warwick vase.


Another wonderful piece listed on d-vers.com is the Art Nouveau centerpiece.  It features a large vasiform centre, with three arms reaching to the base.  The centerpiece has applied decoration, instead of the more common stamped decoration.   Please click here for the Art Nouveau Centerpiece.


Yet another sterling silver piece is an adorable condiment set crafted in the shape of a small owl family, and featuring a mustard server, and a salt and pepper shaker.  Exquisite detailing to the faces and bodies of the owls lend this set a realistic yet cartooned appearance. 

The detailing is exacting, even to the eyes and the small mouse on the end of the spoon which rests inside the largest owl’s mouth.  Please click here for the condiment set


An excellent gift idea for the devout  Buddhist or collector of Buddhist statues is a carved and gilded bronze statue of the Buddha seated, with his hand upraised in a gesture of blessing.  This piece is an antique Chinese decorative and religious item, designed to be the focal point of the room in which it is placed.   Please click here for the gilded Buddha statue


One of the most interesting and by far most rare pieces listed on our site is the enormous boulder of jadeite which has been carved into a statue of Longevity.  This jadeite boulder features naturally occurring lavender, green, and white, and the colors were taken into consideration when carving this amazing piece. 

Consequently, there are trees where the jadeite was green, flowers where the jadeite was lavender, and the hermit’s face appears in the white of the jadeite.  Its translucence also adds to its value, as the colors are very pure and translucent.   Please click here for the statue of Longevity.


Another piece which would make a great gift for collectors of Chinese art is an antique pewter wine pot, overlaid with silver, and decorated with jadeite and semi-precious stones.  This wine pot is made in a Mongolian design, and features the symbol for happiness on its side, in carved jadeite.  Please click here for the wine pot


For the collector of fine ivory, which is becoming more and more rare resulting from the refusal of many countries to import newly created ivory sculptures, a beautiful carved hippo tusk sculpture is available on d-vers.com.  The hippo tusk is carved with rhinocerous families along its length.  The carved rhinocerous are intricately carved and finely detailed.    Please click here for the hippo tusk sculpture


And for the avid collector of  truly ancient and unique antiques, we have listed on d-vers.com a Tang Dynasty painted pottery figure and equestrian.  This piece was created between the 7th and 10th Centuries, and as a result has lost much of its paint. 

Its likely residence was in a tomb, where it was discovered many centuries later.  This resting place is likely responsible for the remaining paint, as it was not exposed to the natural elements or ravages of time so thoroughly as it might otherwise have been.  Please click here for the Tang Dynasty pottery piece.


Finally, I will end this discussion of gifts for antique collectors with a piece from the modern era, a very interesting Art Deco coat rack, with light and mirror.  This coat rack was made of hand hammered iron, and has a very unique look as a result. 

The light is functional, and the coat rack features several coat hooks upon the front of it, along with a ledge toward the bottom, perhaps for the hanging of other items.  This coat rack is very interesting, and would be an excellent gift for any collector of Art Deco pieces.   Please click here for the Art Deco coat rack


For other gift ideas, you might also like to visit our website, at d-vers.com.  Many other unique items are listed there, from a variety of periods and styles.  Please click here for d-vers.com

Black Lacquered Etagere As An Example of Orientalism and Chinoiserie France

The etagere listed on the d-vers.com website is an example of Orientalism, which was popular in France in the 19th Century. Orientalism generally refers to the imitation by French artisans of Chinese styles of decoration, such as can be seen in this etagere.

The design of the etagere, including the use of black lacquered wood for the piece, would fit it into the category of Orientalism in France.

Additionally, the gilded scene on the top of this etagere is defined as chinoiserie. This particular design shows, as do other works of chinoiserie, life in China that did not exist and was idealized and fanciful.

The design on the top of the etagere shows a Chinese village, with trees surrounding it, and several people by a river below. The people appear to be far away from one another, but are about the same size.

While aesthetically pleasing to its audience of French collectors and decorators, the type of scene depicted on the top of this etagere was the artist's rendition of their fantasy of life in China.

On this black lacquered etagere piece, this scene is rendered in beautiful gilding, and, as is common in chinoiserie designs, it is asymmetrical and fanciful in concept and execution.

This beautiful piece was made in the 20th Century.

For other interesting antiques and decorative arts, please visit d-vers.com by clicking here.