This Guest Note was written by Bob Craft in December 2018. It discusses Haku Maki's use of ancient calligraphy in Poem 69-47.

The large torso of the adorned Buddha, dating back to glorious Dvaravati period, Late 7th to Early 8th Century. Sensitively carved. Wearing long diaphanous sanghati, the folds elegantly draped over the elbows and gathered at the ankles. Estimate Value: 20 000 - 27 000 Measurements: Height - 89 cm (35 In) For the torso not including display stand in measurement. Provenance: Property of a british Gentleman...

This note discusses Haku Maki's Poem 70–14. Poem from the Manyoshu, and the sources of the kanji he used to create the print. The note was written in August 2019 by Robert Craft.

A very rare Han Dynasty Chinese Terra Cotta Guanyin sculpture measuring 16” in height. The sculpture with traces of polychrome. Dressed in fine clothes, it was made as an object of worship and most likely had a bouquet in her left hand, as a symbol of marriage. An incredible rare piece for the advanced collector.

Gandhara Kingdom stucco head of Buddha mounted, 3/4th Century, condition: good, left ear damaged and a few inconsequential nicks, common considering the age of this fine sculpture, size" H. 12cm x W. 8cm x D. 11cm. The idealized style is reminiscent of Greek Hellenistic sculpture which strongly influenced the Buddhist imagery of Central Asia and in particular of Gandharan artists.

Fine Stucco head of Buddha mounted on base, Gandhara Kingdom, 3rd/4th Century AD.,size: H.15cm x W. 8cm x D. 8cm.

(Consignment). An important and rare portrait in terracotta of an attractive Etruscan woman from the 5th century BC Rome, Italy. She is wearing a crown polos which is covered by a veil that drapes along the sides and behind her head. She also wears a necklace of many Amphora-shaped pendants, and her hair is dressed into curls and ringlets...

This note was written by Robert Craft and discusses Maki's use of an archaic form of Chinese script called seal script.

Genuine GANDHARA Stucco Head of a handsome YOUTH from the Indus Valley, ca. 4-5th Century A.D. This lovely sculpture is 8 cm. high (3 1/4") and the expressive face is delicately sculptured and is framed by his wavy coiffure held in place by a broad headband. Excellent condition, with good mineral deposits and pigment remnants. Mounted on a stand. Price does not include shipping costs.

Chinese Spirit Stone. It's very dramatic and could make a great center piece. The coloration is veined black and white striations. Height:17" Length"17.5

Mexican Nayarit culture Classical Period painted terra cotta pregnant or nursing mother. Measuring 11” tall, 9” wide, amd 7” deep The provenance Dr Camara Peon. 1940-2015 The important part of the nursing mother is that he excavated it from a burial mound on the family’s property in the 1920s, which accounts for the flawless condition

The textile with multicolored threads in Red, Blue, etc. possibly from Peru in great condition

Japanese Buddha Imperial Court Of Kyoto circa Eleventh to Fourteenth Century height:30 inches inch comes from one of the earliest collections of Japanese artifacts in America more information coming….

Domenico Ghirlandaio, Italian, 1449-1494, Florence. Oil on panel in sepia tones. He lived when the Italian Renaissance was gathering speed and producing an astonishing succession of painters of genius. "Now that I have begun to get into the spirit of this art, I wish they would give me the walls of Florence to paint the whole circuit with stories." This is said to be Ghirlandaio's reaction to painting.popes, princes and members of the newly flourishing class of merchants...

Powerfully carved with slightly smiling lips, broad nose, incised almond-shaped eyes, elongated earlobes and ridged eyebrows. His hairdress arranged into a cylindrical coiffure secured with a decorated tiara knocked in the back. A splendid large head of the Creator, Powerfully Carved with a great character. Estimate Value: $8 000 - $12 000 Measurements: Height - 35 cm (13 3/4 In), Width 24 cm (6 1/2 In) Provenance: A Private Collection , property of a Singaporian ...

The divinity, finely carved kneeling in Praying posture. Wearing a long Sampot secured by a decorated belt. Bare upper body with broad shoulders. Her face with brad lips, meditative expression, elongated earlobes. Her Hairdress with an image of Buddha Amitabha...

The Splendid Buddha Sakhyamuni figure, standing on a stylized lotus throne. With both hands raised in vitarkamudra and dressed with a long diaphanous sanghati. His face with deep serene expression, downcast eyes, arched eyebrows, elongated earlobes. His hair arranged in tight curls over the ushnisha. Height 100cm (34 1/2 In) Don't hesitate to send your offer, we always do our best to offer the most attractive pieces for the best price...

The Iconic Khmer Horse Headed Divinity Figure, Standing with both arms broken, His head with almond-shaped eyes, stylized ears, wearing a conical-shaped headdress finely decorated and secured with a floral patterns decorated tiara. Wearing a short sampot secured with a belt, a double fish-tail falling in front. Estimate value: $12 000 = $15 000 Measurements: Height - 105 cm (41 In) , Width 33 cm (13 In) The piece is in Good condition (Please see Pictures O...

Leaf of the Margarita philosophica, a general encyclopedia written by Gregor Reisch between 1489 and 1496 in Latin and first published in 1503.
Our sample was edited in March 1504 and printed by Johann Schott, a student of Gregor Reisch.
The sheet is from Chapter VI, which deals with geometric solids and their properties.
To illustrate the three dimensions of space, the author chooses the image of a naked man pierced by three spears, standing for length (longitudo), width (l...

17th Century Map of Asia In Full Color 20x22 inches , in Latin script most likely Dutch.

Nicolas Mignard, French, 1606-1668, "Odysseus Escaping Polyphemus". Etching by Nicolas Mignard after the frescoes of Annibale Carracci depicting scenes from Homer's Odyssey. Plate size 10 1/4 x 17 3/4, published by Pierre Mariette in 1637, with lettering in Latin below the image. Printed on a very early watermarked laid type paper.

The overlay on the left shows an original drawing by Rubens layed over an image on the Flemish painting. Please refer to the Flemish Painting in our listing. The image on the right shows an overlay using a drawing by Rubens self-portrait. This drawing matches the image on the Flemish painting. New lab tests confirms the gold color is real "GOLD" on canvas!! GILDED GOLD HALO and FABRIC DESIGNS!! "NOTICE THE ISABELLA BRANT PORTRAIT OVERLAY"

The 3 photos are of Jacob Jordanes portrait of he and his wife in 1621-22. The painting on panel shows the same design on her vest and I believe it was copied from Rubens. Please refer to Flemish painting in our listing. A new lab report confirms the gold color is real "GOLD" on canvas!!

Rare woodcut of Imperator Julius Caesar seated in front of the city of Rome.
Caesar is represented by a contemporary ruler wearing a crown and heavy armour...

The image on the right is an enlarged study of the vest worn by the Mother in the Van Dyck portrait. The Portrait of a Woman and Child was painted in 1620-21 by Van Dyck. The unusual design on the vest matches that of Rubens. The embroidery design symbol means family love. Again, I believe this represents a Flemish Honeysuckle which appears in over 17 Flemish Old Master Paintings. A new lab report confirms the gold color is real "GOLD" on canvas!!

This is a black & white study photo image of the unfinished Flemish Painting. Color was added to her hair and chin. Notice her dress where it was being reworked and unfinished. This was the last work done on the Flemish painting. Notice that she appears to be of European descent. Refer to Flemish Painting in our listing. Alfred Bader of Alfred Bader Fine Arts and Dr. David de Witt reviewed detailed photos of this painting in early January of 2005, and Dr...

The main woodcut shows the enchantress Circe in front of Odysseus and one of his crew members changed into a swine. Circe holds a beaker, which stands for her vast knowledge of potions and herbs.
The woodcut below depicts Samson with remains of the Philistine temple. Further vignettes show the descendants of Eli, and depictions of four Jewish judges...

David Teniers the Younger (Dutch 1610-1690) copper plate engraving of men and perhaps a woman gathered around a table in a house with a rough floor, a bed alcove and some implements on shelves and hooks. The focus of the print is a man playing a violin while a standing man with drink in hand addresses him, perhaps singing, as is a seated man. Another man, behind the musician, reads and possibly sings from what looks like a broadside...

2nd Ed. wood cut page #108 printed by Schoensperger. size page 9" by 13.5" mat 14" by 19.5" good condition see images...

A very antique unsigned red chalk drawing on laid paper, late 17th or early 18th century, measuring 9 7/8" by 7 1/2" (25 cm. by 19 cm.), 15 1/2" by 12 1/2" as framed, proclaimed at bottom in neat professional hand lettering, on the mat, to be by the Italian master Guercino (1592-1666). The old master drawings expert of a major auction house did not believe this to be by Guercino, and suggested Lanfranco or Albani as possible directions to pursue...

is is a detailed and enlarged photo of Isabella Brant, Peter Paul Rubens wife. The image is of a close up of Isabella which shows the detailed embroidery design symbol of a honeysuckle. This painting was done in 1609 as a wedding portrait of Rubens and his wife. The background is a honeysuckle bower. This symbol means family love, and it appears in over 17 Flemish Paintings by Rubens, Van Dyck and Jordanens. The black and white image on the right shows the design in black and white. Refer to...

This is a very large portrait of a dark headed lady in her finest clothes. It appears to be mid 1700's and more info to be added later.

An antique 18th-century European oil painting, "Still Life," is an exquisite work of art crafted on heavy, hand-woven canvas. The canvas depicts a beautiful arrangement of flowers in a stone vase and a variety of fruits laid on a table with a marble top.

The painting showcases the flowers and fruits with great precision, and the intricate detailing is a testament to the artist's skill. The flowers and fruits are vividly depicted against a dark backdrop, which helps to accentuate their nat...

(Consignment). 16th century study of Dante, Florence School of Italian Artists,Tempera on poplar panel 22x18" This tempera painting is a study for an Allegorical Portrait of Dante , known as the noblest ideal portrait of Dante which has survived the Renaissance. In the portrait Dante looks over the Stygian river at the Monte Sancto di Dio, against the light of Paradise. The portrait was painted two centuries after his death.

Attributed to English artist J.Leslie, 19th Century English Painter, Mother and Child Oil Painting painted in the Italian style Frame Size 36 x 28"

This monogram appears on the lower right corner of the Flemish painting in our listing. We read this monogram to be two connecting masonic letter "R&D". We belive this represents the painters of this painting. A new outside lab confirms the color gold on this canvas altar painting is real "GOLD"!! After reviewing the Bob Jones Gallery 400+ collection of religious art, we found no real gold on canvas paintings in their collection. GOLD ON CANVAS IS SUPER RARE!!

MADONNA AND CHILD WITH THR INFANT SAINT JOHN THE BAPIST, oil on wood panel, done before 1500 framed measuring 28” x 22” Raphael1483-1520) Who Was Raphael? Italian Renaissance painter and architect Raphael became Perugino's apprentice in 1504. Living in Florence from 1504 to 1507, he began painting a series of "Madonnas." In Rome from 1509 to 1511, he painted the Stanza della Segnatura ("Room of the Signatura") frescoes located in the Palace of the Vatican. He later painted another fres...

Departing from 874 AD, the German text develops the context of the 5th Council of Constantinople, held 879/880 AD – an initiative of Pope Johannes VIII to appease the Byzantines and obtain their aid against the Saracen threat in Italy.
The hand-colored woodcut of the council shows the pope and a large group of clergy under the blessing of the Holy Spirit, who is depicted as a dove.
On the right, woodcuts of contemporary popes Johannes VIII, Martinus II, Hadrianus III and Stephanu...

Hand-colored page with an attractive woodcut showing heavily armed Amazons, who must have appeared very alien at the time. The text portrays the exotic peculiarities and cruel habits of these women as well as their relationship with the ancient Greeks.
Below the recurring woodcut of a city not mentioned here by name.
The prior page (folium XIX) describes different islands known at the time.
Page from Hartmann Schedel's Nuremberg Chronicle published in 1493 by Anton Koberger ...

Authentic antique Fine Baroque 17th Century Italian School Oil on Canvas of "Mary Magdalene". The painting depicts the penitent Mary Magdalene in her grotto with her face rendered with spiritual ecstasy and long red gold hair, in a sumptuous dress falling from Mary’s arms as she holds within her hands a skull, and a domed ointment jar which she used to anoint the feet of Jesus.

CONDITION: Minor paint loss, some crazing throughout, overall in very good condition. The painting was howe...

Old master painting, the subject soldiers in an extensive landscape battle scene, some mounted, 16" by 24 3/4", unframed, on old canvas, relined long ago, not signed, but on the stretcher is written in old hand "Borgognone". JACQUES COURTOIS, 1621-1676, was well known for his skill painting battle scenes. As a result of his fame, centuries later, it is tempting apparently to attribute all unsigned battle paintings to his hand, or his studio, or circle. A large number of auction houses in Euro...

Giovanni Battista Gaulli, Italian, 1639-1709, called Baccico or Baccicia. Italian Angels or Putti on Clouds plus a small portrait of a man is a charming example of Gaulli's work. It is 5" by 7 3/4" of pen and sepia brown ink on paper. Provenance is Leslie Hindman Auction, Collection of P Waite, English Collection until 1994, German Collection Basenge. Condition good upper life corner restored. Giovanni Battista Gaulliwas a painter of the Italian High Baroque verging onto that of the Rococo. He...

Fine old drawing of two women and a man, a horse, cow, dog and five goats in a landscape, 17th or 18th century, after the Dutch Old Master artist NICOLAES BERCHEM (1620-1683). The drawing, measuring 11 1/8" by 16 1/4", (19" by 24 1/2" as framed) was laid down long ago on a thin card. It is unsigned. An old label including cut-out printed catalog entry and a hand-written note thereon, accompanies the drawing. It indicates that this is lot 64 of the sale of March 25, 1914 at the American Art G...

Antique Manuscript cover gifted to Baber, Founder of Indian Mughal Empire, The great grandson of Tamerlane, Babar, who on his mother's side was descended from the famous Genghiz Khan, came to India in 1526 at the request of an Indian governor who sought Babar's help in his fight against Ibrahim Lodi, the last head of the Delhi Sultanate. Babar defeated Lodi at Panipat, not far from Delhi, and so came to establish the Mughal Empire in India. Babar ruled until 1530, and was succeeded by his so...

Detail photo of Angel Michael pointing to the Holy Spirit (Dove). Notice the honeysuckle design on the angels armour. Refer to Flemish Painting. A new lab report confirms the color gold is real "GOLD" on canvas!! Super rare!! OVER 30 YEARS AGO, I WAS ADVISED BY MS. LUCK OF WILLIAMSBURG, VA. THAT THERE WAS NO ART EXPERT IN THE WORLD THAT COULD HELP ME RESEARCH ART!! SHE WAS CORRECT!! I AM NOW HAPPY TO AN...

Original antique 16th Century woodcut Engraving by Virgil Solis C.1550 signed with monogram lower left. Text on versoImage measures 4.25" x 3" Presented Matted and framed overall size 7" x 9". Bio. Virgil Solis or Virgilius Solis (1514 – 1 August 1562), a member of a prolific family of artists, was a German draughtsman and printmaker in engraving, etching and woodcut who worked in his native city of Nuremberg. Solis’ early drawing style employed strong outlines and simple hatching and h...

Woodcut entitled ‘Vates Sibyllinae’, showing three naked prophetesses next to a tree. This may be an early representation of the ‘Three Graces’ so fashionable in Renaissance art.
The print is taken from a Latin edition of Münster's Cosmography one of the most influential geographical works of the 16th century.
Sebastian Münster (1488-1552) was a cosmographer and professor of Hebrew who taught at Tübingen, Heidelberg, and Basel. He settled in the latter in 1529 and died t...

Hand-colored page with extensive woodcut depicting the genealogical tree with the offspring of Japheth, one of the three sons of Noah, and of his wife Funda.
The verso with further descendants as well as exponents of the line of Christ (Sale, Leber, Phaleg, Reu or Regau).
Page from Hartmann Schedel's Nuremberg Chronicle published in 1493 by Anton Koberger in an edition of 2000 copies.
Tower with battlements as watermark.
Rare hand-colored version. Beautiful late Gothi...

This is the reverse photo of the 1626 Flemish Old Master Painting. Please refer to listing. The original untouched linen canvas measures 66" x 44". It is mounted in its original stretcher and the canvas is glued to the stretcher. A replacement support has been added to the middle part of the canvas. This is a very rare untouched canvas and it has been repaired in 2 or 3 small areas with old canvas. It is very rare to find an untouched canvas. Most Old Master Paintings have been relined an...

Notice the detailed design on the armor of the Flemish Painting in our listing. The symbol is on the center right side of the photo. This symbol represents a idealized honeysuckle design which was used in over 17 Flemish paintings. A new lab report confirms the gold color is real "GOLD" on canvas!! Super rare!!

Important woodcut of God the Father creating Eve from Adam’s rib.
According to Genesis, God the Father created Adam and placed him in the Garden of Eden. There he was given dominion over the animals, which he named. But he himself had no mate. God made Adam fall into a deep sleep and created his mate Eve from one of his ribs.
The recto with two blocks of Latin text.
Page from Hartmann Schedel's Liber Chronicarum, more commonly known as the Nuremberg Chronicle. The Latin ve...

This is a copy of the 17th century portrait of Rembrandt's son Titus around 1668. The canvas has been relined and is mounted in its original stretcher. The frame is a old replacement frame. The original portrait of Titus by Rembrandt is in the Lourve. We will try to determine the age of the canvas and more information later.

A classically beautiful unframed red chalk on old paper drawing of a woman dressed as a nun, possibly a saint, surrounded by winged and putti-like figures, Christ on the cross at left background, circa 1700 Roman School. The Old Master drawing is beautifully worked. Formerly attributed to Guercino, now "Roman School". The old paper is laid on a thin card. There are several very small paper losses and several circular brown stains in center portion, but these are easily overlooked, as they ar...

A very fine Dutch Old Master work in oil after Rembrandt, one of the greatest painters of all time. This work titled Ahasuerus & Hamas, The Feast of Esther., and is a 17th century work framed measuring 37” x 34” oil on canvas

An Italian Old Master red chalk drawing of a putto, 8 3/4" by 6", 12 3/4" by 11 1/4" nicely framed with inner gold fillet and quality frame from Munn in Los Angeles. The work is unsigned and unattributed. Likely early 18th century. There is some soiling at top left, right center and near the lower portion, two vertical folds and more light folds at upper left, and a small abrasion of paper, seen as white area, near nose area, all as seen in photos.

( Consignment). Renaissance Deposition after Annibale Carracci (1560-1609), Oil Painting 74 x 51. Carracci is an Italian painter who was influential in recovering the classicizing tradition of the High Renaissance from the affectations of Mannerism.The sons of a tailor, Annibale and his older brother Agostino were at first guided by their older cousin Lodovico, a painter who persuaded them to follow him in his profession. Annibale’s precocious talents developed in a tour of northern Italy ...

The page deals with the creation of nature and of Adam on the sixth day of Genesis.
Important woodcut with God the Father creating Adam from a lump of clay. The nature on the right is depicted as a harmonious Eden with gentle animals.
The verso, entitled ‘de sanctificatione septime diei’, is about the blessing of the seventh day following the fulfilment of creation.
The spectacular woodcut shows God the Father flanked by a hierarchy of angels, listed on the left as Serap...

Abraham Bloemaert, Dutch, 1564-1651. This exquisite drawing in ink, wash and chaulk is a fine example of Bloemaert's talent. It is 13.2 cm h by 9.5 cm w.Provenance: Private Collection, Leslie Hindman Auction, Private Collection, Fine English Collection ( paper verso ). Condition is good and it has an old label from Folio fine Art LTD in London. The son of an architect, Abraham Bloemaert, known for painting, engraving and teaching, was born in Gorinchem, Holland in 1564. At age nine, he moved ...

It has taken some research on the net to determine that this unusual item is apparently an early 20th century facsimile of an incunabula (pre 1500 printing) leaf from a book. JOHANN GRUENINGER (1455-1533) was a major, prolific early German printer and publisher, who developed an innovative method for illustrating books. This sheet on rag type paper measures 11" by 8". There is text in old Latin, and an image of the Trojan Horse outside of Troy, the soldiers entering his side. Note the vivid ...

Double-page with woodcuts from Hartmann Schedel's Nuremberg Chronicle.
The principal woodcut refers to the 5th Council of Constantinople, held 879/880 AD. It depicts the pope and a large group of clergy under the blessing of the Holy Spirit, who is shown as a dove.
Departing from 874 AD, the Latin text develops the context of the 5th Council of Constantinople, an initiative of Pope Johannes VIII to appease the Byzantines and obtain their aid against the Saracen incursions into Ita...