An organization dealing in antiques, established 15 years ago by a retired banker with the intention to collect only genuine and original antiques for cultural preservation and investigating techniques of art of the past .
Imparting knowledge to the collectors is the prime goal and the working of the company has been widely acknowledged by intellectuals.
The company has been exporting consignments overseas specially to USA, Germany, Switzerland , Sweden ,UK etc.
Russian porcelain pottery is considered as an important and unforgeable integral part of the history.It is because of the manufacturing technique and the material used for the products. Since the pottery was made specially for Imperial court its importance and value can never be challenged...
The Gardner products are considered as second to Fabergé who used to produce very precious items for the court and are precious and valuable items in the market because of its rarity ,quality and sophisticated technique used its production.
The above mentioned images are of large Russian Imperial Kuznestof porcelain plates which belongs to Tsar period pre 1917 ,. made before Russian communist revolution.These have floral decoration multicolored paintings..
The authentication has been verified by French valuation experts from Expertissm France.
The manufacturer stamp can be seen on back of the plate .
In order to get awareness it is important to know the genuineness and originality of the objects and this can be verified by the signs of wear on the back of the objects which clearly reveals that the object is not reproduced . In addition to it other signs like scratches and scars may also be available in many cases.
However acquiring knowledge about the objects, historical background identification of seal marks,stamps is also important .
The other important aspect is that of rarity. Mass production pieces are of little importance than specialized products meant specially for imperial court even the Gardner products are still of great importance and the collectors are still searching for them because of their historical background and sophistication.
Japanese Kutani white milky translucent eggshell porcelain antique tea pot , milk pot and cup painted with fine natural scene in grey and yellowish colors.Kutani is the famous manufacturer of ceramics in Japan with distinction of representing Japanese culture in their society
Artist marking can be seen on the objects.
Historical background of Kutani Porcelain
Kutani is the famous name in porcelain world manufacturing multicolored pottery and others in Japan. In 1655 Lord Maeda Toshiharu ordered production of porcelain and in compliance of his orders the process of manufacturing was started in a small village called Kutani where the stone mine existed. However the craftmen could not succeed in creating a quality product and as such the manufacturing process was a bonded.
The craftman Goto was sent to Arita to acquire better technique of production and on his return a product in the name of Ko- Kutani was launched which remained in production for almost 50 years using the technology overglazed enamels.This production was suddenly stopped in 1700 either due to the inavailability of pigment used in the manufacturing process or due to finanacial constraints. Thie reason is still undiscovered.
Later on the production was started again but unlike Ko- Kutani which are extremely rare and most precious pieces .With the passage of time and advancement in technology small porcelain manufacturing units came emerged in the region.. European users showed their extreme interest in Shoza products of Kutani which were highly in demand having captured European market . The world fairs held in Vienna and Paris from 1873 onward the market for the products was at peak .During the world wars the production was extremely declined , however during the 20th century Kutani again emerged along with Imari and Arita porcelain of Japan as leading manufactureres and dominated the market again.
Today hundred of companies are engaged in manufacturing Kutani porcelain with thousands of employees producing different styles with variation and shapes as well as also creating traditional designs. Tera in Japan i is the main central place where most of the porcelain is manufactured called as Kutani-Yaki.Besides usual utensils other objects of interest like insense burners, vases, decoration plates and others are also manufactured .
The new Kutani porcelain products ranges from thick and coarse body to transparent eggshell milky white fine porcelain.These are grey, bluish greenish yellowish to white milky with the processing technique used by Arita.Many of the varieties are painted by hand even now showing its art and sophistication.
A rare 600 hundred years old antique kachkool made from twisted tree bark with writings therein showing product date.
.The history of the object has not been studied yet.
Inherited property since 1950.
Two antique Chinese porcelain cups from Xuande period with calligraphy in blue color on outer and inner fine glazed surface .Rims of the cups are deep red colored
The cups are specially collected for preservation.The reign marks inside the circle are seen on the
base of the cups The fine glazed surface of the cups has added beauty to the objects..
Antique Chinese large celadon ginger jar 17 cm high with crackle glazed outer and inner surface in grey color.
The manufacturing technique used is really worth appreciating depicting culture of the past.
The antiquated kingdom of Gandhara extended crosswise over parts of present-day Afghanistan and Pakistan. It was an essential business focal point of the Middle East numerous hundreds years ago before the arrival of the Prophet Muhammad ( peace be upon him) to this world. For a period, Gandhara likewise was a gem of Buddhist human progress. Researchers of Gandhara headed out east to India and China and were compelling in the advancement of ahead of schedule Mahayana Buddhism.
The craft of Gandhara incorporated the soonest oil artistic creations known in mankind's history and the first and probably the most delightful portrayals of bodhisattvas and the Buddha in human structure. The antiques and archeological stays of Gandhara still are in effect methodicallly crushed by militants. The loss of the Bamiyan Buddhas picked up the world's consideration due to their size, yet numerous other uncommon and antiquated bits of craftsmanship have been lost since. In 2001 Buddhas of Bamiyan in Afghanistan were smashed into pieces inspite of the world requests. The Buddhas of Bamiyan depicted an extraordinary legacy of Buddhist craftsmanship that is consistently devastated by war and zeal.
In November 2007 , a seven-meter tall, seventh century stone Buddha in Jihanabad was blwn up extremely harming its head. In 2008 a bomb was planted in a historical center of Gandharan craftsmanship in Pakistan. The blast harmed more than 150 antiques. Almost 2,000 years prior, specialists of Gandhara started to shape and paint the Buddha in ways that have affected Buddhist craftsmanship after. Prior Buddhist workmanship did not portray the Buddha. Rather, he was spoken to by an image or a void space. However Gandharan specialists envisioned the Buddha as an individual.
In a style impacted by Greek and Roman workmanship, Gandharan specialists etched and painted the Buddha in practical subtle element. The tranquil face, postured hands, short hair hitched at the top. These traditions spread all through Asia and are found in portrayals of the Buddha to this day.in dislike of its imperativeness to Buddhism, a significant part of the historical backdrop of Gandhara was lost for quite a long time. Cutting edge archeologists and history specialists have sorted out a percentage of the story of Gandhara, and luckily much of its glorious workmanship is sheltered on the planet's galleries, far from battle regions.
The Kingdom of Gandhara existed, in one structure or an alternate, for more than 15 centuries. It started as a territory of the Persian Empire in 530 BCE and finished in 1021 CE, when its last ruler was killed by his own troops. Amid those hundreds of years it stretched and shrank, and its fringes changed ordinarily.
The general range of Gandhara spreads to Afghanistan and some pieces of Pakistan. The old kingdom included what is presently Kabul, Afghanistan and Islamabad, Pakistan. The territory checked "Hindu Kush" likewise was a piece of Gandhara. The noteworthy city of Peshawar and the Swat Valley is simply west of Peshawar and is vital to the historical backdrop of Gandhara. Despite the fact that this a piece of the Middle East has underpinned human development for no less than 6,000 years, the story starts in 530 BCE. That year the Persian Emperor Darius I vanquished Gandhara and made it a piece of his realm. At that point in 333 BCE Alexander the Great vanquished the armed forces of Darius III and achieved control of Persia, and by 327 BCE Alexander controlled Gandhara.One of Alexander's successors, Seleucus, got to be leader of Persia and Mesopotamia. Nonetheless, Seleucus committed the error of testing his neighbor to the east, the Emperor Chandragupta Maurya of India. The meeting did not go well for Seleucus, who ceded much domain, including Gandhara, to Chandragupta.
Chandragupta left the Mauryan Empire, which incorporated the region of Gandhara, to his child, Bindusara. At the point when Bindusara passed on, likely in 272 BCE, he exited the realm to his child, Ashoka.
Ashoka (ca. 304–232 BCE; now and then spelled Asoka) initially was a warrior sovereign known for his mercilessness and remorselessness. As indicated by legend he was initially presented to Buddhist showing when ministers looked after his injuries after a fight. On the other hand, his ruthlessness proceeded until the day he strolled into a city he had quite recently prevailed over and saw the decimation. "What have I done?" he cried, and promised to watch the Buddhist way for himself and for his kingdom.
Ashoka's realm included practically all of present-day India and Bangladesh and also a large portion of Pakistan and Afghanistan. It was his support of Buddhism that left the more noteworthy check on world history, on the other hand. Ashoka was instrumental in making Buddhism a standout amongst the most conspicuous religions of Asia. He assembled cloisters, raised stupas, and underpinned the work of Buddhist ministers, who took the dharma into Gandhara and Gandhara's western neighbor, Bactria.
Believe nothing on the faith of traditions,even though they have been held in honor for many generations and in diverse places. Do not believe a thing because many people speak of it. Do not believe on the faith of the sages of the past. Do not believe what you yourself have imagined, persuading yourself that a God inspires you.Believe nothing on the sole authority of your masters and priests. After examination, believe what you yourself have tested and found to be reasonable, and conform your conduct thereto. Buddha
The Mauryan Empire declined after Ashoka's demise. The Greek-Bactrian King Demetrius I prevailed over Gandhara around 185 BCE, yet ensuing wars made Gandhara an Indo-Greek kingdom free of Bactria.
A standout amongst the most conspicuous of the Indo-Greek lords of Gandhara was Menander, additionally called Melinda, who ruled from around 160 to 130 BCE. Menander is said to have been a passionate Buddhist. The Pali Canon contains a dialog, called The Milindapañha, claimed to be between King Menander and a Buddhist researcher named Nagasena.after Menander's passing Gandhara was attacked once more, first by Scythians and afterward Parthians. The attacks wiped out the Indo-Greek kingdom.
Ancient Chinese workmanship is a wonderful craftsmanship that is categorically researched in China and other research organizations of the world., Early mentioned "stone age workmanship" goes to 10,000 BC, basically comprising of straightforward ceramics and models. This early period was trailed by an arrangement of craftsmanship administrations, the majority of which endured a few hundred years.
The Chinese craftsmanship in Taiwan and that of abroad Chinese can likewise be viewed as a feature of Chinese workmanship where itn is situated in or draws on Chinese legacy and Chinese society.
The craftsmanship convey knowledge and certain messages to the viewer either in the form of a sculpture, ceramic,art or other material objects.
The symmetry seen in the structure of an object itself speaks of hidden talent and approach of the craftsmen and confirms originality.
Chinese painting is widely accepted as the most sophisticated art specially antique and old one. The above large picture 92 x 42 cm. would reveal the story behind it using light colors and adding the sense of curiosity by the artist named as Sha Mengyan.
Chinese craft has always introduced new creation for the attraction of the lovers to probe into. The picture given below is a porcelain drink pot with painting of running horses in red yellow and black colors and calligraphy in black color.. Inside the pot is another pot replaceable.Manufacturer stamps is seen on base of the main object.These types of models pointing out at thermal technology in the past were highly liked by interested circles and today have been preserved representing pieces of art & culture.
The following images show a group of 3 antique porcelain pots consisting of ,
Left. Antique small Delft porcelain vase with floral decoration work. , the age of which can be determined from the condition and similarity..The vases, plates and other ceramics of the company are highly appreciated in international market because of their rarity and decoration work.
Middle. Antique Chinese Dynasty floral decorated in blue & white planter with manufacturer sign mark on the base.It has 8 facets. The collectors of Chinese antiques search for such items and are sold in international market for high prices.The double circular lines on the pot shows relevancy to Chinese Imperial Dynasty period probably Ming dynasty as the paintings in blue color and its structure itself speaks of unique manufacturing technique.
Right. Chinese blue & white decorated hexagonal vase with landscape painting on a small vase is also collectible pieces so far its characteristics are concerned.
This information is provided to collectors in the initial stage of their work.Detailed information can be had from the the sites like, Gothberg, Kovel, and many others on internet.
This fine Chinese conical antique porcelain large bowl probably from Northern Song Dynasty in China with distinguished inscription of floral work of art.
This type of creation is considered as important collection.
The surface of the object is so fine and soft that one cannot remain without admiring the technique of manufacturing hundred years ago i.e, 14th c..The light color and light weight of the bowl adds beauty to the object The age signs are visible determining its vulnerability which is an important aspect of antique identification and subsequent collection.
Introduction & short history of Chinese snuff bottles.
Chinese started using powdered tobacco in snuff bottles during the Qing dynasty though the use of tobacco was banned at that time. It was used as a cure for cold stomach problems or headache like usual medicines. Snuff bottles like the image given below is an example of that.
Decorated with nicely carved work of horse riders in different designs on front and back sides of the object and stamped showing the era of manufacture.
The elite class used to present snuff at special occasions to the distinguished class of people and was considered as ritual of honor.However its use spread to the rest of the country later on.The snuff bottles have been made in different designs and models made of different materials like jade, glass,wood,metal, ivory and cinnabar etc,
Some made for the court had unmatchable art of work and were made from special material for presentation at special occasion.The owner of very special pieces were very proud of such belongings.The production of snuff bottles was at peak during 18 th century because of the high demand by public.In 1912 after the fall of Qing dynasty the snuffing custom disappeared with the establishment of Republic.
The snuff bottles are highly looked after by the collectors today because of their unique features, rarity and valuable art.
Very fine Chinese Porcelain set of two smaller and one medium and one larger bowl for a special occasion.
\The bigger bowl is specially manufactured having carved rim unlike usual round one and finely painted with floral decoration.
The one smaller cup is painted with a blue colored chicken image and the other one with a red color dragon.
All the cups are original and in good condition with no repair or restoration. The manufacturer signatures are available on the bottom of the cups and bowl.
The main literary notice of authentic Gandhara, the area that lies in the northwest of Pakistan and eastern Afghanistan, was in the ninth century BCE. Through the following nine hundred years the area was vanquished by Alexander the Extraordinary, the Indian Mauryan line, the Parthians, the Indo-Greeks, lastly the Focal Asian Kushan Domain. This complex history, with its numerous social impacts, structured the establishment for an area where Buddhism and Buddhist workmanship would thrive and create interesting qualities. This presentation investigates the essential qualities that make lives up to expectations from Gandhara of such significant social noteworthiness, emphasizing stone figures and reliefs, bronzes, and works in gold dating from the first century BCE to the fifth century CE—from the Indo-Greek through Kushan periods, and shutting with the beginnings of Sasanian lead there. The Buddhist Legacy of Pakistan is the first show to bring works of Gandharan workmanship from Pakistan to the United States in more than fifty years. Workmanship from Gandhara is eminent for its striking complex qualities, a hefty portion of which reflect complex associations with Greco-Roman and Parthian craftsmanship. The area was an intersection where the early impacts of the western traditional world met with Indian symbolism and nearby practices. In the meantime, Gandhara is likewise paramount for the interesting types of Buddhist symbolism that developed there. These incorporate a cluster of alleviation scenes from the life of the Buddha, pictures of different buddhas, and figures of bodhisattvas.
The legacy of Gandharan Buddhism and its momentous craftsmanship can at present be located all through Asia. In spite of the fact that its heartland was found in present-day Pakistan, Gandharan society spread through Focal Asia and arrived at the Tarim Bowl. Numerous thoughts and pictures that created in Gandhara inevitably set out to China, and from that point to Korea and Japan. This phenomenal history makes Gandharan craft of persisting criticalness to research. This art of the time compelled researchers to make probe into evolution of art and culture specially in a particular area of Pakistan called PUSHKLAWATI (An ancient name meaning " Home of daffodils:, the remnants of which are still fresh.This area is called Hashtnagar located near Peshawar.
In the early hundreds of years of Christian period, there bloomed in North-western district of Pakistan, noteworthy and extraordinary Buddhist human progress in all its superbness and wonder. It is presently referred to the world over as "Gandhara Civilization". initially, on the other hand, the name remained for a nation, old kingdom spotted in this piece of Pakistan.
What precise zones its outskirts en compassed can't be dead set with any extraordinary exactness today, however, as per Hsiang Tsang, the renowned worldwide Chinese explorer, Empire of Gandhara "reaches out around 1000 li from East to West and around 800 li from North to South. It is limited on East by Sin (Sindhu-Indus) waterway. Its capital is Po-lu-sha-pu-lo (Purushapura = Peshawar)".
This affirmation, alongside other accessible proof, shows that the kingdom of Gandhara was kept to the regions West of Indus, now containing the valley of Peshawar and the bumpy areas of Swat, Buner and Bajaur. Anyhow the workmanship for which it is so acclaimed reached out a long ways past its geological outskirts.
Albeit divided by the waters of the compelling Indus and the grand scopes of Himalayas and Hindukush, Gandhara remains have been found as far South as Mankiyala close Rawalpindi and as far North as Oxus waterway. This was apparently no segregated society, yet framed piece of one and the same Buddhist progress; its craft was recognized all over by the same general trademark, with just minor nearby varieties.
The land circumstance of this North-Western district, or what was once aged Gandhara, set it in key position to assume critical part ever. It is intriguing nation, rich with corps, overall watered by Indus and her limbs and charming, with mils atmosphere. Its grand foot-slopes have partitioned it into little, independent valleys or Arcadian magnificence, which look somewhat like those of established Greece.
Lying on borderland between Indo-Pakistan and Western Asia and having a place as meager to the one as to alternate, this nation was honorably arranged to develop, alongside the adjoining domains of Punjab and Afghanistan, one of a kind work of art, which joined the best components of traditional East and West.
Gandhara was never under indigenous standard aside from once in its long and checkered history. It came progressively under the mastery of long line of remote intruders. As an issue, its kin got to be cosmopolitan in their society and viewpoint, as well as in their physical appearance.
A percentage of the figures, spoke to in Gandhara models, are strikingly tall and stately with slack trousers and sleeved layer, nearly looking like the present-day Pathans; others are typically Greek, Scythian or Parthian , while yet others have the qualities of Indo-Pakistani structures.
The regular discourse of the individuals was Prakrit, however the script was Kharoshthi, adjusted manifestation of Aramaic, then present in Western Asia. The ordinary script for holy messages was Brahmins. Clearly, Gandhara took its discourse from Indo-Pakistan subcontinent and its composition from West. The close combination of these two generally disparate components is likewise traceable in numerous different parts of contemporary life, yet it is maybe no place so plainly show as in sculptural workmanship.
Gandhara was prosperous nation, in every way. Her success was guaranteed as much by her prolific soil as by her curious geological position. The extraordinary blood vessel exchange courses, which crossed Asia, from China to Mediterranean coast and from Turkestan to Indo-Pakistan subcontinent, passed through this area, and it served as limit in the middle of East and West.
Monetary flourishing of Gandhara, and the vitality of her enter position on the planet's trade is confirmed indistinguishable by artistic and recorded records and archeological records. For two centuries, somewhere around 50 and 250 AD, Gandhara, or what is currently North-West Pakistan, was kept occupied with the travel exchange of Orient, and it claimed a toll on all products that passed through its outskirts.
By Kushana times, this extending exchange and the expanding riches it brought with it, made it fundamental for Kanishka to embrace, for his gold coinage, topics from Western mythology and standard of weight from Roman cash. In expressions and artworks, additionally, Gandhara was generally progressive and her items, which included carefully worked gold and silver adornments and cut ivory and metal articles, were very prized in numerous parts of the edified world.
The root of Gandhara is lost in fabulous indistinct quality. Despite the fact that said in Vedic writing, we discover the first chronicled mention to it in the Bisotoun Inscription of Darius I, dated 518 BC, which records Gandhara as prevailed over territory. From that point forward, it stayed under Persians as prosperous Satrapy, paying the biggest tribute to Imperial coffers. Its specific geological area, its prospering exchange and trade, its crafts and artworks, sustained in unbroken peace, guaranteed its proceeded with success.
The tranquil pool of life was, in any case, impolitely dispersed by Alexander, Macedonian interloper. His triumph of the region, in 326 BC, by and by demonstrated an aid in mask. Agnostic Greeks soon ended up stifled by prevalent religious rationale of East and utilized all their imaginative aptitude and discernment in its administration, making new Buddha with lovely Roman characteristics and oriental corona. This mode od model denoted a change from customary Indian style.
Alexander's occupation was, notwithstanding, fleeting and obviously irrelevant. Not really, Mauryan period tailed it. This was critical and unequivocal period ever. For, it was Asoka, Mauryan Emperor, and his preachers, who changed over the nation to Buddhism. His rock-declarations at Shahbazgarhi and Mansehra bear smooth confirmation of his teacher enthusiasm. He is credited with the building of 84,000 religious structures in diverse parts of this nation, some of which are still traceable.
This antique Chinese fine porcelain tea pot has painting on one side and calligraphy on the other giving it an artistic touch.
The tea pot was made from a fine paste of porcelain.The handles are made of iron bars.It is very surprising to note that in Chinese culture much importance has been given to the pottery manufacturing process and the structure of kilns..The experts used to exercise extreme care while making pots for the court .
The art work was unique depicting story or event.The above piece has always been liked by collectors.
Antique Chinese hardwood reddish Netsuke of a sage ( Shaulao) with animals.The netsukes are the products of Japan originally small in size spreading gradually to other regions.
. Manufacturer marks available on Netsuke showing the age of manufacture
.
Height 15 cm Width 7 cmWeight 227 gms 2. The sculture made from bony material depicts elephants in the upper and lower portion of its body showing might of the era.
The Chinese vases play an important role in going deep into Chinese culture and civilization. The following is an example of small three Chinese antique Nankin porcelain celadon vases each 13 cm high . The vases have crackle glazed skin with paintings of warriors and foo dog heads handles.
The manufacturer seal is affixed on the bottom of each vase.
These multicolored hand made vases depict the story behind these adding curiosity amongst the collectors.
