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Photos of The Summer Palace by Mei Li Photographic Studio, c. 1928-1937

I would like to share with you some fascinating old photos of the Summer Palace in Beijing, made and distributed by Mei Li Photograhpic Studio during the late 1920s or 1930s. We’ve acquired two separate sets of these. First one is a set of four framed hand-tinted panoramic shots measuring approx. 30×10 cm. Second set features 23 smaller black and white photos with typewritten English explanations on the back. Hope you’ll enjoy these as much as we did!


Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests in The Temple of Heaven
Camel Back Bridge (Jade Belt Bridge)
Tower of Buddhist Incense (Foxiang Ge) overlooking Kunming Lake
Seventeen-Arch Bridge connecting the shore of the lake with Nanhu Island
Mei Li Photographic Studio Label
Mei Li Photographic Studio 美麗照相舘 original label on the back of the frames. Use of the name ‘Peiping’ dates these somewhere between 1928-1937, Republic period.
Second set of photographs came in this brown paper envelope titled 萬壽山, SUMMER PALACE, All With English Explanations
Summer Palace – Bronze Cow and Seventeen Arch Bridge
Summer Palace – Camel Back Bridge
Forbidden City – Throne in Reception Hall
Forbidden City – Throne in Pao Ho Hall
Summer Palace – Empress Dowager’s Garden
Summer Palace – Empress Dowager’s Celebration Hall
Summer Palace – Empress Dowager’s Fasting Quarter
Summer Palace – Bronze Temple
Summer Palace – Marble Tablet
Summer Palace – Pavilion on Marble Bridge
Forbidden City – Bronze Incense Burners
Summer Palace – The Arch
Forbidden City – General View

April 2023 Update – New Arrivals and Auctions

April 2023 Update - New Arrivals and Auctions


See our latest auctions and new items added to our shop this month. Read the full list below.

Visit Asian Art Curator to bid on latest eBay auctions closing this week. Featured auctions are being added throughout the week so make sure to stay up to date! Our Resource Hub features a complete list of Asian art resources that can be found on our website.

Subscribe to our newsletter to receive monthly product updates via e-mail. Easiest way to get all the latest updates is to follow our instagram and facebook pages.




Latest eBay auctions and new arrivals
Antique Japanese Nogawa Noboru Mixed Metal Vase. Meiji Period


AUCTION – Antique Japanese Nogawa Noboru Mixed Metal Vase. Meiji Period

A fantastic miniature Japanese mixed metal vase by Nogawa Noboru dating to the late 19th century, Meiji period. Silver and gold inlaid decoration depicting pair of herons on one side and blossoming prunus branch on the other. Marked to the base with carved hiragana character の (“no”) and three vertical lines in the background for 川 (“kawa”, or “gawa” in compounds).

Height: 9 cm

Auction ends 7 May 2023



Antique Chinese Polychrome Painted Pottery Jar. Han Dynasty (202 BC – 220 AD)


Antique Chinese Polychrome Painted Pottery Jar. Han Dynasty (202 BC – 220 AD)

Wonderful Chinese Han dynasty pottery jar of cylindrical form, painted in black, orange and white pigments with stylized curvilinear cloud designs derived from lacquer objects popular during the late Zhou and early Han dynasties. Rare to find these preserved in such a good condition as the decoration on the surface is extremely delicate and rubs off easily.

Height: 19 cm
Diameter: 11.5 cm



Antique Chinese Boxwood Carving of the Daoist Immortal Magu. Qing Dynasty


Antique Chinese Boxwood Carving of the Daoist Immortal Magu. Qing Dynasty

Fantastic antique Chinese boxwood carving of the Daoist Goddess of Longevity and protector of women, Magu (麻姑, ‘hemp maid’). She is accompanied by a spotted deer and carries peaches and a basket in her hands. This is a popular Chinese motif known as ‘Magu Xian Shou’. Wonderful little carving with a lovely patina.

Height: 13.5 cm



Antique Chinese Green Glazed Pottery Figure of a Seated Dog


Antique Chinese Green Glazed Pottery Figure of a Seated Dog

Antique Chinese green glazed pottery figure depicting a seated hound, most probably a Saluqi. This is believed to be one of the earliest domesticated breeds (dating back to the Sumerian empire, 7000-6000 BC) and represented in Chinese art since the Tang dynasty. Present example dates to c. Ming dynasty.

Height: 12.5 cm



Antique Chinese Rouge de Fer Porcelain Vases in Japanese Kutani Style. Late Qing Dynasty


Antique Chinese Rouge de Fer Porcelain Vases in Japanese Kutani Style. Late Qing Dynasty

Rare pair of late 19th century Chinese (Cantonese) export porcelain vases with applied chimeras. Pattern is commonly referred to as ‘hundred scholars’ and is characteristic of Japanese Kutani porcelain. This type of decoration might have been a response of Chinese decorators to increased popularity of Japanese motifs during the craze of Japonisme in Europe in the second half of the 19th century.

Height: approx. 12.5 cm (slightly different heights)



Antique Indian Figure of Hindu Deity Durga Mahishasura Mardini. 19th century


Antique Indian Figure of Hindu Deity Durga Mahishasura Mardini. 19th century

Antique Indian bronze or similar copper alloy figure of a fierce Hindu deity Durga Mahishasuramardini – slayer of Mahishasura the buffalo demon. In good antique condition with significant ritual wear, marks and small losses as per photographs.

Height: 15 cm



Antique Japanese Blue and White Kutani Porcelain Tripod Koro Incense Burner. Marked 九谷


Antique Japanese Blue and White Kutani Porcelain Tripod Koro Incense Burner. Marked 九谷

Fine antique Japanese Kutani porcelain incense burner with a pierced cover. Decorated all over in underglaze blue and featuring butterflies with peony scrolls. Stylized underglaze blue square 九谷 Kutani mark underneath. In excellent condition as per photographs.

Height: 10 cm



Antique Japanese Blue-Ground Satsuma Pottery Bowl by Kusube 楠部. Meiji Period


Antique Japanese Blue-Ground Satsuma Pottery Bowl by Kusube 楠部. Meiji Period

Very pretty antique Japanese cobalt-ground Satsuma pottery bowl with shaped rim. Depicting an outdoor scene with ladies and children, set against a backdrop of Mt. Fuji and boats on a lake. Marked Kusube 楠部 to the base.

Diameter: 19 cm



Pair of Antique Japanese Cloisonne Koro Incense Burners. Meiji Period


Pair of Antique Japanese Cloisonne Koro Incense Burners. Meiji Period

Charming pair of antique Japanese cloisonné incense burners with floral decoration. Both in great antique condition with some age-related surface wear and minor enamel loss inside where feet are attached.

Height: 10 cm



March 2023 Update – New Resources, Auctions and Arrivals


This month we’ve added a new resource to our website: Chinese Export Silver Marks Identification Guide. This glossary lists some of the most common marks of artisan and retail silversmiths found on antique Chinese export silver. We’ve also added many new Buy it Now items to our shop and exclusive Catawiki auctions closing next week! Read the full list below.

Visit Asian Art Curator to bid on latest eBay auctions closing this week. Featured auctions are being added throughout the week so make sure to stay up to date! Our Resource Hub features a complete list of Asian art resources that can be found on our website.

Subscribe to our newsletter to receive monthly product updates via e-mail. Easiest way to get all the latest updates is to follow our instagram and facebook pages.



Newly Added Resource

Latest auctions and new arrivals
Antique Chinese Silk Embroidery Gold Thread Art Deco Clutch Bag. c. 1930s


AUCTION – Antique Chinese Silk Embroidery Gold Thread Art Deco Clutch Bag. c. 1930s

Fantastic Chinese Art Deco clutch bag with very fine gold thread silk embroidery panel and blue border. Inside all original accessories including a bevelled mirror and purse.

Dimensions: 34×21 cm open, 21×17 cm closed.

Auction ends 7 April 2023



Fine Chinese Carved Gilt Lacquered Wood Figures of Seated Daoist Immortals


AUCTION – Fine Chinese Carved Gilt Lacquered Wood Figures of Seated Daoist Immortals

Stunning pair of Chinese gilt lacquered carved figures depicting seated Daoist immortals or similar deities, each in long flowing robes and carrying ceremonial objects. Beards made out of horse hair. I would say they date to c. Republic period (based on how well preserved the surface is) even though most similar examples that I’ve come across are dated as late Qing.

Height: 22 and 24 cm tall (8.5 and 9.5 inches)

Auction ends 7 April 2023


Antique Chinese Carved Red Cinnabar Lacquer Rectangular Box. Early 20th century


Antique Chinese Carved Red Cinnabar Lacquer Rectangular Box. Early 20th century

Very nicely carved Chinese cinnabar lacquer box and cover depicting a garden scene with scholars discussing under a large pine tree.

Dimensions: 13x13x5.5 cm



Antique Chinese Sancai Glazed Porcelain Foo Lion Joss Stick Holder. Qing Dynasty


Antique Chinese Sancai Glazed Porcelain Foo Lion Joss Stick Holder. Qing Dynasty

Cute antique Chinese porcelain foo lion resting its paw on its puppy. Covered in Famille verte type green, yellow and brown enamels. Holder on its back designed to serve as an incense burner. It appears to be a 19th century Qing dynasty example.

Height: 19 cm



Fine Japanese Hagi Ware Pottery Vase by Tamamura Shogetsu


Fine Japanese Hagi Ware Pottery Vase by Tamamura Shogetsu

Fabulous 20th century Hagi-yaki crane neck vase by Tamamura Shogetsu 玉村松月, Kofuan kiln. Marked with a circular stamped seal that reads 松月 ‘Shogetsu’ and with its original inscribed and signed tomobako.

Height: 24 cm




Antique Japanese Wooden Fubako Covered in Menuki Tsuka Ornaments c. Meiji Period

Very lovely antique Japanese fubako style wooden box covered all over in menuki ornaments, originally intended as a decoration for handles of katanas. Dating to c. Meiji period, late 19th or early 20th century.

Dimensions: 24x9x3.5 cm




Fine Japanese Haribako Sewing Box Tansu Chest 針箱 Showa Period

Vintage Japanese Haribako (sewing box) that can also be used as a jewellery cabinet or a trinket box. Features four drawers and hinged lid at the top.

Dimensions: 27×24.5×20 cm




Fine Antique Japanese Gilt Lacquered Fubako Letter Box Nashiji Interior. Meiji Period

Fine antique Japanese rectangular gilt-lacquered box with raised decoration featuring a golden pheasant perched on a blossoming tree. Nashiji-decorated interior.

Dimensions: 24x9x4.5 cm




Antique Chinese Imari Porcelain Tea Bowl Cup and Saucer Symbol Mark. 18th Century

Great antique 18th century Chinese export imari porcelain tea bowl and saucer. Unusual iron red and gilt flower symbol mark to the base of the cup.

Dimensions
Saucer – diameter 13 cm
Tea bowl – diameter 8 cm, height 4.5 cm



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Identification of Asian Antiques. Translation of Chinese and Japanese Porcelain Marks