Catalog: Antiques: Regional Art: Asian: Chinese (233)

Nice old well worn Qing Dynasty Shekwan green and blue flambé glazed pillow. 19th century- very nice impressed floral scroll and coin pattern unglazed ends. L: 34cm/13.5in and W: 10cm/4in. Here is an “amusing” Youtube video on opium pillows and their history from the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) for your edification https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6zOVd9LEabo&t=182s

Very rare pottery bowl and eclectic with Taoist imagery. This is made from a high fired light gray pottery, with traces of a white slip and depictions of musicians, dancers and “demon” masks. This is a funerary piece; the symbology suggests the transition from this world to the afterlife. D: 14cm/5.5in and H: 5.2cm/2in. No cracks original pigments with some kiln warpage

Rare, very rugged leather tobacco box from the Bai ethnic group in Yunnan, China. This was purchased in rural Yunnan at a Bai market, near Dali over 20 years ago. One can assume this craft is no longer being done with the availability of cheap plastic items as well as the migration of artisans to better paying jobs in the city. There are some tiny lacquer losses to the surface. I W: 9.8cm/4.9in x H:5.5cm/2.2in & 8cm/3.1in x 6cm/2.4in. Free shipping.

Set of 3 “Socialist Kitsch”, porcelain brush pots with green Jingdezhen “China” marks inside the “bi” shaped footrims, circa 1960s-1970s. These all have the same mark and same dimensions H: 12cm/4.8in and D: 8.4cm/3.2in. Relatively good Jingdezhen quality porcelain, and simple polychrome decorations with revolutionary slogans. These were meant for mass consumption but amazingly little of it remains today...

Simple Han inkstone, polished smooth one side and rough underneath. Signs of exavation and typical distinct petrichor smell. L: 20cm/7.9in x 6.3cm/2.5in. Note last image is from Chinese Inkstones- Simon Kwan, for reference.

Unusual grey pottery jar from the syncretic Buddhist Dali Kingdom circa 982CE–1253CE, which was located in present day Yunnan. The Dali State was not fully absorbed into the Chinese Empire until the Ming Dynasty, although it did accept Mongol control and were by and large allowed to manage their own affairs as long as they contributed soldiers. This jar has mysterious animal appliqued faces well as Buddhist images set against peepul tree leaves (Bodhi Tree)...

Pair of Tiele (Chinese Ironwood) Weiqi boxes, carved from solid wood. Weiqi was the forerunner of the Japanese board game of Go, and one of the Four Arts, that someone from the "gentleman class" were supposed to know. These boxes are used to put the stone pieces in. There is cyclical date which probably doesn’t go further back than 1972 therefore they could be 1984, 1996, 2008, 2000, 2012...

Rare image of a Qilin Chinese "unicorn" with stunning deep aquamarine Qingbai glaze. This is a fragment of a much larger piece, possibly a finial off a censer. H: 9.5cm/3.9in, W: 7cm/2.8in x 4.5cm/1.8in. The sculpture is in excellent condition, there is a film of hardpacked soil in the crevices which can be (see enlargements), this can be removed with a small blade with a bit of effort, soaking it in water for a week or so will help. I am leaving it on as it speaks to the age of this piece...

Very rare Tang Dynasty (618CE to 907CE) terra cotta wall tile depicting the face of a Zhemushou, a fierce guardian earth spirit meant to ward off evil. It is a trapezoidal shape with much of original red and black pigments intact. Some loss to the lower lip (please see enlargements). Lower W: 19cm/7.8in, upper W: 16cm/6.1in and H: 20cm/9in.

Stunning antique abstract carving of a lotus circa late Qing/Republic era, this would have been a temple eaves adornment. W: 48cm/18.8in and H: 23cm/9in. Small damage, painted over in noted in 5# enlargement.

Eclectic collection of 11 ground slate stone “arrowheads” circa 3000 BCE-1900 BCE. The artifacts correspond to the Longshan Culture or a concurrent culture. See enlargements for scale and condition.

Traditional brush and ink Chinese painting of birds done in the style of Jin Cheng 金城. This homage was done in the 20th century and is very attractively mounted a silk scroll. Jin Cheng travelled internationally and was a founding member of the influential Chinese Painting Research Society (Zhongguo huaxue yanjiuhui) that became later known as the Hu Society (Hu she). The writing at the top right is an apocryphal dedication- gifted to Yu Po 1907...

Rare pair of Northern Qi soldiers, circa 550CE-577CE, with original pigments both are in excellent condition- please note the profiles with their jutting jaws and stubborn countenance reflecting their Mongol/Turkic heritage. H: 20cm/7.9in.

Good Qing Dynasty, Chinese nephrite jade carving of a lotus seed pod. In Chinese culture this symbolizes fertility and a desire to have many children on another level the lotus reflects purity, strength and rebirth- as it rises from the mud and blooms into something beautiful. H: 3.5cm/1.4in and W: 4.2cm/1.6in x 3.1cm/1.3in. Good condition- no chips or cracks. 61grams.

Rare Warring States, circa 475–221 BCE, squat gray pottery jar, with incised wave, impressed diamond and large carved spiral patterned bands. The spiral pattern is quite interesting as this is usually only seen on archaic jade bi from the period. Some of the tips of the spiral are broken otherwise superb condition considering its delicacy and age. The surface absorbs water very quickly with a distinct petrichor scent. D: 28cm/11in and H: 14cm/5.5in.

Classic Han Hu shaped jar with beautiful lead spinach green glaze with much sought after silver patina. Excellent condition. Note: spur marks and supports on rim and foot. H:12.6cm/4.9in and D: 11.1cm/4.3in.

Very rare pair of Yuan Dynasty Qingbai completely glazed jars with phoenix lids. These are high fired porcelain quality white bodied Jingdezhen wares with “iron rust” splashes and quirky applique figures. One is slightly larger than the other but both are from the same kiln and period. H: 40cm/15.8in x D:18cm/7in and H: 37cm/14.6in and D: 17.5cm/6.9in. There are Chinese characters at top of each jar the most legible one is “moon” and the incised one is …....