Catalog (491)

Very rare pair of pottery bears. The meaning of bears of during Han Dynasty is somewhat enigmatic, as they are “everywhere” in their material culture i.e., bronze, jade and pottery, but what they signify remains unexplained. Usually they are depicted in a friendly almost cute Winnie the Pooh (ish) fashion, lacking in ferocity like dragons and tigers. Only during the Han did they reach such ubiquity. Both have an amber colored vitreous glaze and appeared to be mostly hand carved. Ther...

Lovely pottery small lead glazed stove from the Eastern Han Dynasty (202 BCE – 220 CE). There is original flaw in one of the pots on top and a minor glaze chip on the upper edge but otherwise excellent condition with a lot of lead glazed silver paraffin patina on the whitish surface. See last enlargement for reference from He Li’s Chinese Ceramics. L: 25.cm/9.8in, W: 18.5m/7.2in and H: 9.5cm/3.8 in. Excellent example of how people cooked 2000 years ago in China.

Green lead glazed oil lamp or candle stand from the Han Dynasty. In excellent condition with no damage, there are still traces of the classic silver patina as may be seen in enlargements. H: 13.5cm/5.3in and D: 10.5cm/4.2in.

Rare soy brown glazed stoneware vessel made in the shape of a grain silo. This basic style are well documented in Qingbai wares but this is the first I have seen in a brown glaze, also it has a fence going around the base which is quite unusual. It is in excellent condition with no repairs, cracks or fritting of the glaze and it is unusually large. H: 24cm/9.5in and D: 18cm/7in. It reminds me a lot of a Jizhou glaze but this seems heavier and more stable.

Magnificent pottery Ding. The long legs and “cockscomb” design where, the legs join the body, are in keeping with bronze vessels from the Zhou to Warring States period, which pottery pieces were trying to emulate. There are traces of a repetitive meandering impressed band below mid circumference. The body is thinly potted with very light gray clay and originally had a dark gray slip applied to the outside (the original gray slip is still intact in the cavity). All the legs and one ha...

Beautiful pair of vintage open work (with twisted wire) floral, cloisonné vases circa 1980. Perfect condition, with stunning and subtle enamel work. I have visited enamel making workshops in China and the skill and patience it takes produce one piece is amazing. H: 12.5cm/4.9in and D: 7cm/2.8in.

Special offer- reduced from $1200- now $800 with shipping included. Rare stoneware jar circa Southern Song or Jin Dynasties jar with soy brown glaze and russet and Jun type, phosphatic splashes. This is heavily potted with an applied dragon chasing a flaming pearl. The brown glaze has a subtle metallic iron oxide patina. It is usually assumed that the blue splashes are accidental (serendipitous) rather than intentional in these brown glazes. This piece is in perfect original condition, t...

Beautiful large Cizhou type black glazed reddish clay, stoneware jar with vivid russet splashes, circa Yuan/Ming Dynasty 1100/1400CE. This has a strong iridescent paraffin surface patina. A few chips under the lip the mouthrim, and craquelure (these are surface glaze cracks only and do not go into the body0 please examine enlargements. H: 38cm/15in and D: 33cm/13in. Free shipping via surface mail.

Vintage brass “puja kalash” water or milk container used in ritual Hindu ceremonies from Southern India, H: 13cm/5.1in x D: 12cm/4.8in. Very finely turned in a simple but elegant shape and quite heavy, near 1kg- and signed (noted in enlargements), appears to be unused but with some patina- made circa mid 20th century.

Vintage clear cloisonné lidded box, employing the plique-a-jour technique, lovely muted pastel colors with a “pierced” lid, most likely meant to be a potpourri to put scented herbs and flower petals in. This is a complicated and time consuming craft- please note that the bottom is cloisonné as well as having some curvature to the lid - it would have been much easier just to give it a copper bottom and making the lid flat. Excellent condition, with no damage or dents- this has some ...

Beautiful traditional Chinese brush painting of the Buddha mounted on a beige silk scroll, excellent condition. He is sitting on a lotus throne with his right hand raised in the Shuni mudra symbolizing patience and discipline. There is an apocryphal dating of 1845 Buddha’s Birthday, Daoguang reign and signature of Reqin. Mounted size is L: 203cm/80in and W: 78cm/31in- actual painting size is L:131cm/51in and W: 66cm/26in. Circa last quarter of 20th century.

Lovely spherical Ge type crackleware glazed Qing jar with very light celadon tone. There are some chips and cracks so please view enlargements. Authentic antique Ge wares have become very rare in the past 20 years, I was lucky to find this one. H: 7.5cm/2.9in and D: 9cm/3.5in.

Pair of large Han Dynasty “ear cups”- er’bei. These are have an outstanding rich green lead glaze, with paraffin patina and high relief wave pattern on the sides. Please note last two enlargements- there are two professional quality repairs. L: 13cm/5.1in, W: 12cm.5/4.8in and H: 4cm/1.6in.

Enigmatic and eclectic collection of 35 small repousse auspicious good luck tokens).These were collected in Dali, Yunnan, China in the late 1980s. No two are exactly alike and and are they seem to are classic Tantric Buddhism symbols such as endless knot, parasol, lotus throne, and temple banner motifs are represented in this lot as well as more traditional Chinese symbols such as bats and butterflies. These came from Yuxi Xingmeng, the last ethnic Mongolian village in Yunnan. It ...

Delicate small porcelain Buddha with gilt glaze and a beautiful expression on his face- produced in the 2nd half of the 20th century from Jingdezhen- there is an apocryphal Qianlong mark in seal script on the back, perfect condition! H: 9cm/3.5in and W: 5.5cm/2.in.

Good bamboo handled knife with hand forged blade from the Karen ethnic group Northern Thai/Burma border. Total length 31cm/12in with good sharp edge- small nick at the tip off the blade which could be honed out, about 60 years old.

Rare Ming porcelain classic “eight trigram” design censer from the Jingdezhen kiln, with celadon glaze, on three small feet. This is easily mistaken for a stoneware Longquan ware, so please view last enlargements to see the white clay showing through the unglazed portion, unlike the grayish clay from Longquan. This piece is perfect condition. D: 13cm/5.1in and H: 5cm/2in.

Lovely pair of exquisite, miniature porcelain vases with Ge type glaze circa mid-20th century (possibly older). On the bottom there are two characters “ya wan”, meaning elegant entertainment, possibly might made for a private collection. Please note how easily the light shines through the porcelain in the last enlargement- only a highly skilled artisan is capable of this. Would make classic doll’s house furniture. H: 5cm/2in and D: 2.4cm/1in. Free shipping.

Ensemble of Chinese jade river pebbles from Xinjiang, original color untreated, some with attractive russet skin. These have been tumble but not polished. Scale in second enlargements- total weight 578 grams. Free shipping.

Good early Yuan Dynasty Qingbai bowl from a Jingdezhen kiln. This has a porcelain quality body with a clear bell like ring when tapped. The “spinning lines” that spiral up to the rim, are quite unusual and actually give it some grip when holding the bowl in both hands- ideal for using it as a “chawan” in a Japanese tea drinking ceremony. There are no cracks or warpage but there are couple of chips on the rim and foot-please examine enlargements, also there are traces of Chin...

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

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.

Thai gold and silver foil repousséd Buddha, circa 14th-16thCE late Sukhothai or early Ayutthaya. Some restoration- please view enlargements. H: 7cm/2.8in x W: (base) 4.3m/1.6in. Provenance: Bonham’s, Sidney Australia, Dec 7, 2022, lot 136, previously Soo Tze Orientique, Melbourne, Sept. 6, 1991. Free shipping.

Lao or Lanna Thai, gold and silver foil repousséd Buddha, circa 14th-18thCE. No unisha some restoration- please view enlargements. H: 10cm/4in x W: (base) 7cm/2.8in. Provenance: Bonham’s Australia, Dec 7, 2022, lot 136, previously BC Galleries, Melbourne, Nov 18, 2013

Lovely Neolithic jar with a single lug from the Qijia or Siwa Cultures circa 1500BCE. Please view the enlargements as this piece has a lot more going for it than it appears at first- 1# please note the bottom where you can see the impression of the woven mat where it was coiled and hand molded using a paddle, 2# the handle has four “ribs”, 3# circling the neck of the jar are a series of indentations made by a human fingernail and 4# the lower half has subtle incised diagonal line...

Unusual Ming Dynasty stoneware celadon glazed censer on a reddish clay body, possibly Longquan or an allied kiln, uncommon to see fine translucent craquelure. Good condition- no cracks or damage just some bits of kiln grit adhering to the glaze surface. D: 11.5cm/4.5in and H: 5.5cm/2.1in

Good Ming blue and white porcelain bowl with images of boatmen on a lake. Good condition- no cracks or chips. D: 13.4cm/5.6in and H: 5.1cm/2in.

Late 19th early 20th century blue satin silk woman’s wide sleeved upper garment (ao/shan). Excellent condition (appears to have never been worn) with glass buttons and greenish patterned lining. All hand sewn upper width: 118cm46in (sleeve end and to sleeve end), mid width 72cm/28in height 108cm/42in (top of collar to bottom)

Late 20th century emulation of a Song Dynasty of Guan Yao glazed vase. If you don’t have $2000,000 for an original this the nest best thing. Excellent condition with fine celadon glaze and well potted. H: 21cm/8.2in and D: 14cm/5.5in.

Very rare, Gulong Miao children’s jacket from Guizhou. This is a side opening style, made from all hand woven cloth (except for the inner sleeve lining) with hand embroidered anthropomorphic figures, on a calendared greenish cotton ground. This pattern was only used on children’s clothing from this Miao subgroup. Excellent condition. Width: 75cm/29.5in (sleeve tip to sleeve tip) Length: 39cm/15.3in (collar to bottom). Free shipping.

Good black glazed with large swathes of russet jug circa Ming Dynasty bottle with two lugs. There are a few chips on the lower edge of mouth. This kind of ware was the “coke bottle” of their day, common place household/kitchen items, almost every home would have a few. No reason (after a good cleaning and sanitation) you couldn’t reuse for your favorite poteen, bai jiu or single malt. H: 21cm/8.2in and D: 14.5cm/5.8in.

Lovely traditional red silk satin child’s jacket with floral sprigs, circa first half 20th century, maybe even earlier. Excellent condition, except for the trim all hand embroidered and hand sewn. Old commercial trade cloth cotton lining. Would look good as a wall hanging. Width straight across shoulder 63cm/24.8in and H: 37cm/14.5in. Free shipping

Song Qingbai bowl with high foot rim and thick classic aquamarine Qingbai glaze, there is a 1cm hairline off the mouthrim (noted in last enlargement) otherwise good condition. The glaze is absolutely fabulous. D: 14cm/5.5in and H: 7cm/2.8in

Circa 1930’s/40s high collared side opening, “shan” from Hong Kong. Black diamond pattern silk satin and blue silk lining. All hand sewn with traditional knotted buttons. Excellent condition. Sleeve to sleeve width at shoulder: 119cm/46in, front length: 60cm/23in, center Width: 49cm/19in and bottom Width: 60cm/23.

Chinese Neolithic high fired, well potted jar with side lugs. Very good condition with original pigment and no repair- just some small chips on the mouthrim- please examine enlargements. Majiayao culture circa 3000BCE. D: 12cm/4.8in and H: 12cm/4.8in

Exquisite Chinese satin silk hand embroidered and hand sewn jacket and pleated skirt with drawstring waistband. Pristine condition, circa 1930s or 1940s, see last enlargement for reference. Jacket dimensions- sleeve to sleeve width at shoulder: 127cm/50in, length shoulder to bottom : 68cm/26in and width in the middle: 92cm/36in. Skirt length: 82cm/32in (not including fringe) and waist: 72cm/28in. Still very wearable!