Catalog: Antiques: Regional Art: Asian: Chinese (230)

Rare early 20th century Yi or Bai minority lacquered box constructed from leather with the wall of the lid is bamboo. While there is some literature published on Yi lacquer there is nothing on the Bai. I purchased this piece in a Bai minority, weekly market in Yunnan near Dali around 2000. I assume this is now an extinct craft no longer being done because of the availability of cheap plastic items as well as the migration of artisans to better paying jobs in the city...

Chinese burnished Neolithic bowl with side lugs, there is a repair on the edge noted in last enlargement and some of the black pigment in the design is not original. Majiayao culture circa 3000BCE. D: 12cm/4.8in and H: 6.8cm/2.6in.

Large Ming jar with blue underglaze chrysanthemum pattern in perfect condition. This was fired in Guangdong Province and locally, this type is referred to as a “gunpowder” jar although, I don’t know if this was it what it was really used for. Included is a decent wood lid. H: 20cm/7.9in and W: 19cm/7.5in.

Rare grey pottery recumbent dog, circa Han Dynasty. Traces of original white pigments- very friendly looking “doggo”. Excellent condition. L: 25cm/9.8in and W: (midpoint) 8cm/3.1in.

Very good Han Dynasty heavy spinach green lead glazed jar with zoomorphic impressed band at the top. Excellent condition, small unglazed spot near mouthrim- please examine enlargements. D: 14cm/5.5in and H: 11.5cm/4.8in.

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.

Excellent opium pipe stem cleaner, fine condition and all original parts. Bamboo sheath, iron cleaning rod and copper opium poppy pod shaped finial handle. Circa late Qing Dynasty. Total length 54cm/21.2in.

Tang terra cotta image of a Fat Lady. Traces of original pigment with legible facial features (note noted in enlargements). This is the smallest one I have ever seen- miniatures are extremely rare. H: 6.2cm. The bottom is uneven (just appears to have been made that way) there are traces of glue where it was probably once attached to a stand, otherwise, good condition- no damage or repair.

Tang terra cotta image of a Fat Lady. Traces of original pigment. Miniatures are extremely rare. H: Some shallow chips at the bottom- noted in enlargements. H: 7.8cm.

Tang terra cotta image of a Fat Lady. Traces of original pigments. Miniatures are extremely rare. H: 9.3cm. Good condition- no damage or repair.

Tang terra cotta image of a lady in waiting or courtesan, with elegant chignon. Traces of original pigment. Miniatures are extremely rare. H: 10.2cm. Good condition- no damage or repair.

Tang terra cotta image of a Fat Lady. Traces of original pigment (please note the belt in enlargements). Miniatures are extremely rare. H: 8.4cm. Good condition- no damage or repair.

Very fine, unusually small Tang image of a courtier, excellent condition with complete original pigments. Lovely face with calm and dignified expression. H: 17cm/6.8in

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)...

Neolithic/Bronze Age reddish clay, pottery jar from an unknown culture. I acquired this in a group of Chinese Neolithic pottery pieces but I can’t find any references to this being Chinese. I tend to think this from Thailand or some other Southeast Asian culture. Low fired with very good near invisible restoration. If you know what this is, drop me a line and let me know. D: 12cm/4.7in and H: 8.5cm/3.6in.

Wholesale offer: Seven Ming bowls, 6 are already listed on my site (#7365, #7338, #7337, #7328, #7327, #7326) descriptions and enlargements under each catalogue number. The 7th one is in the last two last enlargements- some kiln warpage but no cracks or chips D:13cm/5.1in and H: 6cm/3.2in.

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.

Peach blossom, red and green mottled glazed bottle vase circa mid 20th century (a conservative dating) good condition. H: 16.5cm/6.5in and D: 11cm/4.2in.

antique chinese ceramic stoneware 7373 400. Pair of lovely light turquoise pastel blue Qingbai glazed jars with lotus leaf shaped lids circa 1200 CE, which would put them on the cusp of Southern Song/Yuan Dynasties. The lids have been heavily restored- so please see enlargements but the jars are in good condition with no damage. H: 16.5cm/6.5in and D: 12cm/4.8in.

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 …....

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.

Special offer- marked down from $600. Fine three panel wedding blanket from the Bouyi (Buyi) ethnic group Libo County, Guizhou, China. The Bouyi are a relatively small ethnic group- so embroideries from them have become quite scarce. The supplementary weft “well” patterned embroidery is silk except for the black medallions- the field is all handspun cotton. The black border is a later addition made from hand woven cotton. Circa mid 20th century very good condition...

Nice little wood carved architectural element in the shape of a foo dog circa late Qing Dynasty. The tip of the left ear is missing, otherwise good condition with well-preserved original gold and red lacquer 14.cm/5.5in.

Nice little wood carved architectural element in the shape of a foo dog circa late Qing Dynasty. This is in excellent condition with original lacquer. L: 14.5cm/5.8in.

Fine and rare Longquan classic celadon bottle with an unusual shape- like a truncated meiping. The depth of the glaze achieves the ideal “jade like” quality that is much sought after by celadon collectors. The Ming attribution is conservative based on the inward beveling on the footrim and reddish slip visible on the glazed edge, but Yuan or Song cannot be completely ruled out...

13 pieces of vintage jadeite- most have flaws, so examine the enlargements carefully. Please note the large oval plaque (probably originally meant for a belt buckle) and largest perforated disc (bi) are unpolished. Scale is in last enlargement, 109 grams in total. Ideal for a jewelry designer or clever bunny.

Set of three white vintage, Burmese jadeite “bi” pendants with bails D: 30mm, 6 grams each and a pair of thick greenish jadeite “bi” pendants with beveled edges inside and out, D:27mm and thickness 6mm 9 grams each. All good pieces.

Simply elegant wood panel depicting a bird perched on a rock beneath plum blossom in the background there are mountains and trees. The carving is in perfect condition with traces of original blue pigment- please note the delicacy in which the bird’s legs were carved as well as the bare trees beneath the mountains and bracken ferns at the bottom of the foothill (if you use your imagination they look like high rise apartments). W: 27cm/6.8in and H: 21cm/8.6in

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

Good dark soy brown glazed ovoid jar Tang Dynasty from a northern kiln, nice size- H: 12.5cm/5in and D: 16.5cm6.5in. Some kiln flaws i.e., bubble pops and minor chip on side- please examine enlargements.

A pair of old Burmese jade cigarette holders, they stopped making these about 40 years ago, since they have went out of fashion. The white jade has holder (L: 12.2cm/4.9in) has a few scratches and the darker one (L: 6.2cm/2.4in) has naturally occurring inclusions.

antique china jade 48 carved Burmese Jade pendants. Total weight 407 grams, please examine enlargements for scale and quality- shipping included.

Charming Cizhou style ceramic pillow as a cat, circa late Qing to Republic period in perfect condtion! Great expression- captures the way a cat can gaze so intently at something while appearing calm- as if it is about to pounce on an unsuspecting prey. The Victoria and Albert have one in their TT Tsui Gallery and the Tianjin Porcelain Museum has one on display as well. L: 31cm/12.2in, H: 15.5cm/6.1in and W: 11.5cm/4.5in

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.

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 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...