A Chinese sancai crab water pot. Kangxi
This oval water pot is modelled as a crab, with protruding eyes picked out in black, the remainder splashed in brown-aubergine, green and yellow, a circular aperture on the top encircled by a band of incised overlapping petals.
A Kraak porcelain “Mythical beast and the Moon” dish. Ming
This dish is decorated in the center with a mythical Chinese creature, seated below a full moon in front of a garden wall. The central sce- ne is enclosed by radiating lappets with fruits and floral groupings, including pomegranates and tree peonies below the bracket-lobed rim. The reverse is decorated with stylized lappets.
A famille rose Buddhistic lion Cadogan ewer
Amusingly modelled as Buddhistic lion holding a large brocade ball, the beast with blue body, green mane and iron-red handle emerging from its back, the brocade ball decorated with pink panels on a yellow ground, applied with a short iron-red spout. The lion is standing on a wooden base.
A rare Fahua inkstick and brush holder. Ming
The stand is of drum shape, with slightly convex sides, with four openings (three circular, one rectangular), around a smaller central circular opening on a raised knob, the top glazed a dark blue.
A pair of yellow-glazed “bittergourd” shape vases. 18th c.
Of “bittergourd” shape with raided edges, and with a yellow-glazed on the biscuit.
A grisaille « Les pèlerins de l’isle de Cythère » plate. Qianlong
After the engraving “Les pèlerins de l’isle de Cythere » (1708), by Bernard Picart (1673-1733), painted en grisaille, gilt and iron red, the central roundel depicting a heart-decorated ‘Cupid’ (‘Eros’) holding a staff and torch guiding a pilgrim couple travelling by boat to the Greek Isle of Cythere. The couple is sharing a cup of wine. There are three boats and […]
A gilt-bronze garniture of three vases with a fahua-type decoration. Ming
One vase is pear-shaped and the two others are four-sided, with a square mouth and a flat square unglazed base. The third central vase has a dish mouth and stands on a circular foot ring. On the sides of the neck are semi-circular handles emerging from the open jaws of a lion-like head. The decorative motifs […]
An aubergine and turquoise-glazed figure of Zhenwu
A figure representing Zhenwu, sitting upright, his left leg sticking forward, resting on the heel, his right leg raised and bent, in a relaxed manner, his left hand in a warning gesture on his left knee, his right hand raised in blessing and protection.
A recumbent elephant form candle holder (taiping youxiang). Jiaqing
The elephant is modelled recumbent, his head turned on the left and his body left white except for the ears and tail. The saddle on its back is surmounted by an archaistic gu-shaped vase decorated with leaves.
A pair of Kirande plates. Ming dynasty
At the centre of the plate is a circular medallion in underglaze cobalt blue depicting a dense design of swirling foliate tendrils within a narrow border of spiraling scrolls around the cavetto. The upper section of the cavetto and upturned rim are decorated with six equidistant red cartouches, each containing a gilded lotus flower and […]