A finger citrons biscuit pyramid. China, Kangxi
The pyramid with naturalistically miniature finger citrons sits on a fluted dish. The coloured enamelling is in various shades of ochre-yellow, green and aubergine-brown. The fruits are arranged in five layers, with green leaves added in between. To construct this piece, each finger citron would have been individually moulded, then arranged layer by layer and […]
A very rare and large famille jaune figure depicting a Censor of the Imperial Court
The sculpture is modelled as a tall and elegant Mandarin with an expression of supreme confidence, it is clear this figure has no doubt whatsoever about the power and importance that his position entailed. He is dressed in famille jaune brocade surcoat (wai gua) with iron red prunus blossoms, and a famille verte robe, with iron […]
A large blanc-de-chine lotus-leaf shaped cup. Kangxi
A Chinese blanc-de chine cup in the form of a veined lotus leaf, on a wood stand.
A sancai-glazed figure of a crouching tiger. Kangxi
This crouching tiger is decorated all over in Egg and Spinach splashed enamels, imitating ‘Tiger skin pattern’ glaze (hu pi ban).
A Chinese square sancai water pot. Kangxi
Moulded in an archaistic square shape with lobed sides and a square opening, this water pot is decorated with Egg & Spinach enamels on its exterior surface. A moulded chilong dragon, climbs on the water pot and the underside of the pot is enameled in green. The interior surface pot is black, which could indicate it […]
A famille verte biscuit water-dropper modelled as a junk. Kangxi
Modelled as a junk with two figures standing in the doorway of the enclosed section, surmounted by roof tiles, the sides of the boat is decorated with friezes of striding dragons and flowerheads.
A seated figure decorated with famille verte enamels on the biscuit. Kangxi
The figure is decorated with famille verte enamels on the biscuit. The piece represents a male figure of some status, he wears a court headdress and holds a hu, which is a two foot long tablet usually held by official when in court.
A Chinese brush washer decorated with yellow enamels on the biscuit. Kangxi
In the form of small, white-soled shoe; glazed in yellow, with raised detailing in brown. The shoes has traces of black staining in the unglazed interiors, indicating it was used for rinsing inky brushes. Those charming objects were not merely functional items, but also conversation pieces with symbolic meanings.
A dark aubergine-violet glazed candlestick. Kangxi
This candlestick has a conical central stem spreading to a flared wide base, applied with a large drip-pan around a mid-section and a smaller drip-pan at the top. The base is moulded as lotus flower.
An unusual and fine blue ground bell-shaped wine cup with a dragon. Kangxi
Finely potted, of elegantly curving beaker form, the steep, gently flaring sides sweeping to an everted rim, all supported on a slightly splayed base, the exterior decorated with a writhing dragon, in the style of the second half of the 15th century, chasing the flaming pearl amongst fire scrolls, covered overall in a dark blue glaze.