With minimal carving, except for the interior and base, this washer is a natural gnarled form, beautifully patinated due to age and handling. China, late Ming Dynasty, 17th century. Largest diameter:10,5 cm. Height: 5 cm.
Resting with three feet on a fenced bulbous stand with six legs, the open-worked body is cast with a standing Immortal on each panel between panels with flowers, the handles in the shape of squirrels.
China, Song to early Ming Dynasty, 12th-14th century.
Height: 25,5 cm.
For a similar bronze piece see: Jessica Harrison-Hall: Ming Ceramics in the British Museum, 2001, page 418.
In the shape of Shoulao sitting with both hands on his knees, of which the left one is raised, his large head with smiling face and long beard above his bare chest, his loose garment held together with a bow under his belly.
China, Qing Dynasty, 18th century.
Height: 6,1 cm.
The rectangular box with rounded sides and a double mouth-rim has a sliding lid with a central roundel carved with five bats around a Shou character, the four corners engraved with pomegranates and veins.
China, Qing Dynasty, 18th century.
Measurements: 25 cm x 15 cm.
Carved as a square basin with crescent moon-shaped indentations on which is curled a five-clawed dragon forming the rim. China, late Ming period, 17th century. Measurements: 11 cm x 10,5 cm.
The lid carved and incised with a coiling dragon between clouds and above rocks, enclosed by a band of two swirling dragons chasing a pearl above water, repeated on the base of the box, all on a punched background.
China, Qing Dynasty, 18th century.
Diameter: 12,4 cm.
