Right side of a carved wooden architectural panels that were once used in a temple. The panels are carved with a pair of smiling figures set near a tree. The panel may have been placed under the corner eaves of the roof above the pillars. Elaborate carvings became popular during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1912) various motifs and designs were created often seen in Taoist and Confucian temple architecture. These motifs is thought to represent the central philosophy of the religion. Age: 19th century...

A large and very rare lead glazed earthenware roof ridge tile sculpture depicting a civil official riding a celestial horse with flaring nostrils,bulging eyes and flowing mane. This item was made in Shanxi province, northern China, during the Ming dynasty (1368 - 1644). There is a very closely related example on display in the Victoria and Albert Museum in the Architectural section of the new ceramics display on the 5th Floor (No.2) - Museum no. C.13,14 - 1910...