Catalog: Antiques: Regional Art: Asian: Chinese (180)

These cups all have slightly flaring sides and are well-potted with thin rims. The sides are decorated with a repeating floral design in underglaze cobalt blue. The bases are glazed and the narrow footrings are unglazed, exposing the fine, white porcelain body. A hairline crack can be seen on the one of the cups, approximately one inch long, otherwise they are in good condition.

Height: 2 ¾ in.. Diameter: 3 1/8 in.

The interior of this dish is painted with a stylized dragon amid a concentric wave design, with the well having four elongated cloud designs. The underside has four “ruyi” fungus and a rectangular character in underglaze blue in the center. It is raised on a low foot, the base of which is not glazed, and the dense, white porcelain body is exposed. A few small pin pricks in the glaze, typical of older wares, are seen in the glaze here and there. The overall condition is very good, having no cracks or restorations.

Diameter: 8 1/8 in., Height: 1 1/8 in.

The interior of this dish is decorated with a pair of phoenix birds in flight. The underside has four “ruyi” fungus in underglaze blue and an underglaze blue single character mark is painted on the center of the base. It is raised on a low footring, the base of which is unglazed exposing the dense, white porcelain body. There are some small pinhole glaze pricks with some darkening that is typical of older porcelain wares. A small glaze flaw can be seen on the interior wall, and there are some small areas of rim fritting. There are no cracks or restorations.

Diameter: 8 in., Height: 1 5/8 in.

This solid porcelain water pot fits comfortably in the hand and its size and heavy weight indicates dual use as a paperweight for the calligrapher’s table. The form is that of a Chinese drum with bosses encircling the perimeter of the top and bottom imitating nail heads. The underglaze blue decoration is hastily painted with floral-like flourishes around the side. The top is painted with four Chinese characters around the central opening for containing water. The piece has seen considerable use as evidenced by a number of small chips, nicks, scratches and general wear, though no serious damage is apparent. The base in unglazed and although the porcelain paste is visible, it is fairly soiled from years of use.

Height: 1 5/8 in.; Diameter: 3 5/8 in.

Decorated overall in a rich cobalt blue underglaze design with two cartouches depicting various auspicious symbols. The secondary design is that of prunus blossoms against a solid blue background. The base is glazed and the footring is exposed, revealing the typical 18th Century hard, white paste. A band of hatchwork encircles the shoulder. The mouth is unglazed with an adjacent narrow band, likewise unglazed. The interior is clear glazed, evenly and overall. The jar is in good condition with no damage or repairs. There is some soiling from age and use, seen particularly around the mouthrim and upper shoulder.

Height: 5 ½ in.

This small jar is decorated with auspicious symbols hastily painted in underglaze cobalt blue and covered with a thick transparent glaze of whitish tone. The base is recessed with the clear glaze partially covering it. There are two small chips on the mouthrim, some glaze crawling and loss to the shoulder as a result of the firing. A small lump of unglazed material can be seen on one side below the shoulder which is the result of another jarlet adhering to it during the firing.

Height: 3 5/8 in., Diameter: 3 1/8 in.

This pair of soft paste porcelain ovoid jars are decorated in underglaze cobalt blue of a strong sapphire tone. Both jars are decoarted with identical designs of foo lions at play with various stylized cloud elements filling in the background. Surround the neck is a thin line design that forms a six-pointed star when viewing straight down from the top. The necks of both jars are unglazed and originally would have had dome-shaped lids. The bases of both jars display well-written horizontal six-character Kangxi marks surrounded by double circles. The jars are covered in a clear glaze with a very fine crackle that has darkened with age, and over the buff colored body yields a pleasant creamy tone against the blue. The interiors are also fully glazed. Overall, both jars are in very good condition without cracks or restorations. There is a tiny glaze bumb from the firing on one. The footrings are unglazed and have darkened from age and use. Some staining on the necks is present from use. Purchased in Kyoto in the mid 1970s.

Height: 5 ¼ in., Diameter: 4 1/8 in. (both)

This circular-form lidded box is of a type found widely distributed throughout Southeast Asia as a Chinese trade item exchanged for spices, pearls, precious metals produced by the various foreign island cultures. Small boxes such as this one were possibly intended for cosmetics or spice storage. This box is painted with a stylized flower on the lid surrounded by a hastily-painted leaf border. The base is likewise painted with two abstract floral designs. It is glazed overall with a clear glaze of slightly grayish tone. The footring is unglazed revealing the porcelain paste. The general condition is good however there are a few tiny old chips from use and some crackled areas to the glaze. There is a small glaze skip to the lid rim and general soiling from use or burial.

Height: 2 3/8 in.; Diameter: 3 ¼ in.

Round box is very well-potted and very skillfully painted in underglaze cobalt blue with a design of a boy, or possibly an immortal, riding on the back of a crane flying among clouds. The brushwork is finely detailed—even picking out tiny feathers on the crane’s back. Encircling both the base and the lid are bands of mille-fleurs decoration executed in minute detail with skillful brushwork. Numerous types of flowers are depicted with leaves and buds filling the background. The box rests on a well-trimmed footring barely exposing a narrow line of fine, white porcelain paste, now obscured and darkened from use. The base is glazed and displays a well-written Qianlong seal mark, though written in a style that is usually thought to be late or after the actual period. The interior of the box is glazed and the unglazed rims are stained red from the seal paste.

Seal paste boxes were containers for the greasy red paste used in affixing a seal or chop to a painting and were essential painter’s or scholar’s articles.

Height: 1 1/8 in.; Diameter: 3 3/8 in.

This pear-form vase, with two tubular handles, is set upon a tall, flaring base. A paired dragon motif in low relief wraps around the lower body and a geometric design surrounds the middle neck and handles. A stylized design including ruyi and other elements surround the upper portion of the flaring base. The mouth flares, trumpet like, and is topped with a flat flange. The surface appears to be original, with remnants of a worn, blackish lacquer coating over a dark brown patina where exposed. The base was possibly repaired or replaced at some point. Other than minor repairs or touchups around the foot, the condition is very good considering the age. Purchased in the early 1970s in North Carolina.

Height: 7 7/8 in., Diameter: 2 ¾ in.

This two-part buckle is formed with a dragon head clasp on one piece, and the other is slotted for hooking under the dragon's head. Each has a central medallion cast in low relief of a double gourd “magic elixir” bottle. Both pieces are finished with a stylized bat motif. The underside of each has two attached pieces to receive the belt. Much gilding remains on the fronts, though worn. The reverse of each is ungilded and has old natural patina from use.

Clasped length: 3 ¾ in., Width: 7/8 in.

Cast with flowing robe and benevolent facial expression. Stands upon a base cast in the form of sea waves surrounded by low a fence raised upon a hexagonal plinth. Figure and base were cast separately with the figure being attached to the base with two bronze pins. The figure was originally lacquered overall then gilded. Remains of this gilt lacquer can be seen especially in the creases of the robe and the hair around the edges of the hood. The figure is well-modeled, having subtle curve to the body and a flowing robe as if being blown by the wind. The sculpture exhibits evidence of its 450+ years; there are areas of light encrustation and verdigris on the base. The lacquer gilding is largely worn off. One of the fencepost finials is missing. There are minor casting flaws: a small hole in the lower garment original to the casting and flawed casting or loss of the left foot. There is also a small hole on the left wrist. The figure is somewhat loosely attached to the base, but is not removable. These issues are fairly typical with bronzes of this age and overall this is a graceful figure retaining its original patina.

Height: 8 ¼ in.; Width: 4 ¼ in. at widest point of base

This incense-burner was originally lacquered a reddish brown tone with traces remaining, and has small areas of verdigris on the base and handles. The interior has some verdigris and encrusted ash. The base is cast in the center with an archaistic style six-character Xuande mark. The overall surface is darkened and has worn unevenly from age and use. A design of two opposing phoenix birds wraps around the body in shallow incising work. Overall good condition. Acquired in England in the 1970s.

Diameter: 3 7/8 in., Height: 3 in., Weight: 467 grams exactly, about 1 pound.

This incense-burner has a flaring rim form raised on three ogee feet and has its original patina and considerable carbon incrustation from many years of use. Two lion's head handles embellish the body and the cast Da Ming Xuande mark is centered on the base. The interior is darkened from use and the exterior shows small areas of darkened bronze where not obscured by blackish patina. There is a slight dent to the rim. The condition overall is very good. Purchased at auction in North Carolina from the estate of a diplomat who acquired it in Japan in the 1950s.

Diameter: 4 7/8 in., Height: 2 7/8 in., Weight: 423 grams exactly, about 15 ounces.

This incense-burner was cast with Mongolian script encircling body and has two handles with lion masks. It is raised on a slightly flaring footring and a slightly convex base showing wear and an old original surface with a mottled brown patina. The Bombay form rises to end in a flattened rim displaying evidence of long, continued use. The grayish-bronze interior shows its use as an incense burner. An old crack is visible to the head of one handle.

Width: 5 in. across handles, Height: 2 5/8 in., Weight: 302 grams exactly, about 10 ½ oz.

This finely cast figure, seated in vajrasana or lotus position on a double lotus base, holds in the left hand a stem of lotus with the right middle finger touching the thumb. The flowing robe is open at the chest and drapes over the right shoulder. The borders and lower portions of the robe are incised with scrolling floral motifs. The facial features with slight downcast eyes are crisply rendered and the hair is well-defined. Attached to the back of the figure is a flaming mandorla which is possibly not original to the figure. The base is sealed with a bronze plate. The figure has an attractive dark brown patina with faint patches of verdigris. Very good casting with only a few minor nicks, and generally in very good condition.

Height: 6 ¾ in.; Width: 3 5/8 in.

Very heavy pear-form bronze vase stylized after ceramic vases of the same period, probably intended as a decoration in a scholar’s studio. Cast with a graceful qilong dragon wrapped around the body and neck with its bifurcated tail terminating on the upper neck of the vase and above the dragon’s head. The dragon’s features are well defined, including the single horn on top of its head, a hairy mane and goatee, and also a prominent backbone. The vase retains its original rich, deep brown patina from years of handling and use. Good condition, except for a small dent to the lower part as seen in one picture, and also small nicks due to its age.

Height: 6 5/8 in.

The stand and bowl of this vessel were cast separately and permanently joined at the time of production. The lid is topped with a lingzhi fungus. The entire piece is covered in an old brownish patina and small areas of verdigris. The lid fits very well into the grooved rim of the bowl. The lingzhi is cast as part of the lid, and has some areas of orange-ish patina. The interior of the stand is dark gray with some verdigris and the bowl interior is also a grayish tone. There are some nicks and a small dent on the lid rim that is not visible from the outside. No markings noted. Generally very good condition.

Height: 7 3/4 in., Diameter: 3 3/8 in., Weight: 900 grams exactly, about 2 pounds.