This small mountain peak-form scholar's brush rest is molded with a wave design of scrolls, flowers and ribbons on the concave side. This side is also splashed randomly with underglaze cobalt blue. The base is flat and underglazed, now with dark soiling. The entirety is hollow and a small hole is visible to allow for air escape during the firing. It shows minor wear from use and is in overall very good condition, with no cracks, chips or repairs...
Carved on one side is an old gnarled pine tree growing out of a rocky outcrop. The vase is of a flattened ovoid shape with a rectangular foot that is hollowed to the base. The stone has a white jade-like quality, but is probably a type of serpentine. The tree is carved in high relief with some under-carving, giving it a feeling of being carved almost in the round. The stone is flecked with silvery inclusions and very light brownish veining in a few places...
Painted in a rich cobalt blue under the glaze with rapid brush strokes in a zenga-like manner, depicting a scholar in his studio. The literatus leans against his table on top of which is placed a brush pot and incense burner. Part of his garden is visible in the background and a six-character poem is seen penned on the upper-left...
The even-toned stone is somewhat translucent and carves on both sides with a flower basket design. It is reticulated with rather simple carving and incising to produce a dense and almost abstract design. The condition is very good with no chips or breaks. There is a natural fissure occurring in the top of the basket in the center of the stone.
Length: 3 in., Width: 2 in., Thickness: 1/8 in.
The entire surface is enameled and painted very skillfully with designs based on Indo-Buddhist mythology. These wares were made of fine porcelain, probably in Jingdezhen, and were exported to the Kingdom of Siam (Thailand) where they were primarily used by the king and his court. The enamels are of a famille rose type, thickly applied, and in the case of this fairly large bowl, very well-painted in the Siamese taste...
The teapot is 5 inches (12.7cm) tall by 6.25 inches (15.9cm) wide. The creamer is 2.5 inches (6.4cm) tall by 3.75 inches (9.5cm) wide. The sugar is 2.75 inches (7cm) tall by 5.25 inches (13.4cm) wide...
The base has a “min yao” Yongzheng seal mark in overglaze iron-red enamel, but the cup probably dates to the later 18th Century. The decoration is in overglaze enamels and the rim has a faint brownish wash. Although the piece is in very good condition-- no chips, cracks or restoration, the glaze has numerous tiny iron specks, particularly visible on the interior. The footring displays the very white paste often seen in 18th Century wares...