In excellent condition with the exception of some minor wear to the gilt rim and scripted banner, the cup or mug features two gentleman sharing a tub bath- one Caucasian and one African-American. The African-American gent is surrounded by musical notes indicating that he is doing quite a bit of whistling, while the Caucasian gent covers his ears in annoyance. The scripted banner abov...
The slightly tapering form is sturdily potted and is enameled in grisaille with a bird perched on a wisteria branch amid roses toward the base. The scene, repeated on the broad sides, is reserved in a ground of yellow enamel. The narrow ends show two wisteria branches. This composition is known on other porcelains, all of which were commissioned for the Empress Dowager. The interior as well as the base are glazed white and a scrolling design in thin red enamel is ...
This large and impressive pottery jar was made by peoples of the Caiyuan Culture (c. 2600 - 2200 BC) and has been excavated from the Ningxia Autonomous Region in the north of China. It is quite "heavily-potted" and has been fired to a very pleasing pale yellowish-brown with the surface colour becoming more red in places. The upper surface has been burnished and is very smooth to the touch. The lower surface has been simply yet ...
(Likely inspired by Frank Green's lyrics, Agatha Christie, in 1939, composed her very well-known "Ten Little Niggers" story, with the title for the 1940 US edition changed to "And Then There Were None", the final lin...
This attractive large porcelain dish was made during the Wanli reign (1573 - 1620) of the Ming Dynasty. It is of the type known as "Swatow" or "Zhangzhou" ware. It is coated in a thick glaze, the bold underglaze blue decoration of good colour featuring in the centre, a standing phoenix, surrounded by various floral patterns and flower blossoms. The outer wall is decorated with simple thin blue lines. The sand/gri...
This large pottery jar of "hu" form was made during the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC - AD 8). It is "heavily-potted" and made from a fine-grained grey pottery that is relatively highly-fired. It has quite a large foot, wide body and a fairly short neck. On opposing sides at the waist are moulded "taotie" mask handles that are unusually large and with exceptional detail. Further decoration is provided by several wide bands that surrou...
This unusual blue & white porcelain bowl was made during the mid to late 16th century c.1560-1580. The outer surface remains undecorated whereas the inner surface is particularly elaborately decorated. In the centre is a standing bird, most likely a crane (a symbol of longevity), together with various plants and blossoms. The surrounding wall is decorated with a pattern featuring lotus leaf panels and tassels.
This is...
The primary colors utilized are a tonal range of yellows, blues and greens suggesting a spring or early summer day. The gentleman is ...