Catalog (27)

From our Chinese Polychrome Collection, a high quality Rose Medallion plate, 19th century either Tongzhi Period (1862-1874) or Guangxu Period (1875-1908). Executed in the typical palette of pinks, blues, greens, yellows, whites and gilt with four individual cartouches: Two contain various figures usually representing scenes from either The Romance of the Western Chamber or The Dream of Red Mansions, the other two contain birds and foliage. All are set against a ground of flowering tendrils and ...

From our Chinese Polychrome Collection, a very fine Rose Medallion punch bowl, mid-late 19th century, most likely late Daoguang to Tongzhi Period circa 1845-1874, and certainly no later than Guangxu Period (1875-1908). Executed in the typical palette of pinks, blues, greens, yellows, whites, and gilt, depicting a large and well-painted panel of figures in the center well that seems to represent some scene of officialdom, along with three trapezoidal panels of figures on the bowl's interior separ...

From our Chinese Polychrome Collection, a beautiful pair of pith paintings, circa 1840-1860, each representing a lady of high stature, possibly royalty, being attended to by her servant. One is reclining upon an opium bed with a large screen while her servant lights her pipe; the second sits upon a throne in a dragon embossed robe, also backed by a large and well-painted screen, and is being presented a ruyi scepter by her servant. Both pieces are extremely well-painted and represent very fine e...

From our Chinese Polychrome Collection, a very rare and seldom seen Peranakan Chai Hup or ceremonial vegetable box, 19th century, used for food offerings to Tiangong, the God of Heaven, during traditional Baba Weddings.

The terms "Peranakan" or "Baba Nyonya" or "Straits Chinese" are often used interchangeably to describe the descendants of Ming Dynasty Chinese immigrants who settled along the Malay Peninsula, which encompasses parts of Malaysia, Indonesia, and Singapore. But the ethnograp...

From our Chinese Polychrome Collection, a stunning and large Chinese lacquered jumu cabinet, mid to late 19th century, featuring exquisitely painted birds and floral motifs on a rockwork base, executed in gilt and subtle polychromes that are contrasted against a rich red lacquer ground. The outer frame features medallions of split tail sea dragons, auspicious symbols, and textile motifs, while the sides feature depictions of stylized floral motifs. The interior has 2 levels along with a hidden...

From our Chinese Polychrome Collection, a truly superb example of Qianlong Period (1736-1795) Famille Rose porcelain, depicting a lady receiving what is either wine or tea, while her female servant attends to her with a fan. The outer border is decorated with eight individual reserves executed alternatively in either puce or black, with each puce reserve so well-executed that they are essentially miniature paintings in their own right. The inner border is decorated with smaller puce cartouches ...

From our Chinese Polychrome Collection, a fine Rose-Verte porcelain dish, Yongzheng Period (1723-1735), well-painted in the center depicting an elegant lady, a young boy, and a deer carrying peaches on its back signifying longevity. Bordered on the cavetto with floral sprays, and dressed on the rim with iron oxide.

Rose-Verte is a less commonly encountered version of the Famille Rose and Famille Verte palettes. It is often loosely grouped into the Famille Rose category, but is actu...

From our Chinese Polychrome Collection, a good famille rose barber's bowl, Yongzheng Period (1723-1735), nicely executed in floral sprig pattern using lively and well-preserved famille rose enamels in rose, blue, aubergine, yellow, green, orange, and opaque white. Dressed on the rim edge with Batavia Brown / iron oxide finish typical for the period. The reverse shows two purpose driven holes in the footrim not made in modern times, but actually made during the 18th century, as these barber's bow...

Ex Bonhams: From our Chinese Polychrome Collection, a large gilt copper alloy and lacquered repousse figure of Vajrapani, 18th century, standing pratyalidhasana with a ferocious expression on a repousse and chased lotus throne, left hand in tarjani mudra and his right hand raised above his five-leaf crowned head. The figure is clothed in flowing robes open at the chest to reveal ornamental body jewelry and jeweled necklaces. Vajrapani's face retains a lot of cold-painted flesh colored lacquer, ...