Catalog: Antiques: Regional Art: Asian: Chinese (196)

Terracotta horse from the Wei period. The clay is gray. It is of very good quality. There are traces of red polychromy and there is still gilding on the rump. This gilding is composed of thick gold leaves that we call in French goldsmith's trade a "feuillard" it's thicker than the classic leaf to gild the furniture. In the past, I read somewhere that gilding was only applied on Wei or Tang terracotta on princely tombs. (To be verified). The sculpture is of excellent quality, the horse is full of life, the artist knew how to give the movement of a sudden stop of the beast, indeed the elements of the caparison go forward, as well as the tassels of the chest as the drape of the saddle. Perfect condition except the tail glued back. No transformation, no restoration. Height 35cm. Due to the fragility and the perfect state of conservation this piece will not be shipped out of respect, you will have to come and pick it up or I will come personally. Test of thermoluminescence of oxford 2001.

3 embroidered silk panels. Birds and butterflies flying among bamboos are embroidered in colored silk on a yellow background. In the 1970s in Nice (south ofFrance), the saleswoman claimed to be the granddaughter of an imperial concubine who had been able to bring back only these 3 panels as a memory when she left China at the fall of the Qing. I don't think it was an invented story because in the 70s Chinese objects had little interest and their price was low, but above all, the story was told to us when the deal was concluded. Given the exceptional dimensions of these panels it is quite possible that they actually decorated the imperial apartments but with a simple concubine because although very decorative they are not of remarkable technical quality. This provenance should be verified by a specialist by consulting an inventory of the palace or photos. They are in very good condition, except for one of them which is discolored as can be seen in the photos. No restorations or tears. Each panel measures 295 cm by 125 which in total makes an exceptional set of 375cm x 295. If they were made to cover columns, these had a diameter of 40 cm. It would be necessary to check the diameter of the columns of the apartments of the concubines of the Palace. Two of them have embroidered characters which must indicate a weaving workshop.

Jade water bucket in form of amusing toad.Inlaid with yellow metal. It is impossible to check if it is gold because it would be necessary to tear off encrustations to test ,however the object has not been cleaned for several years and only gold can remain shiny, bronze or brass would have oxide. The metal wires in some places are split in half lengthwise, which is probably due to a certain technique? The work is very neat, underneath there are traces of tools which should help a specialist. The patina of the stone is beautiful, satiny without being shiny. 102 x 18mm. Chinese work Han périod or Qing copy or fake modern?

An absolutely exceptional and unique object, a pagoda roof in cast bronze, very heavy, gilded and inlaid with glass paste. If there are some rare examples of Chinese gilded bronzes inlaid with hard stones and some even rarer inlaid with transparent glass, to my knowledge we do not know of any other inlaid with glass paste. Here the glass imitates perfectly the white jade, the lapis lazuli, the ruby, the green jadeite emerald. The use of glass paste in 18th century China is not a depreciative element, on the contrary, at that time it was easier and less expensive to cut stones. The gilding is with hot mercury. It is very thick of excellent quality, certainly many layers.The interior laquered in red gilded with gold powder. It is certainly an imperial order and the base is probably marked on the front, Kien-Long. The goal is to try to reunite the three elements that history has dispersed. Either by selling the roof or by buying the base and the column. Height: 12cm Diameter 14,5cm

Rare tetrapod censer representing a stylized elephant. The censer is in cast bronze.The cast is beautiful and the finish is perfect,probably scrapped,no holes or roughness. The old patina proves the authenticity of the object. A frieze carved with swastika surrounds the elephant in its upper part representing a caparison. The ears are represented by 2 spirals as well as the tusks. The artist knew how to simplify the shape of the animal in a discreet way so the elephant fulfills its function of censor with elegance and sobriety.First we only see a censer at 4 feet,it's only after observation that the elephant appears.Excellent thought.This object was certainly commissioned by a ruler or scholar with a subtle mind and during a culturally and quite period.There is no trace of gilding or lacquer. I think this is Chinese rather than Japanese work, as the swastika frieze is not perfectly chiseled. A Japanese artist would have done a perfect job, while a Chinese artist would have stuck to the simple decorative aspect. In addition, early Edo Japanese bronzes were very often lacquered and there is always a little lacquer somewhere, here no trace,finally,I have never seen an object of a similar style anywhere in Japan. I think Qing around 1800 or before. Good condition,patina well preserved. Long:16cm

Exceptionally rare cast iron bathtub. China 18° or before. The body is supported by four feet representing Buddhist lion heads. 4 large mobile rings fixed laterally allowed to move the object. The sides are decorated with large flowering plants in 3 cartouches, in the 4th there is nothing. I think there must have been a lacquer pattern in high relief, which has ,today,disappeared. In the past I have seen a cast iron stove with identical feet that had large lacquer "Bonji"characters, I attach a photo. There are modern fakes of identical shape and size, one of them has exactly the same decoration, which makes me think that there must be in China, somewhere, an identical model that served as an example,I attach the photo of the 2. These fakes are sold as being large temple censers? But the mine present has an evacuation at the bottom on the side that would logically be an outlet. A part of this outlet is broken, perhaps it was the head of an animal, Lion or dragon? The hypothesis that it is a child's bathtub is reinforced by the fact that bathtubs of these dimensions were used in China. I enclose a picture from the movie "The Last Emperor" where we can see the eunuchs giving the bath to the young emperor Pu-Yi (Xuan Tong) in a bathtub of identical shape and size.Look photo. State of conservation: The lacquer decoration of a cartouche missing. One ring replaced. The drain tap broken. Length 90cm. Weight about 60 to 80 kg to be checked.

Excessively rare pair of cizhou jars representing rabbits. The elegance of the animals is surprising, the drawing is precise and fast, the artist has drawn his line without hesitation. Rabbits are alive. It is exceptional to find such models in pairs. Normal wear of some hundred years of use but no cracks, chips or gaps. No restoration or hidden defects. A similar jar with a leaping rabbit but damaged with cracks and chips was sold in 1980 by Sotheby's, you will see a photo attached. Ming period. H: 25cm

Bamboo Poutai. Very finely carved. The artist knew how to make all the emotions and characteristics of the character. The delicacy of the movement of the hands slightly retracted in a precious attitude, the joy of the laughing eyes wrinkled with enjoyment, the softness of the mouth. The sympathetic fatness of the neck. All is benevolence.The grain of the fine wood fibers draws on the skull and on the chin a semblance of hair, as well as on the nape of the neck, the defects of the wood correspond to possible curls of hair, it is very likely that the artist knew how to play with the defects of the wood by sublimating them. The bamboo is nuturaly stained white in some places,perhaps minéral inclusions, these are not restorations but a natural colouring of the wood. As I am not a specialist in bamboo, I cannot say that this is an early Tsing sculpture. The object seems too good to be true, however nothing indicates a recent fake, the sculpture is of excellent quality, the patina and the aspect of the wood seems old, nothing betrays a fake. As it is not possible to decide on photo of the real period,It seems that the buyer should take it in hand before buying. The colour is unusually very red, like that of the late Ming brush pot in the palace museum, which is illustrated in the treasure book series. High: 13cm Fine condition. Larger size 19cm

An extremely rare gilt bronze folding sundial-compass. Enamel dial, details in glass beads. The metal is finely chiselled with elegant volutes and gilded in the oven using the technique of gold-mercury amalgam. Very beautiful thick gilding that has withstood wear and tear well over the centuries. Chinese work from the qianlong period towards the end of the 18th century.This type of scientific instruments ordered by the qianlong emperor, were manufactured in the workshops of the imperial palace, inside the forbidden city.There are in the collections of the palace 2 identical instruments, but smaller, worn, incomplete, and of less good quality. The one presented here is in perfect condition and has part of its original box. Length 16,5cm.

Sculpture in white steatite representing a mountain landscape with forests dotted with pavilions. The sculpture is of high quality, the artist has made no mistakes, the volumes are perfect, the drawings harmonious and the whole exudes a feeling of quiet calm . It is rare to find soapstone of this quality, usually sculptures in this material are technically mediocre and without artistic interest. We could think of an illustrious destination but there is no signature. Qing period, early 19th century or earlier.Probably a brush rest Some wear and scratches from use but nothing serious. Length 27cm. Photos taken in natural light.

Chinese Famille verte porcelain cover. Decorated with bird and flowers in predominantly green enamels. 19th century China, copying a Kanghi model. Ideally suited for a vase with an opening of 132 to 145 mm in diameter. Outside diameter 198 mm (7,8 inches) Interior dimeter 130 mm (5,1 inches)

Silk panel embroidered with colored threads and golden metallic ribbons, it seems to be gold because the metal is not oxidized. The tail of the phoenix is embroidered with dark gray metallic ribbons, certainly silver that has oxidized. A Five-Clawed Dragon surrounded by clouds and a Phoenix holding a flower in its beak, compete for the sacred pearl. At the bottom a rock is represented on which waves are breaking. This antique silk piece was mounted late, around 1900, in a mechanically woven silk frame. Good condition. Dimensions: Total: 630x225mm Old panel only: 520x100mm

18th century French engraving depicting Chinese palaces in a mountainous landscape. The scene is treated in the Chinese style and it is very likely that the draftsman was Chinese, however, the engraving is French and dates from the 18th century. Many details, beautiful print. No restaured Size about 40x60cm..

18th century French engraving depicting Chinese palaces in a mountainous landscape. The scene is treated in the Chinese style and it is very likely that the draftsman was Chinese, however, the engraving is French and dates from the 18th century. Many details, beautiful print. No restaured. Size about 40-60cm

Porcelain vase with splashed decoration in green, yellow and aubergine enamels.This small size reminds me of an desk object like a small vase to decorate the table of a scholar. One crack. H:78mm

Small cast bronze tripod incense burner. Beautiful finish. The two handles are in the shape of Buddhist lions heads. Qing Chinese. The bottom of the feet slightly flared would rather suggest a Japanese Edo creation but without certainty. Dirty. Width 65mm

Small dish in Chinese porcelain, green enamel decoration of lotus flowers, tendrils and bats, details in black. Two Chinese characters "Shou" are enameled in red and gold. All this symbolizes longevity (shou), happiness (bat) and Buddha (lotus). However the Lotus flower is not exclusively the symbol of Buddhism, it can also be interpreted here as the marital agreement because there are 2 flowers or serenity or self-fulfillment. Everyone will interpret according to their desires. Chinese porcelain end of the Qing dynasty 19th century, probably reign of Guang-Xu. Good condition, no cracks or grinding. No restaure. Diameter 13cm.

Porcelain cover for jar or vase. Decorated with enamel flowers and birds. The exact dimensions are written on the photos so you can check that the lid fits your vase correctly. I think that given the flattened shape of the lid, it probably belonged to a jar rather than a vase. China late Qing dynasty. Diameter 20cm. Good condition.