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.

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

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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?

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 40-60cm

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..

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 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.

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

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.

Cast and turned bronze vase. Decor of bamboo, rocks and Greek friezes incised and inlaid with silver wires. The bronze has a beautiful original patina. It lacks inlays that have come off over time. Probably china or vietnam 19th centurie. Height about 16cm. No restaure.

Libatory cup in Chinese soft porcelain. The cup is made with a mold in 2 parts, on the side you can see the junction mark. It is decorated in relief with 2 dragons, a crane in flight and a deer. The clay is white covered by a transparent glaze.Usually, these white Chinese cups are made of hard porcelain, those made of soft paste like this are rarer. The cup is in good condition there is only a small chip on the upper edge which is clearly visible in photos. China 18th century. No repair. Height approximately 8cm.

Pair of pieces of embroidered silk and metal ribbons. Decor of peonies, lemon finger and volutes in metal on a blue silk background. Very damaged. I think beginning of the Ming period. Interesting to study ,cheaper and more informative than a full library. Lol. 26x38cm.

Small hard porcelain dish, enamelled decoration, with a bouquet of flowers and flowering branches in relief in the colors of the "famille rose". Chinese work from the end of the 18th century, probably made for export via the "compagnie de indies". Relief decorations are rare. Good condition, wear from use visible on photos. No restaure. Diameter 16cm.

Chinese soft stone pendant, seems harder than soapstone but much less than jade. Openwork of a dragon surrounded by clouds. Mounted as a pendant with silk laces. Broken in 2 glued (see photo). 62mm

Hard porcelain dish, cobalt blue underglaze decoration. Completely hand painted. No printed or decaled design. The openings are cut empirically with a very simple tool. The drawing is very well executed by an excellent painter, especially the dragon. There are tiny scales, one of which is large but very superficial. Enlarged photos show them to us. Otherwise good condition. Diameter about 25cm. There are many Chinese plates in the 20th century with this "rice pattern". This model is a model from an earlier date, probably between 1880 and 1920. Only a specialist can date it with certainty. The unusually cursive mark should aid in accurate dating.

Chinese hard porcelain dish with an elegant scalloped shape, decorated in famille rose enamels with 5 dragons competing for the sacred pearls. The vigorous dragons are very well drawn, their contortions are harmonious. They only have 4 claws. The marli is decorated with a Greek frieze enamelled in a pretty bright blue. The Greeks could indicate a European order, but the central, typically Chinese decoration of the 5 dragons circumscribed in a circle is more reminiscent of an order for the Chinese domestic market. The quality and style make us think that this dish was created around 1800, at the end of the 18th or beginning of the 19th century, probably in the kilns of Jingdezheng. Large crack and chip repaired with gold. 298x230x45mm

Tiny porcelain covered jar decorated with plants in polychrome enamels. You can recognize a maple tree. Probably Chinese work of 18th century, but perhaps Japanese Arita late 17°. A very pretty frame in cast and gilded bronze signed by the prestigious Parisian goldsmith "Boin-Taburet". The mark stamped on the side of the bronze base.European frames generally weigh down the porcelain, but here this attractive discreet frame sublimates this pretty small pot. Good condition. No restaure.. A chip on the edge of the lid and near a lack of enamel,firing accident(look photo).About ten centimeters. The mounting maked about 1880 at the end of 19th.

A rare very little Budai in porcelain enameled in "famille rose" style.The iron red enamel of beautiful vivid colour. The god is seating. Very little size, probably this divinity was make for travellers. Budai was the god of good fortune,abundance of good health. and perhaps a dealer travelling keep him with him. Good condition, no restoration. Normal wear for centuries-old porcelain. China later 18th century earlier 19th. Hight: 4,8cm.

Embroidered silk panel. Flower (lotus?)and scroll motifs in silk and gold embroidery. Beijin knot detail. Chinese work from the Qing Dynasty. Good general condition, faded colors, no repairs. Old européan frame in wood and glass. Total dimensions: 55x43cm. Embroidered panel alone: ​​37x24cm

Chinese porcelain bowl decorated in "famille rose" enamels with lotus flowers, scrolls, greek frise and Chinese characters in medallions. The bowl is accompanied by its cup, its lid and its spoon constituting a complete set of 4 pieces which is extremely rare. In addition, the 4 porcelains are in good condition except for a little chip. The edge of the cup (saucer) was slightly deformed during cooking and took on a silver-gray shade as can be seen in the photos. Below are painted the illustrious Imperial marks of Qianlong but they are apocryphal, the whole dating from the end of the Qing around 1900. Bowl diameter about 10cm.

Cast bronze vase decorated with three handles in the form of masks of mythological creatures, carrying a trunk and large ears probably inspired by an elephant. The cast work is beautiful and the finish is neat. On the lower and upper edges, two very elegant Greek friezes are discreetly and finely incised in silver. The edge of the vase is slightly split, but you can still put water in it. A nice original patina confirms the age of the object, probably 19th century or earlier. China or Japan. Height about 16cm.

Small Buddhist lion in almost solid cast bronze. The object is heavy. Beautiful active and fierce expression. Details meticulously chiselled with precision. It is probably work from Vietnam or South China. A very beautiful bronze patina announces a 19th century period or before. Underneath there is no fastening mark, so it was not the grip button of a lid. Not a weight either because part of the underside is hollow. Hight: 6cm. Fine condition.

Chinese hard porcelain dish. Decorated with a palace scene in the center and a rich variegated decoration on the margin, interspersed with a cartouche containing birds. A dominant blue enamel happily illuminates the whole. Although this style of decor is relatively common, it is exceptional to come across some of such good quality, in fact here the firing was perfect, the enamels are superb which is very important. China, probably Jingdezhen kilns mid-19th century. Excellent state of conservation. Diameter 215mm. We have nine others same plates, 5 in fine condition,one with crack and 3 with slight chip.

Small bat-shaped water container. It is in porcelain covered with a beautiful green glassure and is pierced with 4 openings, a small one at the mouth, 2 others on either side of the ears and a large one at the back. Was to serve as a water cup, either as a dropper, perhaps as an oil lamp or an incense holder, or several functions at the same time. It is a rare and charming object which is also auspicious. Good condition, normal wear for a centuries-old object. I think early Qing Kangxi period. 75x60x3 cm (2.95 x 2.36 x 1.2 inches)

Snuff bottle carved in soft duan stone. Carved in the shape of a spearhead. Simple but very elegant. No stopper. Height. 71mm

Medallion in red silk embroidered with stylized flowers in colored silk and scrolls embroidered with gold metallic ribbons. The reverse lined with old rose colored silk. Precise and careful details, of the best quality. No catering. Complete medallion. Full gold ribbons, some slightly worn as seen in photos. Diameter: 295 to 300mm. 19th century Chinese work. It is rare to find antique silk from this period in good condition. On the reverse a label bearing the numbers of a collection.Some Beijin knots

A jewel, reliquary pendant. The receptacle is silver embossed, the cover is copper with mercury gilding embossed decoration of Buddhist emblems. A coral bead is set in the center. A ring is provided for a suspension cord. The part opposite this ring is a hollow cylinder. It is possible that there was another mobile part now lost? However I do not see any wear that a moving part would have necessarily left traces and the jewel is well balanced so. There is a 925 hallmark which must be the silver grade. Inside there are different things. A tiny oyster pearl,a sparkling pinkish-mauve gemstone probably rubby, a sliver that appears to be diamond, a piece of amber or incense and unidentifiable materials. Chinese or Tibet? Some oxydations but no restaure. Long: 4cm.

A removable Chinese travel hat stand. Cut in the shape of two interlocking Lingzhi. Carved in a beautiful hardwood with a very fine grain. Good cabinetwork finish. Simple object but very elegant and rare. Beautiful antique patina of the wood. Difficult to date exactly in the Qing period. Height : about 23cm The two mushrooms broken in half and badly glued together (see photo). I can, on request, glue them back together correctly for free.

Cast bronze turtle shown standing on its 4 legs, part of its shell gilded with mercury. Well finish, very detailed carving. Beautiful old patina. 19th century.Qing or Edo. Probably used as a weight to hold the painters of the scholars. Long: about 11cm 4 inches Fine condition but the end of the tail broken.

Kapala lid in embossed copper and gilded with mercury technic.Dimension: 96x103x35mm Good condition, slightly worn gilding on the reliefs. Beautiful old patina. Tibet 19th century or before.

This plaque must have been part of a scholar's screen. It is carved in a Duan stone of 2 layers of different colors. An ochre layer and a brown layer. The brown layer is carved in depth until the ochre layer appears. The decoration is thus cut in brown on an ochre background.Qing period 19° century or earlier. On the reverse side we can see the traces of the tool which should give indications for a more precise dating. Accident, broken and glued again. 206 x 302 x 8 mm

Spherical boxes in bronze (or copper) cloisonné in relief. The wires isolate the relief lotus flower decoration, leaving free spaces of enamel between the motifs which is an unusual, more complex technique. The fact of not completely filling the partitions with enamel weakens those which are at the edge of the decor. The wires must be welded and not simply glued before enameling, which is more difficult. If the old cloisonné enamel had all their wires welded, it would only be from the 19th century that the welding would be replaced by a cold adhesive. Around the base a frieze of stylized waves around the top of the lid a frieze of stylized clouds. The lid grip is made of a gilded bronze peach, a symbol of longevity, it is held in place by a screw and a copper nut cut and threaded by hand. The interiors are enameled in blue. Good condition. Height: 115mm.

Small iron in cast bronze, relief decoration in the traditional archaic style, exceptionally part of the handle is in jadeite. Usually these irons are simply made of bronze because they were utilitarian objects, which is why it is curious that this one has this precious contribution. The tip fits perfectly and seems to be well 'origin. It must be an iron used in an important family. Difficult to give a precise date, the bronze has a beautiful, very old patina, 19th century or much earlier. Good condition 141x84mm.

Small hard stone vase, probably jadeite. Pale green color spotted with white and bright green with brown veins. The polish of the stone is rather matte than shiny. Finely carved hardwood base. Chinese work 19° or early 20° century. The dull polish of the stone would lead us to date it to the end of the Qing or earlier. Good condition, no restoration, the veins of the stone are not glued and are solid. Total height: 14cm. Vase without the base 11cm.

The padlock is made of thick bronze, solid construction, the partitions are thick. There is a secret system to clear the keyhole which is hidden. You can see in the photos the explanation of the system. The bronze has an excellent centuries-old patina and the object is discreetly decorated with chiselling at the ends. The rivets are in the shape of flowers. This padlock is simple but of good quality. The key is lost, but this type of key is technically easy to make. Dimensions: 150x55mm. Weight: 630g Probably Chinese work from the 18th century or earlier. Maybe Korean.

porcelain kuan-yin enameled in iron red and copper green. Green enamel has an unusual iridescent metallic appearance that seems to be peculiar to an era or a production site. The statuette is made in a mold in 2 parts, the joint is visible below. The unglazed parts, at least the base, were covered with lacquer and gold which have disappeared leaving only traces (look photo). I attach the picture of a Guan-Yin with similar green. Usual wear. Good condition. Hight about 7 cm H: 86mm

Buddhist lion in green, yellow and manganese enamelled porcelain, black eyes. The animal standing on its 4 legs rests on a base cut out in the shape of a leaf. Chinese work from the end of the 17th century, period of the Kangxi emperor, Sancai style (three colors). No restoration, good condition which is rare. On the chest appears a firing slot at the place of the joint of the 2 molded parts. Height 95mm.

Carved wooden cup representing large lotus leaves and buds on which evolve a crab and a shrimp. The feet are made up of snails. Although the carving work is of excellent quality, the wood used is not purple sandalwood. Part of the edge has been broken as shown in the photo, but this does not affect the aesthetics of the object. In addition, restoration work is possible with a perfect result. Length: 27cm Height: 6.5cm

Carved hardwood box. The wood appears to be Huang-Hualy. The decoration is sculpted in relief with a peach tree in a stylized vase, the tree bears foliage and 5 peaches. The stylized vase is composed of a filiform dragon whose head can be seen from the front. The box opens with a lid pierced with 2 holes to receive a retaining wire, so you could open the lid by making it sink without losing it. Chinese work. We do not know what the use of such boxes was. According to the style and the good quality, we could date this box to the beginning of the 19th century. 13cm x 2.5cm Good condition, the wood well patinated. One chip on the edge visible on photo.

The vase is in yellow bronze. It appears to have been taken down with a hammer because it has thin walls, however it may have been cast. It is a very simple design object but of excellent quality, the proportions are perfect, the finishes are very careful. Artisans capable of producing a bronze of this fine quality would have been entirely capable of producing such a fine casting. This elegant simplicity makes us think of this very old vase, probably dating from the 17th century, or before, a magnificent old patina confirms this dating. The wide opening makes us think that it may be an incense burner. Height: 135x135mm.

Brooch or fibula? very thick cast copper alloy. Hot gold with mercury. The gilding is very thick. It is very well preserved and is only worn on the ends of the reliefs as can be seen in the photos. Three black stones are set. The stones are very worn by shocks or degraded by time? Two holes are drilled on either side of the center. The correct color is that of the first photo where we see the greenish gilding. Interesting jewel certainly very old several centuries. 93x30mm

Guanyin in cast bronze. The deity is represented standing, wearing a long dress, she holds a bottle in her hand. The bronze is very worn but has a superb old patina. Northern China Tang dynasty. 7th-9th century.It was soldered late with tin on a square bronze base so that it could stand upright. Height: 135mm

Guan yin in cast copper alloy. Incised decoration. True old patina. A little worn normally see pictures. No restoration. She must have been holding an object in her hand which is missing today. Hight: 15cm.

Cast bronze incense burner, supported by three feet, on the sides, two Buddhist lions form the handles. The object was not cast in one go, indeed the handles and the feet were cast separately and welded, which for the feet is unusual. This seems to announce a lack of technique due to modest provincial craftsmen working in isolated regions. The bronze has casting defects, holes and burrs and the finishes are sketchy. However, despite its rusticity, the object is interesting, this is due to the power of the lions and a beautiful patina of old oxidation. Difficult to date and locate. Probably Chinese work, but could it be Vietnamese? Undoubtedly old at least from the 18th century but probably well before. Wide: 190mm High: 95mm

Two rares silver elements with embossed decoration representing scrolls of plants and flowers animated by butterflies and animals which could be rats, dormice or squirrels? It is likely that these 2 elements are the ends of the axle of a paint roller. Chinese goldsmith work from the 19th century or before. Would be suitable for a very large Chinese painting because they are large in size Diameter:68mm x Height:40mm. Weight: 45 g each Good state of conservation. A small piece of border missing. Normal wear and tear for centenarian elements.

Chinese dignitary cast in stoneware, enamelled with Sancaî type colors (three colors), here in fact there are 4, a manganese, a yellow ocher, a green and a beautiful celestial blue. The colors were particularly well fired and are bright. The character is grimacing. This type of sandstone was widely used in China for creating tiles and large statues. The famous tower pagoda of Nanking, destroyed in the 19th century, was partly covered by plates of this type of Sancaï enameled stoneware. China Ming dynasty, 17th century or earlier. Good condition, no repairs. H:177mm

Pair of cast bronze cranes. The birds are fixed on rectangular bases, they carry a vase on their back and a ball in their beak. Sometimes these birds hold in their beak a flowering stem which ends in a candle holder, but here, examination with a magnifying glass reveals neither fracture nor grinding, it would seem that they are simply balls.Is this related to the funerary practice of placing a ball in the mouth of the deceased? A scholar must surely know what it is. Similarly, the vases are not hollowed out, which prevents the possibility of inserting incense sticks into them; they only have a decorative function. The cranes have an unusually fierce expression, the workmanship is rustic, the casting of the bronze has imperfections, and the chasing is weak. The patina is old. The bases are filled with lead to weight the birds and make them more stable. On the base you can see ferrous oxide stains because the inside of the legs is reinforced with iron rods, this is not a restoration but originally designed for the strength of the legs. Despite the rusticity (or thanks to it) there emerges a peaceful force from these 2 small statuettes. The vases were separated and resoldered with tin. Probably Chinese work from the Qing period or much earlier. Height: 17cm.

Bronze pagoda cast in 3 parts. The bronze is very old, it has an excellent patina which makes me think it is from the Ming period or earlier. The casting is rustic, it has some defects. Probably a very old provincial work.The 4 sides of the pagoda are open with 4 doors with 2 bronze panels, opening and closing as needed. This makes a total of 8 panels for the 4 doors. 2 doors lead to 2 staircases with balusters. The whole being made in a very simple way, one can guess the work of twisting and modelling the hand-twisted waxes which served as a model before the casting. There is still a chain hanging from one corner, there must have been four corners, supporting as many bells now lost. No restoration, no hidden defects. The base was once riveted and reattached with 4 screws. Inside, there is still some cast refractory cement. All visible on photos. H: 31 cm. Weight 1760g

Silver dish, incised central decoration of tree peony flowers and a bird.With a différent technic the border is decorated of flowering branches in the rembossed metal technique. The metal of the plate has been rolled or hammered by hand, creating imperfections, as seen in the photo below, an unusual technique that indicates a creation date prior to the late 19th century when silver plates were rolled mechanically. To be distinguished from the large quantity of Chinese or Vietnamese goldsmith's objects from the 1900s whose stereotyped decorations lack elegance and poetry. The construction technique and the elegance of the decoration allow us to date this dish to the beginning of the 19th century or earlier. Which makes it a very interesting chinese goldsmith object. Good condition. No restoration or welding. Usual wear. Length about 22cm.

Porcelain vase in the shape of a gourd with Imari decor. The vase is mounted on a lathe. It is decorated in the Imari style in blue, red and gold with flowers on a background with stylized geometric cracks in cobalt blue inspired by frost. The base is without glassure. The collar seems a little short but it is not cut because the edge is covered with enamel. Height 22cm. There is a small chip and a slight 1cm crack that can be seen in the enlarged photo. The vase is old but we are unable to locate it. Chinese or Japanese work?

Lohan in Chinese porcelain covered with "famille verte" enamels.The deity is represented standing holding a flowers basket in his hand, it is probably Lan Caihe, one of the 8 Taoist immortals otherwise known as the 8 Baxian. The dress is decorated with flowers, butterflies and clouds in green, yellow and manganese enamels on a cream background. Hairs and details in black enamel. Good condition except a very little chip. No repair or gluing. China Qing dynasty 19th century. Height:32cm In set with the preceding lot n° 447