Catalog: Antiques: Regional Art: Asian: Chinese: Pottery (6)

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.

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

Green glazed red brown terracotta pot perhaps an funerary urn.There must have been a conical lid that was lost.The pot is probably decorated in molds with scenes of mythological animals, dragons, tigers, chilong. Three small bear-shaped feet support the whole. The body is in pinkish-brown terracotta covered with a thick lead-green glaze which has run down in places in drops, mainly on the upper edge where they can be seen curiously rising, which is normal because these ceramics were fired upside down, head down. Han period (-200 to +200). Damaged, old major restoration on the edge, visible on photos. Diameter: 20 cm Height: 14 cm.

Small rooster in green and orange yellow glazed clay. Tang period. I will take more pictures on request. Good condition. A glued label with the number 7 of an old collection. The age is certain because I bought it 50 years ago and in 1970 there were no copies of Tang ceramics of such small size, the only copies that were made at that time were of important subjects, large horses, camels and riders.... I have found and attached the reference photos. Height: 99mm Good condition.

Lao tse on his buffalo. The clay is a reddish-brown color. There are traces of polychromy. Although it is an object of modest size and simple form, it is worth noting the quality of the sculpture, indeed the expression of the face of the philosopher although quickly and summarily executed by a few stabs by the artist is superbly expressive, her body is slightly bent by the weight of years and the fatigue of the journey. In contrast, the face of the buffalo is young, dynamic and lovable. Weï style and probably from the period. Bought in France in the 70s which excludes that it is a modern copy. Colors erased. The tip of a broken and lost horn. A buffalo's ear broken and glued. Long: 225mm

Large pair of celadon glazed terracotta cremation urns.The bodies are in turned terracotta decorated in relief with animals and cast or sculpted figures. Groups of dignitaries, deer, cranes, turtle, dragons, horse completely surround the body. The lids are topped by large birds with outstretched wings. Chinese work from the Song period around the 12th century. This form is typical and there are many examples. Today these objects do not interest the Chinese for superstitious reasons, but very probably in the near future the evolution of thoughts will make them interested in these magnificent creations of their ancestors and love of art will prevail. These urns which are part of a set of 2 pairs were bought here in France about fifty years ago for 100,000frs(arround 100 000$ today) which was the market price in the 70s, at the time these archaic objects in a pure Chinese spirit were greatly appreciated while late Manchurian objects were considered a decadent ostentatious art. Quite the opposite of today. But in art, as in everything, the wheel turns. Very large size. about 870mm (33,5 inches). Good condition except the bulb at the top of an urn broken and glued. I have also an other pair but a little smaller and without cover.