Catalog: Antiques: Regional Art: Asian: Chinese (197)

Black and white print of Nagasena Ahrat. In the 9th century this portrait of the luohan was painted as well as those of 15 other Ahrats by the painter Guanxiu who was a Buddhist monk. 900 years later, in 1757, Emperor Kienlong during a visit to Shengyin Monastery in the former province of Hang admired the 16 portraits. In order to perpetuate them, he ordered the carving of 16 sculpted stones to produce numerous prints of these works of art, of which here is one of the rare examples. Since then, the original stones and paintings have disappeared. We still have, thanks to the emperor, the testimony of the prints. They were printed from 1757 and probably for part of the 19th century. We don't know how many copies. The Metropolitan Museum houses the complete series of 16 prints. One of them, identical to ours, represents the Ahrat Nagasena. Good condition, no repairs. Size: 110x50cm

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.

Rare cane in silver and precious wood. It is a real walking cane (and not a thin umbrella handle reemployed) as evidenced by the large ball knob that we have well in hand. The cast silver pommel is chiseled with two dragons fighting and scenes of daily life, fishermen, plowman, warrior? On the top of the pommel a Chinese character protrudes, it is finely chiseled with broken lines in the style of "ice crack" (frosted cracks) which here certainly have a meaning which unfortunately escapes us. The barrel is interesting because it is cut in a beautiful orange wood which seems to us to be the precious Huang-Hualy of the Chinese. The grain of the wood is very fine, the fibers dense and the color is natural, moreover it seems to be covered with a thin layer of transparent lacquer like all the best quality Chinese wooden furniture. The tip is in steel set with bronze, simple but also of good quality, it is certainly original tip. The whole is harmonious and very elegant. Good general condition, normal wear. Chinese or Vietnamese work from the end of the 19th century. Total length: 900mm Pommel diameter: 49mm

Set of about fifty antic Chinese wooden stands and some in bronze. Some are disassembled but we have all the pieces and we can easily glued together. The dimensions are between 3 cm for the smallest and 33 cm for the largest. If you have need tell me the dimensions you are looking for, I will look at the ones that would suit and I will send you pictures of them. All are old principally 19th century but some are probably earlier and some are perhaps earlier 20th century. The prices will be in relation with the size and quality. From 50€ to 300€ each or 4000€ for all.

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.

Round box in hard Chinese porcelain. Decor of a dragon painted in iron red enamel pursuing the sacred pearl, surrounded by flames and clouds. Details in black, green enamels and gilding. Chinese work from the second part of the 19th century. The design is of good quality for porcelain from this period. Good firing, careful work. Very many porcelains were created in China during this period, most often of mediocre quality without much interest, but this box is interesting because of its box shape and its dragon decoration. In the 1960s, these Chinese porcelains decorated in iron red on a white background were called "Sang et Lait" (blood and milk) and were very popular with European collectors. Good condition. 106mmx70mm.

Pair of parakeets resting on a rock. White hard porcelain, yellow enameled spouts and legs, black enamel details. The body of the birds is covered with a transparent glaze, however the unglazed rock which is covered with a layer of brown lacquer. I don't know of any other other same parakeet listed so it is difficult to date them with certainty.Probably Chinese work from the Qing period. Good condition, lacquer worn in places. Height:123mm Technically the bird is molded in 2 parts assembled with porcelain-paste (barbotine). It is interesting to note that the 2 parakeets have slightly different attitudes and therefore did not come out of the same mould.

Statuette of a Chinese deity, probably Guan-yin. It is carved from a block of light beige, nuanced soapstone. She holds a basket in her hand which contains a fish. The facial expression indicates an old style prior to the 20th century. It is a sculpture from the Qing period, probably from the 19th century, but perhaps earlier. The soft stone is normally worn for a century-old object. There are accidents that can be seen in the photos, the most important are: the head glued back together, a part of the bottom of the dress broken and part of the handle of the bucket missing. But this in no way alters the aesthetics of the statue and its serene, although ostentatious, majesty. Height: 27cm.

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

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.

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.

It is an astonishing vase which does not resemble anything known.The shape is very elegant and the decor simple but powerful. But I have absolutely no idea what it is. It is probably buffed sandstone rather than terracotta. The decoration presents a dragon in slight relief pursuing the sacred pearl. The decoration seems to me molded rather than sculpted. A cream glaze covers the whole, stained with brown iron oxide. On the shoulder there are 4 heads of bearded old men which can be used as rings to suspend the vase. The dragon's head bears a tiny mane and large bat-like ears. The jaw is closed and small. The legs have only 3 claws. The heads of old men are mustachioed and bearded. Seems very old.To this day no one knows what it is. Broken and reglued. Height: 25cm

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

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)

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.

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?

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.