Catalog: Antiques: Regional Art: Asian: Chinese: Metalwork (15)

Vintage Chinese silver pin in a shape of a mythical animal. Judging by the flame like mane it is possibly a huodou - a large black dog that can emit flames from its mouth. Very good crisp work, in great condition. There is no hallmark, but I am confident that the metal is silver. Weight 5.7 grams, length 1.25 inches.

Late Qing Dynasty (1880s to 1911) Chinese bronze incense burner in a shape of a standing mandarin duck with its head raised. Wings and tail are decorated in champleve technique with red, green, blue, turquoise and yellow enamels with designs referring to ancient Chinese bronzes. The wings of the creature form a removable cover that fits perfectly. Excellent quality casting - see the head with incised lines around its beak and eyes, and detailing of its webbed feet...

Unusual late Qing Dynasty (1890s - 1911) Chinese pewter tea caddy of squat globular shape with cover. Two low relief panels on the sides are showing two different scenes of multiple Chinese boys at play: one with a group of several boys each holding onto his neighbor’s belt, the other of boys pulling a cart with a huge basket containing flowers. Each scene is framed with two dragons in flight contesting the Precious Pearl...

Late Qing Dynasty (19th/early 20th century) Chinese silver chatelaine to be worn on a belt, with five suspended items for personal grooming including an ear pick, stylized sword and halberd and two pointed tools (possibly for fingernails). Did not photograph well....

19th century Chinese bronze fan shaped plaque with low relief depiction of a phoenix in flight over a latticed garden fence with pine clusters above and pomegranate bushes on rocks below. Very nice crisp work, beautiful patina. Set into original rosewood frame carved as scrolling vines with gourds and leaves. Loss to the upper right area, looks like an easy restoration if needed. Original frame is further set into contemporary wooden frame with golden surface...

19th century repousse Chinese silver sew-on clothing ornament in a shape of a Chinese sage riding a mythical qilin. During Qing Dynasty silver figures of traditional mythical characters were sewn onto clothing and hats for decoration. Nicely made from low grade silver, small holes around perimeter for sewing onto clothes, will look much better once tarnish is cleaned. Height 1.83 inches.

19th century repousse Chinese silver hat ornament in a shape of a Foo lion on a hollow base, its front paw on a free spinning filigree ball. During Qing Dynasty silver figures of traditional mythical characters were sewn onto hats for decoration. Beautifully made, crisp detailing of the beast and different plants around the base, will look much better once tarnish is cleaned. Weight 6.1 grams, height 1.37 inches.

19th century Chinese bronze f plaque with low relief depiction of a dragon in flight over among swirling clouds above cresting waves, as it exhales its fiery breath towards a monster fish. Very nice crisp work, beautiful patina. Set into original rosewood frame carved as scrolling vines with gourds and leaves. Original frame is further set into contemporary wooden frame with golden surface. See two companion plaques of dragon and phoenix in my catalog...

19th century Chinese bronze f plaque with low relief depiction of a dragon in flight over among swirling clouds above cresting waves, as it exhales its fiery breath towards a monster fish. Very nice crisp work, beautiful patina. Set into original rosewood frame carved as scrolling vines with gourds and leaves. Original frame is further set into contemporary wooden frame with golden surface. See two companion plaques of dragon and phoenix in my catalog...

19th century repousse Chinese silver sew-on clothing ornament in a shape of a Chinese sage riding a deer. During Qing Dynasty silver figures of traditional mythical characters were sewn onto clothing and hats for decoration. Nicely made from low grade silver, small holes around perimeter for sewing onto clothes, will look much better once tarnish is cleaned. Height 1.78 inches.

19th century Chinese silver hairpin with chased decoration of flowers, the leaves are enhanced with enamel, and with a Chinese hallmark of a Canton based workshop on the back. Made for Straits Chinese (known as Peranakan - persons of mixed Chinese and Malay/Indonesian heritage), lower grade silver, beautiful sharp work, some losses to enamel, overall in great condition. Length 3 7/8 inches.

19th century repousse Chinese gilded copper sew-on clothing ornament He He Twins, also known as the Heavenly twins, or the Two Saints of Harmony. During Qing Dynasty such metal figures of traditional mythical characters were sewn onto clothing and hats for decoration. Nicely made, small holes around perimeter for sewing onto clothes. Height 1.57 inches.

Early 19th century Chinese pewter covered tea caddy of round section with brass inlays of 3 bats with outstretched wings around its body and a SHOW (long life) character on top of the cover. Bats and SHOW character are a reference to the Chinese rebus about blessings of longevity. Wonderful quality precise work with wealth of details (see fur marks on their chests)). Hallmarked on the bottom, double wall to the cover providing better humidity control inside the caddy...

Very unusual late 18th to early 19th century Chinese pewter plaque depicting The Seven Sages of The Bamboo grove engaged in discussions. They were well-known scholars and artists who lived in the 3rd century AD and advocated freedom of individual expression and escape from the restrictions of the corrupt court politics...

18th century Chinese bronze sculpture of a running boy holding a Precious Gem in his raised hand. Unusual image, wonderful casting and detailing - see his smiling face and knots of his robe. Excellent warm patina, 200 years worth of compressed dust on the surface, pleasantly heavy. Fixed to a beautifully carved hardwood stand. Very nice object for scholar’s desk. Height with stand 3 5/16 inches (84 mm).