Catalog (189)

The design of butterflies and melons is seldom encountered on Chinese porcelain, found only on a few Qianlong pieces. This shaped dish I feel is from the early 19th century but the ‘orange peel’ surface of the porcelain is often found on Qianlong export pieces. Like the Qianlong painted melons these have a pronounced ‘spotting’ in either famille rose or gold enamel on the fruits. 

Approximately 20.6cm across, 6.4 cm high. Perfect condition with no frits, chips, cracks or rest...

A JAPANESE EXPORT DISH, LATE 17TH CENTURY.

This fine dish is decorated with designs taken from Ming Chinese Wanli 'Kraak' wares and came about as a result of a disruption of Chinese production during a period of unrest. Dutch traders who found their Chinese trade stopped resorted to ordering from Japanese makers. The Japanese versions of these Kraak style pieces are usually thicker than the very thin Chinese Kraak wares and this has ensured their survival in often pristine condition. Thi...

A FINE ARITA KO-SOMETSUKE DISH, 18TH CENTURY.

The shallow dish with a slight foliate edge decorated with a central roundel of shochikubai, pine ; plum and bamboo, set against a ground of scrolling ivy. Within the foot-rim is found a four-character fuki-choshun mark.

Approximately 18.4 cm diameter. Perfect condition.

Please study the photographs.

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A MUGHAL PAINTING, FLOWERS & BUTTERFLIES.

A beautiful and skilled painting of a flowering stem , painted in opaque water colour on a deep blue-grey ground. The paper is burnished on the back. India, 19th century or earlier.

Approximately 30.5 cm x 17.5 cm. Good condition but a short tear on the edge repaired with tape on the back. Slight age wear as expected.

Please study the photographs.

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A CHINESE FOLDING FAN.

A Chinese paper fan with bamboo sticks, the paper centre is varnished in order to stiffen the paper. The bamboo sticks are decorated with a hot point, a technique known in the West as pyrography. There is a worn out silk tassel with a large amethyst bead.

Approximately 30 cm long. The fan is in fine condition overall but one or two on the bamboo inner sticks have short splits. These could be easily strengthened with glue.

Please study the photograph...

AN ATTRACTIVE CHINESE CLOISONNE MEIPING, LATE 18TH ~ EARLY 19TH C.

A miniature Chinese cloisonne meiping vase, late 18th ~ early 19th century. Bright colours and good gilding. It is apparent that the wires are soldered which is a technique associated often with earlier wares.

Approximately 7.7 cm high. Small bruise on side with missing enamel. Tiny areas within the foot-rim where enamel is missing, manufacturing fault.

Please study the photographs.

Within t...

AN OLD JAPANESE PAINTING OF MONJU BOSATSU.

Monju Bosatsu - Manjushri Bodhisattva of Wisdom. The painting appears to have great age and even though not in the best of condition it still has a compelling presence. It is painted on a composite sheet of thin paper, the joins can be seen as angled lines across the sheet and mounted as a kakemono. The painting is signed with a single seal impression in gold.

The painted area is approximately 106cm by 40.5cm. The painting has ho...

AN ELEGANT CHINESE PAKTONG TOBACCO PIPE, 19THC

The pipe looks a little like yellow brass in some pictures but this is a result of recent tarnishing, perhaps I should have polished it a little before taking the photographs. The base has an engraved inscription. 19th century I suspect. Especially nice is the cloud collar and the subtle shape of the base, almost peach-shape in section.

17.3/4 inches (45cm) high. Fine condition. The conical wall of the base has a slight depr...

TWO JAPANESE WOODBLOCK PRINTS COMMEMORATING FREDERICK STARR & NOSATSU.

Frederick Starr was a professor of anthropology at Chicago University who first visited Japan in 1904 and made many subsequent visits. He wrote many papers on Japanese subjects but is probably best known in Japan for his interest in pilgrimage, he dressed in traditional pilgrim’s clothing and performed the Shikoku pilgrimage in 1917 and 1921. He became fascinated with the tradition of nailing name slips (nosatu) to te...