Catalog (10)

This metal box is fashioned as a model of a traditional stringed instrument having an overall punched floral design and a hinged lid. The base has an impressed seal. The surface has somewhat darkened with age. It is in overall good condition.

Length: 6 7/8 in., Width: 3 ¼ in., Height: 1 3/8 in.

This tripod censer is raised on three animal-masked feet that support its large, rounded body. The rim is decorated with a key fret design, and the body has ten lappets composed of stylized mask and key fret designs all in low relief. It retains its original brown patina overall with a deep greenish gray interior from use. Good condition.

Diameter: 12 in., Height: 8 ½ in.

This two-part buckle is formed with a dragon head clasp on one piece, and the other is slotted for hooking under the dragon's head. Each has a central medallion cast in low relief of a double gourd “magic elixir” bottle. Both pieces are finished with a stylized bat motif. The underside of each has two attached pieces to receive the belt. Much gilding remains on the fronts, though worn. The reverse of each is ungilded and has old natural patina from use.

Clasped length: 3 ¾ in., Width: 7/8 in.

This opposing pair of brush pots is decorated overall with a design of objects from a scholar's studio including vases, incense burners, table screens, etc. Identical inscriptions in black enamel on each make reference to antique vessels and end with an artist's seal in red enamel. The enamels are in good condition without cracks or damages, nor any restorations. The interiors are enameled throughout in turquoise. The bottoms have a somewhat uneven turquoise enameling.

Height: 4 ¾ in., Diameter: 2 ¼ in.

Each vase is decorated overall with various flowers on a medium-blue enamel ground within a continuous geometric fretwork pattern of gilt wires. Both the rim and base is gilded, now having some wear showing on each vase. The square area on the base is left from an old sticker removed in the past. Both vases have a melon form label body with a flaring mouth rim that is partially gilded inside. The interiors are not enameled and the old bronze has taken on a grayish patina. The condition of both is good, without dents or apparent damages. There is some of the expected pitting to the enamels and wear to the gilded cloison wires, mouths and bases.

Height: 10 in., Width: 6 ¾ in.

This lidded box is enameled with a floral pattern on the lid and four sides. The various colored flowers are arranged against a turquoise blue ground with an overall background of geometric pattern of cloisons The exposed metal that is not enameled is gilded both inside and outside the box with the gilding having mostly worn off the wires of the flowers and background from age and use. The interior of the box and lid are all turquoise enamel as is also the exterior base. There are two areas of restoration to the enamel on the bottom and side of the interior, and also a small nick to the lid interior and some cracks to the base. The exterior enamels are in good condition with no repairs or restoration. There is a slight indentation on the long side at the far right blue flower.

Length: 4 ¾ in., Width: 3 3/8 in., Height: 2 in.

The stand and bowl of this vessel were cast separately and permanently joined at the time of production. The lid is topped with a lingzhi fungus. The entire piece is covered in an old brownish patina and small areas of verdigris. The lid fits very well into the grooved rim of the bowl. The lingzhi is cast as part of the lid, and has some areas of orange-ish patina. The interior of the stand is dark gray with some verdigris and the bowl interior is also a grayish tone. There are some nicks and a small dent on the lid rim that is not visible from the outside. No markings noted. Generally very good condition.

Height: 7 3/4 in., Diameter: 3 3/8 in., Weight: 900 grams exactly, about 2 pounds.

This circular box with domed lid displays a well-painted scene of a lady standing in a rocky garden, holding a banana leaf and a sprig of flowers. The enamels are rendered in meticulous detail in a pallet of greens, aubergine, yellows, reds and shades of blue. On the sides of both the box and lid, there are three cartouches outlined in blue with a peony sprig in each. A speckled green ground with a four-petaled pink flower fills the remainder of the sides. The base is enameled white with a reddish-brown four-character Qianlong mark. The foot is exposed copper. The interior of both the lid and base is enameled white. There is a very small nick to the enamel on one side of the lid's interior. There is some overall soiling and evidence of age and use. The exposed copper edges on the top and bottom lips is oxidized brownish-gray. The overall condition is very good. Acquired from an estate in North Carolina.

Diameter: 2 ¼ in., Height: 1 1/8 in.

Having a single bail handle, the reticulated lid fits snugly and is very well cut with a design of geometric and floral patterns. The patina is of a warm, silvery tone showing the expected evidence of use and wear.

Diameter: 7 in., Height: 4 in.

The pendant is formed from sheet silver with a repousse design of a man riding a fu lion amid a floral background on one side and the other side with Chinese characters surrounded by flowers. The work is very well-executed in high relief and minute detail. The chain is fashioned from round soldered links suspended from which there are two bells on smaller chains. The bells are of spherical form and are covered with incising. On the side of the pendant, there is a small slot presumably for a key that is now missing. The pendant is not a functioning lock, however. The condition is very good overall, though there is oxidation clearly evident from being in its original, unpolished state.

Pendant width: 3 in.; Height: 2 ¼ in.; Thickness: ½ in.; Chain length: 14 ½ in.