SOLD
Set of six glazed miniatures made for an altar to be interred in the tomb of an upper-class person. Made in the shape of nuts, vegetables, a boar’s head, ingots and long rolls to provide symbolic sustenance in the afterlife. A few minor chips and some soil from burial, otherwise good condition.
Size: Length, Height
Logs: 2 ½ in., 2 ¼ in.
Boar’s head: 2 ½ in., 2 in.
Walnuts: 1 ¾ in., 2 3/8 in.
Vegetables: 1 7/8 in., 2 ¼ in.
Ingots: 1 ¾ in., 1 7/8 in.
SOLD
Glazed with turquoise, amber and green enamels, this laughing Buddha holds his large belly with one hand, and clasps a rosary in the other. The back is unglazed and a stabilized hairline extends from the foot to the top of the base. There is a collection inventory number incised on the rear base and there is a small chip to the foot. It is accompanied by a later carved wooden base.
Height: 11 in., Width: 6 ¾ in.
$725.00
This molded earthenware vase is glazed turquoise and amber over the upper portion, leaving the lower portion and base unglazed exposing the biscuit with auspicious symbols of animals and various other elements. The glaze stops at the mouth rim and the interior is unglazed. The turquoise glaze covers various floral designs while the one panel of amber glaze on the flaring upper body reveals a human form, probably a scholar official. There are some old chips from use around the foot and some small glaze flakes overall typical of age, but generally in good condition having no repairs or cracks.
Height: 8 ½ in., Width: 4 in.
SOLD
This orange-brown pottery brush pot, possibly produced at the Yixing Kilns, is hand-sculpted to simulate an old gnarled tree trunk with various crevices, stumps of limbs and peeling bark. It is incised with two Chinese characters, one in archaistic style, the other in cursive script. On the base, there is an impressed Guangxu sealmark. Though unglazed, it has an old patina from use and possibly remnants of colorless lacquer. The interior has somewhat darkened with age and use. The base is carved with three low feet, all unglazed and showing evidence of age and use. Very good overall condition.
Height: 4 ¼ in.; Diameter: 3 ½ in.
$195.00
This jar is well-potted pinkish-orange earthenware that is covered in a deep green glaze that has degraded in places and developed iridescence from burial. The base is unglazed, as is the interior, revealing the place orange earthenware clay body. There are three spur marks on the rim from stacking in the firing. There are no cracks or restorations.
Height: 5 7/8 in., Diameter: 6 ¼ in.
SOLD
These tall, slender offering jars with lids are well-potted and molded with dignitaries, dragons and horses, and covered with a thin bluish-toned clear glaze. The bluish areas are apparent where the glaze has pooled around the molded figures. The lids are likewise glazed and finished with a simple stylized swirl of clay. The clay body is white and a bit sugary in texture. There are orange areas of staining from burial. Jars such as these were used as grain offering containers and were interred with the deceased for use in the afterlife. The mouthrim, the foot, and the base are unglazed. The jars are a matched pair and are in generally good condition. There is a small chip to the piecrust shaped decoration below the mouthrim of one jar. There is very minor chipping to the edge of the feet. There is a small piece on the edge of one lid that was broken and restuck.
Heights with lids: 17 ¾ in., 18 in.
SOLD
This Tang-style camel is glazed overall in a transparent turquoise and stands on a rectangular base, the bottom of which is unglazed, showing the terracotta clay body. The right ear is mostly missing. The neck has a clean break about midway and has been restuck. There is a glaze flake on the left nostril, and an old glaze chip to the base beneath the left rear foot. There are remnants of burial clay, particularly in the hollow interior of the camel's body.
Height: 3 7/8 in., Length: 3 3/8 in., Width: 1 ½ in. over the saddle
$800.00
Male attendant figure made for interment to assist with the afterlife of the tomb’s upper-class occupant. Earthenware with glassy, low-fired glaze on the garment portion with some patches of silvery iridescence that have developed over time due to burial in damp tombs over long periods. This figure has an unglazed head that was originally detachable but is now fixed in place with recent adhesives. The bisque fired head has remains of pigments on the facial features and hair. There are minor flakes and chips and an old chip to the hat brim, otherwise good condition.
Height: 17 in.
$1,250.00
This figure of a seated scholar is glazed turquoise with amber colored highlights. The back is mostly unglazed except for the original white slip coating, now darkened with age. The interior is hollow and unglazed, exposing the reddish clay body. The white slip coating continues for an inch or so into the interior cavity. The face is covered with a thin white slip (now darkened) but is otherwise unglazed. The turquoise glazed hat has a few old losses to the glaze where it has flaked , and another small, old glaze flake to the upper right arm. There are no cracks or restorations and it is generally in good condition. Acquired in the early 1980s from a Northern Virginia dealer.
Height: 8 ½ in., Width: 5 in., Depth: 2 ½ in.
$350.00
This well-modeled figure of a recumbent ox is one of twelve figures representing the traditional Chinese zodiac. It is formed in grey earthenware and was originally carved in a thin slip of white clay, much of which still remains. The head is sculpted with an expressive face having large eyes and short, thick horns. The characteristic hump occurs on the back just behind the head. The legs are tucked under the sides with the hooves exposed. His long, serpentine tail twists around the right rear leg. There is a bit of burial earth still adhering and only a couple of small chips. The overall condition is very good.
Height: 4 in.; Length: 5 ¼ in.