Oriental Works of Art
Chinese Framed Ceramic Plaque depicting Peony, C20th
Price: £150
A Chinese ceramic plaque decorated with delicately painted flowering peony in shades of grisaille with highlighting in red and blue, an elaborate inscription to the left with two red seals and a further red seal to the bottom right. The frame is Chinese and most likely contemporary with the plaque. Style of painting and decoration combined with the very even surface and high white glaze of the plaque itself suggest a dating to the 1960s or 1970s rather than the Republican period (1912-1949) when similar pieces were made which are highly sought after now. But the work is of extremely high quality nevertheless and the composition artistic and appealing.
Chinese Bone Netsuke carving of a man holding a musical instrument, early C20th
Price: £25
A Chinese Bone Netsuke carving of a man holding a musical instrument, depicted with its strings, and dressed in a simple robe decorated with incised detail in brown and black, two typical holes to the reverse, early C20th. Netsuke were developed in Japan as a fastener or toggle by which small hanging storage boxes, okimono, could be attached to the sash of a kimono. They were made in a variety of forms but the small figurine, as here and in the previous lot, was the most common. Chinese examples seem to have been made in the early twentieth century and were more often crafted from bone rather than the ivory or wood favoured by most of the Japanese craftsmen.
Japanese Imari Dish with a lobed edge circa 1880
Price: £125
A Japanese Imari Dish of circular form with a lobed edge, typically decorated in underglaze blue, red enamel, iron red and gold with a fabric derived 'brocade form' design, the central panel with stylised flowers and the underglaze blue border with flower heads (peony, lotus, chrysanthemum) interspersed with irregularly shaped segments in red enamel (stylised foliage and bats) and iron red (geometric design), the reverse with lotus and stylised floral sprays in underglaze blue. Paste of the foot and style of decoration indicate a circa date of around 1880, towards the beginning of the Meiji period (1868 - 1912).
Pair of Chinese Soapstone Seals in a fitted box, C20th
Price: £30
A pair of Chinese Soapstone Seals of typical elongated square form, carved at the top with stylised dragons pursuing the flaming pearl above a plinth represented by three carved lines, the bases with incised seal form characters which can be printed to show two presumably complementary four character seals, both contained in a matching fitted box. Style of carving suggests a circa date in the mid twentieth century. Truly a desk ornament for the executive who has everything!
Silver Cricket Box, Islamic probably Persian, early C20th
Price: £110
A silver box with openwork sides and a pierced cover most likely intended as a portable cricket cage, in the manner of similar Chinese designs, the sides with two geometric openwork bands between raised grooved borders, the cover with an elaborate openwork design incorporating swirling stylised foliage, raised heart and bird form plaques, and two roundels, inset with three hardstones in amber and celadon, the base flat and stamped 'R A'. The style of decoration suggests Islamic work, probably Persian in origin. Weight and quality of decoration indicate a circa date in the early C20th
Chinese Bone Inkwell in the form of a Chair, early 20th century
Price: £20
An amusing Chinese Bone Inkwell in the form of a Chair, the base with an incised design in black of stylised flowers and waves and with spreading feet, the top in the form of a high chair back with carved floral decoration and piercing, the seat with a lightly incised design resembling a cushion. The cover lifts off to reveal the inkwell below and the profile of the original bone can be clearly seen with the inset 'plug' at the base and the separate cover of the seat. Style of decoration and indeed the object itself suggest a dating to the early 20th century.
Chinese Bronze Mounted Emerald Green Jade pendant, Qing dynasty
Price: £180
A Chinese bronze mounted Emerald Green Jade pendant, the jade plaque in the form of a stylised vase with a crimped top and a scalloped base, bevelled at the edge and of an intense emerald green colour with typical mottling to the stone, the heavy bronze mount with a flat back and following the shape of the stone, with two modelled ju'i lappet like form panels at the top with stylised scrolling foliage, the centre pierced for hanging.
It has been suggested that the form of the stone indicates it was intended as a handling token, some sort of a 'pass key', but this may well be apocryphal, although it does indeed sit comfortably when gripped. But the decorative qualities of this piece are clear and the maker clearly saw that this was a stone to be exploited and displayed. A contemporary wearer now would certainly attract attention! The weight and quality of the bronze suggest a reasonably early dating, perhaps to the late eighteenth century.
Chinese Pale Celadon Jade Bangle, probably Nineteenth Century
Price: £45
A Chinese Pale Celadon Jade or Jadeite Bangle, of typical stout circular form, the mottled stone of a pleasing pale celadon colour with typical dark grey and black inclusions.
Jade is usually divided into two types, nephrite jade and jadeite jade. The latter is heavier and slightly harder, making it more difficult to scratch. The weight of this piece suggests that we do have jadeite here. The stone was selected for carving on the basis of its attractive appearance and the finish, which bears no trace of machine tooled manufacture, suggests a pre twentieth century dating, but certainty in these matters is notoriously difficult
The size of this piece is unusually large, suggesting that it would have been intended for a male wearer. This too suggests an earlier rather than later time of manufacture. The stone is exceptionally pleasant to the hand and would have been an elegant accompaniment to any wardrobe.
Chinese Silk Embroidered Textile depicting Sages and Boys in a Garden Scene, framed, Twentieth Century
Price: £50
Chinese Silk Embroidered Textile depicting Sages and Boys in a Garden Scene, of elongated rectangular form, the light olive green cloth with embroidered figures of sages and boys seated on a variety of animals, some mythical, and all holding various attributes including fans and musical instruments, in the background a stylised garden scene with flowers and rocks with clouds and mountains in the distance, a small border to the panel with a repeating geometric design.
The panel is framed by a broad band of dark beige coloured fabric with a repeating diaper design, typical of early twentieth century work. The stitching is bold rather than subtle which again conforms to the period, but the overall effect is both amusing and decorative. The European frame may well be contemporary.
Japanese Arita Jardiniere decorated with flowers and two tassels, Meiji period, circa 1900
Price: £350
A Japanese Arita Jardiniere of typical bulbous globular form with a short flaring rim, decorated in boldly painted underglaze blue with flowering peony, chrysanthemum and lotus amidst rocks with a flying bird, the base with a repeating geometric design, the neck with repeating stylised floral panels and the top interior with ‘precious objects’, the shoulder with two modelled brown glaze tassels, the base glazed. Paste of the foot rim and the style of decoration suggest a circa date towards the end of the Meiji period (1868-1912).
The Braves and the Fair Men of Letters and Women of Fame of Old China circa 1900
Price: £75
This is an accordion page book, perhaps intended as an imitation of a scroll painting, containing texts and illustrations of ten characters of fame and repute from Chinese history. The title page reads "The Braves and the Fair Men of Letters and Women of Fame of Old China" but there is no author stated and the book is undated, although similar examples are usually ascribed to the late Victorian period which would seem to be consistent with the style of printing and the type of paper found here.
Each of the ten characters are described in a double page spread, the right hand containing texts in both Chinese and English and the left hand with hand coloured illustrations on silk , delicately rendered. The book 'works' from right to left and the reverses of the pages are left blank. At each end are fabric covered boards, the front board with a pasted paper inscription in Chinese with a small red seal mark. Other examples are finished with boards in wood, but these are, perhaps, not original or a more deluxe version of the volume.
The illustrations are in excellent condition with the colours still bright. The yellow finish to the paper is original and perhaps intended to give an 'antique' effect. Each of the end boards are very slightly scuffed at the borders. The pages, including the title page and the two end papers, suffer from varying degrees of 'worm hole' perforation. There are also various tears. A selection of illustrations can be seen above and further images (and a more detailed condition report) are, of course, available on request. But these condition issues should not necessarily detract from the charm of the item which is an Englishman's attempt to capture some of the folk lore of China, a land which attracted such popular interest during the Victorian period.
Chinese Bone Netsuke carving of a Sage, early C20th
Price: £45
A Chinese Bone Netsuke carving of a bearded Sage dressed in an elaborate robe, his hands upraised and holding a staff and a bowl, the decoration detail in dark grisaille and red, two typical holes to the reverse and signed at the base within an irregular ovoid circular border panel, early C20th. Netsuke were developed in Japan as a fastener or toggle by which small hanging storage boxes, okimono, could be attached to the sash of a kimono. They were made in a variety of forms but the small figurine, as here, was the most common. Chinese examples seem to have been made in the early twentieth century and were more often crafted from bone rather than the ivory or wood favoured by most of the Japanese craftsmen.
Oriental Lacquer Box in the form of a Duck
Price: £25
This is an amusing trinket box in the form of a duck made from black lacquer with gilt decoration, the lid with wings and a feathered tail and the head with gilt eyes and beak. The base has a simple band of a repeating gilt geometric design. The form resembles the well known Chinese export porcelain 'goose' tureens made in the eighteenth century and since the lacquer technique here resembles that of other contemporary Chinese pieces a provenance from China seems likely. The whimsical style also suggests a date of manufacture in the 1960s or 1970s.
Pair of Japanese Imari Plates, Meiji Period circa 1880
Price: £150
Pair of fine quality Japanese Imari Plates, Meiji Period (1868-1912) circa 1880, decorated in underglaze blue, iron red and gold with a typical fabric derived 'brocade' style design, the central three leaf clover shape roundel surrounded by three shaped panels with fans all on a ground of stylised scrolling foliage, the reverses plain with two concentric circles in underglaze blue next to the foot rim. The form of these plates is unusual, copying the standard design of a Chinese eighteenth century dinner plate.
Set of Three Chinese Rose Medallion Plates circa 1880
Price: £100
A set of three Chinese Plates decorated in the typical Rose Medallion pattern with panels of figure and floral scenes with repeating 'c' form gilt borders set on a gilt floral ground with peony blooms.
Pair of Japanese red lacquered low stands, Taisho period
Price: £150
Pair of Japanese red lacquered low stands, Taisho period (1912-1926). The stands have a square insert on the stand with bowed supports and plain stretcher base. The upper rims are inset with abalone shell, the inset vase stands are round. With original fitted softwood carrying box with character marks on lid
Pair of Mughal style frames c. 1900
Price: £50
This is a beautiful pair of frames from the British Raj occupation of India that lasted between 1858 and 1947. They are carved wood in the typical Mughal style with carved flowers with lattice work. The photos appear to be original with an officer and two young children. This would have been three frames that would have been connected with hinges for a table.
Chinese Embroidered Silk Table Screen 1960s
Price: £30
This is a very delicate table screen made of four panels all with a section of embroidered silk that creates a natural setting with birds and branches, in fitted box
Chinese Art Deco carved boxwood frame 1920s
Price: £50
This is a wonderful Chinese frame that has been carved with symbols and dragons, boxwood
Large Chinese eglomise scent bottle 1950s
Price: £75
This is a very unusual large scent bottle with loose glass rings and a foo dog stopper. There are two eglomise scenes on either side depicting children playing
Japanese Arita Blue and White Bowl
Price: £95
Japanese Arita Blue and White Bowl of shallow flaring form with a lightly lobed rim and a short foot, decorated in deep underglaze blue to the interior and exterior with a design of sages in a stylised landscape scene with bamboo and rocks, the centre of the interior with a roundel of stylised floral blooms and a border of repeating geometric design. This piece is typical of late nineteenth century wares made in Japan for export to the West and dates to the end of the Meiji period (1868-1912).
Three Indian Gouache Paintings
Price: £120
This is a group of Indian gouache paintings depicting allegorical scenes, in matching frames
Chinese mother of pearl inlay soapstone herb casket
Price: £30
This is a very usual box made of soapstone with very fine mother of pearl inlay depicting a deity on the cover with dragons and fruit on the sides, with mark
Unusual Chinese banded agate chopstick rest
Price: £20
This is a very unusual chopstick rest made from beautiful banded agate
Set of 4 Chinese Scroll Weights
Price: £25
This is a very nice set of four scroll weights with different images on the front and the zodiac on the back. They don't seem to be silver but rather silver metal. There is no plating missing so they are either in great condition or they are not plated but are rather a silver metal. Apologies but we have no way of testing silver.
Islamic pewter large ewer c. 1920
Price: £30
This is a large ewer made from pewter that has been engraved all the way around with typical floral designs. Probably from Turkey or Egypt.
Intricate ivory plaque mounted in frame, 19th century
Price: £25
This a very delicate and intricate round ivory plaque that was most likely set into a piece of furniture or a box, mounted in modern frame
Translucent celadon jade recumbent horse
Price: £25
This is a lovely piece of celadon jade that is translucent carved as a recumbent horse. There are some inclusions as shown in photographs
Persian Red Lacquer Box in the form of a Pumpkin, 19th century
Price: £30
This is a beautiful small lacquer box in the form of a pumpkin with typical lobed sides and a finial at the top, with very fine Persian floral decoration in gold, green, deep pink and blue. The interior and base finished in black.
Two Ketsuzan Kiln plates from the Poetic Visions of Japan Series, Japan 1988
Price: £40
These are two decorative plates depicting Japanese beauties. Made at the Ketsuzan Kiln in 1988, the series, entitled 'Poetic Visions of Japan', was designed by the Master Artist, Yoshiharu Katoh, They are decorated with vividly hand coloured transfer prints and marked with a description of the scene in Japanese on the reverse.
Persian Gouache Painting depicting a Dignitary and Attendants, framed, nineteenth century
Price: £75
A Persian gouache painting, the central roundel depicting a court figure scene with a dignitary seated in a pavilion surrounded by attendants, all within a walled enclosure, and the blue ground border with four further attendants, seated, with gilt foliage decoration. Gouache paint is similar to watercolour, but is modified to make it opaque. It was commonly used by Persian artists from the thirteenth century onwards. The style of painting here, though, suggests a dating in the nineteenth century. The frame is modern.
Japanese Fukagawa Imari Vase of Sake Bottle Form circa 1880
Price: £180
A fine quality Japanese Imari Vase of Sake bottle form with a bulbous body narrowing towards a broad neck with a faintly everted rim, decorated in iron red, underglaze blue and gold with the addition of green enamel. The main body with two shaped panels of flowering chrysanthemum within underglaze blue borders on a ground of stylised flowering chrysanthemum, the shoulder with panels of lotus and stylised flower heads on an underglaze blue band, the neck with further stylised foliage below plantain leaves in iron red and underglaze blue, the rim gilt. The base with a four character mark reading Koransha Fukagawa Sei ('made by the Koransha Fukagawa [factory]'. The Fukagawa kilns produced the best quality Imari items made in Japan in the late nineteenth century for export to the West. Dating here is within the Meiji period (1868 - 1912) probably around 1880. The form is unusual and reflects Sake bottle shapes produced in a variety of mediums.
Japanese Bamboo Carved Walking Stick, signed, circa 1900
Price: £150
A Japanese bamboo walking stick with a gnarled root to the top, the stained dark brown surface deeply carved to reveal the light brown interior and with a design of monkeys and a snake with foliage, an incised signature at the bottom incorporating two characters and a stylised seal mark, late nineteenth century.
Chinese Red Lacquer Box and Cover circa 1880
Price: £150
A Chinese Lacquer Box and Cover, the base and lid decorated with a design of massed peony and chrysanthemum heads in red lacquer and the lid inset with an irregularly shaped plaque depicting a garden scene with peony, butterflies and rocks within a diaper design border all in polychrome lacquers. The interior with a contemporary paper lining. Style and technique suggest a circa date to the end of the nineteenth century.
A Chinese Carved Wood Figure of Budai, signed, nineteenth century
Price: £150
A Chinese carved wood figure of Budai shown lying on a lotus leaf. He is depicted in a typically corpulent pose as a stout, smiling man in robes with a largely bare belly, which represents happiness, good luck, and plenty. In his left hand he holds a stylised object which is probably intended to represent the 'sack of plenty' which he is seen with so often and in his right hand is a round ball either representing a pearl (symbolising health and beauty) or a gold nugget (symbolising financial happiness). There is detailed carving to his robes and the lotus leaf is lightly incised with foliage underneath. In addition there is a small signature plaque with indistinct characters. The size and form suggests that this is a 'handling' figure intended for devotional purposes and the style of decoration indicates a circa date in the nineteenth century.
Chinese Rice Grain Plate decorated in underglaze blue, iron red and gold, circa 1900
Price: £45
Chinese Plate of typical form with a straight flaring edge, decorated in underglaze blue with a central panel of chrysanthemum within a border of bats and a repeating geometric design, the edge with a band of diaper design and between a border of stylised scrolling floral blooms in iron red and gold with turquoise enamel highlighting. The reverse with concentric circles in underglaze blue and a 'shop mark' to the centre, the rim of the plate also with 'rice grain' decoration where the porcelain is pierced and the glaze allowed to cover the openings made. Paste and style of decoration suggest a circa date towards the end of the Qing Dynasty (1644 - 1912) probably circa 1900.
Chinese Famille Rose Bowl decorated with ladies, Qianlong mark, Republican period
Price: £45
Chinese Famille Rose Bowl of typical deep form with a short foot decorated to the exterior with two panels of ladies seated in a stylised garden scene, the lobed borders in iron red, on a ground of densely packed floral blooms in the 'mille feur' pattern, the interior similarly decorated with peony and lotus, the exterior decoration continuing over the foot rim which is unusual. The base with an apocryphal Qianlong period mark (1736 - 1795) in iron red. The style of decoration and paste of the foot rim suggests a dating in the Republican period (1912 - 1949), perhaps around 1930 and this piece, which very loosely follows Imperial designs from the eighteenth century, was probably intended for the local market, in common with the 'Straits Chinese Porcelain' pieces also produced for the local market in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.
Small Chinese Bronze Vase of Ku Form with Elephant Head Handles, Qing Dynasty circa 1800
Price: £75
Chinese Bronze Vase of Ku Form with typical spreading foot, bulbous body and wide flaring neck and rim, set at the side with a pair of elephant head handles. The base decorated with a circling dragon, the body with two panels of peony, rocks and butterflies, the neck with repeating stylised plantain leaves with stylised floral decoration in an 'archaistic' style and the top rim with a band of repeating geometric designs. Note in particular the detail of the casting of the elephant heads and the dragon's head. This, combined with the quality of the bronze which has excellent weight and patina, suggests a circa date at least towards the middle of the Qing dynasty (1644-1912) if not perhaps before. The piece was probably conceived as part of a miniature altar set and was possibly intended as an incense burner.
Unusual Chinese Bowl decorated in the Japanese Kutani Style, early 20th Century
Price: £45
This is an unusual Chinese Bowl decorated in the Japanese Kutani Style. The form resembles a flower head with petals and the exterior is highlighted with narrow moulded ribbing. The inside and out are decorated with a wide variety of densely packed floral blooms including peony, lotus and chrysanthemum, the pattern closely resembling the well known 'millefiore' or 'mille fleur' designs painted in Famille Rose enamels which were produced in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. But the colours used here are iron red and gold with the addition of grisaille highlights which is typical of the palette used in Japanese Kutani wares. The Chinese did sometimes copy or adapt these wares and vases with the 'hundred sage' pattern copying the Japanese are well known. Even the form here is more Japanese than Chinese in style so the aim was clearly to make the adaptation as close as possible. The paste of the foot rim and the nature of the gilding suggest a circa date in the early 20th Century, perhaps around 1920.
4 Chinese Imperial Jindezhen Porcelain Decorative Plates 1985-87
Price: £100
This is a partial set of four plates from Imperial Jindezhen Porcelain. The series is entitled "Beauties of the Red Mansion" by master artisan Zhao Huimin. These plates depict Chinese stories with ornate interiors and female characters. These are dated 1985 1986 (2) and 1987.
A Persian Gouache Painting on Silk depicting Seven Polo players seated on elephants Nineteenth Century in a modern frame
Price: £35
A Persian Gouache Painting on Silk depicting Seven Polo players seated on elephants in a landscape scene with grass and hills to the distance, the scene amusingly painted with a colourful palette of colours and detailed brushwork suggesting a date in the Nineteenth Century, the frame and mounting modern.
A Japanese Kutani Bowl together with Four Japanese Kutani Coffee Cans circa 1900
Price: £50
A Japanese Kutani bowl with an elaborate shaped edge, deeply scalloped and with six indented flanges, decorated with sages in a landscape with a lake, pine trees and bamboo, the exterior with stylised floral sprays in iron red, the base unmarked. The palette of colours and style of decoration are typical of the productions from the kilns at Kutani in the late nineteenth century and a circa date in the late Meiji period (1868 - 1912) is most likely. The four Coffee cans of typical upright form and decorated in a similar palette of colours but with a three character mark reading ‘Ku’ ‘Tani’ ‘Sei’ (made at Kutani) to the base, the design combining a massed group of sages reading scrolls, the ‘hundred sage’ pattern known in both Chinese and Japanese pieces, and two panels of landscape and flowers to the reverse.
Very unusual group of 8 Chinese nut/fruit stone carvings mounted as pendants
Price: £40
This is a wonderful group of 8 sage head pendants carved from a nut or fruit stone. They are all heads of sages who are smiling. They are mounted as pendants with one of the pins missing but this is easy to replace.
Chinese Celadon glaze Bowl of Conical Form, 20th Century
Price: £30
Celadon Celadon Glaze Bowl of conical form with straight flaring sides above a small moulded foot, the base glazed in light cream within the unglazed foot rim, both glazes with a light crackle effect. Conical form bowls of similar designs were a classic Chinese shape and found in a variety of different wares. Glaze and form here reflect pieces from the Song period (960 to 1279) but the dating is to the early to mid twentieth century.
Chinese Cloisonne Small Tray decorated with Flowers and Rocks, 19th Century
Price: £150
A Chinese Cloisonne small Tray decorated with a stylised garden scene of flowering peony and rocks with a seated bird on a deep red ground, the border with stylised prunus heads which are repeated on the exterior, the base finished in blue enamel, gilt rims to the base, sides and top. The form is unusual for Chinese Cloisonne pieces and may have been intended as part of a scholars desk set, perhaps as a brush or pen holder. The weight and quality of decoration suggest a circa date in the first half of the nineteenth century.
Pair of Chinese Cantonese Famille Rose Plates decorated in a mille fleur design, 19th Century
Price: £75
A Pair of unusual Chinese Famille Rose small plates decorated in Famille Rose enamels with overlapping chrysanthemum heads on a gilt ground in a version of the well known 'mille fleur' pattern, the designs slightly differing on each dish, the reverse with a celadon ground and a stylised seal mark in underglaze blue to the foot. Thickly potted celadon ground dishes decorated with birds and flowers were produced quite frequently during the mid nineteenth century and usually formed part of a tea service. The variation on this decoration here is unusual and highly decorative.
Chinese Glass Snuff Bottle with interior enamel painted decoration, signed, 20th Century
Price: £15
Chinese Glass Snuff Bottle of flattened double gourd form, the grey smoky glass with a smooth flat base and a short straight neck, the rounded stopper with a swirling design of orange on a pale grey ground, the interior finely painted with a court lady feeding a bird on a terrace with flowers, the reverse with flowering lotus, both images with a signature. The work is clearly of high quality but the dating is probably to the 20th Century.
Chinese Sancai Glaze Model of a Horse in the Tang Dynasty Style, 20th Century
Price: £40
A Chinese Sancai Glaze Model of a Horse in the Tang Dynasty Style, 20th Century modelled in typical style with the horse standing erect and gazing forwards, its tail slightly raised, and decorated with the sancai (three colour) glazes which were popular during the period. These brilliantly colored lead glazes in shades of green, amber, and white were widely used in funerary goods in the late seventh and the first half of the eighth century and 'Tang Horses', as they are known, (the Tang Dynasty dating from 618 to 907) are one of the staples of early Chinese ceramics. This example is modern but the modelling and glazing can stand comparison with its earlier predecessors, with a much more modest purchase price for the buyer! The base is unglazed with a recessed rectangular centre within which is an impressed mark.
Japanese Imari Vase of Water Dropper Form, Meiji Period, circa 1900
Price: £20
A Japanese Imari Vase with an ovoid body and a slender neck, probably intended as a water dropper and decorated in the typical Imari palette of underglaze blue, iron red and gold with a boldly painted design of stylised flowers and two panels also with stylised flowers, the neck with a band of repeating plantain leaves. Paste of the foot and style of decoration suggest a circa date towards the end of the Meiji period (1868-1912).