Catalog: Antiques: Regional Art: Asian: Chinese: Metalwork (31)

Death mask, made from a thin bronze sheet subtly formed as a man's broad face, chased with eyes, a nose, mouth and rounded cheeks, as well as a mustache. Tiny attachment hole on each side of the top (one missing). Fine slightly encrusted green, blue and red patina. China, Liao Dynasty (907-1125). Height: 18,5 cm. The mask is nicely mounted on a custom stand. A few small areas missing, tiny hole on the nose, otherwise good condition...

Superbly cast bronze belt hook with a finely detailed dragon head at its top with gold and silver eyes, ears and nose, and with gold and silver inlaid geometric designs on the rest of the body. A knob at the back for attachment to a belt. Nice reddish green age patina, partly encrusted. China, Warring States period. Height: 10.5 cm. Very good condition. Provenance: acquired in 1987 from a reputed Paris dealer specialising in Asian antiques...

Statue of Duowen Tian Wang, the Heavenly King of the North, elaborately dressed, wearing a diadem, holding the end of a ribbon with his left hand and a Buddhist scepter resting on a lotus in his right hand. The statue is standing on an square pedestal. The piece was originally lacquered, painted and gilt. Part of the lacquering is flaked, revealing the bronze oxydation. The statue was cast in China during the early Qing Dynasty, in the 18th century. Height: 37 cm. Very good condition.

Miniature statue of a Lokapala, in military garb, standing in martial posture on rocks. Gilt bronze, with fine patina. China, Tang Dynasty. Height: 7.1 cm. Abrasion due to age, otherwise very good condition.

Finely cast miniature statue of a Lokapala, wearing armor, standing in martial posture on a rock. Gilt bronze, nice patina. China, Tang Dynasty. Height: 5 cm. The statue is mounted on a plexi stand. Very good condition.

Small statue of a Buddhist devotee/donor, standing, in monk's robes, and holding a fruit in both hands. This statue was probably part of a larger group, with a Buddha statue in the center. Bronze, with fine dark-green patina. China, Ming dynasty. Height: 58 mm. Very good condition.

A half part of a military tally, finley cast in the form of a crouching tiger. Inside the tally is a protruding character and two round holes. Beneath the tally, nine incised halves of characters.The tally is made of bronze, with remnants of the original gilding and a fine patina. China, Early Ming dynasty or earlier. Height: 4.2 cm. Length: 8.2 cm. Very good condition. NOTE: a tally was used to command troops in ancient China...

Statue of a snarling lion holding a smaller lion under its front paws, resting on a rectangular base. Bronze, with fine dark green patina with reddish areas. China, Ming Dynasty. Length: 6.7 cm. Height: 5.7 cm. Very good condition.

Small seal cast in the shape of a tortoise standing on a square base. Archaic characters beneath. Bronze, with fine green patina. China, Ming Dynasty or earlier. Height: 2 cm. Width: 2.6 cm. Very good condition.

Small seal of square base, with a snarling tiger on its top. Bronze, with partly encrusted reddish-green patina. China, Ming Dynasty or earlier. Height: 2.9 cm. Very good condition.

Small gilt bronze altar dedicated to Bodhisattva Padmapani, resting on four pillars, showing the Bodhisattva standing, backed by an aureola, holding a gourd in his left hand, his right hand in appeasing/blessing posture (abhaya mudra). Fine patina. China, Northern Wei Dynasty. Height: 8.3 cm. Very good condition.

Small figurine representing Kuan Yin, the Buddhist Goddess of Mercy, in formal attire and wearing elaborate diadem and necklaces, flanked by two worshippers, standing on an elevated throne in front of which a lion head is showing in relief. Bronze, with dark reddish-green patina. China, Northern Wei or Sui Dynasty. Height: 2 3/4" (7 cm). Abrasion due to great age, otherwise good condition. An extremely rare object.

Belt hook made of bronze, with fine geometric design in relief at the base and on the stem. Button at the back for attachment to a belt. Green and red encrusted patina. China, Warring States period (-475/-221). Height: 5.6 cm. Very good condition.