Catalog: Antiques: Regional Art: Asian: Chinese (143)

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...

Finely cast statue of Bodhisattva Manjusri, in formal attire, his face showing a half smile, sitting in "rajalila asana" on a chimera or highly stylized lion, both resting on an elevated lotus throne. China, Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). Height: 9 1/8" (23,3 cm). Iron, with partly encrusted patina. Obvious signs of great age, strong oxydization in some areas, otherwise very good condition. A very fine statue. NOTE: "rajalila asana" is the king's posture. It is sometimes used on bodhisattvas statues...

Very fine and rare statue of smiling Liu Hai dancing on a square base, with his three-legged toad at his feet. He is holding a vase in his left hand and a half coin in his right hand. Bronze, nice, partly encrusted green patina. China, Ming Dynasty. Height: 5 1/4" (13,3 cm). Very good condition.

Small statue of Buddha wearing a diadem, in a meditative posture ("dhyana mudra"), holding a stylized beggar bowl in his hands, sitting cross-legged on a double lotus throne. Bronze, with thick encrusted green patina. Tibet, 16th century. Height: 5 1/2" (14 cm). Diadem partly chipped, a few tiny casting defects, otherwise very good condition. A rather unusual aspect of the Buddha image.

Small light celadon colored jade cup of classical shape. China, Ming Dynasty period. Height: 1 5/16" (3,3 cm). Traces of long stay underground (small stains), otherwise very good condition.

Small statue of a Judge of the Souls in Hell, in formal attire, sitting on a throne. Wood, with remnants of the original polychrome pigments on plaster. China, Ming Dynasty Period (1368-1644). Height: 7 3/4" (19,5 cm). Obvious signs of great age, otherwise good condition.

Small bowl of rounded shape, carved decoration of stylized lotus petals outside, with a short footring. Celadon, rather thick ceramic, with traces of light brown colour coming from a long stay underground. China, Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). Diameter: 5 3/8" (13,5 cm), height: 1 7/8" (4,8 cm). Slight glaze erosion in some areas around the rim, small chips at base, shape slightly warped, otherwise very good condition.

Small seal, the handle made of bronze in the shape of a snarling tiger standing on a steel square base. Archaic characters beneath. China, Ming Dynasty or earlier. Height: 2,6 cm. Very good condition.

Ivory seal carved to represent a lion resting on a rectangular base. Inscription in archaistic style beneath. China, Ming Dynasty. Height: 5.5 cm. Very good condition.

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.

Statue of a Taoist deity, in formal attire, standing on a rectangular base on which a chimera or a dog is carved in relief. Two votive boxes, their lids missing, at the back. Wood, nice semi-glossy patina. China, Ming Dynasty period. Height: 12 1/2" (32 cm). The statue is mounted on a custom wood stand. Some loss at the base, chips, otherwise very good condition.

Statue of a taoist dignitary, in formal attire, standing on an elevated hexagonal base on which a relief representing a reclining animal is carved. Two votive boxes at the back, both with missing lid. China, Ming Dynasty period. The statue is mounted on a stand. height (without stand): 31,5 cm. A few missing parts at the lower side of the base and at the back of the head, with no real damage to the general aspect of the statue, otherwise very good condition.

Disk decorated inside with carved geometric and interlaced designs. White jade, with rusty spots. China, Qing Dynasty period or earlier. Diameter: 3" (7,5 cm). Very good condition.

Taoist statue of a Judge in Hell, sitting, in formal attire, his hands joined together. Votive box at the back, now open. Wood, with traces of lacquering and polychrome painting. China Qing Dynasty, 19th century. Height: 18 cm. Abrasion due to age, otherwise very good condition.

Head of Buddha, its face with eyes almost closed reflecting a profound inner serenity. Wood, with numerous layers of polychrome pigments, lacquering and gilding. China, early 18th century, probably earlier. Height: 32 cm. The head is not mounted. Some flaking, otherwise very good condition.

Small porcelain jar, of bulbous form, decorated with several symbols painted in dark blue on white background. China, early Qing Dynasty. Height: 8.7 cm. Very good condition.

Porcelain cup, blue and white, with a decoration inside representing concentric floral designs surrounding a chimera located in the center. On the outside, a floral decor of same type as inside. China, apocryphal mark beneath. Early Qing dynasty period, 18th century. Diameter: 22.8 cm. Very good condition.

A fine pair of small baluster shaped porcelain vases, with a painted blue decor on white background of two dragons chasing the flaming pearl among clouds. Kangxi reign mark beneath. China, Qing Dynasty period. Height: 7" and 7 1/8" (17,6 and 18 cm). Old and very fine restoration around the neck of one of the vases (see photos), otherwise very good condition. Provenance: old French provincial collection.