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Fine Asian, Australian & European Arts & Design — Sotheby's

Auction House:Sotheby'sNumber of lots recorded:175
Sale Title:Fine Asian, Australian & European Arts & DesignLots with images:175
Auction Location:MelbournePrices available:144
Date:29-Oct-2013
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A gilt-lacquered bronze figure of Amitayus, late Ming/ early Qing Dynasty seated in dhyanasana on a waisted lotus base, with hands in dhyanamudra supporting a small vase, wearing a dhoti and beaded necklaces and earrings, the hair drawn up into a knotted jatamakuta behind a high tiara, a trailing scarf draped over the arms 25 cm. Provenance: Kander's, Hong Kong, 8 April 1989
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An enamelled and hardstone embellished white metal stembowl and cover the rounded sides supported on a high splayed foot enamelled with radiating petals, the sides with raised blue dragon motifs on a lozenge ground embellished with turquoise cabochons and set with phoenix ring handles, the domed cover similarly decorated and surmounted by a dragon's head clasping a coral flaming pearl, the interior gilt (2) 17 cm
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A rare set of four silver-inlaid gilt-bronze weights, Han Dynasty each in the form of a recumbent tiger on a slightly irregular circular base, the animal with head raised and turned looking over its hind quarters, the four paws held infront, the tail curled up between its hind legs and resting against the flank, the striped fur naturalistically detailed in silver inlay, traces of gilding (4) 6.5 cm diameter. Other Notes: It is rare to find four weights that appear to form a set. Two gilt and silvered…
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A cloisonne enamel brush pot Qing Dynasty, 19th century of cylindrical form, the straight sides decorated in colours on the turquoise ground with detached flowering sprays below a ruyi -head border around the gilt rim 14 cm
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A cloisonne enamel bowl with shallow rounded sides and broad petal-shaped everted rim, decorated in multi-coloured enamels on the turquoise ground with stylised lotus sprays, the interior enamelled in turquoise, the base with further florette sprays centred with an apocryphal four-character Qianlong mark, box 14.2 cm
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A yellow-ground 'famille-rose' sgraffiato bowl seal mark and period of Qianlong well potted with steeply rounded sides and flared rim, the exterior finely decorated with two detached composite flowering sprays, each with scrolling foliate stems, one bearing a large hibiscus bloom and various smaller flowers, the other a peony with smaller flowers, painted in coloured enamels on the pale lemon-yellow ground finely engraved with dense sgraffiato scrollwork, the rim edged in gilding, the interior and base…
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A 'famille-rose' 'Mille Fleurs' vase the globular body surmounted by a slender cylindrical neck, applied around the shoulders with a sinuous dragon and flaming pearl picked out in iron-red and gilding on the floral ground, the turquoise base inscribed with an apocryphal six-character Qianlong seal mark in iron red, wood stand (2) 40 cm
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A 'famille-rose' Shou character dish seal mark of Jiaqing of saucer shape, painted in iron-red on the interior with the wufu encircling a central shou medallion, the exterior with a frieze of characters alternating in iron-red and turquoise enamel between a band of petals around the foot and ruyi heads below the lipped rim, the base inscribed with a six-character seal mark in underglaze blue, box 16.8 cm
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A famille-rose 'Eight Buddhist Emblems' bowl seal mark of Daoguang the exterior decorated with the bajixiang in pairs between a ruyi band and a key-fret border in iron-red, the interior undecorated, the base inscribed with a six-character seal mark in iron-red 12.5 cm. Provenance: Sotheby's Amsterdam, 14 May 1997, lot 427 Sotheby's Melbourne, 30 November 2005, lot 616
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A ruby-ground 'famille-rose' landscape vase seal mark of Qianlong the ovoid body painted with a continuous lakeside scene with figures and thatched huts in the foreground and distant mountains, between lime-green and yellow ruyi -head borders, the waisted neck with a frieze of bats and stylised lotus sprays, and the base with further stylised sprays, all reserved on the rich ruby ground, the interior and base covered with turquoise enamel, the base inscribed with a six-character seal mark in iron red,…
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A pair of 'Lotus and Buddhist emblems' dishes marks of Guangxu each of saucer shape, painted on the interior in underglaze blue with coloured enamel detailing, with a central lotus medallion within radiating lotus sprays encircled with a frieze of the 'Eight Buddhist Emblems', the underside with alternating peach and floral sprays, the base with a six-character mark in underglaze blue, box (2) 11 cm
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A 'famille-rose' 'Butterfly' vase mark of Guangxu the globular body surmounted by a trumpet neck and everted rim, painted in iron-red and 'famille-rose' enamels with numerous butterflies in flight, divided by a frieze of detached lotus sprays and shou characters around the shoulders, and a ruyi band below the rim, the base inscribed in iron-red with a six-character mark 38.8 cm
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An iron-red decorated 'Dragon' vase the ovoid body tapering to a tall narrow neck spiritedly painted with a fierce scaly dragon pursuing a flaming pearl among scattered flames, between a band of lappets around the base and neck below a cell diaper border around the mouth, with gilt and green enamel details, 34 cm
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A 'famille-verte' Yen-Yen vase Qing Dynasty, 19th century the sides painted with a continuous rural scene of farmers returning from working on the land, one leading a boy seated on a buffalo, watched by a figure seated at the window of a nearby pavilion, wood stand (2), 45 cm
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A 'famille-verte' rouleau vase Qing Dynasty, 19th century the straight sides decorated in coloured enamels with figures receiving a visitor on a pavilion terrace, with attendants beside a horse and maidens bearing gifts in the garden outside, in a continuous scene below a diaper ground border of object vignettes around the shoulders, the base with an apocryphal six-character Chenghua mark in underglaze blue 46.5 cm
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A white-glazed vase late Qing Dynasty the slender shouldered body set with double lion mask handles, and applied on one side with a blossoming prunus tree in high relief extending from the base to the short straight neck with everted rim 23 cm
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A turquoise-ground 'famille-rose' charger seal mark of Daoguang robustly potted with shallow rounded sides and broad everted rim supported on a splayed foot, painted on the interior with iron-red bats and stylised floral sprays encircling a central shou character medallion, a pierced band of linked iron-red circles within a ruyi -head border around the gilt-edged rim, the exterior with a frieze of detached stylised lotus sprays, all reserved on the turquoise ground, the base inscribed with a six-character…
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A pair of turquoise-glazed 'dragon' bowls marks of Guangxu each with deep rounded sides rising from a short foot to the flared rim, the exterior incised with two dragons pursuing flaming pearls above wave splashed rocks encircling the base, applied inside and out with a rich turquoise glaze, the white-glazed base inscribed with a six-character mark in underglaze blue (2), 14.9 cm. Provenance: Annals Antique, Singapore, 22 April 1995
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A simulated-bronze censer Qing Dynasty, 19th century the squat rounded sides set with double lion mask ring handles and supported on small tripod feet, covered inside and out with an iridescent speckled brown glaze, the base with a four character mark tao Zuo Bao Wan, fitted wood cover and stand (3) 10.3 cm
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A yellow-glazed vase seal mark of Daoguang the ovoid body standing on a short straight foot and surmounted by a short waisted neck with lipped rim, covered overall with an egg-yolk yellow glaze of even tone, the base engraved with a six-character seal mark, wood cover (2) 24 cm
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A celadon jade 'double gourd' plaque Qing Dynasty of elegant flattened double gourd form, the plaque carved on one side with the character Da on the upper section and Ji on the lower section, and with two bats at the waist in pierced relief, the reverse with trailing stems of fruiting gourd vine in high relief, using areas of russet suffusions to highlight the carving in the otherwise pale greenish stone, box 8 cm
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A jade disc (bi) Qing Dynasty carved on one side in relief with a sinuous chilong coiled around the centre, the underside with central recess, the russet coloured stone with some paler greenish areas 4.3 cm
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A green jade vase and cover, 19th/20th century of oval section, the shouldered body with waisted neck set with double loose ring handles, the sides carved in relief with a stylised hibiscus spray on either side, the domed cover with floral sprigs below the multi-petalled knop, carved from a stone of pale green tone with some paler mottling, wood stand (3) 13.3 cm
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A celadon jade belt buckle in three sections, two parts with convex centres carved in pierced relief with a chilong coiled among foliate scrolls, the aperture at either end linked by a hooked openwork plaque carved with slender foliage, the stone of pale even tone (3) 14.5 cm overall
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A celadon jade 'visiting scholar' mountain Qing Dynasty, 19th century carved on one side with an old man and attendant walking through a rocky landscape to visit a reclusive friend, a pine tree to one side and a small pavilion nearby with two bats flying overhead, the reverse with a waterfall and further pine trees, the even coloured stone with slight russet suffusions, wood stand (2), 13.5 cm
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A celadon jade figure of a recumbent horse its head turned looking back over its hind quarters and long tail curled around the near side, the features well defined, carved from a pale green stone with some paler mottling and overall brown striations, and some brown inclusions around the underside, fitted wood stand (2) 7.5 cm
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A jade carving of a turtle Qing Dynasty with legs tucked beneath the flat back carved from the russet skin and incised with a central taichi medallion, the dragon-like head protruding and turned to the side, the celadon stone with some greyish mottling 5 cm
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A carved jade mountain the boulder carved to one face with a sage and attendant in a pavilion set on a rocky ledge framed by jagged rocks beside a gnarled pine tree, and a further pavilion above, the reverse with a steep flight of steps leading to a footbridge and buildings similarly framed within rocky crags and a pine tree, the whitish stone with russet suffusions and some opaque white mottling 21 cm
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A celadon jade 'San Yang' group Qing Dynasty, 19th century the recumbent ram with its young to either side, their heads all raised biting at fronds of lingzhi fungus in pierced relief supporting a taichi medallion 5 cm
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A celadon jade vase late Qing Dynasty of flower form, the upright petals rising to a wavy lipped rim, carved in relief on the exterior with fruiting pomegranate and blossoming prunus, their branches forming the openwork base, an inscription below the mouth, fitted wood stand (2) 15.5 cm
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A carved soapstone figure of an ascetic and stand Qing Dynasty, 19th century the emaciated figure scantily clad in a dhoti draped around his waist, seated on rockwork, holding a staff in one hand, a pile of scrolls on a ledge nearby, his head gazing forward with tightly curled hair, beard and eye brows, carved from a caramel coloured stone with reddish suffusions, carved rockwork stand (2), 19 cm (overall)
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A pair of soapstone seals of upright rectangular form and square section, each surmounted by an archaistic rhyton with loose ring handle supported on the back of a crouching winged mythical beast, the details finely carved and incised in the mushroom coloured stone with areas of paler opaque mottling and russet suffusions, fitted box (2) 15.5 cm
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A soapstone carving of irregular pebble form, delicately carved with a fisherman in a sampan beneath a pine tree on the bank, an inscription to the side, the amber coloured stone with areas of darker russet tone, wood stand (2) 5 cm
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A soapstone figure of Budai Qing Dynasty, late 19th century the portly figure standing in a long wide-sleeved robe leaving his chest bare, holding an ingot in his right hand and with a large sack to one side near his bare feet, his shaved head with long pendulous ears and the face with smiling expression, the details incised and picked out in black, the cream stone with areas of grey suffusions, wood stand (2) 16.7 cm
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A soapstone figure of a Luohan Qing Dynasty, 19th century seated on a cloud scroll base, his right arm resting on his raised right knee, and holding a scroll in his left hand, enveloped in a long wide-sleeved robe with incised decoration and borders, his shaved head with lowered gaze and smiling expression, the opaque stone of pale greenish tone with areas of russet suffusions 12 cm
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A soapstone figure of a Luohan Qing Dynasty, 18th/19th century seated holding a scroll in his right hand resting on his raised right knee, wearing long wide-sleeved robes clasped at the left shoulder, his face with downward gaze and benign expression, carved from a pale celadon coloured stone, the details finely incised and showing traces of coloured pigments, fitted wood stand (2), 10.3 cm
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A soapstone figure of Guanyin Qing Dynasty, 18th/19th century seated holding a scroll in her left hand, wearing loosely draped robes beneath a shawl covering her high coiffure and falling over her shoulders, a beaded necklace hung over her raised left knee, the face with well defined features in lowered gaze, the pale mushroom coloured stone with slight russet suffusions, fitted box 11.5 cm
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A soapstone figure of a Luohan Qing Dynasty, 19th century the slender figure standing wearing a long wide-sleeved robe, a Buddhist lion crouched at his feet with head raised looking up at the ball he holds in his raised left hand, his face with smiling expression, carved from an opaque cream coloured stone with faint russet suffusions, the incised details showing traces of coloured pigments 10 cm
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A soapstone figure of a Luohan Qing Dynasty, 19th century seated holding a tiered pagoda in both hands, wearing a loosely draped wide-sleeved robe with incised borders and cloud scrolls, his shaven head with well defined features in downward gaze, carved from a caramel coloured stone with an area of greyish suffusions, a two character inscription on the reverse, fitted wood stand and box (2) 8 cm
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A carved wood mountain Qing Dynasty probably chengxiangmu, carved and polished in the round as a mountainous landscape, one side with four sages, two seated at a table and two standing nearby on a rocky promontary, with flights of steps leading up to thatched huts beside pine and wutong trees set beneath the high mountain peaks, the reverse with waves around the shore below further rocky cliffs and pine trees, wood stand (2) 16 cm long; 13.5 cm high
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A moulded and carved gourd vase the natural gourd of moulded pear shape, the exterior decorated in low relief with a pair of pheasant beside flowering peony with butterflies hovering above, and with a four character inscription and seal below a band of stiff leaves pendant from the ivory mounted mouth, the base with a four character seal mark of Qianlong 19.5 cm
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A carved zitan flower-form brushpot Qing Dynasty the steep sides carved as overlapping upright petals rising to the lipped rim, the exterior decorated in deep relief with branches of flowering magnolia growing over the sides from rockwork encircling the base, box 13.5 cm
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A pair of zitan bowls Qing Dynasty each with steeply rounded sides supported on a short straight foot, metal lined interiors, the wood with attractive dark patina, box (2) 8.5 cm wide
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A bronze hand-warmer Qing Dynasty, 19th century of chamfered rectangular form, set on two sides with a swing handle, the cover pierced with a landscape reserved on a cell diaper ground, the base inscribed Zhang Ming Qi Zhi ; together with an amber glass snuff bottle, the hexagonally lobed body incised with an inscription picked out in gilding, between raised lappet borders, stopper (3) 8.5 cm; 5.8 cm
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A set of three jade pebble-form snuff bottles each of ovoid form with narrow mouth retaining the shape of the original pebble, carved from pale whitish stones with some opaque white mottling and russet suffusions, an incised character on the reverse of each, reading cheng, shi yang respectively, coral stalk stoppers, box (3), 5.5 cm; 4.7 cm; 4.2 cm
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A glass snuff bottle of flattened ovoid form, either side with a chilong and young in relief on an incised ground of waves, the metal of translucent pale amber tone, stopper 6.6 cm
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A rock crystal 'peach' snuff bottle Qing Dynasty, 19th century the peach form body carved in relief on the exterior with two bats in flight beside further fruits growing from a branch around the shoulders, and with lingzhi extending onto the reverse, stalk stopper en suite 7.2 cm
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An agate snuff bottle, 19th/20th century of flattened ovoid form, one side with a tethered horse below a cloud scroll, carved from the whitish markings in the otherwise caramel coloured stone with some russet suffusions, stopper 6.3 cm
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Two snuff bottles comprising a translucent yellowish glass bottle decorated with a pair of chilong confronted on a shou medallion in relief on either side, the base incised with a four-character Qianlong mark; and an agate bottle, the well hollowed baluster body carved with vertical ribs, stoppers (2) 5.5 cm; 6.5 cm
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A jade 'basket-weave' snuff bottle, 19th/20th century of ovoid form, the exterior carved with basket weave below the short straight mouth, the stone of even whitish tone, stopper
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A carved agate snuff bottle, 19th/20th century the slightly flattened ovoid body of pale mushroom colour with some dark brown markings used in the carving of a seated sage holding a fan gazing at a bat in flight, the reverse carved in low relief with a pavilion in a landscape setting, stopper 5.7 cm
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A smoky quartz ewer Qing Dynasty of shallow form, set with a crouching chilong in pierced relief forming the handle opposite the tapering spout, the rim with an incised key-fret border 9 cm
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An agate 'fish and lotus' pebble Qing Dynasty of irregular oval form, one side carved with two fish confronted on a lotus leaf, using the russet and ochre markings in the otherwise translucent greyish stone, the underside with further leaves, pod and tuber in pierced relief, 6.5 cm
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A jade landscape snuff bottle Qing Dynasty, 19th century of upright form, carved in low relief with a sage seated in a landscape of rocks, pine trees and lingzhi fungus, the reverse with a three line inscription in a similar setting, the whitish stone with slight opaque white mottling, stopper 6.3 cm
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An unusual yellow jade snuff bottle the pear-shaped body entwined around the neck with a dragon pursuing a flaming pearl in high and pierced relief with finely incised detailing, the stone of even yellowish tone with areas of russet suffusions, stopper 6 cm
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A four colour overlay glass snuff bottle Qing Dynasty, 19th century the ovoid clear glass body overlaid in blue, green, dark and light red with figures, a bat, lingzhi fungus and a four-character seal mark of Qianlong, stopper 6.1 cm
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A carved agate snuff bottle, 19th/20th century the well hollowed upright body of semi-tranlucent pale mushroom colour with some brown suffusions, carved on one side with a tethered horse below a four character inscription using the russet and brown markings, stopper 6.1 cm
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A silhouette agate snuff bottle, 19th/20th century the well hollowed upright body of pale mushroom tone with opaque white and faint russet suffusions, carved on one side using the speckled dark brown inclusions to reveal a horse lying down beside a tree, stopper 6.2 cm
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A simulated agate glass snuff bottle the dark brown overlay carved with Shou Lao, his crane and bat beside lingzhi fungus, pine tree and rocks, in relief on the caramel coloured ground, stopper 6 cm
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A four-panel hardstone inlaid wood screen, 19th/20th century each panel embellished with jade, lapis lazuli, mother of pearl, agate, jadeite, bone and other hardstones to depict two maidens carrying a musical instrument and a basket of flowers in a garden setting of trees, flowers and rockwork, and including a crane, a recumbent deer and tiered pavilions, below four character inscriptions, all reserved on the red ground incised with diaper patterns (4) 196 cm high, 53.5 cm wide (each panel)
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A hardwood cabinet, 19th/20th century of rectangular form, with two doors each framing twenty-seven glazed panels, above two drawers carved with birds and prunus and a pierced apron joined by dragon-head and lion feet, the decoration picked out in gilding on the red ground 176 cm high, 88.5 cm wide, 38.5 cm deep
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A huanghuali 'comb back' spindle bench Qing Dynasty the spindle back and arms rising from a rectangular seat with inset panel, above a galleried apron, the corner legs joined at the base by stretchers, the wood with attractive golden patina 94 cm high, 99 cm wide, 48 cm deep. Provenance: Tomlinson Antique House, Singapore, 19 October 1991
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Regina Krahl and John Ayers, Chinese Ceramics in the Topkapi Saray Museum Istanbul, Vols I-III, London, 1986 Sotheby's publications, 1986, three volumes, dust jackets, slip cases, limited edition number 386 of 1500 copies, black and white illustrations throughout, many in colour (3) . Other Notes: a similar set numbered 740 out of 1500 copies sold Sotheby's London, 15 May 2013, lot 97
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An embroidered silk hardwood screen of rectangular form, embroidered in colours on a cream silk ground with pairs of different species of birds near a large pine tree growing beside rockwork, various flowering plants and lingzhi fungus, including song birds, cockerels, white geese, cranes, turkeys, pheasants and with a large eagle hovering above, set within a carved and pierced wood frame and matching hardwood stand pierced with lotus and hibiscus scrolls and flanked by shaped dragon scroll flanges to…
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A lady's informal jacket Qing Dynasty, 19th century the black silk ground embroidered with roundels depicting figures bearing gifts in pavilion gardens, on the ground strewn with detached flowering and fruiting sprays, and buttterflies in flight, the cream ground sleeve bands with figure vignettes, butterflies and gourd vine 113 cm long, 178 cm wide. Provenance: Linda Wrigglesworth, 10 February 1998
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A collection of hair ornaments Qing Dynasty, 19th century comprising five of gilt-metal and kingfisher feather, including a pair and another of floral form and a pair of butterfly form with coral beads, and a jadeite hair ornament of curved elongated form, the stone of apple-green tone (6) 15 cm; 12.5 cm; 5.5 cm; 10.5 cm
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An embroidered blue-ground 'Nine dragon' robe Qing Dynasty, 19th century the blue ground embroidered with nine gold dragons in pursuit of flaming pearls amidst scrolling clouds, with bats carrying wan symbols and cranes in flight interspersed with the an baxian, all above a broad band of crested waves and rocks and a broad lishui border 138 cm long, 208 cm wide. Provenance: Linda Wrigglesworth, 23 August, 1997
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A 'Taihu' scholar's rock the weathered surface with hollows and perforations in the cream coloured stone with slightly darker caramel markings, fittted wood stand (2) 51 cm
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A gilt bronze figure of Buddha, Thailand, Bangkok period, 19th century seated in dhyanasana with hands in bhumisparsa mudra, on a high tiered triangular base, wearing ornately jewelled robe and headdress surmounted by a tall conical usnisa 33 cm
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A gilt bronze figure of Buddha, Burma,19th century seated in dhyanasana with his right hand held in bhumisparsamudra recalling the moment of enlightenment, and the left in dhyanamudra, wearing a loose robe draped over his left shoulder and arm, the right left bare, the face with eyes inlaid in mother of pearl and well defined features, an inscription across the front of the base, 40 cm. Provenance: Sotheby's Melbourne, 18 May 2006, lot 453
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A bronze figure of Buddha, Shan States Burma, 19th century seated in dhyanasana with hands in bhumisparsa mudra, on a waisted throne above a high stepped base, the head with lowered gaze and long pendulous earlobes, the usnisa surmounted by a tall conical finial, incised detailing, an inscription on the reverse 20.5 cm
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A Lopburi style bronze figure of Buddha, Thailand or Cambodia standing with both hands raised in abhaya mudra, suggesting reassurance, wearing a close fitting sanghati draped over his shoulders, falling to the flaring hemline and decorated in relief around the shoulders and hips, his head encircled with a jewelled tiara, traces of gilding overall 46 cm
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A pair of Shan style stone figures of Monks, Burma each kneeling with hands held together in prayer and head facing forward with downcast gaze and benign expression, wearing a close fitting robe covering the left arm and falling to the base, the details incised, the grey stone with traces of red and gold decoration (2) 66 cm; 67 cm. Provenance: Lek Galleries Art, Bangkok, 7 August 1990
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An Annamese blue and white altar vessel, 16th/17th century of stoutly potted baluster form encircled around the widest part with an unglazed dragon in high relief, and painted with a flaming pearl, clouds and flames above a band of upright lappets rising from the high stepped foot encircled with a foliate scroll, the shoulders with an unglazed band of ruyi heads in relief around a raised collar below the narrow tapering mouth, traces of brown pigment, incised with a four character inscription on the…
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An Annamese blue and white altar vessel, 16th/17th century of baluster form, painted around the widest part with a dragon pursuing a flaming pearl among flames and cloud scrolls, and a band of upright lappets around the base divided by an unglazed horizontal brown band repeated around the stepped foot, the neck incurved to the narrow mouth unglazed and painted with five Chinese characters 30.5 cm. Other Notes: See the pair to this altar vessel from the collection of Mr and Mrs Barry Hitchcock, in Roxanna…
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