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The Ray Mitchell and Julian Sterling Collections — Mossgreen Auctions (No longer trading)

Auction House:Mossgreen Auctions (No longer trading)Number of lots recorded:591
Sale Title:The Ray Mitchell and Julian Sterling CollectionsLots with images:524
Auction Location:MelbournePrices available:546
Date:26-Feb-2007
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A rare pair of cloisonne double-gourd vases, Kangxi, circa 1670, each one decorated with Buddhist lions playing with brocade balls, in coloured enamels on a blue background, each base with a four character Jingtai mark surrounded by a prunus scroll. Height 33 cm. Literature: see: Chinese cloisonne: the Pierre Uldry collection, the Asia Society Galleries New York, 1985, No. 192, page 191, (full page illustration p.192), for a pair of vases from the same group but with floral decoration, dated 1670
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A rhinoceros horn libation cup, early Qing, 17/18th century, in the form of an open lotus leaf, the stem supporting the base and forming the handle, further leaves and flowers carved in relief on the sides, the interior carved with two fish, pierced wood stand. Height 7 cm. Length 14 cm. Provenance: Sotheby's Amsterdam, 26/6/2000, lot 497
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A very fine pair of cinnabar lacquer bowls, late Ming, 16/17th century, each one exquisitely carved with magpies amongst rocks and peony flowers, between lappet and key-fret borders, later silver liners. Diameter 11 cm. Height 7.5 cm. Although this design is typical of the period, these bowls are of exceptionally high quality and in excellent condition. Provenance: The John Hilliard Collecton, London, Literature: Chinese Metalwares and decorative arts volume 2, the Museum of East Asian Art, Bath, England,…
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A very fine Chinese lacquer brise fan, early 19th century, painted in gouache with a red background, both sides painted with figures in a landscape, the top of each stick with animals and plants, the guards decorated with a dragon and phoenix, 33 cm, mounted in a water-gilded frame, canes approximately. Length 19 cm
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A very rare Chinese ivory brise fan, early Qing,18th century, finely painted in gouache with a pair of minor birds and a pheasant on a flowering branch, signed lower right, Franco Chiari, water gilded wooden frame, canes approximately 22.5 cm long, there were a number of Jesuit priests and artists living in Peking in the 18th century, from the reign of Kangxi onwards, including Castiglioni. One must assume that Chiari was one of that legion, the decoration on this fan is reminiscent of the painting on the…
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A small Chinese lacquered brise fan, Qing dynasty, early 19th century, each of the nineteen sticks and the guards decorated in gold and white on a black ground, with a central shaped cartouche finely detailed with a genre scene of a village landscape, surrounded by floral scrolls, the top of each stick with a single figure in a landscape,water-gilded frame, canes appromiately 26.5 cm long. Literature: see: Oriental jewellery and works of Art, the Oriental Art gallery, London, 1995, No. 122 for a very…
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A Canton enamel bowl and cover, early Qianlong, circa 1745, well painted with European figures and landscapes within shaped panels against a patterned background between key-fret borders. Height 11.5 cm. Literature: See: Chinese painted Enamels of the 18th century, the Chinese porcelain Company, New York 1993, no's 40 and No. 52
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European subject, ruby backed Canton enamel plate from the early Qian long period, painted in the centre with a couple picnicking outdoors, the rim with four large fruit reserved against a diaper background, the white base with a blue enamel dragon roundel
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A cinnabar lacquer bowl, late Ming, circa 1600, carved with auspicious objects between diaper and lappet borders, silver liner. Diameter 9.5 cm
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A red and black lacquer quatrefoil dish, Jiaqing, 18/19th century, well carved through the black lacquer with a group of exotic birds, including pheasants, seated on flowering peony branches and rocks, a continuous peony scroll around the upturned cavetto, 37.5 cm
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Coromandel, gilt, polychrome and black lacquer eight fold screen, depicting a genre scene of people going about their daily pursuits, within a walled town, a range of mountains in the background, framed within a decorative floral border
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A small bronze water-dropper, circa 18th century, modelled in the form of a fruit, a squirrel forming the handle, 8 cm
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A finely modelled small bronze group, late Ming dynasty, 17th century, depicting the twins (hehesien) wresting, each in identical costume, 7 cm. Provenance: John Hilliard collection, London, Literature: see: Gerard Hawthorne, Oriental works of Art 1997, cat No. 35, for a similar group
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An inscribed Lingbi-type scholar's rock, Qing dynasty, 19th century, the stone of dark grey colour, the reverse carved in relief with two inscriptions. Height 14 cm, carved wood stand
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A bronze gu-form flower vase, Kangxi (1662-1722), the fluted body divided by a raised central band, embellished by a pair of chilong dragons, Xuande mark, 27 cm. Provenance: Spink and Son, London, Minor Arts of China, vol 1, 1983, no 49
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A group of three dated polychrome wood figures of musicians, Guangxu (1875-1908), each one seated on a barrel playing an instrument, the features very well detailed, the drummer inscribed on the back, Guangxu ding m' (1907), Xin Yang city, Liao Ling Province, for the anniversary of Ji Xing hall, 28 cm
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A large Chinese reddish, soapstone group, late Qing, circa 19th century, well carved with an immortal holding the peach of longevity, his other hand resting on a child attendant beside a goat and chickens, surrounded by a canopy of gnarled pine, 29 cm, fitted wood base
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A Chinese head of a hornbill, 19th century, The front carved with a figure below a mountain pavilion, Wood base, 20 cm long
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A Chinese soapstone box and cover, late Qing, 19th century, in the form of a gourd with leaves and tendrils, 19.5 cm long
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A Chinese mottled soapstone group, late Qing, circa 1920, depicting Liu Hai on the back of a seated buffalo, before another recumbent buffalo. Height 10 cm, 17.5 cm long
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A Chinese incense burner, late Qing, circa 1900, the cover in the form of a figure with umbrella, seated on the back of a standing elephant, silver and gilt inlay. Height 23 cm, 25.5 cm long
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A Chinese champleve enamel and bronze archaistic vessel and cover, late Qing, late 19th century, in the form of a seated water buffalo. Height 32 cm
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A translucent horn carving, 18/19th century, in the form of a Buddha's hand citron eminating from a leafy stem, 17 cm high
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A boxwood (huangyangmu) carving of a Buddhas hand citron, early Qing, 18th century, good patina, 10 cm. Literature: see Rawski and Rawson, the tree Emperors, 1662-1795, Royal Academy of arts, London, no 134 for another example in boxwood
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A Chinese rosewood footstool, Late Qing dynasty, 64 cm high, 35 cm wide, 11 cm deep
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A very good hardwood drum table/stool, 19th century, the top apron carved in relief with bats and archaic medallions and joined to the plain lower apron by four shaped and curved uprights, each with a central medallion, all joined at the centre by an interlocked band of four stylised clouds, 53 cm high, 50 cm diameter
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A cloisonne and gilt tripod censer, Ming dynasty, 16th century, the cover reticulated and capped with an ornate finial, the gilt handles in cloud form, supported on three daodie-mask legs, fitted wooden stand. Height 13 cm (plus stand)
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A small provincial table, late Qing, 19th century, the red lacquered front with two large drawers and two side drawers, carved spandrels to the sides and a carved lower apron, black rectangular top, 19 cm wide, 65 cm deep, 84 cm high
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A large and very fine Chinese huali mirror, 18th century, the frame inlaid in bone and satinwood, with an intricate design that includes alternate bats, peaches and stylised clouds, as well as dragons, a carved and pierced stylised inner apron above and below, each corner with an extended scrolling decorated flange, carved and pierced with exotic fruits including Buddha's hand citrons, ruyi fungu and peaches. Width 156 cm. Height 136 cm. Literature: a table decorated in the very same manner and materials…
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A large Chinese rosewood canopy bed, late Qing dynasty,19th century, with six turned uprights supported on a waisted base, inset with cane, the base supported on a pair of rectangular pedestals, each with one long and one short drawer, the framed canopy decorated and re-enforced with pierced inset panels, some containing glass mirrors
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A Tibeto-Chinese gilt bronze and polychrome figure of Mahakala,18th century, standing in alidhasana on a recumbent elephant-headed Vinayaka with one wrathful face and six hands holding attributes, an elephant hide stretched across his back, wearing a garland of severed heads, 24 cm
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A Tibeto-Chinese gilt-bronze group, Qianlong, 18th century, depicting Begtse (Dharmapala, protector of Buddhism), trampling a demon and a horse carcass and brandishing a sword, framed by a flaming mandorla and supported on a lotus base, sealed, gilt visvavajra, 30.5 cm
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A Tibeto/Chinese gilt bronze four armed Dakini, circa 18th century, stepping left on a prostrate person on a lotus base, the right hands holding a damaru and kartika, left hands holding a trisula (missing) and kapala, wearing dharmapala ornaments, a garland of skulls with red pigment and skull Crown, 10 cm
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A Tibeto-Chinese gilt bronze group, Qianlong period, (1736-1795), depicting the Adi-Buddha Vajradhara and Prajnaparamita in yab-yum seated on a lotus base, he holds a vajra and ghanta, she holds a kapala and kartika, both wearing elaborate jewellery, 24 cm
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A Tibeto-Chinese group, Qianlong, of Vaishravana (Kubera), 18th century, seated on a lion with a mongoose in his left hand and a missing parasol in his right, wearing armour with jewellery and billowing sashes, all on a single lotus base, 17 cm
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A Tibeto-Chinese gilt bronze image of Kubera, circa 18th century, seated on a cushion and wearing jewellery and Crown and holding a mongoose (parasol in right hand missing),sealed and inscribed with a mantra on the back, 9.5 cm
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A Tibeto/Chinese gilt bronze figure of Amitayus, Qianlong period, 18th century, seated on a lotus throne, traces of gilt. Height 18.5 cm
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A Tibeto-Chinese group of three gilt-copper ceremonial vessels, Circa 19th century, comprising a bowl, kundika with kirtamukha masks and a covered bowl, all of fluted lotus shape, 19.5 cm, 11 cm, 22 cm
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Three Tibeto/Chinese gilt bronze heads, 18th century, probably part of a garland of freshly severed heads on a large wrathful image, traces of pigment, each one inscribed with a character and pigments. Height 11 cm
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A Tibeto/Chinese gilt bronze image of Vajradhara and his consort Prajnaparamita, 19th century, holding a vajra and bell, in vajrahumkara mudra. Height 18.2 cm
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A Tibeto/Chinese parcel-gilt bronze figure of the Dakini Vajra Yogini, 18th century, with a wrathful expression, stepping to her left, naked except for turquoise and coral inlaid jewellery. Height 36 cm, wooden base
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A Tibeto/Chinese gilt bronze image of a monk, Ming dynasty, 17/18th century, standing in chased monastic robes on a round lotus throne, holding a patra in vitarka mudra, Sealed. Height 10 cm. Literature: see: the Chang collection, Taipei, cat No. 58, for a figure of Tsong Khapa
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A Tibeto/Chinese parcel-gilt bronze figure of Shakyamui Buddha, 18th century, seated in vajrasana on a lotus base holding a bowl, his hands in bhumisparsa and dhyana mudras. Height 10.5 cm
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A Tibeto/Chinese bronze figure of a wrathful Vajrapani, 18th century, on an oval lotus base, with billowing scarves and wearing elaborate jewellery, holding a vajra aloft, his left hand in abhaya mudra, Traces of polychrome. Height 12.5 cm. Exhibited: the National Gallery of Victoria
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A Tibeto/Chinese incense burner in the form of a seated Dhaka, circa 1900, holding a vajra and bell, with his head tilted back and mouth wide open on a circular base, 10 cm high
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A Tibeto/Chinese bronze portrait of a Lama 18/19th century, seated on rectangular cushions, his hands in vitarka and dhyana mudras, lotuses at his shoulders supporting a sword and book, wearing a distinctive peaked hat, 6.6 cm high
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A Tibeto/Chinese bronze portrait of a Lama, circa 1900, seated on chased rectangular cushions, his hands in abhaya and dhyana mudras, wearing a distinctive peaked hat, 16.5 cm high
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A Tibeto/Chinese figure of white Tara, 18th century, seated in vajrasana, on a lotus base, jewelled and crowned, her hands in varada and vitarka mudras, coral and turquoise inlays, traces of gilt, sealed. Height 18 cm
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A Tibeto/Chinese gilt-bronze and polychrome image of a crowned and jewelled Amitayus, 18th century, seated in vajrasana, his hands in dhyana mudra on a lotus base, cm high
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A Tibeto/Chinese figure of white Tara (Sitatara), 18th century, seated in vajrasana, on a lotus base, her hands in vitarka and varada mudras, lotuses flowering at her shoulders, Sealed. Height 17.5 cm
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A Tibeto/Chinese figure of white Tara (Sitatara), 18th century, seated in vajrasana, on a Pala-style lotus base, her hands in vitarka and varaga mudras, lotus flowering at her shoulders, Traces of gilt and pigment, 14.5 cm high
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A very fine Tibetan gilt copper repousse Mandorla for a standing Buddha or Bodhisattva,Circa 14th century, depicting Garuda flanked by two Lamas, above a pair of Makaras, two Bodhisattvas and vyalas on top of elephants, 39.5m x 36.5 cm. Provenance: Au Lion de Neige,Sydney
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A Tibetan gilt bronze head of Simhavaktra (lion headed dakini),circa 16th century. Wearing a five skull Crown, the flaming hair with red pigment, turquoise and glass inlays. 22 cm
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A larger than life size parcel-gilt cast bronze Buddha head, probably Tibet, 16th century. With pendulous earlobes and down-turned eyes, the ushnisha rising from a head of tightly curled hair, 40.3 cm, metal stand
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A rare large seated gilt bronze crowned Tibetan figure of Kubera, Densatil Monastary 15-16th century holding a mongoose and myrobalan, wearing jewellery inlaid in hard stones, 36.5 cm, perspex base
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An important large Tibetan bronze portrait of a Kagyu Lama, 15/16th century, seated on a lotus base in vajrasana, his hands in bhumisparsa and dhyana mudras, on a lotus base, wearing finely chased monastic robes and distinctive hat with sun and moon emblem, His face cold gilt and polychrome, silver, gold and copper inlays, inner consecrations intact and including paper consecrated scrolls with mantras and three manuscripts. One printed (circa 15th century), two hand written, all in ink on paper (14th…
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A Tibetan bronze figure of Achala, 13-14th century, Striding to the right on a tall Pala style lotus base, brandishing a khadga (sword) and holding a pasa (noose) with cold gilt and pigments, good patination. Height 16 cm. Exhibited: the National Gallery of Victoria
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A Tibetan bronze figure of Buddha Shakyamuni, circa 15th century, seated on a lotus base in vajrasana, his hands in dhyana and bhumisparsa mudras, copper inlay, good patina, re-sealed. Height 21 cm
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A Tibetan bronze image of Sadaksari Avalokiteshvara, 14th century, the upper hands holding a rosary and lotus, the primary hands in namaskara mudra, seated in vajrasana on a lotus base, jewelled and crowned, re-sealed. Height 30 cm
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A Tibetan bronze four-armed image of Sadaksari Avaloketeshvara, 14th century, the upper hands holding a lotus and rosary (missing), the primary hands in namaskara mudra, seated in vajrasana on a lotus base, jewelled and crowned, traces of cold gilding and polychrome. Height 18 cm
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A Tibetan gilt bronze portrait of a Lama, 15-16th century, seated in vajrasana on a lotus base, his hands in dharmachakra mudras finely chased, traces of polychrome, sealed, with a gilt visavajra. Height 19.5 cm. Exhibited: the National Gallery of Victoria
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A Tibetan bronze figure of Amoghasiddhi, 14th century, seated on a lotus base in vajrasana, his hands in abhaya and dhyana mudras, flowering lotus at his shoulders, Crowned and jewelled, with a high chignon, copper inlays. Height 26.5 cm
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A Tibetan chased and copper inlaid bronze portrait of Lama Sachen Kunga Nyingpo (1092-1158), 15/16th century, the right hand in vitarka mudra, the left holding a kalasa, lotus stems issuing from each hand and blossoming at his shoulders supporting a book and a sword, sealed 19.5 cm
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A Tibetan Pala style bronze figure of Shakyamuni Buddha, 13-14th century, seated in vajrasana on a tall lotus throne, his hands in vitarka and dhyana mudra. Height 14 cm
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A Tibetan bronze figure of Shakyamuni Buddha, 14/15th century, seated in vajrasana on a lotus base, his hands in bhumisparsa and dhyana mudras, Traces of pigment, eight symbol seal. Height 17.2 cm. Exhibited: the National Gallery of Victoria
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A Tibetan Pala-style bronze image of Ratnasambhava, circa 16th century, seated in vajrasana, his hands in varada and dhyana mudras, a vajra on the front of his tall lotus throne, the face cold gilt, sealed. Height 17 cm
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A Tibetan chased bronze portrait of Lama Sachen Kunga Nyingpo, (1092-1158), 16th century, seated on a lotus base, his right hand in vitarka mudra, the left holding a kalasa, lotus stems issuing from each hand and blossoming at his shoulders, supporting a book and a sword. Height 12.5 cm
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A Tibetan copper inlaid bronze figure of Shakyamuni Buddha, 15th century, seated in vajrasana on a lotus base, his hands in bhumisparsa and dhyana mudras. Height 25 cm
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A Tibetan gilt bronze figure of the Dhyani Buddha Ratnasambhava, 17/18th century, seated in vajrasana, with varada and dhyana mudras, on a lotus base. Height 19 cm
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A Tibetan gilt-bronze image of the Dhyani Buddha Ratnasambhava, 17th century, seated in vajrasana on a lotus base, his hands in varada and dhyana mudras. Height 19 cm
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A seated bronze figure of Kubera, Sealed. Height 14 cm
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A Tibetan gilt bronze portrait of Tsong Khapa, the great Reformer, 18/19th century, seated on a lotus base with lotus flowers at his shoulders, 8 cm high
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A Tibetan bronze figure of Padmasambhava, circa 16th century, seated on a lotus base holding his usual attributes, including a vajra and kapala, wearing his distinctive peaked hat, Sealed. Height 10.8 cm. Published: the Art of Tibet-the Land of Snow, Gryphon gallery, Melbourne state College, April-May 1982, No. 3, pp 20
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A Tibetan bronze portrait of the third Dalai Lama, 16/17th century, seated on a lotus base, his hands in dharmachakra mudra, his robes elaborately chased. Height 14.6 cm, base inscribed. Published: the Art of Tibet-the Land of Snow, Gryphon gallery, Melbourne state College, April-May 1982, No. 50, pp 13
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A Western Tibet bronze image of Mahavairochana, 14/15th century, the elaborately crowned and jewelled figure seated in vajrasana on a lotus throne, cold gilt face, re-sealed. Height 22.5 cm
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A Tibetan bronze image of an unusual form of Padmasambhava, 19th century, wearing a peaked cap and holding a kalasa and myrobalan, seated in flowing robes on a base with eight small medicine Buddhas in a rocky landscape, inscribed on the back. Height 15.5 cm. See: tibetan sacred Art, the heritage of tantra, detlef ingo lauf, illustrated plate 77
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A Tibetan silvered copper repousse image of the Boddhisattva Avalokiteshvara, 18/19th century, standing on a lotus base holding specific attributes, flanked by Manjushri and Vajrapani, traces of gilt, 15.6 cm high
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A Tibetan chased bronze image of Virupa, 16th century, seated in lalitasana on an antelope skin atop a high lotus base, wearing the specific Mahasiddha jewellery with meditation strap, holding a kapala, his right hand raised in karana mudra. Height 14 cm. Published: the Art of Tibet-the Land of Snow, Gryphon gallery, Melbourne state Colledge, April-May 1982, No. 45, pp 36
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A Tibetan gilt bronze four-armed image of Simhavaktra, 16/17th century, standing in Capasara on a round waisted lotus base, wearing a garland of skulls and holding a sword, shield and kapala, and surrounded by an elaborate repousse mandorla. Height 18.8 cm
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A Tibetan silver and gilt repousse Gau (portable shrine), circa 1900, finely worked, eight Buddhist emblems, turquoise inlays. Height 14 cm
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A Tibetan seated bronze figure of Kubera, circa 17th century, holding a mongoose and danda (staff), inscribed in Tibetan on the back of the lotus base, re-sealed. Height 13.5 cm
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A Tibetan gilt-bronze figure of the Dhyani Buddha Akshobya, 17th century, seated in varjrasana on a lotus base, in varada and dhyana mudras, Traces of polychrome, two Chinese characters on the back of the base. Height 20.5 cm
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A Tibetan bronze five-pronged vajra, 13/14th century, of archaic form, 18.5 cm
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A Tibetan iron and copper alloy phurpa, 20th century, with tripartite iron blade and silver inlays, a three-headed wrathful Vajrakilaya on the pommel, 35 cm long, inscribed Om
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A Tibetan bronze phurpa, circa 1900, cast with a figure of Vajrakilaya on the pommel, 27.5 cm long
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A Tibetan carved wood phurpa (ritual dagger), 19th century, a three-headed deity on the pommel, 21.5 cm long
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A Tibetan silver repousse prayer wheel, circa 1900, with coral and turquoise inlays on a wood handle. Height 23 cm
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A Tibetan ritual magician's horn in the form of a Makara head, 19th century, brass mounted with brass chain, 29 cm long
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A Himalayan horn container, 19th century, with three glass inlaid metal bands and red silk cord, 38 cm long
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A Tibetan copper and silver inkwell, 19th century, 5 cm high, missing cap
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A Tibetan silver-mounted wooden snuff container, circa 1900, with turquoise and coral inlays and silver spoon, 12.5 cm high
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A Tibetan leather and copper drum, Circa 1900, 15.5 cm diameter
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A Tibetan thangka, circa, 18th century, pigments on cotton, depicting Chakrasamvara embracing his consort, two lamas at the top, two guardian figures below, mounted and framed with Tibetan text silk brocade and silk brocade curtains, 47 cm x 33 cm (98 cm x 55 cm overall)
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Three Tibetan ritual thigh bone trumpets, 18/19th century or earlier, each one with various metal bands, one with leather covered end and leather strap, 21 cm, 30 cm, 39 cm long respectively
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A Tibetan silver-mounted burl wood teabowl, 19th century. Height 10.8 cm /diameter
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A Tibetan silver butter lamp, 19th century, supported on a tall tiered base, finely chased with Buddhist symbols and scrolling foliage. Height 18 cm. Diameter 12.8 cm
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A small Tibetan gilt bronze figure of Manjushri,15/16th century, seated on lotus base holding a sword (broken) and a book, some turquoise inlays, 11 cm
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A Tibetan gilt bronze image of Syamatara (green Tara),circa 15/16th century, seated in lalitasana on a lotus base, her right hand in varada mudra, the left in vitarka mudra, lotuses at her shoulders, turquoise inlays, base sealed, 11.5 cm
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A Tibetan silver offering cup, 19th century, supported on a tall lotus-form stem, finely chased with Buddhist symbols. Height 14.5 cm
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A Tibetan gilt bronze image of a deity (Vajravidharna '), 15-16th century, holding a visvavajra and kneeling next to a kalasa on a wooden lotus base, stone inlays, 9.5 cm, plus later base
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