Most of these works of art above have been sold through our hands
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A blue & white stem cup with dragon and sea creatures 宣德青花龍獸紋高足杯
Ming dynasty, Xuande period (AD1426-35) Diameter: 6.2 inches British Museum collection The short reign of Emperor Xuande (1426-35) was very significant for Chinese ceramics: copper red wares reached heights which have never been surpassed, while underglaze blue decoration combined careful composition and brilliant colour. Stem cups like this were used in Buddhist ceremonies and as wine bowls. This example shows dragons and other sea creatures playing among the waves. The sea creatures were reserved, that is, the background was painted with blue, and the area with the creatures was left white. The piece was then glazed and fired in the usual way. This is a relatively simple but very effective technique. The regular use of the emperor's reign mark denoted a new status for ceramics. This first appeared, though rarely, under the Yongle emperor (reigned 1403-24). The mark on this cup is centred on the inside of the bowl. * Article from British Museum collection |
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Yongzheng famille rose moon shaped flask vase with birds and flowers 雍正粉彩花鳥紋扁壺
Qing dynasty, Yongzheng regin (AD1723-1735) H:29.3cm British Museum, PDF collection Bottle-shaped flask with flattened globular body and short narrow cylindrical neck with two cloud scroll handles joining neck and shoulder. The flask has a fine white body and slightly undulating 'chicken skin' glaze. There is a bird in a flowering tree in 'famille rose' palette enamel on the exterior. ”Da Qing Yongzheng nian zhi“ - 大清雍正年製. Six-character Yongzheng seal mark in underglaze blue. * Article from British Museum collection |
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Guan ware bottle 南宋官窯
Southern Song dynasty (AD1127-1279) H:18 cm, D:8.5 cm; D(base): 5.2cm; D(mouth): 4.6cm British Museum, PDF collection Guan stoneware bottle with long slender neck, globular body and wide, flaring mouth rim. The bottle has thick, translucent bluish-grey celadon glaze with wide, irregular crackle stained golden brown, and copper-bound mouth- and foot- rims. * Article from British Museum collection |