Ancient Art, Antiquities, Books, Natural History & Coins

Modelled in the round on a rectangular base, horse with integral saddlecloth and saddle, crupper, bridle and harness, rider with riding coat and boots; head with cap modelled separately. 3 kg total, 34 cm



Ex West Country, UK, collection, 1990s.

Broad and squat in profile with chamfered rim, ornament to inner face. 362 grams, 16.3 cm wide



From the private collection of a Canadian gentleman living in Essex, UK, formed since the 1920s-circa 1990. Property of an Essex lady until the late 1990s; thence by descent. From the private collection of an Essex gentleman since the late 1990s.

Modelled in the round as a male wearing thigh-length robes with broad sleeves, baggy trousers and wide boots, with a small socket above the hands. 440 grams, 23 cm



Ex West Country collection, 1990s.

Standing on a hexagonal base with pointed shoes, dressed in an ankle-length robe tied at the waist; separate head with a conical cap. 1.44 kg, 40.5 cm



Ex Sotheby's, London, circa 1990s. London, UK, collection.

Standing on a hexagonal base with pointed shoes, dressed in a long voluminous robe with large sleeves, arms bent to the chest inside sleeves; separate head with openwork headgear. 2.1 kg, 45 cm



Ex Sotheby's London, circa 1990s. London, UK, collection.

Modelled in the round as a lady in floor-length robes with hands exposed from her broad sleeves, toes of her slippers protruding at the base and wearing a tall headdress. 565 grams, 23.5 cm



Ex West Country collection, 1990s.

A light, precisely, and finely potted bowl, the thin-walled body and foot-ring with overall white setting with transparent whitish glaze remains, slightly iridescent. 97.8 grams, 11 cm

Slightly soiled

German private collection, acquired at Signens Kunstauktionen, Cologne, July 2021, no.25, from an estate sale. Formerly private collection North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany.

Comprising two deep bowls with everted rims, one with polychrome floral motifs and the other with green petals and pellets. 587 grams total, 13.3-13.7 cm



Ex Butterfield and Butterfield auction with official Hoi An Hoard labels. Accompanied by an illustrated information sheet about the Hoi An shipwreck.

In the mid 15th century a freighting junk loaded with fine Vietnamese pottery sank in an area of the South China Sea called the 'Dragon’s Embrace.' This vessel is part of the shipwreck cargo recovered off the coast of Vietnam at Hoi An. The ceramics themselves were probably made in the area of Chu Dau.

Comprising: squat bowl with random geometric ornament; diffuser with crackle-glaze finish, calligraphic legend; hollow-formed glazed ceramic pixiu. 1.04 kg total, 8.5-12 cm



From the private collection of a Canadian gentleman living in Essex, UK, formed since the 1920s-circa 1990. Property of an Essex lady until the late 1990s; thence by descent. From the private collection of an Essex gentleman since the late 1990s.

Depicting the monk Budai in high-relief, seated on the floor in a relaxed pose, his robe falling down from his left shoulder. 1.49 kg, 20.5 cm



From a West Country, UK, collection, 1990s.

Budai was a 10th-century monk, known for his laughing face and round stomach, and was named after the cloth sack that he carried under his arm. Buddhists believe him to be the incarnation of Maitreya, the future Buddha, who helps common people in the mortal world.

One fusiform with painted scene of courtly ladies kneeling, artistic images on display, reserved gilt chop-seal to underside; one conical with outdoor scenes of richly dressed ladies and gentlemen beside a lake. 123 grams total, 92 mm each



From a private Tyneside collection, formed since the early 2000s.

Each hollow-formed, standing on an integral polygonal base and dressed in a loose-fitting floor-length robe with V-shaped opening at the neck, chignon, dressed hair, painted facial detailing; cloud-slippers protruding at the base; painted pigmentation remaining, including some decorative patterns on the clothes. 7.65 kg total, 49.5 cm high



From a West Country, UK, collection, formed in the 1990s. Accompanied by a thermoluminescence analysis report no.C124a5 from Oxford Authentication for one of the figures. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.13234-250854.

The dresses of these Ladies are just one example of the elaborate fashions in clothing and hairstyles that could appear at the Court. The basic pattern of short jacket with long sleeves or bodice and, long, wide skirt could be varied a thousandfold in cut, colour and accessories.