Archaic Style Bronze Jar

Octagonal in plan with high-relief eagle in flight holding lingzhi fungi in the beak; to the underside, the four-character seal of Emperor Taizong bearing his personal name 'Li Shimin'. 123 grams, 50 mm



Property of a Middlesex lady. From the private collection of a Lancashire gentleman.

Taizong was the second Emperor of the Tang Dynasty, ruling from 626 to 649 AD. His reign was characterised by reform and the adoption of logical rather than superstitious reasoning. Dr Bonewitz notes: 'The seal is partially encrusted with very hard caliche (or calcrete) which takes a long period to develop, possibly over many centuries.'

Modelled on a rectangular base, the horse standing in harness and with a long saddlecloth; the rider modelled seated in the saddle, arms held before the body, holding cymbals. 1.65 kg, 30.5 cm high



Ex North Yorkshire, UK, collection, 1990s.

The finest of ceramic figures during the Ming Dynasty have a simplicity and compactness of modelling that makes them extremely impressive. Far greater freedom of movement was possible in ceramic sculpture, which now lent an air of gaiety and splendour already glittering with yellow, blue, and green tiles. Boldly conceived figures of men and horses in green-and-brown-glazed terracotta (liu-li) are splendid examples of the confident manner in which Ming craftsmen revived and transformed the style of the Tang Dynasty. These attendants on horseback are excellent examples of Ming Dynasty tomb pottery. The glazed sculptures were placed in burial chambers in order to flaunt social status, wealth, and power.

With flared rim and two loop handles below the equator, bands of painted hatched ornament to the shoulders. 5 kg, 37.8 cm high



From a West Country, UK, collection, formed in the 1990s.