Bronze Seated Buddha Statuette

Comprising an elaborate ogival niche, standing figure dressed in long robes and holding a drumstick in one hand and fly-whisk in the other, beside a small architectural frame for a musical instrument; handprint to reverse. 5.8 kg, 29 x 29 cm



Ex West Country, UK, collection, 1990s.

Comprising four shallow plates with painted floral and tendril decoration to both faces. 916 grams total, 15.2-15.4 cm



Ex Nagel Auction, with official Tek Sing Treasure labels to verso. Accompanied by an illustrated information sheet about the Tek Sing shipwreck.

The Tek Sing (True Star) wreck is one of the famous recovery stories of the 20th century. Sailing from the port of Xiamen (then known as Amoy) in February 1822 the vessel Tek Sing was bound for Jakarta, Indonesia laden with porcelain goods and 1600 Chinese emigrants. The captain decided to pass through the Gaspar Strait, between the Bangka-Belitung Islands, and ran aground on a reef. The vessel sank in about 100 feet of water. The next morning, February 7, an English East Indiaman captained by James Pearl, passing through the same waters, encountered debris and some survivors and managed to rescue about 190 of the latter.

Modelled in the round on a rectangular base, horse with integral saddlecloth and saddle, crupper, bridle and harness, rider with riding coat and boots, flared bell-sleeves; tall winged headdress; much pigment remaining including floral pattern to coat; left arm absent. 2.04 kg, 39 cm high



Ex David Miller, Hemel Hempstead, London, UK. From the private collection of a West London, UK, gentleman, formed since the early 2000s.