Chinese Han Terracotta Animal Figure

Comprising three bowls, one footed with scroll decoration to the outer face; one with tendrils to both faces and decorative border to the outer face; one with dashes and concentric circles; a lidded cylindrical box; two bowls repaired and box lid chipped. 762 grams total, 7.4-14 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.

The head modelled in the half-round with rounded cheeks and large ears; set in a glazed wooden display frame. 252 grams total, 11.8 x 11.9 cm including frame



Acquired from Ancient Art, London, UK. From the collection of a Nottingham, UK, collector, established from the early 2000s. Accompanied by the original Ancient Art certificate of authenticity.

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.