Chinese Ming Glazed Ceramic Head Rest

Piriform in shape with piecrust collar to neck and slightly splayed foot; decorated with a medial frieze of applied figures standing above a piecrust collar, a sinuous dragon with a fearsome face and ridge scales coiled around the neck, together with a snake and turtle, swirling clouds and sun or moon between them; domed conical lid with flange rim and bird finial, with suspension loops. 3.55 kg, 69 cm



Previously from a Bath, UK, gallery. From the private collection of Desmond Morris. From an important Paris gallery, France. Ex private Parisian collection.

With three-tiered square and stepped base showing bodhi leaves, flaming jewels and foliage tendrils respectively, surmounted by a pierced frieze, each side depicting a seated Buddha flanked by standing figures and clouds; with triple pitched and hipped roof elements rising above pierced wall panels; all surmounted in turn by a column with five graduated discs affixed and terminating in a four-lobed lamniform element. 4.9 kg, 59 cm

Fine condition.

Acquired 1960s to early 1970s. ‘Buckingham Collection’, the late Nik Douglas (1944-2012), renowned author, curator and Asian art expert. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.11988-210842.

Rectangular with ornate recess, high-relief image of a group of chrysanthemums and foliage in a trapezoidal container with splayed legs and running hound motif to the front. 4.35 kg, 33.5 x 26.5 cm



Ex West Country collection, UK, 1970-1990s.