Chinese Song Terracotta Tile with Handprint Signature to Verso

Seated in an attitude of tranquil ease, right arm resting on the raised right knee and left one supporting the weight of the upper body; characteristic elongated earlobes, downcast eyes and slightly pursed lips; wearing an elaborate tall crown and embroidered voluminous robes. 73.5 kg, 1.75 m



Ex West Country, UK, collection, 1990s. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12561-231042. This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato. This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

Bodhisattva Guanyin is a divine being who attained enlightenment but chose to stay in the world to help others. The name Guanyin is an abbreviation of Guanshiyin, meaning: “Perceiver of the World’s Sounds”, and is thought to have responded to the calls of those in peril.

Modelled standing with his right arm raised to groom an animal, left hand held at waist high with a socket to the fist, wearing a tight-fitting cap. 1.7 kg, 36 cm



Ex West Country, UK, collection, 1990s. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

Comprising six shallow plates with painted feather decoration, scrolls below the rim. 1.79 kg total, 17.5-17.7 cm



Ex Nagel Auction, with official Tek Sing Treasure labels to verso. Accompanied by an illustrated information sheet about the Tek Sing shipwreck. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

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.