Chinese Tang Terracotta Standing Figure

Globular jar with large flared mouth and carinated shoulder, decorated with dense series of painted spiral and other motifs. 5.1 kg, 43 cm high



From a collection acquired on the UK art market from various auction houses and collections mostly before 2000. From an important Cambridgeshire estate; thence by descent.

One of the most interesting characteristics of this pottery are the spiral designs. Spiral designs occur on vessels with and without pedestals (like our specimen). In most cases the spirals fill the entire decoration field of the body. All spiral motifs appear to have been carefully planned before being painted. They cover the portion of the vessel normally visible to the observer, and not attempt is made to carry the design of the bottom of the vase.

With substantial basal ring, tondo with blue rings encircling a fish and fronds. 7.52 grams, 22.7 cm



Ex Butterfield and Butterfield auction with official Hoi An Hoard labels. Accompanied by an illustrated information sheet about the Hoi An shipwreck.

In the mid 15th century a freighting junk loaded with fine Vietnamese pottery sank in an area of the South China Sea called the 'Dragon’s Embrace.' This vessel is part of the shipwreck cargo recovered off the coast of Vietnam at Hoi An. The ceramics themselves were probably made in the area of Chu Dau.

With raised mouth, broad shoulder and tapering sidewall, stepped base; radiating petals to shoulder, trees to sidewall reserved against a brown field; old dealer's label to underside. 105 grams, 64 mm



From the private collection of Kenneth Machin (1936-2020), Buckinghamshire, UK; his collection of antiquities and natural history was formed since 1948; thence by descent.