Chinese Terracotta Tea Pot and Cups

Modelled in the round in crouching pose with hands resting on the handstone of a saddle quern; repaired. 2.52 kg, 22.5 cm



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.

Painted on a wooden board with mounting slots and panels to the reverse, gessoed surface with painting of Christ entering Jerusalem on Palm Sunday riding a donkey; crowd within the city wall waiting with palm fronds, two figures laying down cloaks for the donkey to walk on; followers of Christ in gateway, each with golden nimbus; Christ with similar and letters 'ω', 'C' reversed and 'Н'; Cyrillic script title above reciting: 'Entrance of the Lord in Jerusalem'; bands of gilt ornament to the borders and corners. 1.7 kg, 31 x 36 cm



Ed Jackson Auctions USA. From an important collection of icons.

The scene, painted in the style of 19th century romantic painters, represents a well-known part of the Gospels that describe the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. He makes a grand entrance into the city on a donkey to fulfil the prophesy of Zechariah, “Tell the city of Zion, look, your king is coming to you! He is humble and rides on a donkey and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” Christ is followed by his disciples and in the background citizens wave palm branches.

Each a square wooden frame with moulded inner ledge, glazed blue-and-white ceramic tile, one with a vase and flowers, the other with a bowl and fruit; birthday greetings legend to reverse. 850 grams total, 16.8 x 16.7 cm each



Private Norfolk collection, early 2000s.