Chinese Terracotta Two-Handled Jar

Each hollow-formed standing on a scrolled base, wearing armour and wielding a weapon resting on his legs; one depicting the war-god Guan Yu. 237 grams total, 68-70 mm



Acquired on the German art market, 1989-1995. with The Museum Gallery, 19 Bury Place, London, WC1, UK, 1998-2003. Property of a London based academic, 2003-present. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12451-226028.

Glazed dish with tendrils and flowers to the outer face, dense floral pattern to the tondo; supplied with a display stand. 587 grams, 23.7 cm



Acquired on the European art market. From a family collection of a North American gentleman living in the UK.

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.

Drum-shaped bezel with flange base, incised serpent coil to the upper face and calligraphic text; Javanese workmanship. 4.33 grams, 20.18 mm overall, 14.29 mm internal diameter (approximate size British F, USA 2 3/4, Europe 3.67, Japan 3)



Ex property of a late Japanese collector, 1970-2000s.