Chinese Wei Brick with Seated Buddha

A pair of ceramic male figures modelled standing in dynamic poses, likely playing a game of cuju, each wearing a floor-length robe and balancing a ball on one foot; one figure leaning forwards with his arms held behind his back, looking down towards the ball balanced on the end of his raised right foot; one figure moving his arms in opposite directions in an attempt to regain his balance, head leaning left, his right leg bent across his body at the knee, balancing a ball on the heel of his foot; each with semi-naturalistic facial features and hair tied in a top knot; extensive remains of polychrome pigmentation. 6.85 kg total, 38.5-42.5 cm high



Ex Hong Kong collection. London Mayfair gallery, UK. Accompanied by thermoluminescence analysis report nos. C122k26 and C122k25 from Oxford Authentication. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.11697-199217.

Cuju is the earliest recorded game of football which involved kicking a ball through a net without the use of the hands.

A large banded agate bead necklace with banded 'eye' to one face, additional banded agate bead below; suspended on a thong. 35 grams, 66 cm long



Ex London, UK, gallery. Property of a London gentleman.

A ceramic horse and (possibly female) rider figure modelled in the round, the animal posed standing on a rectangular base, its stocky neck arched and head held facing down, tail resting between hindlegs, with painted detailing to the head, mane and harness and wearing a saddle cloth and saddle; the rider wearing a full-length robe, arms and hands relaxed by the sides, poised to grip the horse's reins near to the saddle, stylised facial detailing and hair tied in a top knot. 1.67 kg, 32 cm high



Acquired on the UK art market, circa 2001. UK private collection.