Large Chinese Decorated Porcelain Bowl Pair

Including a horse, coiled snake and cattle animal, all with stylised anatomical detailing. 750 grams total, 7-11 cm



Acquired 1990s-early 2000s. East Anglian private collection.

The popularisation of these models of daily life called mingqi over the course of the Han Dynasty (206 B.C.-220 A.D.) reflects dramatic changes in Chinese society. They are an exemplification of how power circulated beyond the imperial government and nobility to a broader bureaucratic classes, that looked for gratification for themselves and their families in the afterlife with clay, fashioned into models ranging from crude earthenware to fine glazed stoneware.

Worn smooth on the upper face; the substantial rectangular 'brick' stamped to the side edges: '大一甲 袁洪德造 da yi jia, Yuan Hongde zao (size of the brick, made by Yuan Hongde) 督造官江南蘇州府知府魁元 (under the supervisor Kui Yuan of Jiangnang, Suzhou) 乾隆十八年成造细料二尺二寸見方金磚 (18th year of Qianlong (1754), square gold brick)'; accompanied by a low wooden table frame. 104.3 kg total, 72 x 72 x 37 cm



with the owner's family since the early 1990s. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.11916-204597.

Also known as jinzhuan, Golden Bricks are produced from a finite iron-rich soil, crafted by a team of people over a period of 2-3 years, using a process involving 29 distinct procedures. The bricks produce a metallic sound when induced to do so and have an internal structure which is so fine that the pores of the clay can hardly be seen. Historically, golden bricks were reserved for the use of emperors and the construction of their palaces, first appearing during the reign of Emperor Yongle in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), produced in Suzhou under imperial order to be used for paving the floors of the imperial palaces, monasteries and mausoleums in Beijing; they are witnesses to history and embody the wisdom of the ancients.

Composed of an articulate top plate suspending a substantial silver-bodied dangle with filigree ornament, each section studded with polished turquoise, coral bead between and blue coral(?) finial; held in a copper case with suspension loop. 81 grams, 15.5 cm



Acquired by private treaty from old US collection. Property of RWM Collection.