Sino-Tibetan Gilt Buddha Figure

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 gilt bronze and Khotain moonstone quality jade beaker composed of a slender U-shaped body, bulbous stem and discoid foot, the applied handle formed as the head, neck and legs of a mythical bird, likely a fenghuang, with detailing to the creature's feathers, face, beak and limbs, body formed as the handle loop, wings carved in relief in the jade; the jade vessel body carved in relief with neat rows of volute scrolls, stylised petals in relief around the lower body and foot; some restoration. 709 grams, 14.5 cm high



Acquired from Dandelion Fine Arts, Hollywood Road, Hong Kong, 1970s. Ex Prof. David Anderson collection. UK private collection, circa 2010. Accompanied by a copy of metallurgic analytical results, written by Metallurgist Dr Peter Northover (ex Department of Materials, Materials Science-Based Archaeology Group & Department of Materials, University of Oxford). This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.11707-198358.

Khotain jade was available between the years 69 B.C. and 101 A.D. as a result of a military treaty. It was sourced from the White Jade River. This object is believed to be produced for a notable client. The object's original patina, prior to restoration, suggested that the vessel was part of a ritual which involved exposure to intense heat.

A rectangular ceramic tile with raised high-relief scene of a workshop with kiln, potter at his wheel, assistant at the kiln's mouth, benches and pots in the field. 5.45 kg, 28 x 37 cm

Fine condition, repaired.

Acquired 1970s. West Country, UK, collection.