Early Chinese Metalwork in Gold and Silver; Works of Art of the Ming and Qing Dynasties

Iron, Gold, Silver and Jade Garment-Hook (daigou)

Dimensions: 23.0cm (L)

Warring States period, 475 BC - 221 BC

This garment hook, fitted out in gold and jade, would have been a highly luxurious item. If worn at all, it would have been for purposes of display.

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Gold and Silver Standing Figure

Dimensions: 5.1cm (H)

Warring States - Qin period, 4th - 3rd century BC

This figure, although of small dimensions, is exceptionally rare for being cast in silver overlaid in gold sheet.

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Gold Filigree Double Scabbard with Lapis Lazuli Knife Handles

Dimensions: Length of lapis lazuli handles: 4.2cm and 7.2cm. Length of gold filigree: 9.4cm and 10.4cm

Tang period, 7th century

This extremely delicate knife set would most probably once have belonged to a lady of high rank. The delicate gold chain, by which it would have been attached to the wearers belt, has not been un-knotted since the Tang period.

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Silver Cup

Dimensions: 4.2cm (H). Diameter: 4.9cm

Tang period, 7th - 8th century

Silver cups such as this would have been used by the elite and were an innovation of the Tang period.

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Parcel-gilt Silver Box and Cover

Dimensions: 8.0cm (H)

Tang period, 7th - 8th century

One of only four known, this is a rare survival from the Tang period. The decoration features bunches of grapes, a motif that was introduced from the West.

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Silver Stem-cup

Dimensions: 5.5cm (H). Diameter: 4.5cm

Tang period, 7th - 8th century

Finely decorated with flowers against a delicately punched ground, this stem cup originally formed part of the legendary Frederick M. Mayer collection.

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Silver Box and Cover

Dimensions: 5.5cm (H). Diameter: 6.8cm

Song period, 960 - 1279

Highly unusual for its two covers, inner and outer, this box most probably contained cosmetics.

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Dry Lacquer Figure of Mañjuśrī

Dimensions: 41.5cm (H)

Ming dynasty, 15th century

Sculptures of this early fifteenth century type are more usually encountered in gilt metal. This is an extremely rare survival made in the 'dry lacquer' technique.

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Parcel-gilt Bronze Lion

Dimensions: 40.5cm (H)

Ming dynasty, 15th - 16th century

Finely cast in bronze, with areas of gilding, this lion probably served as a container for arrows thrown in the game of touhu ('arrow-throwing game').

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Rhinoceros Horn Libation Cup

Dimensions: 11.5cm (H), 19.4cm (L)

Ming dynasty, Wanli period, inscribed with a date corresponding to 1582

Rhino horn was a material endowed with all sorts of properties by the Chinese. Not least that it was thought capable of detecting poison in a drink. This beautiful cup, with its Ming date, is inscribed with a poem warning the owner against drunkenness.

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Jade Water Buffalo

Dimensions: 31.5cm (L), 10.5kg

Late Ming - early Qing dynasty, 17th century

Carved from a single massive block of greyish-green jade, this magnificent animal has passed through several distinguished English collections. It may once have furnished a Chinese Imperial palace.

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Rhinoceros Horn Figure of Bodhidharma

Dimensions: 10.4cm (H)

Late Ming - early Qing dynasty, 17th or 18th century

Figures, as opposed to cups, carved in rhinoceros horn are exceptionally rare. Bodhidharma was the founder of Chan, or Zen, Buddhism.

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Carved Jade Cup

Dimensions: Maximum width: 12.4cm, Diameter of bowl: 9.7cm

Qing dynasty, Qianlong period, 18th century

The three boys at play carved around this charming cup may well illustrate the recurring theme of the desirability of male offspring.

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Cloisonné Enamel and Gilt Copper Double Container

Dimensions: Height without stand: 8.8cm. Height on stand: 12.8cm

Qing dynasty, Qianlong marks and of the period, 1736 - 1795

With four-character marks for the Qianlong Emperor, it is not hard to imagine this beautifully cast and enamelled 'Champion Vase' on a table in his study.

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Iron, Gold, Silver and Jade Garment-Hook (daigou)

Dimensions: 23.0cm (L)
Gold and Silver Standing Figure

Dimensions: 5.1cm (H)
Gold Filigree Double Scabbard with Lapis Lazuli Knife Handles

Dimensions: Length of lapis lazuli handles: 4.2cm and 7.2cm. Length of gold filigree: 9.4cm and 10.4cm
Silver Cup

Dimensions: 4.2cm (H). Diameter: 4.9cm
Parcel-gilt Silver Box and Cover

Dimensions: 8.0cm (H)
Silver Stem-cup

Dimensions: 5.5cm (H). Diameter: 4.5cm
Silver Box and Cover

Dimensions: 5.5cm (H). Diameter: 6.8cm
Dry Lacquer Figure of Mañjuśrī

Dimensions: 41.5cm (H)
Parcel-gilt Bronze Lion

Dimensions: 40.5cm (H)
Rhinoceros Horn Libation Cup

Dimensions: 11.5cm (H), 19.4cm (L)
Jade Water Buffalo

Dimensions: 31.5cm (L), 10.5kg
Rhinoceros Horn Figure of Bodhidharma

Dimensions: 10.4cm (H)
Carved Jade Cup

Dimensions: Maximum width: 12.4cm, Diameter of bowl: 9.7cm
Cloisonné Enamel and Gilt Copper Double Container

Dimensions: Height without stand: 8.8cm. Height on stand: 12.8cm