Single-Owner Collections

A rare Chinese famille rose enamelled porcelain figure of a recumbent lady, Qianlong period, modelled in a reclining pose, wearing a turquoise ground floral robe, on a shaped base, height 10cm, length 13cm (some faults).

A Chinese famille verte enamelled biscuit porcelain figure of a luohan, Kangxi period, the skeletal figure seated on a rocky base, height 13cm.

A pair of rare Chinese famille rose enamelled export porcelain figures of finches, Qianlong period, each bird with pink breast below green, black, gilt, brown and purple plumage, modelled perched on an arched branch, height 12cm (each with some faults). Note: a similarly modelled pair of figures, but painted as thrushes, was sold at Toovey's, 14th June 2012, Lot 1200.

A pair of rare Chinese export porcelain spill vases, Qianlong period, each pine trunk body moulded with a branch above turquoise rocks and a water buffalo standing at its base, height 12cm (one buffalo with repaired horn).

A pair of rare Chinese famille rose enamelled export porcelain bird groups, Qianlong period, each modelled with two lavender and black finches perched amongst rocks, fruiting and blossoming peach tree and blossoming prunus branch, on a naturalistic green washed oval base, height 16.5cm and 14.7cm (minor faults and restoration). Note: a similarly modelled single figure is illustrated by Elinor Gordon in 'Collecting Chinese Export Porcelain', 1977, page 97, plate 84.

A Chinese famille rose enamelled export porcelain jostick holder figure, Qianlong period, modelled as a seated maiden wearing an iron red robe with child resting upon her knee, beside a yellow glazed vase shaped holder on a drum stand, all raised on a pierced rock moulded base, height 23cm.

A pair of Chinese famille rose export porcelain candle holder figures of ladies, Qianlong period, each lady modelled holding a lotus bud shaped vase, the figures with brightly enamelled decoration, wearing feathered capes over their shoulders and long robes, height 28.5cm (some restoration). Note: a pair of similarly modelled figures is illustrated by Williamson and Tuttle in 'The Book of Famille Rose', 1970, plate LIX, formerly in the Paterson Collection. A similar pair can be found in the V&A Collection, Museum Numbers FE23 or A-1978, and a similar pair was sold by Christie's, New York, 20th October 2006, Lot 367.

A pair of Chinese famille rose enamelled export porcelain figure groups of Liu Hai and his three legged toad, Qianlong period, each modelled seated on a rockwork base, wearing a pale turquoise robe and holding a string of cash, with one foot resting upon his green toad, height 29.5cm and 30.4cm (minor chips to fingers and petals).

A Chinese export porcelain figure group of a teacher and pupil, Qianlong period, both predominantly enamelled in dappled turquoise with black detail to faces and hair, height 21cm (chipped fingers).

A pair of Chinese famille rose enamelled export porcelain figure groups of seated maidens with spaniels and phoenixes, early Qianlong period, each seated maiden wearing a blue turban, green coat with lotus roundels, pink belt and iron red pantaloons, holding a spaniel beside a phoenix and rocks, on a turquoise and brown washed flat rocky base, heights 21.5cm (fitted with gilt brass candle holders and drip pans, minor faults and restoration). Note: the phoenix, or fenghuang, was the Empress of Birds in Chinese mythology; it signifies beauty, grace, virtue and the unity of yin and yang. A similar pair of figures with detailed discussion is illustrated by William R. Sargent in 'The Copeland Collection: Chinese and Japanese Ceramic Figures', The Peabody Museum of Salem, 1991, pages 124-127.

A pair of rare Chinese enamelled export porcelain figures of a bearded gentleman and lady, Qianlong period, he holding a fan in his right hand and wearing an orange robe, the front decorated with a dragon, the back with vapours, she wearing an orange robe with gilt dragon and vapour detail, her hands held together at the front holding a peach, heights 36cm and 35.5cm (minor faults).

A Chinese export porcelain figure group, Qing dynasty, modelled as a fisherman observing a large black bird pecking at a clam shell, on a mottled colourful rocky base, height 18.5cm (end of beard chipped).

A pair of Chinese Imari export porcelain circular dishes, Kangxi period, each painted with a central flower-filled planter within a floral border, diameter 29cm (minor rim chips).

A Chinese blue and white export porcelain guglet, Qianlong period, painted in underglaze blue with peonies and rocks, and embellished with iron red and gilt bamboo, height 24.5cm (two chips to rim).

A Chinese famille verte porcelain plate, Kangxi period, the centre painted with precious vessels, the trellis rim divided by four precious object vignettes, underglaze blue lingzhi mark and double ring to base, diameter 22cm.

A large Chinese famille verte porcelain circular dish, Kangxi period, painted with a central flower basket within a trellis rim, divided by six vignettes filled with precious objects and flowers, underglaze blue mandarin mark of honour and double ring to base, diameter 38cm (chip and typical glaze fritting to rim). Note: a similar dish is illustrated by Geoffrey A. Godden in 'Oriental Export Market Porcelain...', 1979, page 166, plate 76.

A large Chinese famille rose porcelain circular dish, Yongzheng period, the centre painted with a pheasant perched on a branch above blossoming peony, chrysanthemums and rocks, the rim filled with lotus and scrolling tendrils on a turquoise diaper ground, diameter 38cm.

A set of three Chinese famille rose export porcelain plates, Yongzheng period, each centre painted and gilt with geese, rocks and peonies, within a border of further peonies and a pink trellis rim, divided by flowerhead vignettes, diameter 23cm (minor rim chips).

A pair of Chinese cloisonné enamelled figures of elephants, probably Jiaqing period, each caparisoned beast modelled standing four-square with head lowered and turned to the side, the body in white with gilt detailing, decorated with colourful trappings and draped in a saddle cloth, brightly enamelled with a hanging chime and vapours above crashing waves on a turquoise ground, supporting a double-gourd shaped vase with ribbon handles, height 31cm, each raised on a carved hardwood stand, total height 40cm. Note: the elephant in China is one of the seven Buddhist sacred treasures and symbolizes peace. The combination of an elephant supporting a vase on its back is a reference to peaceful times (taiping youxiang), making pairs of elephants carrying vases an important part of the Imperial throne regalia. A similar pair of figures is illustrated by H. Brinker & A. Lutz in 'Chinese Cloisonné: The Pierre Uldry Collection', number 332, and a very similar single figure was sold by Bonhams, Hong Kong, 3rd November 2015, Lot 51.