Chinese antiques-porcelain

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

A pair of Superb San-Cai,Tang Dynasty plates

This is an interesting pair of plates that had been preserved until today. It was indeed a very rare find and in perfect conditions. A few of my Chinese counterparts had informed me that only an emperor could possessed such intricate piece of porcelain those days. There are seven figurines (arranged in a circle) in the form of animals and mystical beasts in the centre of the plates.
Unbelieveable!

A group of small jarlets and bowls

This set of small "san cai" vase, jarlets, and bowls are part of my earlier collection. It comprises of 3 bowls, one green jarlet, 1 peacock vase, a small piece of jarlet with stand which is rather unique
and the rest small jarlets and tea pots.

The pair of bowls on the top left are very well crafted with incised lily flower design.

All these pieces are in excellent condition.

A beautiful 'ball flowers' design tea set

A beautiful tea set comprising of a teapot with four pieces of cups. This tea set is beautifully painted with "ball flowers" with very clear white porcelain.

At the base, there is four Chinese characters in light blue colour depicting that of Yongzheng period.

Indeed a great set to be in one's possession especially for the tea drinkers.

Magnificent octagonal shaped "eggshell -thin" bowl.

A very beautiful octagonal shaped eggshell-thin bowl with eight red coloured dragons.

The dragon pattern is one of the traditional patterns in China. Dragon is a mythical holy animal in ancient Chinese legends which is said to be capable of controlling wind and rain.

Very beautifully crafted and bearing the 6-characters of Kangxi period (1662-1722), this bowl is so thin that when seen through a lamp or light bulb, it is like "see through" the entire bowl.

A pair of small painted Tang Dynasty horses.

A beautiful pair of small painted bronze horses of Tang Dynasty. These horses are about 5" in height and are painted with red, light green and yellow colours near the saddle, neck and head.

This very beautiful pair of horses is in perfect condition.

A very rare black-ground green enamelled jar

A very rare black-ground enamelled jar, China, underglaze-blue Yongzheng six-character mark within double circle (1723 - 1735) and is finely painted with two dragons.

Very unusual piece of artwork.

A magnificent 18 Century double gourd vase

A very beautiful and delicate small double gourd vase with "elephant head" handle. The flower motif against the yellow background is exquisite. The top cover is beautifully crafted with flowers which has holes all over it.

It stands at 4.15" tall (including the handle)which is painted in gold colour.

This vase is inscribed with a 4 character of Chien Lung period (1736 - 1795)

Introduction
For centuries Chinese ceramics have been the objects most coveted in the West by collectors with an interest in the arts of Asia.

The extraordinary innovations of Chinese potters count among the most outstanding accomplishments in the cultural heritage of the world since the Neolithic era. Various dynasties ruled one after another, in accordance with a tradition that told of mythical rules who had discovered all the inventions fundamentals to human life, such as fire.

History of China

China, representing one of the earliest civilizations in the world, has a recorded history of about 3,600 years. It possesses rich historical documents as well as ancient relics. Like other nations, China, in its development, passed through the stages of primitive society, slave society, and feudal society. During the middle decades of the 19th century, capitalist forces of foreign countries invaded China, and China was slowly transformed into a semi-colonial and semi-feudal society. The founding of the People's Republic in 1949 marked China's entry into the socialist stage. During the long period of historical development, the industrious, courageous, and intelligent Chinese people of all nationalities collectively created a great civilization. They made great contributions to all of mankind.

A brief Chinese chronology

Xia Dynasty			21th Century-16th Century BC
Shang Dynasty			16th Century-1066 BC
Zhou Dynasty	Western Zhou Dynasty Eastern Zhou Dynasty Sping and Autumn Warring States		C 1066-71 BC 770-256 BC 770-476 BC 475-221 BC
Qing Dynasty			221-206 BC
Han Dynasty	Western Han Eastern Han		206 BC-AD 23 AD 25-220
Three Kingdom	Wei Shu Wu		AD 220-265 AD 221-263 AD 222-280
Western Jin Dynasty			AD 265-316
Eastern Jin Dynasty	Eastern Jin Dynasty Sixteen Kingdoms		AD 317-420 AD 304-439
Northern and Suthern Dynasties	Southern Dynasty	Song	AD 420-479
		Qi	AD 479-502
		Liang	AD 502-557
		Chen	AD 557-589
	Northern Dynasty	Northern Wei	AD 386-534
		Eastern Wei	AD 534-550
		Northern Qi	AD 550-577
		Western Wei	AD 535-557
		Northern Zhou	AD 557-581
Sui Dynasty			AD 581-618
Tang Dynasty			AD 618-907
Five Dynasties	Later Liang Later Tang Later Jin Later Han Later Zhou Ten Kingdoms Northern Song Dynasty Southern Song Dynasty		AD 907-923 AD 923-936 AD 936-946 AD 947-950 AD 951-960 AD 902-979 AD 960-1127 AD 1127-1279
Liao Dynasty			AD 907-1125
Xi Xia Dynasty			AD 1038-1227
Jin Dynasty			AD 1115-1234
Yuan Dynasty			AD 1279-1368

Ming Dynasty	AD 1368-1635
Qing Dynasty	AD 1636-1911

Republic of Ching

AD 1912-1949