Apsara Carved Limestone Stele with Extremely Rare 'Oolitic silica', Wei Dynasty

This statue appears to be a stone sculpture of an apsara, a celestial nymph from Buddhist and Hindu traditions. Despite its fragmentary state, the sculpture conveys grace and movement. The apsara is captured in a dynamic pose, perhaps once part of a larger tableau, playing a flute-like instrument. The facial features are serene yet expressive, with faint traces of pigmentation hinting at the sculpture's original polychromy. The black stand was made in Hong Kong at the time of the acquisition. Date : Northern Wei...

This guardian figure represents a fusion of human and beast, a common motif symbolizing protection in Chinese lore. Crafted from pottery, the figure is a testament to the era's sculp...

This figure appears to be a terracotta statuette, possibly representing a court official or a deity given the distinct headgear which could signify a rank or divine attribute. The style of the figurine, with its facial features and remnants of paint, suggests it could be a part of funerary art, which was common in Chinese culture during these periods. Date : Northern Wei...

The face with downcast eyes and a smile, the hair swept up behind the pendulous ears into a high topknot. Faint traces of pigmentation hinting at the sculpture's original polychromy. The black stand was made in Hong Kong at the time of the acquisition. Date : Northern Wei-Tang Dynasty(5-8th century) Provenance : Acquired in late 1990s from Hongkong Reference : 1) Sotheby's London 13 May 2015 - The Soul Of Japanese Aesthetics – The Tsuneichi Inoue Collection - Lot 18 (Price realised : 17,500 GBP / Type : Closely related) 2) Sotheby's New York 26 September 2023 - CHINA / 5000 YEARS - Lot 1156 (Price realised : 8,890 USD / Type : Closely related) * Stone Head of Bodhisattva...

A massive pottery pair of horses standing on all fours and striding with its right hoof forward. Extended snout ends in parted lips showing teeth beneath in a braying attitude. Low relief bridle on face and well defined eyes. Raised mane down back of the neck A fantastic example of the Wei dynasty horses. Large, exquisite walking Ferghana horses with great attention paid to anatomical detail were the choice of the wealthy. The horse was second only in importance to the dragon. It was supposed to possess magical powers which the early Chinese were eager to explore. It would be the horse that would carry the deceased to the next life and it would be the amount of horses that an individual owned that would guarantee his ongoing status in the hereafter. Thermoluminescence certificate from Madrid Labs included. In southern China, people turned to Daoism, and mingqi, as well as above-ground sculptures, became ever more infused with animal iconography and energized with dynamic lines. The north of China was eventually united by nomadic Tuoba invaders who founded the Northern Wei dynasty...

Antique Chinese painted pottery standing court lady, with original pigments remaining. Age: China, Northern Wei Dynasty, A.D. 386 - 535 Size: Height 22.2 C.M. / Width 5.2 C.M. / Dep...

Antique Chinese painted pottery standing court lady, with original pigments remaining. Age: China, Northern Wei Dynasty, A.D. 386 - 535 Size: Height 20.4 C.M. / Width 5 C.M. / Depth...

Antique Chinese painted pottery standing court lady, with original pigments remaining. Age: China, Northern Wei Dynasty, A.D. 386 - 535 Size: Height 19.5 C.M. / Width 4 C.M. / Depth...