Qing Dynasty Chinese Sancai Temple Guardian Figure

A magnificent Chinese carved spinach green jade chilong dragon sculpture, resting on fitted hardwood stand. Rich deep bright green color with molten shades of lighter pale green, exceptionally carved, with intricate detail throughout. The mythical beast lying ready on all four, head raised, mouth ajar with teeth exposed, wings by its side, spiral scroll incised on hind legs. Provenance: Estate of Ali A. Abssi (1934-2020) and Florence Hall Abssi (1919-2014), founders of the Ishtar Gate...

A scarce, high-quality antique Burmese jewel inlaid solid bronze chinthe sculpture. Dating to the late 19th century, likely originating in the Mandalay region of central Burma, the fearsome looking beast depicted in traditional Burmese iconography and important architecture, especially as a pair, the protective temple guardians placed flanking the entrances of Buddhist religious pagodas and monasteries. Burma; circa 1880 PROVENANCE: The estate of Mr. Wesley and Mrs. Suzanne LaFever, Beverly Hills, California. ACQUISITION: We acquired this outstanding example from the reputable auction house, Austin Auction Gallery, Austin, Texas. Fine Estates and Antiques catalog, December 2021 DESCRIPTION: Exquisitely sculpted and cast of heavy, patinated solid bronze, finely detailed and decorated throughout, intricately engraved with scrolling ornamentation and fine detailing work, old nicely aged polished finish developing a warm, mellow patina with highly desirable scattered verdigris, minor inlay losses add to the charming antique character. Stoic in stance, posed at attention proudly squatting back on its haunches, front legs straight, possibly roaring with head up and straight ahead, mouth ajar with teeth and long tongue exposed, ornate armor plating and horned mane, fanciful stylized tail, inset with Myanmar style brilliant colored mirrored glass jewels. BRIEF HISTORY / BACKGROUND: Predating the use of coins for money, brass weights cast in the shape of iconic animals like the Chinthe were commonly used to measure standard quantities of staple items. Chinthe, the Burmese word for lion, while leograph of Chinthe is an artistic highly stylized lion; the rare Southeast Asian Burmese equivalent to Foo Dogs, Japanese Komainu, Tibetan Snow Lion...

A scarce pair of Qing Dynasty temple architectural ornaments, the decorative antique building element fragments each elaborately hand carved, polychrome painted and lacquered, richly detailed featuring two figural pairs accented...

A remarkable pair of rare antique Qing Dynasty (1636-1912) Chinese terracota architectural roof tile beasts. circa 1900 Hand-crafted in Imperial China around the turn of the late 19...

Marvel at the exquisite artistry of this carved wood Chinese Ming Dynasty (1368 to 1644) ancestor figure—a captivating depiction of a seated man adorned in the distinguished attire o...

A tall and impressive figure of the Taoist deity Wenchang Wang, carved, gessoed, lacquered, gilt and polychromed wood, Late Qing Dynasty, circa 1900, Fujian, China. Wenchang, the T...

A rare and interesting Chinese Dehua porcelain (blanc de chine) figure of Kui Xing, one of the five emanations of the Daoist God of Literature (Wu Wenchang), Qing Dynasty, 19th centu...

China, finely carved statue of an immortal, in the style of Ming period pieces. Ca 1900. Additional information: Material: Porcelain & Pottery Region of Origin: China Condition: Han...