Qing Dynasty Ancestor Portraits

A fine set of six mid-Victorian carved oak and leather upholstered club armchairs, circa 1870-1880 in the French taste, with deep-buttoned back and scrolled arm rests with acanthus s...

A nineteenth century French Pompadour fireplace, carved in Spanish Brocatello marble, the moulded and shaped shelf above panelled frieze on canted volute jambs. Wonderfully rich mate...

19th century French Breche fire surround, in the Louis XVI style, the paneled frieze centred by foliate boss, the paterae corner-blocks above stop-fluted console...

An Irish carved mahogany chest, a nineteenth century interpretation of a mid-eighteenth century design by Thomas Chippendale, see 'Gentleman and Cabinet-Maker's Director', 1763, pl. ...

On offer is a matching pair of embroidered silk civil rank badge panels (known in Chinese as Buzi) in black lacquer frames. The panels feature a black background within a scrolling floral border. In the center, it showcases a winged paradise fly catcher...

A woman's coat made of black silk with wide sleeves from Chinese late Qing Dynasty (mid to late 19th century), mounted and presented on blue linen board and framed as a stunning piec...

A silk collar from China dated to late Qing Dynasty circa 19th century. Known as Yunjian (Cloud Shoulder or Cloud Collar), this multi-lobed textile piece was a detachable collar worn around the shoulders as part of the traditional Chinese garment accessory. With its origin dated back to the Han Dynasty and being used until the end of Qing Dynasty, the form evolves with time, but much of the ornamentation and fundamental symbolism remains the same. This striking example features a two-tiered design with seven lobes on each circle, all of which are variations of the shape of auspicious "ruyi", which represents the head of Lingzhi mushroom, a symbol of longevity. The inner lobes feature elaborate embroidery floral design with long and short satin stitches. Notably, one panel has a double gourd design, the symbol of fortune. The outer lobes show a simpler but bolder vision with the outlines of the designs lineated with metallic threads buddled in chain stitches. Small jade beads were used to link the piece together and most of them still remain. The piece as a whole has a very pleasant lilac purple color, delicate with the jade beads. In Qing Dynasty, the silk collar with high quality was worn by noble or aristocratic women. The red color and the lotus boy symbol indicate that it was most likely part of the fashion accouterment worn during wedding ceremony. The collar is beautifully float mounted within a double conforming mat in a giltwood frame and wood backing. A stunningly presented period piece with story to tell. Reference: For a collection of Chinese embroidered collars...

An embroidered silk collar from China dated to late Qing Dynasty circa 19th century. Known as Yunjian (Cloud Shoulder or Cloud Collar), this multi-lobed t...