daigou]]> daigou. Red-brown vein. Upper part of obverse presents carved head of a dragon. Obverse body presents incised serpentine botanical design.]]> daigou]]> daigou. Upper part of obverse presents carved head of a dragon. Obverse body presents serpentine relief carving of a dragon.]]> ji guan]]> ji guan (Chinese court official's hat) insignia. Comprises a gold-flecked blue sphere threaded between a gilt metal base and cap. Base exhibits stylised botanical pattern; cap is unembellished. Blue sphere chipped on one side with damaged area exhibiting blue-green corrosion typical of bronze or copper material. Red string tied around upper part of base.]]> ji guan]]> ji guan (Chinese court official's hat) insignia fabricated from gilt metal. Comprises a slightly elongated unembellished sphere disposed between an eight-tier base and single-tier cap. Base and cap exhibit stylised flowers with petals of coiled wire and prominent bead-like carpels. Cap presents eight stylised flowers surrounding a nineth central floral motif.]]> ji guan]]> ji guan (Chinese court official's hat) insignia fabricated from bronze with traces of gilding. Comprises an unembellished sphere threaded between a base and cap. Base exhibits moulded design of birds and flowers; cap exhibits seal character 寿 or shòu (longevity).]]> ji guan]]> ji guan (Chinese court official's hat) insignia. Comprises an opaque white chalcedony sphere threaded between a multi-tiered base and single-tiered cap of gilt metal. Base decoration consists of lotus-like leaf-shaped scrolls and stylised flowers with petals of coiled wire and prominent bead-like carpels. Cap presents eight stylised flowers surrounding a ninth central floral motif.]]> ji guan]]> ji guan (Chinese court official's hat) insignia. Comprises an opaque blue and white lapis lazuli sphere threaded between a multi-tiered base and single-tiered cap of gilt metal. Sphere exhibits darker blue vein. Base decoration consists of four tiers of stylised flower motifs with petals of coiled wire and prominent bead-like carpels. Cap presents eight stylised flowers surrounding a ninth central floral motif.]]> ji guan]]> ji guan (Chinese court official's hat) insignia. Comprises a transparent blue glass sphere threaded between a multi-tiered base and single-tiered cap of bronze with traces of gilding. Upper base decoration consists of lotus-like leaf-shaped scrolls with trefoil beads surmounting several tiers of stylised flowers with petals of coiled wire and prominent bead-like carpels. Cap presents eight stylised flowers surrounding a ninth central floral motif. Length of pink and white string attached to upper part of base.]]> ji guan]]> ji guan (Chinese court official's hat) insignia. Comprises an opaque dark blue glass sphere threaded between a base and cap of gilt metal. Base presents a moulded design of a stylised serpentine creature with scaled hide and claws. Cap exhibits seal character 寿 shòu (longevity).]]> ji guan]]> ji guan (Chinese court official's hat) insignia. Comprises an opaque pink sphere threaded between a base and cap of bronze with traces of gilding. Base presents a stylised moulded design including a badge exhibiting seal character 寿 shòu (longevity). Cap reiterates shòu motif.]]> ji guan]]> ji guan (Chinese court official's hat) insignia. Comprises an opaque orange sphere threaded between a base and cap of bronze with traces of gilding. One side of sphere engraved with seal character 寿 shòu (longevity). Base presents a stylised moulded design; cap reiterates shòu motif corroded to the limit of legibility.]]> ji guan]]> ji guan (Chinese court official's hat) insignia. Comprises an opaque red sphere threaded between a base and cap of gilded bronze. Base presents a stylised moulded design; cap exhibits seal character 寿 shòu (longevity).]]> sui
]]> jue]]> jue). Medium-sized central hole. Radial slot at the top tapering in width towards central hole. Obverse and reverse present similar carved linear pattern. Two holes near the outer circumference either side of the slot. Cut out detail along left-of-centre and right-of-centre outer circumference.]]> bi-shaped yellow-white jade pendant. Brown vein. Slightly off-centre small circular hole threaded through with orange cord. Obverse and reverse present incised Chinese character.]]> daigou]]> daigou. Dark brown vein. Obverse and reverse present incised serpentine patterns.]]> gui]]> gui. Blue-brown vein. Small hole at top thread through with white cord. Suspension hole at top.]]> ruyi fungal patterns surrounding a central motif in the form of a toothed-wheel.]]> ruyi fungal patterns surrounding a central flower. The centre of the flower defines a shallow concavity in which there may have been an inset gemstone.]]>
One letter opener with holder: Wooden letter opener, stained black.  Top of handle has snake carved into head, with the head protruding out the back.  Head has inset eyes.  Presented with holder but the two do not appear to have intended to go together.  Holder light brown wood, split along length down each side. Knife in good condition.  Some notches missing from blade. Owned by Rewi Alley and deposited by Alan Duan, his adopted son, per Madam Lu Wanru (Chinese Friendship Assn.)

One magnifying glass: Magnifying glass (hand held) with black plastic frame and handle. "90 mm" embossed in gold at back of frame. Frame broken and repaired with sellotape. Owned by Rewi Alley and presented by Alan Duan, his adopted son, per Madam Lu Wanru (Chinese Friendship Assn.)

One pair of spectacles and case: Pair of spectacles in imitation snakeskin case. Glasses squared lenses with metal reinforced plastic frames, brown and transparent plastic. Inscribed on frame: "55 x 16. Life Style. 1387 MH." Inside case writing printed in English and Chinese; English: "William's Optical Co. 10 Queen's Theatre Arcade, Queen's Road, Central H.K. Tel H-245 944". In good condition, lenses slightly scratched. Belonged to Rewi Alley and were deposited by Alan Duan, his adopted son, per Madam Lu Wanru (Chinese Friendship Assn.)]]> ruyi fungal patterns that link into stylised bat motifs at the top and bottom. Pierced longitudinally and threaded through with yellow cord.]]> daigou]]> daigou comprising two semi-precious stones set into brass fittings.]]> daigou]]> daigou comprising five semi-precious stones mounted in an oval brass fitting. Obverse of brass fitting presents an elaborate serpentine botanical relief pattern.]]> daigou]]> daigou. Obverse of each component presents serpentine dragon moulded in relief.]]> daigou]]> daigou comprising two separate components. One component exhibits a hook in the shape of the head of a dragon; the other component exhibits a rectangular loop into which the dragon head hooks. Obverse of both components presents elaborate serpentine relief carvings. Reverse of both components presents a carved loop but is otherwise undecorated.]]> tian tsui) and inset with pearls coral jade and coloured glass. Suspended from the left and right sides of the reverse perimeter are strings of pearls terminating in globules of coloured glass in enameled gilt metal mountings. Brooch pin is fabricated from a silvery metal the reverse of which presents moulded Chinese characters.]]> tian tsui). Obverse centre mounted with a flat carved mutton fat jade motif. Reverse presents flat cross-plate and pin.]]> daigou]]> daigou. Obverse of each component presents serpentine dragon moulded in relief.]]> yuan]]> yuan. Dark green vein. Large circular central hole.]]> daigou]]> daigou. Darker yellow-gold vein. Upper part of obverse presents carved head of a dragon. Obverse body presents serpentine relief carving of a dragon.]]>
Crackle glazed.]]>