One leaf-shaped gilt filigree brooch. Obverse perimeter fashioned into a botanical pattern with tadpole-shaped motifs and embellished with turquoise kingfisher feathers (tian tsui). Obverse centre mounted with a flat carved mutton fat jade motif. Reverse presents flat cross-plate and pin.
One gilt filigree brooch in the form of a flattened semi-circle. Obverse presents botanical patterns embellished with turquoise kingfisher feathers (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.
Five hair pins. Each pin consists of a long slender gold- or silver-hued metallic body the upper ends of which terminate in ornate mountings of jade pearl rose quartz and enameled metal.
One necklace comprising ninety six creamy-white hollow reticulated soft-paste ceramic spheres and three fragments threaded through with light brown twine.
Two corroded bronze pins with traces of gilding each of which consists of two long slender slightly divergent stems terminating in an ornate head featuring a moulded dragon motif.
One adze-shaped jade object. White with blue-grey vein on obverse and brown-flecked vein on reverse.
One adze-shaped jade object. White with brown vein. One round hole at the top.
One adze-shaped jade object. White with blue-brown vein. Small hole pierced at top with blue cord threaded through.
One adze-shaped jade object. Green with darker green vein. One round hole at top.
One worn rounded rectangular red-brown metal sword guard or tsuba. Japanese origin. Both faces exhibit patterns in moulded relief - a dragon on one side and a samurai sword on the other. Tsuba presents three cut-out openings of which one is lined in a gold-hued metal.
One worn quatrefoil red-brown metal sword guard or tsuba. Japanese origin. One face presents moulded designs in the form of two horned figures in a landscape with waterfalls and bamboo. The other face exhibits moulded designs of waterfalls and bamboo only. Patches of gold inlay are visible on both faces.
One Mongol helmet. Crown cap, peak, front and back ridges of delicately designed iron work, formerly inlaid with gold and silver; helmet made by the riveting together of two halves; peak and locking plate riveted onto helmet. Designed for an officer in conquest army of Genghis Khan, ca 1215. Found in Inner Mongolia.
One dark brown tablet of brick tea. Obverse stamped with a tripartite design comprising (top) a row of five stars; (middle) a gazebo-like structure framed by plants; (bottom) two rows of Chinese characters 中國茶業公司 趙李橋磚茶廠製造 (Chinese Tea Corporation. Made in the Zhao-Li-Qiao Brick-tea Factory).
One cream-yellow solid bone fragment in the form of a short flattened cylinder with a large notch cut out of one end.
One long slender light brown bone fragment resembling a spatula. Exhibits traces of green colouring.
One cylindrical hollow cream-brown bone fragment broken into two pieces. Each piece is filled with clay.
One approximately rectangular yellow-brown bone fragment. Burnished obverse presents incised inscriptions. Shape of object (resembling turtle plastron or ox scapula) in conjunction with presence of inscriptions on burnished obverse supports its interpretation as an oracle bone used in divination rituals.
One approximately rectangular cream-white bone fragment slightly curved in cross-section. Burnished convex obverse presents incised inscriptions at one end and a pattern of fine cracks at the other. Rougher concave reverse exhibits remains of at least one chiselled hollow. Shape of object (resembling turtle plastron or ox scapula) in conjunction with presence of inscriptions cracking and hollows supports its interpretation as an oracle bone used in divination rituals. One approximately rectangular yellow-brown bone fragment. Burnished obverse presents incised inscriptions. Shape of object (resembling turtle plastron or ox scapula) in conjunction with presence of inscriptions on burnished obverse supports its interpretation as an oracle bone used in divination rituals.
One yellow-brown hollow bone cylinder narrowing slightly at the waist. Exterior surface presents incised patterning.
One yellow-brown hollow bone cylinder. Waist exhibits two parallel grooves incised around outer circumference. Flares slightly outwards towards the ends each of which presents a carved lip.
One yellow-brown hollow bone cylinder. One end tapers slightly; the other end is transversely cut at an angle. Body of object presents continuous incised diamond pattern.
One yellow-brown solid bone fragment in the form of a slightly flattened cylinder. Incised pattern of crisscrossing lines extends along one third of the object's body. Incised end of bone also exhibits a small hole piercing the longitudinal axis for about 8mm.
One light tan carved bone ornament in the form of a cicada. Obverse and reverse exhibit incised details of eyes wings and body segments.
Two bone ornaments. (1) One cream-yellow bone disc. Large circular central hole. Obverse presents four Chinese characters 一去千裡 (once gone a thousand miles). (2) One cream-yellow bone disc. Small circular central hole. Obverse presents five Chinese characters 山中高士 (talented scholar in the mountains).
One glazed blue and white ceramic snuff bottle. A short narrow neck surmounts an elongated cylindrical body tapering at the bottom towards a circular base. Body presents continuous pattern of figures in a garden landscape. Base exhibits mark of Qianlong (1736-1796 AD).
One glazed white ceramic snuff bottle. A short narrow neck with a flaring rim surmounts a rounded rectangular cylindrical body tapering towards a circular base. Body presents a continuous multi-coloured design of three figures playing with balls. Base exhibits mark of Hongxian (1916 AD).
One plain white glass snuff bottle. A short neck surmounts a flattened rounded rectangular body tapering at the bottom to an oval-shaped base.
One glazed blue and white ceramic snuff bottle. A short narrow neck surmounts an elongated cylindrical body with a circular base. Neck ringed with abstract design of dots and crosses. Body presents a continuous design of adults and children playing in a garden. Base exhibits incised pattern of concentric circles.
One glazed white ceramic snuff bottle. A short neck surmounts a flattened circular body tapering towards an oval-shaped base. One face presents a multi-coloured design of a mounted warrior leading a dog; the other side presents a multi-coloured design of a figure standing in front of a camel.
One ceramic snuff bottle glazed in various hues. In the form of a bare-chested robed figure with its left hand on its breast and its right hand grasping the handle of a paddle-shaped instrument slung over its shoulder. Metal stopper moulded in the shape of a crown.
One glazed red-brown black and white ceramic snuff bottle. A short neck surmounts a flattened circular body tapering towards an oval-shaped base. Body presents continuous pattern of three figures in a fenced garden landscape.
One frosted glass snuff bottle. A short wide flaring neck surmounts a flattened oval-shaped body tapering towards an... base. One interior face presents a painted scene of a seated female figure in a garden; the other interior face presents a painted scene of figures mounted on horses. Short sides exhibit moulded...
One glazed blue and white ceramic snuff bottle. A short narrow neck surmounts an elongated cylindrical body tapering at the bottom towards a circular base. Body presents continuous garden landscape design. White ground, fisherman with red, river, trees, houses, mountains, in blue. Cylindrical.
One glazed white ceramic snuff bottle. A short narrow neck surmounts a flattened circular body tapering towards an oval-shaped base. Body presents continuous multi-coloured design of eighteen figures. Base exhibits mark of Daoguang (1821-1850 AD) in red-brown glaze.
One imitation realgar glass snuff bottle. Yellow vein on neck and shoulders. A short narrow neck surmounts a flattened oval-shaped body tapering towards the base.
One glazed blue and white ceramic snuff bottle. A short narrow neck surmounts a body oval-shaped in the coronal plane and octagonal in the transverse plane tapering towards a circular base. Neck ringed with eight dots. Each body face presents a vertically-disposed botanical design. Base exhibits mark of Yongzheng (1723-1735 AD).
One glazed blue and white ceramic snuff bottle. A short narrow neck surmounts an elongated rectangular body square in the transverse plane with a square base. Neck exhibits four swastika patterns. Body presents continuous design of a dancing figure in a garden landscape.
One glazed blue red-brown green black and white ceramic snuff bottle. A short narrow neck surmounts a flattened pear-shaped body tapering towards an oval-shaped base. Body exhibits continuous design of dragon and waves and/or clouds. Base exhibits mark of Daoguang (1821-1850 AD) in red-brown glaze.
One glazed white ceramic snuff bottle. A narrow neck flaring slightly to an out-turned beaded rim surmounts a rounded rectangular body. Lower half of body presents a continuous multi-coloured design of a mounted warrior; body shoulders present continuous multi-coloured design of a dragon and clouds.
One glazed white ceramic snuff bottle in the form of a black-eyed squirrel.
One glazed blue and white ceramic snuff bottle. A short narrow neck surmounts an elongated cylindrical body and a circular base. Neck ringed with botanical pattern. Body exhibits continuous design of a dragon and a phoenix. Base presents Qilin motif.
One glazed blue and white ceramic snuff bottle. A short narrow neck surmounts an elongated cylindrical body with a circular base. Body presents a continuous design of figures walking and riding through a garden landscape.
One glazed blue and white ceramic snuff bottle. A short narrow neck with a beaded rim surmounts an elongated rounded rectangular cylindrical body with high shoulders tapering sharply inwards towards a slightly out-turned circular base. Neck ringed with ruyi pattern. Body presents a continuous design of figures dancing and playing in a garden landscape. Base exhibits mark of Yongzheng (1723-1735 AD).
One glazed white ceramic snuff bottle resembling a bed pan. A short wide neck with a beaded rim sits on one end of a boat-shaped body with a moulded ribbon-shaped handle on its upper surface and a flat approximately oval-shaped base. Interior of neck glazed sky blue. Upper side of handle glazed in a red-brown and gold botanical pattern. Long sides of body present multi-coloured designs of figures and huts in garden landscapes. Short sides of body exhibit multi-coloured botanical motifs.
One glazed ceramic snuff bottle in the form of two smiling open-robed figures standing side-by-side on an eight-sided base. Each figure has black hair white skin and red lips and presents a small hole in the top of its head. Figures wear robes coloured red-brown and blue-green.
One glazed ceramic snuff bottle in the shape of a human figure with white skin black hair and red lips wearing blue-green pink yellow and orange garments open at the front.
One glazed white ceramic stuff bottle. A short narrow neck surmounts a flattened elongated round rectangular body tapering towards an oval-shaped base. One face presents a multi-coloured design of a bird and plants; the other face presents a black and green design of a winged insect and foliage.
One glazed white two-part ceramic snuff bottle. Each section comprises a short narrow neck surmounting an elongated cylindrical body tapering at the bottom towards a circular base. Each body cylinder presents continuous multi-coloured design of figures engaged in various activities. Bases exhibit mark of Qianlong Emperor (1736-1796 AD).
One glazed blue and white ceramic snuff bottle. A short narrow neck surmounts a flattened rounded rectangular body tapering towards an oval-shaped base. Neck ringed with ruyi design. Body faces present a continuous design of figures silhouetted against a geometric meander pattern. Short sides exhibit botanical motifs. Base presents mark of Yongzheng Emperor (1723-1735 AD).
One carved silhouette agate snuff bottle. A short wide neck with an inner cylinder and narrow opening surmounts a flattened rounded rectangular body tapering towards an oval-shaped base. One face is almost flat; the other face presents a slightly convex sagittal cross section with a yellow-gold outline design of a figure in a boat catching a fish. Pale green stopper mounted in a silver collar.
One frosted glass snuff bottle. A short wide neck with an inner cone tapering to a narrow opening surmounts a flattened rounded rectangular body tapering towards an oval-shaped base. Interior face presents a painted scene of figures in garden landscape. On one face shoulders exhibit characters 漁樵耕讀 京師薛少甫 (fisherman woodman farmer and scholar by Xue Shaofu from Beijing).
One glazed black gold and white ceramic snuff bottle. A short narrow neck with a slightly flaring rim surmounts an elongated cylindrical body tapering slightly at the bottom to a circular base. Body presents continuous design of figures houses and landscape motifs outlined in gold on white with remaining ground glazed black. Base exhibits mark of Daoguang Emperor (1821-1850 AD) in red-brown glaze. Plain green stopper and collar.
One glazed white ceramic snuff bottle. A short narrow neck surmounts a flattened circular body tapering towards an oval-shaped base. Each face presents a grasshopper design glazed green brown and gold. Base exhibits mark of Daoguang Emperor (1821-1850 AD) in red-brown glaze. Plain hermispherical red stopper with green finial and green collar.
One blue and white glazed ceramic snuff bottle. A short narrow neck surmounts an elongated rounded rectangular cylindrical body tapering towards a circular base. Body presents decoration of ten squatting figures with an eleventh squatting figure on the base.
One Sang de boeuf glazed ceramic snuff bottle. A short narrow neck surmounted a flattened spade-shaped body tapering towards an oval-shaped base.
One glazed blue green red-brown purple and white ceramic snuff bottle. A short narrow neck with a beaded rim surmounts an elongated cylindrical body flaring outwards slightly towards a circular base. Body presents a continuous design of two robed seated figures playing a board game whilst a third smaller figure serves tea. Base exhibits mark of Qianlong Emperor (1736-1796 AD) in orange glaze.
One glazed blue and white ceramic snuff bottle. A short narrow neck surmounts a flattened circular body tapering towards an oval-shaped base. One face presents a design depicting two figures under a tree in the company of a cormorant and a tortoise; the other face presents a pattern of twelve circles containing various animals disposed in two rings of six circles each around a central squared circle motif. The circles in the outer ring are interleaved with six ruyi motifs.
One crackle glazed rose pink ceramic snuff bottle. A short narrow neck flaring out to a beaded rim surmounts an elongated rounded rectangular body with high shoulders tapering towards an out-turned circular base. Plain white hemispherical stopper and red-brown collar.
One glazed blue and white ceramic snuff bottle. A short narrow neck with a beaded rim surmounts an elongated cylindrical body flaring outwards slightly towards a circular base. Neck and base embellished with doubled blue rings. Body presents a continuous botanical design. Base exhibits mark of Qianlong Emperor (1736-1796 AD).
One crackle glazed light brown and white ceramic snuff bottle. A short narrow neck with a slightly flared rim surmounts an elongated cylindrical body with a circular base. Body presents a continuous multi-coloured design of a figure in a boat and a palm tree.
One glazed blue red and white ceramic snuff bottle. A narrow neck with a beaded rim surmounts an elongated rounded rectangular cylindrical body tapering towards a circular base. Body presents a continuous design of robed figures banners and a stone gate bearing Chinese characters.
One frosted glass snuff bottle. A short wide neck with an inner cylinder and narrow opening surmounts a flattened rounded rectangular body tapering towards an oval-shaped base. Interior face presents a continuous painted landscape in black brown and blue pigment. One face exhibits characters 石古帶煙霞 (clouds and mists surrounding the mountain stones); the other face presents characters 甲午七月周樂元 (Zhou Leyuan in the year of Jia Wu beginning 1894). Plain hemispherical orange stopper.
One frosted glass snuff bottle. A short wide neck with an inner cone tapering to a narrow opening surmounts a flattened rounded rectangular body tapering towards an oval-shaped base. Interior face presents a continuous painted scene of a landscape with a horse house and trees. Face depicting horse exhibits characters 癸卯中夏月作 (painted in the summer of the year Gui Mao beginning 1843 or 1903). Plain stopper and spoon.
One frosted glass snuff bottle. A short wide neck with an inner cone tapering to a narrow opening surmounts a flattened rounded rectangular body tapering towards an oval-shaped base. One interior face presents a painted scene of trees and houses in a landscape with characters 丁酉三月寫 (painted in the year of Ding You beginning 1897). The other interior face presents a painted scene of plant pots and miniature trees.
One glazed white ceramic snuff bottle. In the form of a green-eyed squirrel clutching a bunch of grapes.
One Sang de boeuf glazed ceramic snuff bottle. A short narrow neck with a flaring rim surmounts an elongated body with high rounded shoulders tapering inwards towards an outward-flaring circular base.
One glazed blue and white two-part ceramic snuff bottle. Each section comprises a short narrow neck with a beaded lip surmounting a cylindrical body with rounded shoulders tapering slightly towards a circular base. Each neck ringed with ruyi pattern. Each body cylinder presents continuous landscape design of mountains trees houses and figures in boats.
One glazed blue red and white ceramic snuff bottle. A short narrow neck with a beaded lip surmounts conical shoulders on an elongated cylindrical body tapering at the bottom towards a circular base. Neck ringed with geometric T-shaped pattern. Shoulders exhibit floral motifs enmeshed in pattern of linked triangles and criss-crossing lines. Body presents garden landscape design in which two warriors duel with swords whilst two other figures look on. Base exhibits mark of Yongzheng Emperor (1723-1735 AD).
One glazed blue and white ceramic snuff bottle. A short wide neck with a flaring rim surmounts a cylindrical body with rounded shoulders tapering at the bottom towards a circular base. Neck ringed with ruyi pattern. Body presents continuous design of a figure fishing in a garden landscape. Base exhibits mark 玩玉 (literally 'play jade').
One crackle glazed blue and white ceramic snuff bottle. A short narrow neck surmounts an elongated cylindrical body tapering at the bottom towards a circular base. Neck ringed with ruyi design. Body presents continuous design of mounted hunters and attendants passing by an arched stone gate bearing the Chinese characters 得勝門 (Gate of Victory). Just below the shoulders on one side of the bottle are four Chinese characters 旗旗得勝 meaning 'Victory always!' 'Success!' or 'Good hunting!'
One glazed blue and white ceramic snuff bottle. A short narrow neck surmounts an elongated cylindrical body tapering at the bottom towards a circular base. Body presents continuous design of two figures in a garden landscape.
One glazed blue red yellow-green and white ceramic snuff bottle. A short wide neck with a flaring beaded lip surmounts an elongated cylindrical body tapering slightly towards a circular base. Shoulders ringed with design interleaving cloud forms and ruyi patterns. Body presents twelve figurative scenes organised in three tiers of four accompanied in each case by Chinese characters. Base exhibits flowers and flying insect.
One glazed blue and white ceramic snuff bottle. A short narrow neck surmounts a rounded rectangular cylindrical body tapering towards a circular base. Body presents a continuous design of a landscape featuring two seated figures the rightmost of which gestures towards a third figure steering a boat. Details of rocks and tree foliage glazed red and green. Base exhibits mark of Qianlong Emperor (1736-1796 AD).
One glazed blue and white ceramic snuff bottle. A short wide neck with a beaded lip surmounts a cylindrical body with rounded shoulders tapering slightly towards a circular base. Neck decorated with a band of rounded diamond shapes. Body presents continuous design of dragons clouds and waves. Base exhibits mark of Yongzheng Emperor (1723-1735 AD). Disc shaped glazed blue and white ceramic stopper with a bone spoon and a floral pattern on its upper surface.
One glazed blue and white ceramic snuff bottle. A short wide neck with a beaded lip surmounts a cylindrical body with rounded shoulders tapering slightly towards a circular base. Neck decorated with a band of rounded diamond shapes. Body presents a continuous design of dragons clouds and waves. Base exhibits mark of Yongzheng Emperor (1723-1735 AD).
One glazed blue and white ceramic snuff bottle. A short narrow neck surmounts a flattened circular body tapering towards an oval-shaped base. Each short side presents a moulded taotie design. Neck ringed with botanical pattern. Body presents continuous landscape design with figures houses mountains and trees. Base exhibits mark of Yongzheng Emperor (1723-1735 AD).
One glazed white ceramic snuff bottle. A short narrow slightly tapered neck surmounts an elongated narrow cylindrical body flaring outwards slightly at the shoulders and inwards at the very bottom towards a circular base. Body presents black-coloured incised continuous design of a garden landscape. Plain disc-shaped green stopper.
One glazed blue and white ceramic snuff bottle. A short narrow slightly tapered neck surmounts a rounded rectangular cylindrical body tapering slightly towards a circular base. Neck ringed with ruyi fungal pattern. Body presents continuous design of seven monkeys in a landscape. Base exhibits mark of Yongzheng Emperor (1723-1735 AD).
One glazed white ceramic snuff bottle. A short narrow neck with an out-turned lip surmounts a flattened pear-shaped body tapering towards an oval-shaped base. Body presents a continuous design in various colours. One face depicts two diminutive figures in a hilly landscape with trees and houses; the other side presents an animal crouching on a rock beneath a spray of peonies and bamboo and a flying insect above. Base exhibits mark of Kangxi Emperor (1661-1722 AD) in orange glaze.
One glazed blue and white ceramic snuff bottle. A short narrow neck with a beaded lip surmounts an elongated cylindrical body tapering at the bottom to a circular base. Body presents a continuous botanical design extending from shoulders to base. Base underside presents a fisherman motif.
One glazed white ceramic snuff bottle. A short narrow neck with a slightly out-turned lip surmounts a flattened rounded rectangular body tapering towards an oval-shaped base. Body presents a continuous moulded design of figures houses and landscape motifs glazed in various hues. Metal stopper with elaborate beading and seven inset pieces of coloured glass. Base exhibits mark of Qianlong Emperor (1736-1796 AD) in orange glaze.
One glazed white ceramic snuff bottle. A short wide neck surmounts a flattened spade-shaped body pinched at the waist and tapering thereafter towards an oval-shaped base. Rim and lip glazed gold. Body presents multi-coloured continuous design of two figures in a garden landscape. Base exhibits mark of Qianlong Emperor (1736-1796 AD).
One white glass snuff bottle. A short narrow neck surmounts a flattended circular body tapering to an oval-shaped base. Overlay carved in continuous pattern of flying bats.
One glazed blue and white ceramic snuff bottle. A short narrow neck surmounts a flattened circular body tapering towards an oval-shaped base. Each short side presents a moulded taotie design. Bottle body glazed in continuous botanical pattern. Base exhibits mark of Chenghua (1464-1487 AD) but likely made in 19th or 20th century.
One glazed white ceramic snuff bottle. A short narrow neck surmounts a flattened pear-shaped body tapering towards an oval-shaped base. Each face presents a glazed orange moulded fish design. Each short side presents a moulded taotie design. Plain orange stopper in the form of a flat horizontal disc and vertical ring-shaped finial. Glazed blue base exhibits mark of Qianlong Emperor (1736-1796 AD) in orange glaze.
One frosted glass snuff bottle. A short wide neck with an inner cone tapering to a narrow opening surmounts a flattened spade-shaped body turning inwards towards an oval-shaped base. A moulded lip defines boundary between shoulders and lower body. Interior presents continuous painted scene of figures in a landscape. Shoulder sections of each face exhibit Chinese inscriptions 百子圖 京師薛少甫 (Picture of Hundred Children by Xue Shaofu from Peking) and 於甲子仲春月 (in the spring of the sixty year cycle of Jia Zi beginning 1864 AD).
One glazed ceramic snuff bottle. A short wide neck surmounts a flattened rounded rectangular body tapering towards an oval-shaped base. Body decorated in a continuous botanical pattern in pale green pink yellow and blue glazes. Plain pink hemispherical glass stopper and white spoon.
One grey-white chalcedony snuff bottle. Darker grey-flecked vein. A short narrow neck surmounts a flattened pear-shaped body tapering towards an oval-shaped base. Upper part of short sides present carved taotie designs. Plain hemispherical orange stopper with black collar and bone spoon.
One dark brown wooden snuff bottle. A short neck surmounts a flattened rectangular body with rounded shoulders tapering slightly towards the base. Faces inset with rectangular ivory plaques cut out at the corners. Each plaque presents an incised coloured design of figures in a landscape. Plain white conical ivory stopper with a finial and spoon.
One red lacquer snuff bottle. A short narrow neck surmounts a flattened approximately circular body tapering towards an oval-shaped base. Body presents intricate continuous relief carving of robed figures in a garden landscape. Plain hemispherical orange stopper with a yellow glass collar.
One brown wooden snuff bottle. A short narrow neck surmounts a flattened circular body tapering towards an oval-shaped base. Body exhibits streaked pattern. Brown wooden hemispherical stopper with darker brown mottling attached to a dark brown wooden collar and spoon.
One glazed ceramic snuff bottle. A short narrow neck with a flared lip surmounts a flattened spade-shaped body tapering towards a rectangular base. Dominant glaze colours are red-brown and white. Lip glazed gold as are the boundaries of each face. Neck and short sides exhibit red-brown woodgrain pattern. Faces are glazed in various hues and present solitary figures in garden landscapes. Base exhibits mark: 房山雲彤 (Mount Fang red cloud). Plain hemispherical orange stopper and red-brown glass collar. Spoon is missing.
One imitation realgar glass snuff bottle. Yellow-gold vein. A short narrow neck surmounts a flattened body carved in the form of a double gourd shape the lower lobe of which tapers towards an oval-shaped base. One side presents two Chinese characters 大古 (big ancient). Hemispherical peach-orange stopper.
One glazed blue and white ceramic snuff bottle. A short wide neck surmounts a flattened circular body tapering towards an oval-shaped base. Neck ringed with a botanical design. Main body presents a continuous design of figures dancing and playing music.
One glazed red-brown and white ceramic snuff bottle. A short narrow neck with a slightly out-turned lip surmounts an elongated cylindrical body tapering at the bottom towards a circular base. One side of the body presents a large design of a warrior drawing a sword; the other side presents a small bat motif. Base exhibits mark of Qianlong Emperor (1736-1796 AD).
One glazed yellow and black ceramic snuff bottle. A short wide neck with a flared lip surmounts a cylindrical body rectangular in cross-section with rounded shoulders tapering towards a circular base. Body decorated with freely-executed dragon-like motifs. Base exhibits mark of Yongzheng Emperor (1723-1735 AD). Brass stopper moulded in the form of a dragon with an ivory spoon attached.
One white glass snuff bottle. A short narrow neck surmounts a flattened pear-shaped body tapering towards the base. Overlay carved in continuous pattern of red leaves and fruit. Intricately carved peach-coloured coral stopper and yellow glass collar.
One glazed ceramic snuff bottle. A short narrow neck surmounts a long cylindrical body tapering at the bottom towards a circular base. Dominant glaze colours are blue and white with touches of pink red-brown and green. Upper shoulders and neck ringed with geometric patterns. Cylindrical body presents continuous design of figures in a mountainous landscape. Base outer circumference exhibits ruyi pattern.
One glazed white ceramic snuff bottle. A short narrow neck surmounts a flattened spade-shaped body tapering towards a narrow rectangular base. Gold glaze rings bottle rim and defines boundary of each face. Short sides and neck present glazed blue and white botanical designs. Faces decorated with multi-coloured designs of figures in exterior scenes. Base exhibits mark of Qianlong (1736-1796 AD).
One glazed blue and white ceramic snuff bottle. A short narrow neck surmounts a flattened circular body tapering towards an oval-shaped base. Rim ringed with botanical pattern. Body presents a continuous design of people engaged in a range of activities from cooking and carpentry to textile work and making music. Short sides exhibit serpentine dragon motifs. Base exhibits mark of Shunzhi Emperor (1643-1661 AD).
One pale green jade snuff bottle. A short narrow neck surmounts a flattened rounded rectangular body with high shoulders tapering towards an oval-shaped base. Short sides exhibit carved taotie designs. Plain hemispherical pink stopper and green collar.
One amber-coloured glass snuff bottle. A short wide neck with an inner cone tapering to a narrow opening surmounts a flattened rounded rectangular body tapering at the bottom towards an oval-shaped base. One interior face presents a painted scene of birds and foliage; the other interior face presents a painted scene of a dog in a garden.
One ceramic barrel-shaped snuff bottle without stopper. White ground with 18 children in blue and red playing games beneath a tree. Boat on bottom.
One three-piece rectangular brass daigou. Obverse of each component presents serpentine dragon moulded in relief.
One brass daigou comprising five semi-precious stones mounted in an oval brass fitting. Obverse of brass fitting presents an elaborate serpentine botanical relief pattern.
One double-lobed brass daigou comprising two semi-precious stones set into brass fittings.
One oval brass daigou made from reshaped jun ware shards set into a brass fitting. Obverse comprises a central red shard ground into a rectangular shape flanked by two blue-purple shards ground into semi-circular shapes.
One oval-shaped brass daigou decorated with jade carving. Obverse presents grey-white mutton-fat jade relief-carving of dragon mounted in brass. Reverse presents two brass belt loops and clasp.
One brass-gilded warming pan and lid. Pan presents out-turned rim surmounting a flattened cylindrical body tapering slightly to a flat circular base. Base underside presents a dark brown symbol and signs of brown-green corrosion in one area. Riveted to one side of the pan is a flat rectangular metal plate from which extends a hollow cylindrical handle flaring slightly outwards. Right-hand side of plate presents three Chinese characters. Lid consists of a ring-shaped cylinder surmounting a flattened hemispherical body. Lid interior is not gilded.
One bronze daigou painted black with decorative patterning in red. In the form of bird with a semi-circular body and a long hooked neck. Convex obverse of body presents geometric pattern; sides of body exhibit keyhole pattern. Head exhibits small red-painted eyes and a broad grooved mouth. From Xiongnu culture.
One bronze daigou, with inlaid gold and silver.
One bronze circle and cross in centre, seven 'petals', with back loop. Known as a 'Nestorian Cross'.
In diamond, with loops on each arm of cross. Back loop. Known as a 'Nestorian Cross'.
Six-petalled flowers, looped back. Known as a 'Nestorian Cross'.
One bronze amulet with four loops and pointed centre bar.
One bronze bell (bo) with diamond-shaped cross-section. Each side presents a three by three array of nine moulded projecting coils surrounded by a decoative border in moulded relief. Without clapper. Pattern of meanders and projecting coils.
One dark gray circular bronze button with speckles of brown and blue-green corrosion. Obverse convex with moulded embellishments on the rim. Reverse slightly concave with moulded ring.
One circular bronze button with patches of brown metal visible amidst blue-green corrosion. Convex obverse divided into three tiers. Concave reverse exhibits bar loop.
One circular bronze button with patches of brown metal visible amidst blue-green corrosion. Obverse convex with a narrow flat rim. Reverse flat with bar loop.
One gilded bronze figure with red and white colours on head. Four legs and six arms, two holding an object.
One bronze demon-like figure, holding wine cup and phallus.
One approximately triangular bronze fragment from the rim of a bowl. Exhibits gray-green patina. Obverse face presents serpentine pattern moulded in shallow relief.
One shallow circular bowl-shaped bronze fragment. Exhibits green patina with metallic red-brown and purple flecks.
One U-shaped bronze handle with an approximately square cross-section. Exhibits green patina with metallic orange-red flecks. Obverse face presents serpentine patterns moulded in shallow relief. Outer edge presents braided pattern moulded in shallow relief.
One tongue-shaped bronze dagger-axe (ge). Obverse and reverse exhibit green patina. Behind blade (yuan) is a ring-shaped socket for a staff. The other side of the socket terminates in a rectangular flange (nei) the obverse and reverse of which present moulded serpentine patterns.
One bronze dagger-axe (ge). Obverse and reverse exhibit green patina. Ge consists of an elongated blade (yuan) behind which is a flange (nei) perforated by a small hole. Obverse and reverse of nei present turquoise inlay.
One slender bronze dagger. Exhibits green-brown patina. Upper butt moulded into opposed horn spirals. Obverse and reverse of butt present moulded linear scale pattern and a stylized human mask at the juncture of butt and blade.
One wedge-shaped bronze axe head. Obverse and reverse exhibit green patina. Behind axe blade is a rectangular socket for a handle. One side of socket presents moulded bronze loop.
One bronze bit and an attached bronze bell. Both objects exhibit green-brown patina. Bit comprises two rings and a short connecting bar. Bell takes form five equidistantly-spaced rings defining the form of a flattened open spheroid. Upper surface of bell presents moulded bracket through which a small bronze ring connects bell to one of the larger rings of the bit.
Two slender serpentine bronze harness fittings connected by a bronze chain. Obverse and reverse of fittings and chain exhibit green patina. One fitting is moulded into the shape of two open spirals. The other fitting is broken and presents only a single open spiral.
One approximately U-shaped bronze harness fitting. Obverse and reverse exhibit green patina. Each end presents a boss and three teeth. Right end also exhibits a bronze loop.
One bronze dagger-axe or ge. Obverse and reverse exhibit green-brown patina. End of blade (yuan) is broken off. Head of yuan broadens into crosspiece extension (hu). Lower part of hu presents a rectangular perforation (qiong). Behind hu is a flange or nei the obverse and reverse of which is grooved with a simple U-shape.
One elongated triangular bronze blade (yuan) from a dagger-axe or ge. Obverse and reverse exhibit green patina. Head of yuan is broken.
One triangular bronze dagger-axe or ge. Obverse and reverse exhibit green-brown patina. Two small holes near head of blade (yuan) behind which flange (nei) is broken off.
One cleaver-shaped bronze tanged knife. Obverse and reverse exhibit green patina. Very thin in cross-section.
One spade-shaped bronze axe head. Small rectangular flange behind the blade. Obverse and reverse present green patina and taotie pattern moulded in relief.
One cylindrical bronze leg from a vessel. Leg exhibits grey-green patina flecked with yellow and blue. One end partially encircled by blocky serpentine moulded decoration and a narrow longitudinal flange.
One circular bronze mirror. Exhibits green patina. Reverse presents moulded central stub surrounded by concentric rings with moulded patterns in shallow relief. Innermost ring presents twelve circles arranged in four groups of three. Penultimate ring presents Chinese characters written in clerical script: xxxx而光而象xxxx而去而日而月xxx.
One circular bronze mirror. Reverse presents moulded central stub surrounded by moulded figures in high relief all oriented in the same direction.
One circular bronze mirror. Reverse presents moulded central stub surrounded two concentric rings of moulded patterns. Inner ring presents animals and fruit in high relief. Outer ring presents Chinese characters. Narrow bevelled outer rim presents three incised characters 金城記 that mean 'golden city record'. The last sign is a signature.
One circular bronze mirror. Reverse presents moulded central stub surrounded by four Chinese characters 羅近園記 moulded in shallow relief and spaced equidistantly around the circumference.
One circular bronze mirror. Exhibits green patina. Reverse presents moulded central stub surrounded by moulded patterns in shallow grooves.
One trapezoidal bronze mirror fragment. Reverse exhibits green patina and presents concentric ring arcs of bead patterns moulded in high relief and rope patterns moulded in shallow relief.
One trapezoidal bronze mirror fragment. Exhibits green patina with metallic orange flecks. Reverse presents concentric ring arcs with moulded patterns in shallow relief. Inner ring arc interleaves spirals and quatrefoils. Outer ring arc presents archaic script.
One circular bronze mirror. Reverse presents moulded patterns in three concentric areas encircling a central knob. Inner two areas present moulded clusters of berry fruit. To one side of the central knob is the moulded head of a reptile.
One circular bronze mirror. Reverse presents series of moulded rings. Innermost ring presents moulded serpentine pattern in shallow relief in which are inset four small equidistantly-spaced knobs moulded in high relief. Penultimate ring presents triangular pattern moulded in shallow relief.
One circular bronze mirror. Reverse exhibits green patina and presents a central double-lobed moulded knob with two Chinese characters 彦恭 (yan gong) moulded in shallow relief opposite each lobe.
One dark grey circular bronze pendant with a prominent ring-shaped attachment. Convex obverse and concave reverse.
One bronze pendant resembling the head of an animal with large eyes and ears and a pointed snout. Bar loop attached to reverse.
One gilded bronze figurine in the form of a Bodhisattva seated on a lotus throne. Gilding is flaking off in many places. Figure's head and body exhibit remains of blue and red pigmentation. Contains rolls of inscribed cloth.
One standalone copper-bronze moulded relief sculpture in the form of a standing figure. Figure's raised upper left limb takes the form of a leg and foot.
One bronze figurine of the Sino-Tibetan deity figure Dam Can. Outstretched hands are represented performing simhamukha or 'lion face' mudra. Dam Can depicted riding a buffalo upon a base that exhibits stylised wave patterns. Figurine exhibits remains of red and yellow pigmentation.
One bronze figurine in a fabric-covered box. Figure of Central Asian dancer posed on a lotus-bud-shaped pedestal with right arm and right leg raised. Copy of original found near Shandan, Gansu, in the Shandan Rewi Alley Museum. Box fabric is predominantly blue with patterns of houses and trees. Box is lined in red felt. Lid of box embellished with white label presenting a column of six Chinese characters. Lid fastened with white bone toggles and loops of red material.
One bronze sculpture of two near-identifical prone figurines oriented top to tail. Figures are connected at their upper and lower torsos by two mouldings in the shape of flattened cylinders and are depicted clasping one another's left hands. Copy of the famous 'Gymnastic Boys' bronze, original in Lanzhou Museum.
One very small bronze figure in the form of a stylised fox head. Obverse and reverse exhibit green patina.
One bronze figurine of an animal with a prominent muzzle and neck and a short slender body. Obverse and reverse exhibit green patina. Legs are missing.
One small gilded bronze figurine in the form of a crouching lion. Small patches of green patina where gilding has flaked off. Tail of lion curves over its back and along its right hand side. Linear grooves detail eyes nose and paws. Figure is slightly split along its back.
One bronze figurine with hands pressed together in mudra of greeting or veneration. Exhibits green patina with metallic bronze flecks. Both legs are missing.
One gilded bronze Buddha figurine. Obverse and reverse exhibit green patina with metallic red and brown flecks. Figure is moulded in high relief and posed standing against the shape of a stylised bodhi tree. Obverse of bodhi tree presents linear patterning.
One bronze figurine of a feline standing with its head and lower back raised. Figure's tail curls over its back in undulating profile to connect with its head. Square bracket attached to left shoulder. Small circular hole in breast beneath head and larger square opening in posterior. Right hand side presents grooved linear patterns representing stripes and rosettes.
One bronze figurine of a foreigner. Figure is posed dancing with left arm and left leg raised. Most of the left arm is missing as well as a pedestal beneath the right leg. The upper back of the figure appears to be split open.
One bronze figurine. Figure is robed and posed kneeling on its right leg on a hollow base. Figure extends both hands to present an offering.
One bronze figurine. Figure is posed dancing on a hollow pedestal with its left arm and left leg raised. Figure holds a double gourd in its right hand.
One gilded bronze figurine of a Buddha seated on a lotus throne. Gilding is flaking off in many places.
One gilded bronze imitation conch shell on stand.
One bronze jug with a cylindrical body moulded into an S-shape. In the form of a zun but with a handle attached to the lower half of the body. Vessel exhibits green patina with flecks of metallic yellow and red. Narrow groove encircling waist defines boundary between upper and lower body. Upper body flares into a wide rim at the top. Lower body flares out to a similar extent before curving in towards a narrower base. Lower body also presents divided monster or Taotie pattern in moulded shallow relief.
One approximately circular bronze food bowl (gui). Dark green and brown patina. Two ring-shaped handles located on opposing sides of shoulder of vessel. Upper rim presents folded lip.
One bronze gu. Exhibits green patina and metallic red-brown flecks. Elongated cylindrical body flaring outwards from waist. Upper rim is approximately twice as wide as the lower. Raised band encircles the waist bounded above by one raised ring and below by two raised rings. Small hole between two lower rings.
One bronze hu or zhi with a cylindrical body and lid moulded into an S-shape. Vessel exhibits green patina flecked with metallic orange-red. Four equidistantly-spaced vertical flanges divide lid and body into quadrants. Lid surmounted by a wedge-shaped knob. Lid and body present moulded patterns in shallow relief including divided monster or taotie design.
Two tripodal bronze wine cups (jue) of near identical size and shape. One vessel exhibits more pronounced green patina. Each vessel presents a cylindrical body with a rounded bottom and an upper lip that flares into a wide triangular spout opposing a handle in the shape of a half cylinder. Each vessel also possesses a pair of conically capped cylinders either side of the upper handle and another semi-circular handle on their right side. Each vessel is embellished with three raised linear features running in parallel around their upper bodies and beneath the arch of their side handles.
One wheel-shaped ornament with cross in centre as spoke.
One second rank 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.
One first rank 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.
One fourth rank 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).
One third rank 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.
One fourth rank 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.
One seventh rank 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).
One fourth rank 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.
One seventh rank 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.
One circular brass button. Obverse outer circumference presents a geometric pattern surrounding a central design of a bird plants and flowers. Reverse exhibits metal loop.
One circular white jade button. Blue-brown vein. Obverse presents relief carving of coiled lizard. Reverse presents transverse piercing threaded through with blue cord.
One first rank 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).
One sixth rank 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.
One fifth rank ji guan (Chinese court official's hat) insignia. Comprises a transparent glass sphere threaded between a three tier base and double tier cap of gilt metal lotus-like leaf-shaped scrolls embellished with trefoil beads.
One calligraphy scroll of two; five main characters with two lines of smaller characters; no signature seals; cracking in various places. One calligraphy scroll; five main characters with two lines of smaller characters; two signature seals. Inscription as follows: 萅秋多佳日 西北有高樓 皋北闌山麓書應啓x先生正 丁亥夏四月 南春裴xx
One memorial scroll of calligraphy on paper with wooden ends. Commissioned by some of his older students to present to Rewi Alley on his 85th birthday, 1982. Inscription reads: 恭祝 路易. 艾黎老師八十五壽辰紀念 振翼齊飛 學生邱然美 梁渤然 張浩國 余盡忠 一九八二年十二月於慶陽 化普代筆 seal: 李化普印
One painted figure of a bodhisattva and calligraphy. Title of inscription: 大唐中興三藏聖教序 (Preface to [the Translations of] Sacred Teachings [Prepared by] the Master of Three Canons during the Period of Resurgence of the Great Tang)
One Tibetan holy script from Lamasery in Inner Mongolia.
One unglazed painted earthenware head of a female figure. Figure exhibits elaborate hairstyle with remants of linear detailing in ochre pigment. Eyes and eyebrows are painted in black pigment and lips in red pigment.
One Japanese globular glazed white ceramic toggle with a multi-coloured design of a robed and coiffed woman walking in a garden beneath the shade of a parasol wielded by a female attendant. Glaze exhibits crackle effect. Crackle glazed.
Five beads. From top to bottom they are: (1) glazed yellow brown and green ceramic in a pattern of discs and dots. (2) glazed yellow tan brown and light blue ceramic in a pattern of discs and geometric shapes. Cylindrical with a relatively large axial piercing. (3) glazed yellow brown and green ceramic in a pattern of discs and dots. Cylindrical with a relatively large axial piercing. (4) glazed red-brown tan and pale green ceramic. Spherical with a small piercing visible on one side. (5) dark grey stone with white vein. In the form of a flattened sphere.
One plain circular ceramic bowl with a shallow base. Glazed light blue. Undecorated apart from darker blue interior and exterior circumferential lines and a Chinese character on the interior base. Underside of base encrusted with grit.
One circular glazed blue and white ceramic bowl with a shallow base enclosed inside a wicker case with a metal rim. Bowl interior presents a botanical motif on the base and a band of botanical patterning just beneath upper rim. Middle interior of bowl exhibits moulded dot or leaf pattern. Upper section of wicker exterior covering exhibits blue and cream band of geometric patterning.
One circular glazed blue-white ceramic bowl with a slightly flaring lip and a shallow narrow base. Bowl interior embellished with blue circumferential lines immediately beneath rim and around the base. Interior base presents circular blue serpentine design of fishes.
One circular glazed green orange and white Jun ware bowl with a shallow narrow base. Bowl interior and exterior present loosely executed botanical designs with a bird motif on the interior base. Exterior base of bowl is unglazed.
One circular glazed blue and purple Jun ware bowl with a narrow shallow base. Exterior and interior exhibit crazing. Lower part of bowl exterior is unglazed.