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 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 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 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 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 gold-hued metallic water pipe holder and accessories. Holder consists of a flattened cylinder with a flat base. Holder sides present inscribed decorations. Holder upper surface exhibits several openings into which are inserted water pipe accessories such as pipe cleaning brush and tweezers on a chain. Holder upper surface also presents a capped opening to water reservoir.
One ceramic sceptre or ruyi in the shape of a flattened spindle. Obverse and sides are glazed in blue and white; reverse is unglazed. Lower end is disk-shaped; middle section widens into oval-shape; upper end is shield-shaped. Glazed area of ruyi presents designs of animals and intricately patterned geometric borders.
One glazed white ceramic head of a relief figurine. Convex obverse details hair and facial features in green orange and black. Flat reverse is unglazed.
One unglazed arch-shaped light tan earthenware votive tablet. Obverse presents elongated stylised buddha figure moulded in relief. Reverse presents incised inscription in Chinese characters that reads: 印度佛像大唐／蘇常侍等共作 or 'Indian Buddhist Image, the Great Tang, made by [court eunuch] Su and others.'
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 unglazed tan earthenware dipper. Remnants of yellow-green colouring.
One unglazed blue-grey earthenware vessel. Square base rises into an approximately cylindrical body surmounted by a globular head. Vessel divided vertically by narrow raised ridge. One side of the head presents a large hole. Vessel exhibits traces of red and ochre pigment.
One unglazed blue-grey earthenware vessel. Raised lip at top and impressed Chinese characters on upper half of body. Transverse ridge around upper middle.
One unglazed brown-beige earthenware vessel. Raised upper lip with v-shaped chip on one side. Upper half of body exhibits linear geometric pattern of zig-zags and diamonds. Small circular hole on one side near base.
One creamy-white elongated carved ivory female figure posed on a short base openwork carved and pierced with details of lotus plant leaves and blossoms. Figure's right hand grasps stem attached to lotus bud and leaf disposed over her right shoulder. Iconography consistent with Daoist Immortal He Xiangu.
One creamy-white elongated carved ivory figure posed on a short base openwork carved and pierced on the front surface with details of leaves fruit and a small animal. Figure depicted holding a flute up to its mouth. Rear surface of figure is less detailed presenting an oval-shaped label with Chinese characters. Iconography consistent with Daoist Immortal Han Xiangzi.
One creamy-white elongated carved ivory male figure posed on a short base openwork carved and pierced on the front surface with botanical patterns. Figure is depicted bearded and dressed in long flowing robes bearing a bamboo tube in its right hand and an orb-shaped fruit between the thumb and index finger of its left hand. Rear surface of figure is less detailed presenting an oval-shaped label with Chinese characters. Iconography consistent with Daoist Immortal Zhang Guolao.
One creamy-white elongated carved ivory male figure posed on a short base openwork carved and pierced on the front surface with botanical patterns. Figure is depicted bearded and dressed in long flowing robes with his right hand clutching his belt and his left hand holding two clappers above his head. Rear surface of figure is less detailed presenting an oval-shaped label with Chinese characters. Iconography consistent with Daoist Immortal Cao Guojiu.
One creamy-white elongated carved ivory male figure posed on a short base openwork carved and pierced on the front surface with botanical patterns. Figure is depicted bearded and dressed in long flowing robes with his right hand holding a calabash gourd bottle and his left hand a walking stick. Iconography consistent with Daoist Immortal Li Tieguai.
One creamy-white elongated carved ivory male figure posed on a short base openwork carved and pierced on the front surface with botanical patterns. Figure is depicted bearded and dressed in long flowing robes with a sword slung over his right shoulder and a Daoist fly whisk held in his right hand. Iconography consistent with Daoist Immortal Lu Dongbin.
One chair, part of gift from the Palace Museum.
Several light tan and brown turtle shell fragments bearing traces of red-ochre pigment.
One pipe fabricated from an elongated sheep bone. Bowl of pipe employs a red-brown brass cartridge surrounded by three large and three small brass studs.
Furniture gifted to Canterbury Museum by the Beijing Palace Museum, in 1957.
One grey-green carved stone head and neck placed on a red-brown carved wood base that resembles the upper torso of a figure standing with its arms by its sides. The front of the base exhibits a carved strap that extends from upper left to lower right. The stone head is noticeably chipped and worn whilst the wooden base is nearly pristine.
One light tan carved stone head with a prominent hairpiece large ears and small facial features placed on a red-brown carved wood base that resembles the upper torso of a figure standing with its arms by its sides. The front of the base exhibits a carved strap that extends from upper left to lower right. The stone head is noticeably chipped and worn whilst the wooden base is nearly pristine.
Two elongated white mutton-fat jade seals with square cross-section. Both seals exhibit upper rounded edges and delicately carved stylised landscape imagery on their shafts. Bottom faces of seals reliefs carved with two versions of the name Rewi Alley in Chinese characters. Seals presented in fabric-covered box with exterior colour flower and leaf design and interior white lining.
One yellow-white jade ornament in the form of a robed male figure seated in the lotus position. Figure is depicted parting its abdomen to reveal a small homunculus.
One gilded bronze figurine of a Buddha seated on a lotus throne. Gilding is flaking off in many places.
One miniature gilded wooden shrine in the form of a roofed rectangular box mounted on a double pedestal. Box has two doors that open to reveal a brass Buddha figurine with an elaborate headdress mounted on a pedestal. Box shrine is painted dark blue and embellished with carved ornamentation and decorative metal hinges and clasps.
One glazed earthenware ridge tile moulded in the form of a fish with an upraised body and tail. Ridge tile presents semi-circular cross-section. Body of fish is glazed purple-blue with tail and fins glazed in turquoise and yellow.
One small cream-brown carved stone head. Exhibits longitudinal piercing threaded through with blue cord.
One white carved stone head of Guanyin broken off at the neck from a larger sculpture. Lower left side of its face is marked with dark grey speckling. Figure wears an elaborate hairstyle bound into a knot above its brow. Facial features comprise closed eyes a long nose and a small mouth. Two small holes drilled into the back of the head suggest that there are missing attachments. Head rests on a plain red-brown carved wood base cuboid in shape.
One speckled grey-green carved stone sculpture comprising a head and neck broken off a larger figure. Face exhibits a small nose and mouth but has no eyes. Horizontal incision on brow creates the impression of a hairline. Top and rear of head presents sculpted cord and pigtail.
One dark blue and white glazed ceramic shard.
One blue and white glazed ceramic shard.
One beige ceramic shard. Obverse and reverse exhibit remains of transparent glaze.
One brown unglazed ceramic shard. Obverse presents pattern of dashes.
One grey-brown unglazed ceramic shard. Obverse presents wave pattern.
One multi-coloured glazed ceramic shard. Obverse presents a botanical pattern.
One dark blue and white glazed ceramic shard. Obverse presents design of tree and castle.
One sword-shaped implement constructed from ~one hundred and seventeen circular square-holed Qing dynasty coins bound together with loops of red yellow and green string. The pommel comprises ~forty seven coins ringing a central spindle. The cross guard and blade comprise ~seventy coins laid flat in overlapping pairs culminating in a metal flange at the blade tip. The coins defining either side of the cross guard are disposed reverse side up (i.e. they present various Manchu mint marks); the coins comprising the blade present their obverses on one side of the sword and their reverses on the other.
One globular chocolate brown yixing ceramic teapot with a large ring-shaped handle decorated with an incised scale pattern. Teapot surmounted by a lid with a removable dragon's head held in place by twine and a bilaterally symmetric knob in the form of a double spiral or cloud design. Sides of teapot feature moulded designs in low relief of a carp and a dragon respectively.
One glazed blue-white Fujian blanc de Chine male supplicant figure. Figure is depicted standing in a slightly bowed position on a cuboid pedestal with hands folded in prayer at chest height.
One glazed white Fujian blanc de Chine cup in the form of rhinoceros horn. Cup exterior presents moulded relief ornamentation in the form of folds falling from the rim and floral patterns on its lower two thirds.
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.
One circular glazed blue and purple Jun ware bowl with a narrow shallow base. Lower part of bowl exterior is unglazed.
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 spade-shaped bronze axe head. Small rectangular flange behind the blade. Obverse and reverse present green patina and taotie pattern moulded in relief.
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 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 blade-shaped bronze knife coin. Coin presents moulded ring at one end and an obtuse bend half-way down its length. Of the so-called 'Ming Knife' variety from ~400-220 BCE.
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 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.
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 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 ceramic figurine depicting smiling broadly and seated on its posterior whilst grasping an object in its right hand. Figure is glazed white except for a band of dark blue around its waist.
One circular glazed blue and white ceramic bowl with a shallow base. Bowl exterior exhibits serpentine pattern of robed figures and clouds. Base of bowl interior presents circular design of three robed figures in a landscape. Underside of base of bowl exhibits mark of Qianlong (1736-1796).
Two circular glazed white ceramic rice bowls each tapering to a shallow narrow base. Interior and exterior of bowls present bands of geometric and serpentine botanical patterns in blue orange-red pale green and yellow. On the interior and exterior sides of the bowls are flower petals coloured pale green corresponding to areas of thinner ceramic that transmits light. Interior base of each bowl presents a serpent-like dragon motif. Undersides of bases of bowls exhibit mark of Guangxu (1875-1908).
One slender serpentine white jade daigou. Upper part of obverse presents carved head of a dragon.
One serpentine white jade daigou. Upper part of obverse presents carved head of a dragon. Obverse body presents serpentine relief carving of a cicada. Lower part of reverse exhibits export seal in red wax
One slender serpentine white jade daigou. Upper part of obverse presents carved head of a bird.
One serpentine green-white jade daigou. Upper part of obverse presents carved head of a dragon.
One slender serpentine white jade daigou. Light brown vein. Upper part of obverse presents carved head of a dragon.
One short squat serpentine grey-white jade daigou. Brown vein. Upper part of obverse presents carved head of a dragon. Obverse body presents relief carving of dragon.
One serpentine yellow-white dark brown jade daigou. Dark brown vein. Upper part of obverse presents carved head of a dragon. Export seal on back.
One serpentine pale green-white jade daigou. Green-brown vein. Upper part of obverse presents carved head of a dragon. Obverse body presents pattern of dots and double spirals (ruyi motifs) carved in low relief.
One cleaver-shaped bronze tanged knife. Obverse and reverse exhibit green patina. Very thin in cross-section.
One serpentine white jade daigou. Light brown vein. Upper part of obverse presents carved head of a dragon. Obverse body presents relief carving of a dragon.
One serpentine blue-white jade daigou. Light brown vein. Upper part of obverse presents carved head of a dragon. Obverse body presents serpentine relief carving of a dragon.
One serpentine green-white jade daigou. Upper part of obverse presents carved head of a dragon. Obverse body presents relief carving of a dragon.
One serpentine white jade daigou. Upper part of obverse presents carved head of a dragon. Obverse body presents serpentine relief carving of a monkey.
One serpentine white jade daigou. Pale green-brown vein. Upper part of obverse presents carved head of a feline.
One serpentine white jade daigou. Upper part of obverse presents carved head of a dragon.
One serpentine white jade daigou. Light brown vein. Upper part of obverse presents carved head of a dragon.
One serpentine green jade daigou. Brown vein. Upper part of obverse presents carved head of an insect or lizard. Obverse body presents serpentine relief carving of a cicada.
One serpentine white jade daigou. Upper part of obverse presents carved head of a horse. Obverse body presents serpentine relief carving of a monkey.
One serpentine white jade daigou. Brown vein. Upper part of obverse presents carved head of a pheasant. Obverse body presents serpentine botanical relief carving.
One slender serpentine white jade daigou. Upper part of obverse presents carved head of a swan.
One bulbous serpentine white jade daigou. Upper part of obverse presents carved head of a dragon. Obverse body presents serpentine relief carving of a dragon.
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 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 long slender white jade pin. Obverse upper end terminates in circular button on which incised ruyi fungal patterns surround an inset pink gemstone.
One serpentine grey-green jade daigou. Yellow-green vein. Upper part of obverse presents carved head of a dragon. Obverse body presents serpentine relief carving of a dragon.
One serpentine grey-green jade daigou. Brown vein. Upper part of obverse presents carved head of a dragon. Obverse body presents raised tongue-shaped ridge.
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. 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 button with patches of brown metal visible amidst blue-green corrosion. Obverse convex with a narrow flat rim. Reverse flat with bar loop.
One shallow circular bowl-shaped bronze fragment. Exhibits green patina with metallic red-brown and purple flecks.
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 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 approximately triangular bronze fragment from the rim of a bowl. Exhibits gray-green patina. Obverse face presents serpentine pattern moulded in shallow relief.
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 elongated triangular bronze blade (yuan) from a dagger-axe or ge. Obverse and reverse exhibit green patina. Head of yuan is broken.
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 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 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.
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 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.
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 circular bronze mirror. Exhibits green patina. Reverse presents moulded central stub surrounded by moulded patterns in shallow grooves.
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 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 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 unglazed red-brown ceramic bowl. Exhibits rough surface texture.
One cylindrical hollow cream-brown bone fragment broken into two pieces. Each piece is filled with clay.
One L-shaped cream-brown miniature jade halberd blade. Dark blue-brown vein. Comprises long and short blades. Long blade terminates in a rectangular flange (nei) in which is pierced a rectangular opening.
One cylindrical hollowed-out pale green jade ornament with inset cylindrical brass container. Brown vein. Upper surface of brass container presents moulded dragon design.
One bi-laterally symmetric translucent white jade pendant. Two small holes pierced in each upper lobe. Obverse and reverse present engraved taotie pattern.
One cylindrical mutton-fat white jade bead. Serpentine relief craving of a dragon. Hole pierced through longitudinal axis threaded with loop of dark string; knotted at either end to secure bead.
One oval shaped white mutton-fat jade pendant. Obverse presents engraved dragon. Reverse presents two engraved dragons around perimeter of central rectangle framing an inscription. Small hole pierced at top.
One square-shaped translucent white mutton-fat jade pendant. Obverse and reverse present four engraved winged heads located on sides of engraved central rectangle. On both obverse and reverse, central rectangle frames engraved characters.. Scalloped corners. Small holes pierced at each end.
One circular translucent pale green jade bi. Brown-flecked vein. Medium-sized circular central hole.
Two long slender green jade pins. Dark green vein. Ends of each pin decorated with carved serpentine design of waves and fish.
One green jade bead in shape of flattened cylinder. Dark green vein. Obverse and reverse present engraved details. Hole pierced through longitudinal axis.
One blade-shaped yellow-brown jade pendant in form of furnishing for lower end of sword scabbard. Dark brown vein. Widens towards lower end. Obverse and reverse present central band of engraved serpentine decoration. Three holes in upper end of pendant with blue cord threaded through.
One cylindrical green jade bead. Outer surface presents carved relief decoration of stylised dragons. Hole pierced through longitudinal axis. Tapers slightly towards upper end.
One elongated blade-shaped olive green jade gui squared off at one end and pointed at the other. Dark green vein. Square end of obverse presents incised design pointing towards an incised pattern of seven linked dots.
One crescent-shaped translucent grey and brown jade huang. Dark brown vein. From a girdle pendant. Probably cut from a large bi. Two suspension holes near inside rim and one suspension hole near outer rim.
One rectangular white jade pendant. Brown vein. Obverse presents central fluted vertical. Reverse is flat. Small hole pierced in upper edge with blue and white cord threaded through.
One crescent-shaped translucent blue-grey jade huang. Dark blue-grey vein. From a girdle pendant. Probably cut from large bi. Obverse and reverse present incised spiral pattern. Two suspension holes near outer rim.
One blade-shaped white pendant. Brown vein. Upper end swells into carved rosette with incised details of petals and a small central hole. Implement used for loosening knots.
One adze-shaped jade object. Grey and brown with brown-flecked vein. One hole at top.
One jade cylinder. Splayed to either end and drilled lengthwise.
One crescent shaped white jade ornament of an animal. Light brown vein. Four square legs projecting from body and long curving tail. Obverse and reverse present incised pattern on head and body.
One circular yellow-brown jade qi. Darker brown vein. Sagittal cross-section tapers inward from obverse to reverse. Obverse presents Yin-Yang symbol surrounded by an annular grain pattern. Reverse presents transverse piercing with light blue cord threaded through.
One circular translucent blue-grey jade bi. Small circular central hole. Obverse presents gu-wen grain pattern. Reverse divided into two concentric rings. Inner ring presents pattern of linear marks. Outer ring presents eight larger trigrams (bagua).
One long slender light brown bone fragment resembling a spatula. Exhibits traces of green colouring.
One cream-yellow solid bone fragment in the form of a short flattened cylinder with a large notch cut out of one end.
One cream and tan disc-shaped carved stone shard with a slightly hemispherical cross-section. Presents a small circular central piercing. Part of the rim has been broken off.
One white and light tan disc-shaped carved stone shard. Flat on one side and convex on the other. Presents a small circular central piercing. Nearly half of the rim has been broken off.
One cup-shaped light tan horn fragment cut from the coronet of a deer antler. Exterior surface exhibits traces of red-ochre and green colouring.
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 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 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 cone-shaped hollow red-brown horn fragment. Exhibits incised geometric patterns near its base.
One yellow-brown hollow bone cylinder narrowing slightly at the waist. Exterior surface presents incised patterning.
One unglazed grey-tan earthenware figure. Figure is moulded in the form of a hollow cylinder truncated at the hip. The arms are raised with the hands pressed to the cheeks and the tongue protruding. Traces of red and brown pigment on eyes nose and tongue.
One unglazed brown earthenware vessel. Upper two thirds of vessel present loosely painted geometric patterns in dark brown pigment. Two small curved handles extend from lip to shoulder on opposing sides.
One unglazed light tan earthenware roof ridge tile surmounted by a stylised horse with an over-sized head. Incised details of horse's mane and saddle and incised wave patterns where horse's legs join base of tile.
One unglazed dark brown earthenware vessel. Globular body surmounted by a narrow cylindrical neck and out-turned rim and lips. Central part of body exhibits broad band of densely impressed vertical dotted lines contained within transverse linear boundaries and divided by a single central transverse line. Neck and upper shoulder exhibit narrower band of incised transverse linear features.
One lilac-grey jade censer. Dark brown vein. Cylindrical upper section surmounted by shishi guardian lion. Abruptly swells at the waist into the form of a hemisphere supported on three equidistantly-spaced legs with rounded feet. On opposing sides the shoulders of the censer are extended into carved animal heads the hanging tongues of which curve back into the censer's body. Each animal tongue is encircled by a loose ring.
Purchased by Canterbury Museum director Roger Duff with funds provided by the Museum Trust Board on his visit to China in 1956.
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 translucent carved rock crystal sculpture of a human figure wearing a robe and headdress.
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 serpentine rose quartz daigou. Upper part of obverse presents carved head of a dragon.
One serpentine pale green-white jade daigou. Dark green vein. Upper part of obverse presents carved head of a dragon.
One rectangular variegated agate quartz daigou. Large slot and hook on back.
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.
One round, copper and green coloured metal harness medallion. Carved patterns on an inner circle with a carved design of four snake-like dragons around the outside, whose heads project beyond the outer circular border. Engraved detail on inner circle and outer circle edge. Detail on one side only. Pierced ‘eyes’ for attachment.
One circular green-brown jade bi traversed in the frontal plane by a rectangular bar squared off at the bottom and arrow-shaped at the top. Dark green and purple-brown vein. Medium-sized circular central hole. Obverse presents incised serpentine dragon; reverse presents seven dots joined by lines representing the constellation of the Great Sea (Ursa Major). External circumference of bi is broken at one point. Bi rests in a wooden four-legged stand with carved ornamental details on the sides and along the base.
One red-brown and cream cuboid soapstone seal. Predominantly cream-coloured upper end embellished with carved tortoise bearing a baby tortoise on its back. Bottom face carved with seal pattern.
One bulbous serpentine translucent blue-purple quartz daigou. Upper part of obverse presents carved head of a dragon.
One bulbous serpentine white jade daigou carved in shape of a dragon. Light brown vein.
One serpentine white jade daigou. Upper part of obverse presents carved head of a dragon. Obverse body presents serpentine relief carving of a dragon.
One serpentine white jade daigou. Pink vein. Upper part of obverse presents carved head of a dragon. Obverse body presents relief carving of double Korean lion.
One serpentine yellow-white jade daigou. Yellow-brown vein. Upper part of obverse presents carved head of a dragon. Obverse body presents serpentine relief carving of a dragon.
One serpentine yellow-white jade daigou. Obverse body presents relief carving of two monkeys and fruit.
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. 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 moulded figures in high relief all oriented in the same direction.
One blue-grey jade ornament in the shape of a coiled animal. Brown vein.
One chevron-shaped metal pendant decorated on both sides with ruyi patterns in blue red and yellow cloisonné enamel.
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 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 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 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 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 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.
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 gilded bronze imitation conch shell on stand.
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 yellow-brown carved ivory figure in the form of a robed bearded man bearing two large gourds or globular bundles and an upside-down bat on the top of his head. Head and facial hair tinted with dark pigment. One of the bat's wings appears to have broken off.
One carved and gilded wood sculpture of a warrior figure standing on a red-painted shallow rounded rectangular base. Figure is dressed in armour with a sword scabbard on its left hip. On its right side it bears an elongated object in both arms.
One serpentine green jade daigou. Dark green vein. Upper part of obverse presents carved head of a dragon. Lower right obverse body presents serpentine design carved in low relief.