22 janvier 2013

Plate, Vietnam, Lê dynasty (15th – 16th century). Deer painted in underglaze-cobalt, chocolate base. H. 7,30 cm. Tokyo, National Museum, TG- 2231 ©2004-2013 Tokyo National Museum

Plate, Vietnam, Lê dynasty (15th – 16th century). Chrysanthemum flower within “Sasanian star” painted in underglaze-cobalt, chocolate base. D. 36,20 cm. Tokyo, National Museum, TG-2234 ©2004-2013 Tokyo National Museum This motif is one of the rarely design specially made for the Islamic South-East Asian market.

Candleholder, Vietnam, Lê dynasty, 1677. In three sections with dragons, panels, and rosettes in biscuit relief, underglaze-cobalt decoration. Second year Vinh Tri reign (1677); H. 61,30 cm; Tokyo, National Museum, TG-2731 ©2004-2013 Tokyo National Museum

Plate, Vietnam, Lê dynasty (16th century). Buffalos painted in overglaze enamels, chocolate base. D. 34,10 cm. Tokyo, National Museum, TG-2235 ©2004-2013 Tokyo National Museum

Georges Fouquet, “Birth of Venus” pendant, ca. 1900

Art Nouveau brooch in yellow gold representing a stylised papyrus ornated with horn, diamonds, mother of pearl and enamel, Georges Fouquet, circa 1903.

Ring, Italy?, 16th-early 17th century, gold, turquoise and rock crystals.  Mined in Persia, turquoise is a soft porous mineral that has not survived the centuries well and is easily discolored even by the oils from the skin. It was highly prized in the Middle Ages for its talismanic virtues, promising contentment to the wearer, as well as protection against illness, drowning, poisoning, or having an accident while horseback riding...

Morning ring. England, 18th century, gold, white enamel and three diamonds.  Morning rings commemorate the death of individuals and imbued symbolism...black enamel was reserved for married persons, white for unmarried...some (mourning rings) incl. iconography (i.e.) skull and crossbones; others simply list the name and date of the person's death.

Cuprite octohedra, from Siberia.

Rutile with Chlorite and Quartz / Ankogelgruppe, Salzburg, Austria