7th-8th Century

Jar, Tang dynasty, 7th-8th century. Earthenware with applied medallions of baoxianghua under three-color glaze, w24.3 x h30.9 cm. Important Art Object of Japan. The Museum of Oriental Ceramics, Osaka ; Gift of Sumitomo Group (The Ataka Collection). Photo Kazuyoshi Miyoshi

Lot 158. A rare large silvered-bronze square 'lion and grapevine' mirror, Tang Dynasty, 7th-8th Century; 5 7/8in (17.8cm) across. Sold for US$ 20,312 (€ 17,304). © Bonhams 2001-2021 Cast in relief in one side with a large central pierced lion knop surrounded by smaller lions amidst grapevines within a circular roundel surrounded by further scrolling grapevine with four birds at the corners, all within a chamfered classic scroll border, the reverse plain. Note: For a related square mirror of lion and... [Lire la suite]

Lot 2067. A rare large painted grey pottery figure of a kowtowing court official, early Tang dynasty, 7th-8th century; 23 in. (58.5 cm.) long. Estimate USD 80,000 - USD 120,000. Price Realized USD 125,000. © Christie's Images Ltd 2014.  The male courtier is well modeled in an unusual prostrate posture of obeisance with his head slightly raised above his clasped hands, which are pierced to hold a hu tablet. His face is finely modeled with life-like features set in an... [Lire la suite]

Samitum-woven silk textile with an enthroned Sasanian king, Iran or Central Asia, 7th-8th century, H: 94; W: 85 cm, Inv. no. 23/2011. © The David Collection. The motif of a Sasanian king on a throne carried by ibexes is unusual. A single textile from Egypt and Sasanian silver bowls feature corresponding depictions, but with the ruler seated and leaning on his sword. This magnificent silk shows a king – presumably Khusrau II (r. 591-628), who was deceased at the time – holding a flower in each hand that in turn mimics the flanking... [Lire la suite]

Samitum-woven silk with confronted deer in medallions, Central Asia, 7th-8th century. H: 105; W: 46 cm. Inv. no. 4/2005. © The David Collection. This magnificent textile with confronted deer placed on winged palmettes in medallions was probably made in Sogdiana, the area north and east of the Amu Darya (Oxus) River. The motif comes from Sasanian Iran, but the rendition of this piece is stiffer than that of its models. Medallion motifs with single or confronted figures are also known from Byzantium (and China), and survived in the... [Lire la suite]

Prajnaparamita, West Tibet, 11th century. Paper, pigments, gold, ink, 7 1/2 x 10 1/2 in. ( cm. 19 x 26 ) folio fragment; 3 3/4 x 3 3/4 in. ( cm 9,5 x 9,5 ) illumination. © Carlo Cristi Sadaksari Avalokitesvara. Sri Lanka, Anujradhapura , 7th-8th century. Copper alloy. © Carlo Cristi Narasimha on Garuda. Stone, India, Pala period, 11th century. 17 1/2 in. (44 cm). © Carlo Cristi Vajrapani Tangka. Distemper on cotton, Tibet, 14th century. 13 x 17 1/4... [Lire la suite]

Lot 384. A gilt bronze harness trapping, probably Tang dynasty, 7th-8th century. H. 8,3 cm. Estimate 1.000/1.500 €. Lot sold 1.100 €. Courtesy Nagel Serrated leaf form. Decorated in relief with a hunting scene, with a small loop on top for suspension, the reverse side plain, the front gilded.  Provenance: Bought in 2000 from J.H.W. Investment & Trading Limited, Hong Kong. Described and illustrated in: Regina Krahl: Collection Julius Eberhardt. Early Chinese Art, vol. 2, Hong Kong 2004, p. 80f. ... [Lire la suite]

Lot 95. An important and rare carved limestone head of Buddha, Tang Dynasty, 7th-8th Century, Longmen Caves. Estimate 80,000 — 100,000 USD. Lot sold 102,000 USD. Photo: Sotheby's. carved from a grey limestone in full rounded volumes, the oval face with slender almond shaped eyes with heavy eyelids below tapered arching eyebrows issuing from the broad nose, with a small bud mouth of full lips with lightly incised trim above a broad double chin with a thick round neck, all below the hair and... [Lire la suite]

Lot 1118. A rare splash-glazed applique-decorated ewer, Tang dynasty, 7th-8th century, 8 ¾ in. (21.7 cm.) high. Estimate USD 7,000 - USD 9,000. Price realised USD 30,000. © Christie's Images Ltd 2017 The ovoid body is covered with a dark brown glaze decorated with splashes of pale bluish cream color that highlight the three arrangements of floret appliques on the shoulder and the handle that rises to the pinched mouth rim. Provenance: IIn Hong Kong prior to 1996.Sotheby's New York, 22... [Lire la suite]

Lot 57. A rare silver spherical incense burner, Tang dynasty, 7th-8th century, 4.3 cm., 1 5/8 in. Estimate 10,000 — 15,000 GBP. Lot sold 46,100 GBP. Photo: Sotheby's. comprised of two reticulated hemispheres joined on one side by a hook and a hinge on the other side, the overall reticulated decoration of birds among scrolling vine on one half and flowering scrolls on the other half arranged into four symmetrical sections around a four-petalled flowerhead at the axis, the interior fitted with... [Lire la suite]