China

Copper funerary mask, China, Liao dynasty, 10th–11th century. Length: 9 3/4 inches, 25 cm. Width: 9 inches, 23 cm. © Ben Janssens Oriental Art A copper funerary mask representing a human face, worked in the repoussé technique with strong, naturalistically portrayed features and a serene expression. The half-shut eyes are set below pronounced, arched eyebrows that are engraved with finely hatched lines. The face has high cheekbones and a straight, broad nose set above a full-lipped mouth. Two prominent, well... [Lire la suite]

Silver funerary mask, China, Liao dynasty, 10th-11th century. Length: 8 3/8 inches, 21.2 cm. Width: 9 1/8 inches, 23.1 cm. © Ben Janssens Oriental Art A silver funerary mask depicting a human face, worked in repoussé technique with strong, naturalistically portrayed features and a demure expression. The heavy-lidded eyes are shut and set below pronounced, arched eyebrows that are engraved with fine lines in parallel. The face has high cheekbones and a straight, broad nose set above a full-lipped, well-defined mouth.... [Lire la suite]

Qingbai porcelain Bodhisattva Guanyin, China, Southern Song-Yuan dynasty, 13th–14th century. Height: 5 1/2 inches, 14 cm. Width: 3 1/8 inches, 8 cm. © Ben Janssens Oriental Art A qingbai porcelain Guanyin seated in a rocky, cave-like shrine in the pose of royal ease, the group supported on a concave platform. The Guanyin is dressed in layered long robes and wears an elaborate, crown-like headdress. Her left hand is covered by the pleated robe, whilst her right elbow rests on her right knee, so as to reveal... [Lire la suite]

Qingbai porcelain bowl with wild geese, China, Southern Song dynasty, 1127 – 1279. Diameter: 4 inches, 10.2 cm. Height: 1 7/8 inches, 4.7 cm. © Ben Janssens Oriental Art A very thinly potted small qingbai porcelain bowl, the deeply rounded sides rising from a short foot and terminating in a flared, unglazed rim. The interior is impressed with a design of two wild geese flying among floral sprays, centred on a round flower, and below a border of key-frets. The bowl is covered inside and out in a thin,... [Lire la suite]

Qingbai double gourd­shaped ewer, China, Yuan dynasty, 14th century. Height: 5 7⁄8 inches, 15 cm. Width: 4 5 ⁄16 inches, 11 cm. © Ben Janssens Oriental Art A qingbai porcelain ewer of double­gourd form, supported on a short, straight foot and applied with a long, curved spout and an S­-shaped handle in the form of a chi-­dragon. The chi-­dragon is naturally rendered and well­-defined with bulging eyes, four feet and elongated tail. The short neck of the ewer is surmounted  by a domed cover,... [Lire la suite]

Qingbai porcelain water dropper, China, Southern Song dynasty, 1127-1279. Length: 3 1⁄2 inches, 9 cm, Height: 2 3⁄4 inches, 7 cm. © Ben Janssens Oriental Art A qingbai porcelain water dropper of bulbous melon form with a rounded body that gradually tapers in towards the rim. The body has a short curved spout and a small loop handle is attached to the opposite side. The body is impressed with vertical grooves and a wave pattern decorates the top of the rim around the mouth of the vessel. The cover is also... [Lire la suite]

Miniature pottery ram and camel, China, Tang dynasty, 618 – 906. The camel: height: 4 1/2 inches, 11.3 cm. The ram: length: 4 1/4 inches, 11 cm. © Ben Janssens Oriental Art. Two miniature pottery figures, one representing a seated ram, the other a camel with rider. The ram has its four limbs tucked underneath its body and a horned head looking straight ahead in alert position. The other figure depicts a rider seated on the back of a camel, his upper body turning towards his right. The camel stands still with its four... [Lire la suite]

Pottery figure of a foreign dancer, China, Tang dynasty, 618 – 906, Height: 9 1/2 inches, 24 cm. © Ben Janssens Oriental Art. A pottery model of a male dancer of foreign appearance, standing tall and turning his head towards his left. The slightly portly figure reaches his right arm towards the sky, whilst he holds his left arm loosely pendent alongside his body. His right knee is bent and forms an angle with his left foot. The figure is dressed in a long-sleeved, three-quarter length layered robe, with a high circular... [Lire la suite]

Pottery sancai miniature ewer, China, Tang dynasty, early 8th century, Height: 5 inches, 12.7 cm, Width: 3 inches,7.5 cm. © Ben Janssens Oriental Art. A pottery ewer, the rounded body is supported on a tall, stepped foot with flat base and is surmounted by a slender neck that rises from a single ridge and terminates in a mouth that is pinched into a trefoil shape. The mouth is joined to the body by a double strap handle, which is ornamented by two circular studs and a scrolled finial. Thin engraved lines encircle... [Lire la suite]

Pottery tripod incense burner, China, Eastern Han dynasty, 25 – 220, Diameter: 7 7/8 inches, 20 cm, Height: 9 1/2 inches, 24 cm. © Ben Janssens Oriental Art. A pottery covered jar, zun, of cylindrical form, supported on three moulded feet in the form of bears that rest their hands on their knees. The straight sides are evenly divided into two parts by two ridges. Each part is moulded in relief with a mock-handle in the form of a taotie mask with a ring, and applied with a procession of animal and... [Lire la suite]