Ming Ceramics - Sellingantiques.co.uk

Ming Ceramics

19thC porcelain hand painted and gilt English mustache cup with charming verse.

19th century Victorian gilt and hand painted mustache cup with built in support for mustache and with quaint verse: "I wish you health, I wish you wealth, I wish you gold in store, I wish you heaven after death, what could I wish you more." The cup is meant to keep a man's waxed mustache out of his hot tea! A lovely cup in good condition with some wear to the gilt. Size 4.5 inches wide by 3.25 inches high. Very interesting and collectable. Also see listed silver mustache brush and comb, 4872.

A CHARMING little Chinese HAN DYNASTY bowl,C.206 BC–220 AD

This is quite a rare piece, as it is a bowl, and that most unusual decoration inside. This come from my collection again, and is in fine condition. My research below. The Han Dynasty (traditional Chinese: 漢朝; simplified Chinese: 汉朝; pinyin: Hàn Cháo; Wade-Giles: Han Ch'ao; 206 BC–220 AD) followed the Qin Dynasty and preceded the Three Kingdoms in China. The Han Dynasty was ruled by the prominent family known as the Liu (劉) clan. The reign of the Han Dynasty, lasting over 400 years, is commonly considered within China to be one of the greatest periods in the history of China. To this day, the ethnic majority of China still refer to themselves as the "Han people." During the Han Dynasty, China officially became a Confucian state and prospered domestically: agriculture, handicrafts and commerce flourished, and the population reached over 55 million people. Meanwhile, the empire extended its political and cultural influence over Korea, Mongolia, Vietnam, Japan, and Central Asia before it finally collapsed under a combination of domestic and external pressures. The first of the two periods of the dynasty was the Former Han Dynasty (traditional Chinese: 前漢; simplified Chinese: 前汉; pinyin: Qiánhàn) or Western Han Dynasty (traditional Chinese: 西漢; simplified Chinese: 西汉; pinyin: Xī Hàn) 206 BC–24 AD, seated at Chang'an. The Later Han Dynasty (traditional Chinese: 後漢; simplified Chinese: 后汉; pinyin: Hòu Hàn) or Eastern Han Dynasty (traditional Chinese: 東漢; simplified Chinese: 东汉; pinyin: Dōng Hàn) 25–220 AD was seated at Luoyang. The western-eastern Han convention is currently used to avoid confusion with the Later Han Dynasty of the Period of the Five Dynasties and the Ten Kingdoms although the former-later nomenclature was used in history texts including Sima Guang's Zizhi Tongjian. The Han Dynasty was notable also for its military prowess. The empire expanded westward to the Tarim Basin (in modern Xinjiang-Uyghur Autonomous Region), with military expeditions as far west as beyond the Caspian Sea, making possible a relatively safe and secure caravan and merchantile traffic across Central Asia. The paths of caravan traffic are often called the "Silk Road" because the route was used to export Chinese silk. Chinese armies also invaded and annexed parts of northern Korea (Wiman Joseon) and northern Vietnam toward the end of the 2nd century BC. Han Dynasty control of peripheral regions was generally insecure, however. To ensure peace with non-Chinese local powers, the Han court developed a mutually beneficial "tributary system." Non-Chinese states were allowed to remain autonomous in exchange for symbolic acceptance of Han overlordship. Tributary ties were confirmed and strengthened through intermarriages at the ruling level and periodic exchanges of gifts and goods.

Chinese Ming vase. C.1368-1644.

I think this is provincial Ming, and not Royal Ming, as per my research below. However, my vase is in perfect condition, no restoration, and 5 1/2ins high. It is a lovely example. It came from an old boy collector originally, but has been in my collection for years. Ming China, 1368-1644 The Ming Dynasty was founded by Zhu Yuanzhang, a former Buddhist monk who became leader of a band of peasant rebels. Suffering greatly under Mongol rule, Zhu eventually came to reconquer most of China and claim himself the "Hongwu Emperor." Once again, China's governance was restored to the indigenous population. Under the Hongwu emperor, there was a revival of the examination system to ensure that Chinese scholarship was of the highest caliber, and that merit played a role in advancement. Members of the scholar-gentry were again appointed to the highest posts in the Imperial government. Throughout the Ming reign, arts and literature flourished. There was a great revival of traditional Han "Chinese" culture. At this point the Chinese were so proud of Ming culture that there was a general sense that foreign items or interests had no place in the Middle Kingdom. This sense of nationalism was so profound that, by the early 1430's, it was a factor causing the cessation of the famous Zhenghe seaborne expeditions, an effort to explore several other parts of the known world. Ironically, it was a combination of this sense of nationalism, a series of incompetent rulers and conflicts within the central government that again opened the doors to foreign seige. This time, the invaders were the Manchus. Thus was born China's last great Dynasty, the Qing Dynasty.

A CHARMING & BEAUTIFULL Lowestoft sparrowbeak jug

Note the Lowestoft 'kick' to the base of the handle, and this is ONLY found on Lowestoft. This is one of 7 pieces from my private collection. All are in BEAUTIFULL condition, with no chips, cracks or restorations. This is quite rare for Lowestoft, as most of what we see is damaged or restored.

A CHARMING Lowestoft teabowl & saucer

This is Lowestoft copying Worcester, and the Worcester examples we see regularly, but VERY RARE for Lowestoft. This is one of 7 pieces from my private collection. All are in BEAUTIFULL condition, with no chips, cracks or restorations. This is quite rare for Lowestoft, as most of what we see is damaged or restored.

Miniature Ming Rose Plate 12cm Coalport Plate

Miniature Ming Rose Plate 12cm Coalport Plate. Fine Bone China

A CHARMING little Derby sheep, C.1770.

A CHARMING little Derby sheep, C.1770. Well modelled. Much sharper/clearer in real life than my photos show. Eg. the raised wool on it is much more distinct. SUPERB CONDITION. Note the typical 18th cent Derby Patch Marks to the underside. 3 3/4ins high max by 2 3/4ins wide.

CHARMING Liverpool sparrowbeak jug, C,1775.

CHARMING Liverpool sparrowbeak jug, C,1775. I could be wrong as this has a rather Lowestoft look to it. Redgrave pattern? but the shape does not seem quite right for Lowestoft. Whatever, the jug is in EXCELLENT condition, with only a tiny single crack to the handle, otherwise perfect.