1

A fine and very rare archaic bronze wine vessel (jue)
Late Shang dynasty
Height: 6 3/4 in, 17.2 cm

2

An archaic bronze beaker (gu)
Shang dynasty, 13th–12th centuries BC
Height: 10 5/8 in, 27 cm

supported on a moulded foot rim, the elegant vessel has a wide mouth, a gently swollen waist and a spreading foot.

3

An unusual archaic bronze food vessel (gui)
Late Shang dynasty, 12th–11th centuries BC
Width: 11 3/4 in, 30 cm

supported on a conical foot with a moulded edge, the sides of the basin flare steeply towards an everted rim.

4

A very large archaic bronze food vessel (ding)
Late Shang or early Western Zhou dynasty
Height: 15 3/8 in, 39 cm

supported on three waisted legs, the vessel is heavily cast with a deep U-shaped body terminating in a flange rim on which two loop handles are set.

5

An archaic bronze wine vessel (hu)
Warring States period
Height: 113/8 in, 28.9 cm

standing on a tall, conical foot, the ovoid body rises to a waisted neck with a thickened rim; the shoulders are set with two taotie mask handles.

6

An archaic bronze jar
Eastern Han dynasty
Height: 14 5/8 in, 37.1 cm

supported on a tall, conical foot with a horizontal bowstring ridge, the sides flare widely, turn upwards to a straight waist, inwards at the shoulder to a waisted neck and terminate in an upright, waisted rim.

7

A gilt-bronze seal
Han dynasty
Height: 1 1/4 in, 3.2 cm

the square-section seal is surmounted by a recumbent camel.

8

A bronze model of a water buffalo
Warring States period
Height: 3 1/2 in, 8.9 cm

cast in a recumbent posture with its head raised.

9

A pair of gold- and silver-inlaid bronze chariot fittings
Late Eastern Zhou to early Western Han dynasty
Width: 3 1/4 in, 8.2 cm

used to guide the reins, and each of approximate half-moon shape and circular section, narrowed at the base for fitting.

10

A rare bronze model of a tapir
Warring States period
Length: 7 5/8 in, 19.7 cm

in a recumbent position. The solid animal has small ears, large eyes, a broad, fleshy muzzle and a short tail; its legs are tucked beneath it and it has cloven hooves.

11

A very fine bronze incense burner (boshanlu)
Western Han dynasty
Height: 7 1/8 in, 18 cm

the cup-shaped censer has a tall, conical cover, resembling a mountain range, and is supported on a spreading stem, the base of which is cast with three sinuous dragons, set on a broad tray with a flat foot and angled flaring sides terminating in a flange rim.

12

A fine, large bronze mirror
Tang dynasty
Diameter: 9 1/2 in, 24.1 cm

with relief decoration arranged in friezes around a large, plain domed suspension loop.

13

A fine bronze mirror
Eastern Han dynasty
Diameter: 7 1/2 in, 19.2 cm

with a plain domed suspension loop to the centre.

14

A fine gilt-bronze figure of a Guardian-King
Ming dynasty
Height: 13 in, 33 cm

standing with his left hand raised and carrying a small figure of Buddha. The powerful figure wears layers of armour, with lion masks to the breastplate above a larger monster mask, all tied with an elaborate girdle, chased with lotus and clouds on a granulated ground, over boots cast with further monster masks; a billowing scarf trails around his body.

15

A fine gold- and silver-inlaid bronze vessel (gui)
17th–18th centuries
Width: 15 in, 38 cm

based on an archaic bronze original. The vessel has S-shaped sides, terminating in a flange rim, set with two loop handles cast with monster masks, all supported on a conical foot with a moulded rim.

16

An unusual bronze bell
Late Ming dynasty
Height: 6 1/4 in, 15.8 cm

of circular section and ovoid form with a shaped loop at the top, pierced for suspension. Two snake-like chi dragons decorate the bell, each with long whiskers, a single horn and a bifid tail, and towardsthe lower edge are two raised medallionschased with seven circles, resembling lotusseeds.

17

A parcel-gilt bronze incense burner in the form of a tapir
17th century
Height: 6 3/4 in, 17.1 cm

the animal stands four-square with its head raised; it wears a gilt collar.

18

A parcel-gilt bronze tripod vessel (ding)
17th–18th centuries
Height: 7 3/8 in, 18.7 cm

with a shallow bowl terminating in a flange rim from which two loop handles issue and supported on three long, flat, blade-like legs cast as crested phoenix.

19

A fine gold-splashed bronze censer
17th–18th centuries
Diameter: 4 1/4 in, 10.9 cm

heavily cast and supported on three tapering feet, the vessel has well-rounded sides terminating in a slightly everted rim from which two loop handles issue.

20

A fine bronze figure of Budai
17th century
Height: 6 1/4 in, 15.8 cm

seated with his right hand resting on his raised right knee and his left hand clutching the folds of a cloth bag.

21

A fine lacquered bronze figure of Guanyin
Late Ming dynasty
Height: 8 1/4 in, 21 cm

seated with her hands folded, holding a scroll and resting on her raised right knee, and with her left leg tucked beneath her.

22

A rare parcel-gilt bronze figure of a foreign tribute bearer
Ming dynasty
Height: 7 1/8 in, 18 cm

standing and holding a piece of coral in his right hand. He wears a pointed cloth hat with a twisted rim and a knee-length robe, buttoned to the waist and tied with a belt, over well-worn boots; his long sleeves cover his hands.