A Pair of Unusual Fahua Barrel-Form Garden Seats

MING DYNASTY (1368-1644)

明法華瓷鼓凳一對
each cylindrical section with a gentle widening at the body and flush seats; pierced with apertures forming the open mouths of mythical beast masks with mock-ring handles from which suspended molded pendulous tassels, interspersed with pairs of fu lions toying with a rope-strung ball, all between two neat rows of rounded bosses. The ground glazed deep blue, the molded decoration largely in turquoise with ochre details.

Height of each 13 1/4 x diameter 9 1/2 in., 33.7 x 24.13 cm.

Property from the Collection of Dr. Ruth F. Mayer, Chicago, Illinois

William Clayton Limited, London, 3 July 1968

Presenting in overall good stable and structurally sound condition. Each showing signs of age and weathering, particularly to the top of one example, with stable fissuring along the top raised bosses. Scattered chipping and minor losses to the relief molded elements, alongside localized chipping to the glaze, and chipping along the foot. One mask of one example with a loss at the mouth measuring less and half an inch. Signs of old restorations about the molded regions.

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Annie Wu

Senior Vice President, Head of Department, Asian Art

[email protected]312.447.3260

Ms. Wu joined the firm in 2014, after working as a specialist in the Asian Works of Art Department of an East Coast auction house. She researches, appraises, and sells Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Indian, and South East Asian works of art, including jades, bronzes, ceramics, paintings, armor, and furniture. Throughout her career, Ms. Wu has achieved record prices for several prominent estates and collections, including the Estate of Frank G. Mertes, Sr., Winona, Minnesota; the Chinese Painting Collection of Ms. Yuan Jiaying and Mr. Li Guoyuan, Chicago; the Estate of Hisazo Nagatani, Chicago, and the Asian Art Collection deaccessioned from the Strong Museum of Play, Rochester, New York.

Chinese & Southeast Asian Works of Art

A Pair of Unusual Fahua Barrel-Form Garden Seats

Chinese & Southeast Asian Works of Art

A Pair of Unusual Fahua Barrel-Form Garden Seats

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