Catalog: Archives: Regional Art: Asian: Chinese (2)

A large Han Dynasty (206 BC-220 AD) cold-painted pot from an old Japanese scholar collection enclosed in an ancient kiri-wood storage box bearing a great many stamps inside the lid. The fine clay is covered in elaborate designs in red, white brown and orange pigment. The piece is 11 inches (28 cm) tall. There is minor damage to the rim but no repair or restoration; a fine example of Han Dynasty painted pottery in fine condition.

An absolutely stunning large Chinese carving of a Buddhist Rakan (Arhat or Arahat), the emaciated figure wrapped in billowing robes with a hand scroll clutched in his bony right fist. The detail in the hairs around his face is incredible. The holy figure is chiseled from Ryuganki (dragons eye wood) and comes enclosed in a box dated 1922, likely the year it came to Japan, and is signed by the then owner. The Rakan is one who has broken the chain of re-birth and overcome the three poisons of desire, hatred and ignorance. It is a popular theme in both Chinese and Japanese art. The figure stands 16 inches (41 cm) tall. There is an abrasion to the back of the head, a chip repaired in his robes at the back, and it appears the small toe on the left foot has been replaced. The Japanese have long esteemed crafts of China and Korea, and this would certainly have been a highly prized possession.