{"title":"6.26 Chinese Collection","description":"","products":[{"product_id":"chinese-tortoiseshell-ruyi-sceptre","title":"Chinese Tortoiseshell  Ruyi Sceptre ","description":"This magnificent ruyi sceptre is fashioned from intricately carved tortoiseshell. Carved with delicate open-work the sceptre depicts cranes flying amongst detailed foliage and a lucky cloud motif. A stunning example of Chinese mastery, from the Jiaqing Period, this flawlessly carved ruyi is executed with a tension that has the birds moving freely within the overlapping design work but nonetheless remaining captured within the structure.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \n The Chinese word, \"Ruyi\" means 'as you wish' and ruyi sceptres were imbued with talismanic properties and were given as important gifts to bestow good fortune. The shape and symbolism of ruyi sceptres developed over time and historians suggest that the form had its origins in back scratchers used by deities of the Buddhist pantheon. By the Tang Dynasty period (618-907) these functional items had evolved into items that were both ornamental and auspicious.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e  \n The form of the ruyi was adopted by the Daoists and it became associated with the fungus (lingzhi) which was symbolic of longevity and was converted into a secular good luck charm. The Yongzheng Emperor revived the auspicious tradition when he commissioned examples made from precious and other materials. The Qianlong Emperor extended the use and symbolism when he presented ruyi sceptres to courtiers to mark New Year celebrations and imperial birthdays.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \n Circa 1800\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e 17 1\/2\" length x 4\" wide","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":41239103570055,"sku":"30-0302","price":48850.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/30-0302_1_6320ed66-0d77-42b6-83f6-006c7f872ff0.png?v=1712738145"},{"product_id":"chinese-canton-enamel-plate","title":"Chinese Canton Enamel Plate","description":"\n This enchanting Chinese plate, known as Canton enamel, evokes the intrigue and exclusivity of the 18th- century Imperial court. Boasting a magnificent \u003cem\u003efamille rose\u003c\/em\u003e background hue, this plate is adorned with a sophisticated floral design of exceptional intricacy. A stylized mark graces the plate’s underside. Almost certainly crafted during the Qianlong period, this piece is a rarity on the market today. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Chinese painted enamel, or Canton enamel, is so named for the principal place of its manufacture, Canton. Introduced into China in the 18th century, probably by French missionaries, this painted-enamel technique is based on those developed in Limoges, France around 1470, and accordingly is referred to by the Chinese as “foreign porcelain.” This term is also appropriate, in that much of it was made for export. There was a great demand in the West during the 18th and 19th centuries for Chinese porcelain dinner sets, tea services, vases, etc., and Canton enamel helped to fill this demand. Hence, most of the Canton enamels, such as this plate, used the \u003cem\u003efamille rose\u003c\/em\u003e colors peculiar to Europe. To make these wares, a metal object, usually copper but sometimes silver or gold, is covered with a background layer of enamel (often white), fired, and then is painted with colored enamels in much the same way as porcelain. Those crafted during the 18th century are of much finer quality and are much harder to find today. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e 18th century \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e 6 3\/8\" diameter","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43946335174791,"sku":"29-9617","price":14850.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/29-9617_1_4798f39b-891e-48b6-bfbf-174dbb6e22f4.png?v=1774942857"},{"product_id":"jade-hanging-vase","title":"Jade Hanging Vase ","description":"This rare Chinese hanging vase, carved of fine moss-in-snow jade, boasts a host of dragons, the most potent symbols of good fortune in China. Its intricate stand incorporates equally lucky, billowing clouds into its canopy. Hanging vases such as this are among the most eagerly sought-after jade pieces on the market. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Early 20th century \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Vase: 13” high (with extended chain and yoke) Stand: 20 5\/8\" high","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42215154057351,"sku":"29-8312","price":18500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/29-8312_2_5119384d-a19f-4783-9391-84cddf529d23.png?v=1736119632"},{"product_id":"rust-red-and-gold-nanking-cargo-mug","title":"Rust-Red and Gold Nanking Cargo Mug","description":"This rare Chinese porcelain bowl, decorated with a rust-red and gilt floral motif, formed part of the famed Nanking Cargo. It was recovered in 1985 from the Dutch East India Company ship Geldermalsen, which sank in 1752 while returning from the Orient. The vast assemblage of porcelain salvaged from the wreck became known collectively as the Nanking Cargo and was dispersed the following year at a landmark four-day auction held by Christie’s Amsterdam, where this example appeared as lot 1216. Such vessels—often identified as \u003cem\u003espuigpotjes\u003c\/em\u003e—were small Dutch table wares associated with dining and spitting practices of the 17th through 19th centuries, reflecting the intersection of Asian export porcelain with European domestic customs. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Circa 1752 \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e 6 1\/4\" wide x 4 3\/4\" deep x 3 1\/4\" high","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43873317486727,"sku":"30-3445","price":5500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/30-3445_1_d83bfc2e-162d-4dc0-9025-33d1a2b85311.png?v=1770665149"},{"product_id":"chinese-blue-white-floral-teacup","title":"Chinese Blue \u0026 White Floral Teacup","description":"Displaying exceptional craftsmanship and intricate hand painted decoration, this blue and white porcelain teacup represents the height of Chinese porcelain artistry. The Chinese porcelain industry flourished during the 16th and 17th centuries, and masterfully crafted blue and white porcelain ware such as this was particularly favored among elite patrons worldwide. Highly prized in Europe and America through the 18th century, Chinese blue and white porcelain would eventually inspire the famed Meissen porcelain factory in Germany, whose craftsmen sought to mimic these ancient techniques and styles.\n\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nCirca 17th century\n\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n1 1\/2” high x 2 1\/2” diameter","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":41237922906247,"sku":"30-3474","price":1500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/30-3474_1.png?v=1717921308"},{"product_id":"qing-dynasty-reverse-glass-work-five-figures-in-procession","title":"Qing Dynasty Reverse Glass Work - Five Figures in Procession","description":"Qing Dynasty Reverse Glass Work \u003cbr\u003e Chinese | Circa 1800 \u003cbr\u003e \u003cem\u003e Five Figures in Procession\u003c\/em\u003e \u003cbr\u003e Oil on glass \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e This beautiful composition features five figures in procession. Dressed in ornate textiles, two men in red robes lead the way as two women, one holding a fan, trail behind. Another figure raises a banner. In Chinese reverse glass works, glass takes the place of canvas. Artists painstakingly applied painted layers to the glass in reverse, with the top layer painted first and the background last. These paintings are viewed in reflected light, revealing an impressive gloss, luminosity and depth of color unattainable with other painting techniques. Due to the complexity of the process and the high level of artistic skill required, highly detailed examples such as this are exceptionally rare. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e The art of reverse glass painting came to China from Europe in the seventeenth century. Spurred by the Jesuit missionary project and fueled by general international trade, reverse glass works became highly desirable export items. These paintings were not only the prized possession of wealthy European families in the 18th and 19th centuries, but also of the Imperial Court. Today, historical reverse glass paintings reside at the Forbidden City emperor’s palace in Beijing. This exquisite painting, complemented by an ornate chinoiserie frame, is a stunning achievement in artistry and also an amazing relic of international luxury trade in the 18th and 19th centuries. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Glass: 21 3\/8\" high x 9\" wide\u003cbr\u003e Frame: 24 5\/8\" high x 12 1\/4\" wide","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42993876467847,"sku":"31-6149","price":18850.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/31-6149_1_efdbeb0f-1bb3-48fd-85de-51997133f874.png?v=1754342700"},{"product_id":"qing-dynasty-reverse-glass-work-three-figures-with-peacock-fans","title":"Qing Dynasty Reverse Glass Work - Three Figures with Peacock Fans","description":"Glass takes the place of canvas in this Qing Dynasty reverse glass painting dating to the early 19th century. This intricate painting features three figures dressed in elaborately detailed textiles. The composition is bisected by a paneled roof and swirling cloud-like designs, with a peaceful landscape appearing in the distance. The figures raise large plumed peacock fans that cross each other to create graceful symmetry. In Chinese reverse glass works, artists painstakingly applied painted layers to the glass in reverse, with the top layer painted first and the background last. These paintings are viewed in reflected light, revealing an impressive gloss, luminosity and depth of color unattainable with other painting techniques. Due to the complexity of the process and the high level of artistic skill that it required, highly detailed examples such as this are only rarely found. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e The art of reverse glass painting came to China from Europe in the seventeenth century. Spurred by the Jesuit missionary project and fueled by general international trade, reverse glass works became highly desirable export items. These paintings were not only the prized possession of wealthy European families in the 18th and 19th centuries, but also of the Imperial Court. Today, historical reverse glass paintings reside at the Forbidden City emperor’s palace in Beijing. This exquisite painting, complemented by an ornate chinoiserie frame, is a stunning achievement in artistry and also an amazing relic of international luxury trade in the 18th and 19th centuries. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Glass: 21 3\/8\" high x 9\" wide\u003cbr\u003e Frame: 24 5\/8\" high x 12 1\/4\" wide","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42989917700231,"sku":"31-6151","price":18850.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/31-6151_1_d87b104a-0999-4536-a927-34482d4c0dd6.png?v=1754335494"},{"product_id":"qing-dynasty-reverse-glass-work-seated-figure-with-blue-creature","title":"Qing Dynasty Reverse Glass Work - Seated Figure with Blue Creature","description":"Qing Dynasty Reverse Glass Work \u003cbr\u003e Chinese | Circa 1800 \u003cbr\u003e \u003cem\u003e Seated Figure with Blue Creature\u003c\/em\u003e \u003cbr\u003e Oil on glass \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e This dynamic painting features a seated woman in a garden setting, accompanied by a blue creature reminiscent of perhaps a lion or a dragon--or a hybrid of both. In Chinese reverse glass works, glass takes the place of canvas. This unique art form is a stunning display of meticulous artistry and also a material demonstration of incredible historical cross-cultural exchange. Artists painstakingly applied painted layers to the glass in reverse, with the top layer painted first and the background last. These paintings are viewed in reflected light, revealing an impressive gloss, luminosity and depth of color unattainable with other painting techniques. Due to the complexity of the process and the high level of artistic skill required, highly detailed examples such as this are exceptionally rare. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e The art of reverse glass painting came to China from Europe in the seventeenth century. Spurred by the Jesuit missionary project and fueled by general international trade, reverse glass works became highly desirable export items. These paintings were not only the prized possession of wealthy European families in the 18th and 19th centuries, but also of the Imperial Court. Today, historical reverse glass paintings reside at the Forbidden City emperor’s palace in Beijing. This exquisite painting, complemented by an ornate chinoiserie frame, is a stunning achievement in artistry and also an amazing relic of international luxury trade in the 18th and 19th centuries. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Glass: 8 1\/4\" high x 9 1\/4\" wide \u003cbr\u003e Frame: 9 5\/8\" high x 10 3\/4\" wide","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43874158870663,"sku":"31-6152","price":6950.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/31-6152_1_04056b49-72e7-496b-8a40-656f933e5566.png?v=1772354904"},{"product_id":"qing-dynasty-reverse-glass-work-seated-figure-with-brown-creature","title":"Qing Dynasty Reverse Glass Work - Seated Figure with Brown Creature","description":"Qing Dynasty Reverse Glass Work \u003cbr\u003e Chinese | Circa 1800 \u003cbr\u003e \u003cem\u003eSeated Figure with Brown Creature\u003c\/em\u003e \u003cbr\u003e Oil on glass \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e This unique painting features a seated figure in a wooded setting holding a small axe and petting a brown lion or dog-like creature--perhaps a hunting companion. In Chinese reverse glass works, glass takes the place of canvas. Artists painstakingly applied painted layers to the glass in reverse, with the top layer painted first and the background last. These paintings are viewed in reflected light, revealing an impressive gloss, luminosity and depth of color unattainable with other painting techniques. Due to the complexity of the process and the high level of artistic skill required, highly detailed examples such as this are exceptionally rare. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e The art of reverse glass painting came to China from Europe in the seventeenth century. Spurred by the Jesuit missionary project and fueled by general international trade, reverse glass works became highly desirable export items. These paintings were not only the prized possession of wealthy European families in the 18th and 19th centuries, but also of the Imperial Court. Today, historical reverse glass paintings reside at the Forbidden City emperor’s palace in Beijing. This exquisite painting, complemented by an ornate chinoiserie frame, is a stunning achievement in artistry and also an amazing relic of international luxury trade in the 18th and 19th centuries. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Glass: 8 1\/4\" high x 9 1\/4\" wide\u003cbr\u003e Frame: 9 5\/8\" high x 10 3\/4\" wide","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43874163130503,"sku":"31-6153","price":6950.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/31-6153_1_ae2572cd-cf08-459b-a53b-1b2c6228cabb.png?v=1772354930"},{"product_id":"qing-dynasty-reverse-glass-work-large-party-at-throne","title":"Qing Dynasty Reverse Glass Work - Large Party at Throne","description":"Qing Dynasty Reverse Glass Work \u003cbr\u003e Chinese | Circa 1800 \u003cbr\u003e \u003cem\u003eLarge Party at Throne\u003c\/em\u003e \u003cbr\u003e Oil on glass \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e This magnificent Qing Dynasty reverse glass painting features large group of people surrounding the throne of an emperor figure. Pages attend to the emperor as others worship at his feet. Each of the figures wears elaborately detailed robes and colorful textiles. In Chinese reverse glass works, glass takes the place of canvas. Artists painstakingly applied painted layers to the glass in reverse, with the top layer painted first and the background last. These paintings are viewed in reflected light, revealing an impressive gloss, luminosity and depth of color unattainable with other painting techniques. Due to the complexity of the process and the high level of artistic skill required, highly detailed examples such as this are exceptionally rare. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e The art of reverse glass painting came to China from Europe in the seventeenth century. Spurred by the Jesuit missionary project and fueled by general international trade, reverse glass works became highly desirable export items. These paintings were not only the prized possession of wealthy European families in the 18th and 19th centuries, but also of the Imperial Court. Today, historical reverse glass paintings reside at the Forbidden City emperor’s palace in Beijing. This exquisite painting, complemented by an ornate chinoiserie frame, is a stunning achievement in artistry and also an amazing relic of international luxury trade in the 18th and 19th centuries. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Glass: 31 7\/8\" high x 11 1\/2\" wide\u003cbr\u003e Frame: 35 1\/8 high x 14 3\/4\" wide","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43874167881863,"sku":"31-6154","price":29850.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/31-6154_1_0b3b8012-7438-40c2-b05a-8252eb2fe932.png?v=1772354962"},{"product_id":"limestone-buddha-head-6th-century-qi-dynasty","title":"Limestone Buddha Head, 6th-Century Qi Dynasty","description":"This limestone bust of the Buddha presents a picture of serenity and grace. A rare and striking image, it was sculpted in 6th-century Northern China during the Qi dynasty, one of the most innovative and distinctive periods for the art of stone carving in China. Thoughtfully rendered, this Buddha is adorned with round curls lying flat, creating a graceful pattern from which his long ears, a sign of wisdom, stand out. His features are smooth and unadorned, conveying the simplicity and detachment of his teachings, while the subtle fleshiness of the cheek and chin and curvature of the eyebrows are typical of Northern Qi art. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e The Qi dynasty (550-577) was a fascinating time in Chinese history. The era sizzled with exciting changes that resulted in elevating China’s art and overall culture. Works from this period are extremely hard to find and are ardently admired, as historians agree that the period stands out as a time of innovation and mastery, a magnificent artistic Golden Age for the region. A similar Buddha head from the same period is in the prestigious Guimet Museum in Paris, one of the largest collections of Asian art outside Asia. Another is in the permanent collection of the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/rauantiques.my.salesforce.com\/sfc\/p\/#A0000000JY02\/a\/8X000000MpiV\/EZ7F96I63RWeC8EsmLAanhieNklpQCMxTR8FXgaUOh8\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eMetropolitan Museum of Art in New York\u003c\/a\u003e. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e 6th century \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e 7 1\/4\" diameter x 13 1\/2\" high\u003cbr\u003e With stand: 19 1\/2\" high \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Provenance:\u003cbr\u003e Alan Hartman New York (before 1980)\u003cbr\u003e Buddhist Art, Berlin, Germany, 2009\u003cbr\u003e Private collection, New York, 2011\u003cbr\u003e M.S. Rau, New Orleans, 2022","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43672934187143,"sku":"31-5655","price":168500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/31-5655_1.png?v=1767197835"},{"product_id":"tang-dynasty-striding-horse","title":"Tang Dynasty Striding Horse","description":"Hailing from the illustrious Tang Dynasty of China, this rare large earthenware sculpture depicts a striding horse. The powerful Tang dynasty reigned for nearly 300 years between the 7th and 10th centuries CE and oversaw a cultural and artistic “golden age” in Chinese civilization. Warm terracotta hues color the horse’s flanks and legs, indicating the sculpture was once beautifully pigmented, and the whinnying equine bears a saddle on his back. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Horses held a special significance in Tang China, in part due to a particular affection of the second Tang ruler, Emperor Taizong. He was deeply devoted to his beloved horse “Autumn Dew,” who he credited with saving his life during a pivotal battle to unify China under the emperor’s reign. Horses’ continued importance in Tang expansion and military might made the animal a strong symbol of imperial power and wealth.  \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e A sign of prestige and wealth, the horse is a form of funerary sculpture known as \u003cem\u003emingqi\u003c\/em\u003e.Tang Dynasty \u003cem\u003emingqi\u003c\/em\u003e reflect a harmonious blend of Han Chinese traditions and external cultural influences arriving to China through the Silk Road. More than a facilitator of global commercial transactions, the Silk Road served as a network for cultural exchange between East Asia, Central Asia, the Middle East and beyond. Along its routes, travelers and merchants from disparate cultures encountered one another, fostering the exchange of ideas, philosophies, art forms and scientific knowledge. \u003cem\u003eMingqi\u003c\/em\u003e sculptures such as these were intended to accompany and serve the deceased in the afterlife, and frequently depict guardian figures and the pack animals that facilitated travel and trade in the ever-expanding world. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Circa 7th-10th century CE \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e 30 3\/8\" high x 28 1\/2\" wide x 10\" deep","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":41239032692871,"sku":"31-7237","price":64500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/31-7237_1_87052066-8959-4d71-8083-bbfa40a8005a.png?v=1712739915"},{"product_id":"pair-of-tang-dynasty-camels-standing-and-sitting","title":"Pair of Tang Dynasty Camels Standing and Sitting","description":"Formed of earthenware pottery with traces of warm pigments, this whimsical pair of camels hails from the illustrious Tang Dynasty of China. Reigning for nearly 300 years between the 7th and 10th centuries CE, the powerful Tang rulers oversaw a cultural and artistic “golden age” in Chinese civilization. These camels, one resting and one standing, are a form of funerary sculpture known as \u003cem\u003emingqi\u003c\/em\u003e, and likely accompanied a wealthy merchant’s burial. Already bearing saddles for the deceased owner in the afterlife, the camels are ready for an otherworldly journey. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Tang Dynasty \u003cem\u003emingqi\u003c\/em\u003e reflect a harmonious blend of Han Chinese traditions and external cultural influences arriving to China through the Silk Road. More than a facilitator of global commercial transactions, the Silk Road served as a network for cultural exchange between East Asia, Central Asia, the Middle East and beyond. Along its routes, travelers and merchants from disparate cultures encountered one another, fostering the exchange of ideas, philosophies, art forms and scientific knowledge. \u003cem\u003eMingqi\u003c\/em\u003e sculptures such as these, which highlight the very animal that facilitated this extensive travel and trade, were intended to accompany and serve the deceased in the afterlife. They frequently depict guardian figures and the pack animals that were essential in the ever-expanding world. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Circa 7th-10th century CE \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Standing camel: 19 3\/4“ high x 15 3\/4” wide x 8 5\/8“ deep\u003cbr\u003e Resting camel: 7 3\/4“ high x 6 1\/4” wide x 12 7\/8“ deep","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":41239029776519,"sku":"31-7234","price":44500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/31-7234_1.png?v=1712740445"},{"product_id":"tang-dynasty-ox-and-cart","title":"Tang Dynasty Ox and Cart","description":"Over 1100 years in age, this Tang Dynasty ox and cart earthenware sculpture served as funerary sculpture, also known as \u003cem\u003emingqi\u003c\/em\u003e. Reigning for nearly 300 years between the 7th and 10th centuries CE, the powerful Tang rulers oversaw a cultural and artistic “golden age” in Chinese civilization. A marker of wealth and likely created for the tomb of a merchant, the ox and cart would have offered ample support to the deceased in the afterlife.  \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Tang Dynasty \u003cem\u003emingqi\u003c\/em\u003e reflect a harmonious blend of Han Chinese traditions and external cultural influences arriving in China through the Silk Road. More than a facilitator of global commercial transactions, the Silk Road served as a network for cultural exchange between East Asia, Central Asia, the Middle East and beyond. Along its routes, travelers and merchants from disparate cultures encountered one another, fostering the exchange of ideas, philosophies, art forms and scientific knowledge. \u003cem\u003eMingqi\u003c\/em\u003e sculptures such as this, which highlight the very tools that facilitated travel and trade, were intended to accompany and serve the deceased in the afterlife. They frequently depict guardian figures and the pack animals that were essential in the ever-expanding world. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Circa 7th-10th century CE \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e 11 3\/8“ high x 9 1\/2” wide x 15 7\/8“ deep","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":41239031873671,"sku":"31-7235","price":26850.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/31-7235_1.png?v=1712740374"},{"product_id":"chinese-snuff-bottle-19th-century","title":"Chinese Snuff Bottle, 19th Century","description":"Rare and unique, this exquisite objet d'art was crafted to hold finely ground tobacco. While French snuff bottles are coveted collectibles, snuff accessories from China are exceedingly rare. Artfully crafted using agate and 18K gold, this graceful bottle takes on a teardrop shape, adorned with intricate white agate flowers that grace an amber backdrop. Its captivating charm is further enriched by a green enamel stopper, meticulously fashioned from jade and adorned with cultured pearls. A braided gold cord elegantly completes this masterful objet. Snuff bottles like these are more compact in form than European snuff boxes and helped further inhibit the oxidation of tobacco. Beautiful and rare, this Chinese snuff bottle is an exceptional find. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e 19th century \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e 2 1\/4\" high by 1 1\/4\" wide by 7\/8\" deep","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44263402143879,"sku":"31-6909","price":10620.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/31-6909_1_70777d63-6d24-44ac-8807-6bbc5d85f69b.png?v=1780144200"},{"product_id":"tang-dynasty-pair-of-striding-camels","title":"Tang Dynasty Pair of Striding Camels","description":"Highly rare and beautifully stylized, this pair of Tang dynasty camels is crafted from warmly pigmented earthenware. A form of funerary sculpture known as \u003cem\u003emingqi\u003c\/em\u003e, earthenware sculptures such as these camels were produced during the Tang dynasty's cultural and artistic \"golden age.\" The powerful Tang dynasty reigned for nearly 300 years between the 7th and 10th centuries CE. Elegantly rendered, the camels' striding forms illustrate the advancing aesthetics of Chinese art during the Tang dynasty. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Tang Dynasty \u003cem\u003emingqi\u003c\/em\u003e reflects a harmonious blend of Han Chinese traditions and external cultural influences arriving to China through the Silk Road. More than a facilitator of global commercial transactions, the Silk Road served as a network for cultural exchange between East Asia, Central Asia, the Middle East and beyond. Along its routes, travelers and merchants from disparate cultures encountered one another, fostering the exchange of ideas, philosophies, art forms and scientific knowledge. \u003cem\u003eMingqi\u003c\/em\u003e sculptures such as these, which highlight the very animal that facilitated this extensive travel and trade, were intended to accompany and serve the deceased in the afterlife. They frequently depict guardian figures and the pack animals that were essential in the ever-expanding world. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Circa 7th-10th century CE \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e 26\" high by 21\" wide by 9\" deep","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43484061696135,"sku":"31-7233","price":64500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/31-7233_1.png?v=1764593477"},{"product_id":"tang-dynasty-terracotta-camel","title":"Tang Dynasty Terracotta Camel","description":"Tang Dynasty Terracotta Camel\u003cbr\u003e Circa 7th-10th century \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Exceptionally rare, this Tang dynasty camel is sculpted in richly pigmented terracotta and has a commanding presence. Created as \u003cem\u003emingqi\u003c\/em\u003e—funerary objects intended to accompany the deceased—such works flourished during the Tang dynasty’s cultural zenith between the seventh and tenth centuries CE. The camel’s powerful stance and simplified form reflect the period’s renowned artistic language. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Tang dynasty \u003cem\u003emingqi\u003c\/em\u003e represent China’s central role along the Silk Road, a network that facilitated cultural exchange across East and Central Asia and the Middle East. Camels, essential to long-distance travel and trade, appear frequently in funerary sculpture as symbols of mobility, protection and prosperity, underscoring their importance in both life and the afterlife. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e 16 1\/4\" high by 12 1\/4\" wide by 5\" deep \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Provenance:\u003cbr\u003e Private collection, Florida\u003cbr\u003e M.S. Rau, New Orleans","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43793901813895,"sku":"32-2178","price":29850.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/32-2178_1_dd8142b0-980a-407a-886d-85cb994a1983.png?v=1769815994"},{"product_id":"tang-dynasty-earthenware-horse","title":"Tang Dynasty Earthenware Horse","description":"Tang Dynasty Earthenware Horse\u003cbr\u003e Circa 618–907 CE \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e This Tang dynasty earthenware horse retains traces of its original white pigment, a feature rarely preserved on sculptures of this period. The figure is expertly modeled, with careful attention to proportion and stance, reflecting the Tang dynasty’s increasing interest in representing naturalistic form. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Horses were central to Tang society, valued for their roles in warfare, transportation and ceremonial life. Horses, much like camels, were absolutely integral to life on the Silk Road, a network that facilitated cultural exchange across East and Central Asia and the Middle East. Created as \u003cem\u003emingqi\u003c\/em\u003e, funerary objects placed in tombs, such sculptures were intended to accompany and serve the deceased in the afterlife. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e 15 5\/8” high x 13 1\/2” wide x 5” deep \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Provenance:\u003cbr\u003e Private collection, Florida\u003cbr\u003e M.S. Rau, New Orleans","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44548579950727,"sku":"32-2159","price":19850.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/32-2159_1_91f8758b-6386-4068-b00a-b83c00dbcd99.png?v=1777555592"},{"product_id":"tang-dynasty-terracotta-horse-with-rider","title":"Tang Dynasty Terracotta Horse with Rider","description":"Tang Dynasty Terracotta Horse with Rider\u003cbr\u003e Circa 618–907 CE \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e This Tang dynasty terracotta horse with rider is sculpted with a calm authority and balanced proportions characteristic of the period’s finest funerary figures. The horse stands firmly on all four legs, its head gently lowered, while the rider sits upright, conveying quiet composure. Traces of original pigment remain across the surface, which is highly rare. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e During the Tang dynasty, horses were symbols of status, military strength and imperial power, reflecting China’s expanded reach and cultural confidence. Equestrian figures such as this were created as \u003cem\u003emingqi\u003c\/em\u003e—funerary objects placed in tombs to serve and protect the deceased in the afterlife. The mounted rider underscores the importance of cavalry and horsemanship in Tang society, particularly within elite and courtly contexts shaped by Silk Road exchange and cosmopolitan influence. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e 15” high x 14 1\/2” wide x 4 1\/4” deep \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Provenance:\u003cbr\u003e Private collection, Florida\u003cbr\u003e M.S. Rau, New Orleans \n","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43924797849735,"sku":"32-2177","price":19850.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/32-2177_1.png?v=1772369307"}],"url":"https:\/\/rauantiques.com\/collections\/6-26-chinese-collection.oembed","provider":"M.S. Rau","version":"1.0","type":"link"}