RARE LATE
18TH to EARLY 19TH CENTURY CHINA TRADE
PAIR CAST BRONZE BAS-RELIEF CHINESE SOLDIERS in PERIOD COSTUME on PRANCING HORSES FIGURES, WEARING MAIL BODY ARMOUR, with TUFTED PONY TAILS on ORNATE BRONZE BOTTOMS, AFFIXED to INVERTED BRASS MOULDING BASES
[*Figures were previously chemically cleaned on their fronts at some
point & a clear lacquer/sealant was applied to arrest oxidation
& subsequent darkening. The backs clearly show their age &
antique pedigree.]
(Circa 1785-1845)
Late 18th to early 19th century Chinese antique cast bronze figures of militaria, soldiers on horseback
DIMENSIONS:
14 1⁄4" Height x 12" Width x 1 3⁄4" Depth
DESCRIPTION:
Offered for your review and consideration is this recently discovered
pair of late 18th to early 19th century Chinese antique China Trade
cast bronze figures mounted on brass moulded cornice bases of two
mirrored Chinese
warriors in period costume on horseback, wearing mail body armor and
with their hair pulled up and tufted into ponytails. The pair of bronze
figures are on their original brass bases and while the backs of both
the bronze and brass show incredible darkening and naturally aged patina
with episodes of verdigris oxidation, the fronts of the bronze and brass
were at some previous point in time chemically cleaned to remove what
was most likely considered to be 'blackened' bronze surfaces, which they
no doubt believe interfered with viewing the figures. The figures appear
to have been sealed with a clear lacquer or material to arrest
subsequent oxidation and darkening. These were produced for the China Trade in the late 18th-early 19th century.
Very fine and absolutely wonderful decorative objects from the famous China Trade and the export of decorative Chinese objects to North America, Europe and the world over. These are large,
imposing sculptures that would have been intended for formal display on
a sideboard, fireplace mantle, library bookcase or perhaps even used as
a fireplace fence. Regardless of where they may have been displayed,
their shallow, detailed, incised mark-making on their bas-relief
surfaces, point to these as being accomplished Chinese
sculptural works that reflected the fashion and decorative sensibility
of the European, as well as the nascent American
export market. Evidence of this is found in the Baroque
treatment given to the bottom of the cast bronze forms, where we see
highly ornate, decorative, mirrored swag, floral/paisley design. We've
elected not to remove the clear lacquer from the fronts of the forms, on
either the brass bases or the bronze forms. We have decided to leave
them in the state that they're presently in and leave the decision
whether to remove the clear lacquer sealant or to keep it up to their
new owner. Regardless of the fact that someone previously performed this
supposed 'improvement' of the pair of Chinese bronze figures, still doesn't significantly diminish their rarity or
importance as a wonderful coupling of late 18th to early 19th century China Trade antique decorative objects. Very fine and extraordinarily beautiful, formal
pieces. Superlative. Top shelf.
CONDITION:
Good to Very Good overall antique condition.
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