Mod Sanctuary Antiques and Fine Art Gallery: RARE LATE 18TH-EARLY 19TH C CHINA TRADE PAIR CAST BRONZE SOLDIERS ON HORSEBACK

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.