Ancient Chinese Earthenware Tile of a Dwarf

14
days
21
hours
51
minutes
49
seconds
Starting bid
€ 1
Reserve price not met
Peter Reynaers
Expert
Selected by Peter Reynaers

Has nearly 30 years’ experience and moderated multiple online art research groups.

Estimate  € 300 - € 380
No bids placed

Catawiki Buyer Protection

Your payment’s safe with us until you receive your object.View details

Trustpilot 4.4 | 128017 reviews

Rated Excellent on Trustpilot.

Ancient Chinese Song Dynasty earthenware tile fragment titled Tile of a Dwarf, depicting a stylised crouching dwarf with red pigment remains, measurements circa 20 cm by 14 cm, in good condition, provenance Ex West Country collection, UK, acquired 2020.

AI-assisted summary

Description from the seller

A finely modelled Chinese, Song Dynasty, earthenware tile fragment, featuring the image of a stylised dwarf, rendered in high-relief. The figure is depicted crouched, with their left leg straight and leaning on their folded right leg. The figure is rounded, with a large circular stomach and face. Their arms are by their side, resting on their legs. A cloth has been draped diagonally from the right shoulder of the figure. The round face of the dwarf is slightly tilted and retains some of its original red pigment. The eyes, bulbous nose, heavy cheeks, and lips of their face are still clearly visible, with the head surmounted by black hair. The tile retains some of the original black and red pigment to the surface. The reverse is undecorated, and features a rough, textured surface. Earthly encrustations to the surface and signs of wear as consistent with age, such as chips, scratches, and pitting to the surface.

Please note, Heavy Shipping applies to this lot.

The Song Dynasty ruled China during one of its most brilliant and sophisticated cultural epochs, marking a high point for innovation in economy, science, engineering, and warfare. The Dynasty saw the introduction of the first banknotes and the first recorded chemical formula for gunpowder, as well as large-scale experimental architecture and a new intellectual interest in the arts. During this period, Buddhism waned in popularity as new philosophical schools of thought were introduced. The development of Neo-Confucianism and the re-emergence of Daoism reverberated through society, guiding it to ideals of balance and order. Buddhism, however, retained a strong influence over the arts, and many representation of Buddhist iconography can be found in the Song Dynasty extensive artistic production.

Measurements: (circa) L 20cm x W 14cm

Provenance: Ex West Country collection, UK.

Seller's Story

N.B: TAXES & VAT ARE NOT INCLUDED WITHIN THE SHIPPING COSTS. INTERNATIONAL DELIVERY TIME SUBJECT TO CUSTOMS CLEARANCE. ANTIQUITIES: All items sold will come with their own Certificate of Authenticity, including the item's description, image and provenance. Please also note, for insurance purposes, an item's value cannot be under- declared. All items when shipped (if required) will be declared as antiquities over 100 years old and their valued price. Liability and the applicable Customs Regulations or Import Requirements in the country of your destination are the sole responsibility of the buyer. We cannot be held responsible for any delays occurred by Custom Procedures. Import Tax or payable VAT depends on the Country of your destination. Payments of any taxes or any dispute with Customs Authorities are the sole responsibility of the buyer. Please note that from the 1st of January 2021, as Britain will officially leave the EU, artefacts dispatched to any European country might have to go through Customs Procedures and fees. Watches: Watches are provided with a hard cardboard box and pillow as shown in the images. The Seller can prove that the lot was obtained legally, provenance statement seen by Catawiki. Important information. The seller guarantees that he is entitled to ship this lot. The seller will take care that any necessary permits will be arranged. The seller will inform the buyer about this if this takes more than a few days.

A finely modelled Chinese, Song Dynasty, earthenware tile fragment, featuring the image of a stylised dwarf, rendered in high-relief. The figure is depicted crouched, with their left leg straight and leaning on their folded right leg. The figure is rounded, with a large circular stomach and face. Their arms are by their side, resting on their legs. A cloth has been draped diagonally from the right shoulder of the figure. The round face of the dwarf is slightly tilted and retains some of its original red pigment. The eyes, bulbous nose, heavy cheeks, and lips of their face are still clearly visible, with the head surmounted by black hair. The tile retains some of the original black and red pigment to the surface. The reverse is undecorated, and features a rough, textured surface. Earthly encrustations to the surface and signs of wear as consistent with age, such as chips, scratches, and pitting to the surface.

Please note, Heavy Shipping applies to this lot.

The Song Dynasty ruled China during one of its most brilliant and sophisticated cultural epochs, marking a high point for innovation in economy, science, engineering, and warfare. The Dynasty saw the introduction of the first banknotes and the first recorded chemical formula for gunpowder, as well as large-scale experimental architecture and a new intellectual interest in the arts. During this period, Buddhism waned in popularity as new philosophical schools of thought were introduced. The development of Neo-Confucianism and the re-emergence of Daoism reverberated through society, guiding it to ideals of balance and order. Buddhism, however, retained a strong influence over the arts, and many representation of Buddhist iconography can be found in the Song Dynasty extensive artistic production.

Measurements: (circa) L 20cm x W 14cm

Provenance: Ex West Country collection, UK.

Seller's Story

N.B: TAXES & VAT ARE NOT INCLUDED WITHIN THE SHIPPING COSTS. INTERNATIONAL DELIVERY TIME SUBJECT TO CUSTOMS CLEARANCE. ANTIQUITIES: All items sold will come with their own Certificate of Authenticity, including the item's description, image and provenance. Please also note, for insurance purposes, an item's value cannot be under- declared. All items when shipped (if required) will be declared as antiquities over 100 years old and their valued price. Liability and the applicable Customs Regulations or Import Requirements in the country of your destination are the sole responsibility of the buyer. We cannot be held responsible for any delays occurred by Custom Procedures. Import Tax or payable VAT depends on the Country of your destination. Payments of any taxes or any dispute with Customs Authorities are the sole responsibility of the buyer. Please note that from the 1st of January 2021, as Britain will officially leave the EU, artefacts dispatched to any European country might have to go through Customs Procedures and fees. Watches: Watches are provided with a hard cardboard box and pillow as shown in the images. The Seller can prove that the lot was obtained legally, provenance statement seen by Catawiki. Important information. The seller guarantees that he is entitled to ship this lot. The seller will take care that any necessary permits will be arranged. The seller will inform the buyer about this if this takes more than a few days.

Details

Culture
Ancient Chinese
Century/timeframe
Song Dynasty, Circa 960-1279 AD
Name of object
Tile of a Dwarf
Acquired from
Private collection
Year acquired
2020
Material
Earthenware
Country acquired from
Unknown
Condition
Good
Previous owner acquired from
Private collection
Previous owner - year acquired
1990
Previous owner - country acquired from
Unknown
I verify that I have obtained this object legally and that I am allowed to sell it
Yes
United KingdomVerified
8848
Objects sold
100%
protop

Disclaimer

The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.

The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.

Similar objects

For you in

Archaeology