A pair of Chinese gilt bronze and cinnabar lacquer bowls and covers, Qing Dynasty

This fine pair of Chinese gilt bronze and cinnabar lacquer bowls and covers exemplifies the mastery and patience of traditional Chinese craftsmanship.

Each bowl is finished with a stunning layer of deep red cinnabar lacquer, a material prized for its beauty and cultural significance. Cinnabar itself is a naturally occurring mineral, often found in volcanic deposits. When ground into a fine pigment and combined with resin derived from the sap of the Chinese lacquer tree, it produces the distinctive, luminous red that has captivated artisans and collectors for centuries.

The creation of lacquerware such as these bowls is an extraordinarily painstaking process. The craftsman would begin with a carefully formed metal base, usually wood but in this instance a rarer metal base, then apply dozens up to hundreds of ultra-thin layers of lacquer, allowing each to dry and harden before adding the next. Once the desired thickness was achieved, the artisan would meticulously carve into the hardened surface, revealing intricate patterns and motifs that bring depth and life to the work.

The result is not only a functional object but also a testament to artistry, patience, and the enduring beauty of traditional Chinese decorative arts.

A large and rare Chinese dehua standing figure of guanyin, Ming Dynasty

This remarkable statue represents Guanyin, the revered Buddhist goddess of mercy and compassion. A central figure in East Asian Buddhism, Guanyin embodies boundless benevolence, guiding worshippers on their spiritual journey toward enlightenment.

A sculpture of this kind may originally have been created for a temple or a private devotional space, serving as a focal point for meditation and reflection. Its serene expression and graceful posture capture the essence of inner peace and divine compassion.

What makes this particular example especially fascinating is that its maker is known, He Chaozong, a celebrated potter who was active during the late Ming dynasty in the 16th and early 17th centuries. He Chaozong was renowned for his masterful work in Dehua porcelain, often praised for its luminous, creamy-white glaze known in the West as Blanc de Chine.

An similar model of this figure resides in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum, underscoring the historical and artistic importance of this piece. We are therefore especially delighted to present this rare and exceptional example to the market.

Learn more about Duhua Blanc de Chine porcelain.

A large Chinese underglaze blue and copper red twin handled vase, Qianlong (1736-1795)

This impressive vase, richly decorated in underglaze blue and copper red, dates from the reign of the Qianlong Emperor (1736–1795), one of China’s greatest patrons of the arts. Under his enlightened rule, the imperial kilns at Jingdezhen reached new heights of technical brilliance and creative expression, ushering in an era celebrated for its innovation, refinement, and variety in ceramic production.

The design of this vase is both playful and symbolic. Across its surface, squirrels frolic among clusters of grapes, a motif that carries an auspicious meaning in Chinese art. Squirrels, known for their energy and fertility, combined with the fruit-laden vine - a traditional emblem of abundance and continuity - convey a wish for prosperity and a flourishing family line.

In an 18th-century household, such imagery would have served not merely as decoration but as a visual blessing, expressing hopes for longevity, abundance, and many descendants. This large and beautifully executed example stands as a testament to the elegance and symbolic richness of Qianlong-period porcelain.

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Auction Details

Wednesday 12 & Thursday 13 November 2025, 10.30am GMT
Dreweatts, Donnington Priory, Newbury, Berkshire RG14 2JE, UK

Bidding is available in person at our salerooms, online, by telephone or you can leave commission (absentee) bids.

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VIEWING
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• Sunday 2 November: 10am-3pm
• Monday 3 November: 10am-4pm
• Tuesday 4 November: 10am-4pm

Viewing in Newbury (Full sale):
Dreweatts, Donnington Priory, Newbury, Berkshire RG14 2JE, UK

• Sunday 9 November: 10am-3pm
• Monday 10 November: 10am-4pm
• Tuesday 11 November: 10am-4pm
• Wednesday 12 November: 9am-4pm
• Thursday 13 November: 9am-11am

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