Collection of 19th c. Chinese decorative art

China. This collection includes a pair of three-tiered red lacquered wedding baskets, four transom wood carvings, a two-drawer wooden box, a hanging mirror behind wooden doors, a three-drawer vanity chest with fold-up mirror, two rosewood brush holders inlaid with jade, and a carved wooden Foo (also spelled Fu) dog. The two-drawer box might have been used for pet crickets as one drawer is ventilated on both sides.

Foo dogs are actually lions. They resemble the Chow Chow and Shih Tzu breeds, hence the English misnomer of Foo dog. A pair of male and female stylized lions guarded the entrance of palaces, temples and homes of the elite. The male holds a ball; the female, a cub. The Foo dog in this lot appears to have earned his keep holding down the fort (see images for details of damage and imperfections).

Each basket: w 16.25 in x h 23.75. Four transom carvings: 3 in x 28 in, 4.5 in x 32.75 in, 4 in x 32.5 in, 4 in x 32.5 in, 4.75 in x 26.5 in; two-drawer box: w 5 in x h 7 x d 9.5 in. Hanging mirror: w 8 in x h 10.75 in x d 0.75. Vanity chest: w 9.75 x h 7 in x 12”L. Each brush holder: w 3.75 in x h 6 in. Foo dog: w 4 in x h 10.5 in x d 5.5 in.

1330643

Shelved Dupont Bookstore

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NOTES

All good to very good condition with the exception of the Foo dog, which is in poor condition. One basket has a 1.25 in x 1.75 in piece and a 0.25 in piece out of the lacquered outer layer near the base (see images), the other basket has a 0.25 in chip on the top of the lid. One transom has a small break (see images).