Zhonghua

african china

africa china

Travelling canteen

travelling canteen
view: front

Travelling canteen consisting of a wooden case with eight separately carved compartments for carrying eating utensils.


Blanc de Chine Guanyin figurine

blanc de Chine Guanyin figurine
view: front

Dehua blanc de Chine porcelain figure of Guanyin, Goddess of Mercy. Hollow cream-white porcelain figure covered in a milk-white glaze, except the base rim which is left unglazed. The figurine is glazed on the inside.


Ivory statuette of Shoulao holding a staff and peach

ivory statuette of Shoulao holding a staff and peach
view: front

Figurine of Shoulao, the Daoist god of longevity, carved from melon-yellow ivory. Shoulao is depicted as a bald-headed elderly man with a high forehead and a lined brow. He wears long flowing robes tied at the waist.


Wooden carving of the demon queller

wooden carving of the demon queller
view: front

A finely detailed wooden carving of the demon queller, Zhong Kui.


Ivory needlework casket

ivory needlework casket
view: front

Carved pale cream ivory rectangular casket with lock, containing several needlework items and ivory and mother-of-pearl implements.


Printing woodblock

printing woodblock
view: front

Pear wood printing block, carved on both sides with 23 columns of characters in a regular script. The inscription is of pages 9 and 10 from volume 55 of the "Collected Works of Su Weigong" by Su Song (1020 - 1101 CE), a scholar in both astronomy and medicine.


Huo quan coin

huo quan coin
view: front

Huo quan (coin for exchange).


Wuzhu coin

wuzhu coin
view: front

Wuzhu (five zhu coin).


Imperial robe

Imperial robe
view: front

Front of an imperial Emperor's robe. Polychrome on a yellow ground. The design comprises the dragon and pearl. Four of eight Buddhist emblems of glorious augury and the four elements.


Court robe

court robe
view: front

Chao pao, or court robe, belonging to an official. The robe comprises of a top and pleated skirt sewn together and is made of dark blue silk and edged with a dark blue and gold brocade.


Mandarin square

Mandarin square
view: front

Mandarin square of a civilian grade 4 official of the Jiaqing reign.


Chinese bed

Chinese bed
view: front

Bed comprising two connected sections, the poster-bed proper with open trellis canopy on square uprights and outer chamber as porch. This outer chamber covered and platformed, is decorated on the front with carved and ivory-inlaid. Calligraphic designs on front panels.


Astronomical clock

astronomical clock
view: front

Astronomical clock with carved wooden stand.


Pair of silk lotus shoes

pair of silk lotus shoes
view: front

A pair of finely embroidered lotus shoes in pink silk.


Raised heel shoe

raised heel shoe
view: front

Finely embroidered Manchu shoe, in red silk.
The shoe has a tapering platform sole and the sides of the shoe are embroidered with plants and squirrels in silk threads of many colours. There is a plain black silk band around the opening of the shoe.


Tricolour cinnabar lacquer box and cover

tricolour cinnabar lacquer box and cover
view: front

Elaborately carved peach-shaped box with cover. Carved from red, green and yellow lacquer applied to a wooden core.


Equestrian polo player figurine

equestrian polo player figurine
view: right

Hollow-moulded, soft, buff earthenware figure of an equestrienne dressed for playing polo, on horseback. All four legs of the horse are outstretched as if galloping; the head looks straight ahead and the ears are pricked.


Sancai figurine of Turfan man

sancai figurine of Turfan man
view: front

Moulded light buff earthenware figure of a standing Turfan man, perhaps Christian, of the type Tocharians painted at Khocho, with a solid octagonal self-base. The man stands holding his hands to his chest and wears a tall hat and long flowing robes over a long tunic tied at the waist.


Small camel statuette

small camel statuette
view: front

Hollow-moulded glazed light buff earthenware model of a saddled Bactarian camel standing four-square on a rectangular, flat self-base. The camel has a raised head, tilted slightly to one side with mouth open.