Monday 16th March - Antiques, Jewellery, Militaria, Coins, Vinyl, Toys, Ceramics, Collectables
Monday 16th March - Antiques, Jewellery, Militaria, Coins, Vinyl, Toys, Ceramics, Collectables
A Chinese shell carving relief dating to the 20th century, featuring a classic Birds and Flowers (huaniao) composition. The artwork is meticulously constructed from layered and tinted mother-of-pearl alongside various iridescent shells, applied in high relief against a pale blue gradient background. The scene depicts a pair of long-tailed pheasants perched upon a rockery, surrounded by blossoming peonies and pendulous wisteria branches, with a smaller bird in flight to the left. In Chinese iconography, the pheasant and peony together symbolise beauty, rank, and prosperity. A four-character calligraphic inscription in the upper right reads Jinxiu nianhua (锦绣年华), which may be translated as Splendid Years or The Prime of Life, followed by a single red artist’s seal. The piece is housed under glass within a black lacquered wood frame featuring a wide grey inner slip. Dimensions: Not recorded.
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