Lot 1: The PHDS Wikramaratna Collection of Oriental
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Description: The PHDS Wikramaratna Collection of Oriental Ceramics and Works of Art PHDS Wikramaratna PHDS Wikramaratna (PH) was born in Ceylon in 1916, coming to London in 1937 where he took a First Class Honours Degree in engineering. He returned to Ceylon at the outbreak of war where he was the first Ceylonese teacher of civil engineering. After settling in the UK with his Dutch-born wife and their family, he gradually built up an extensive collection of Far-Eastern, and mainly Chinese, ceramics, although by no means limited in scope. His antiquities will appear in a later sale. Being in London allowed him to research his finds in the museum showcases, the libraries, the salerooms, and with his many expert friends and acquaintances. As a member of the Oriental Ceramic Society, he often attended meetings and occasionally loaned some of his pieces for OCS exhibitions or gave a lecture. At one time he became a potter to find out more about the techniques used - but according to his wishes, his family has kept these pots. PH had an excellent eye and a feel for the unusual, and his collection contains many pieces which at first glance may appear unexciting but are actually carefully chosen for the ceramics story they have to tell. This sale is an opportunity for both the novice collector and the more experienced. Over the years, PH gave many fine pieces to museums; they can be seen at the British Museum, Victoria and Albert, Ashmolean and Fitzwilliam. PH died in December 2010 and his collection is now coming up for sale. In 1994, Mr Wikramaratna had an inventory taken of the better pieces in the collection and some reference to it has been made in the footnotes, these items have tiny yellow and red numbered stickers. Buyers must satisfy themselves as to all aspects of the following ceramics, particularly age and material. None have been TL tested and all lots are sold as seen. EARLY WARES TO SIX DYNASTIES Neolithic, 3rd to 1st millennium BC, A Burial Urn painted with black rope-twist, 16cm; a tapering Vase, with red zigzag, 18.5cm; a Food Vessel and Cover, 17cm, and a squat Bowl, with zigzag, 17cm, some with damage (5)
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Lot 2: A Yueh Candlestick, Six Dynasties, 221-589, in the
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Description: A Yueh Candlestick, Six Dynasties, 221-589, in the form of a lion with scrolling mane, crouching and grinning, a sconce on his back and olive-glazed overall but for the paws, 14cm For a very similar stick, see Chinese Celadon Wares, G.St.G.M.Gompertz, 1958, pl. 7b.
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Lot 3: A proto-Yueh Funerary Urn, 4th century, the heavy
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Description: A proto-Yueh Funerary Urn, 4th century, the heavy ovoid body applied with a wealth of buildings, animals, fish and birds above an archaic character inscription under a streaked green/brown thick glaze, 25cm For an urn in similar style, see Medley, fig. 42.
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Lot 4: A painted earthenware Horse, Han Dynasty, c.100,
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Description: A painted earthenware Horse, Han Dynasty, c.100, the stocky beast moulded and with details picked out in red, green and black on white, 10.5cm; and Another in red earthenware, 9cm (2)
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Lot 8: SUI, TANG AND FIVE DYNASTIES An attractive
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Description: SUI, TANG AND FIVE DYNASTIES An attractive Changsha ware Bowl, Tang Dynasty 8th-9th century, of conical form with five notched rim, covered inside and out with a finely crackled ginger glaze flecked in green, and running to the wide flat foot and fired on the almost flat base, 16.5cm Numbered labels including Bluett & Sons London 316.
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