Oriental Art

National and international collectors have found Cordy’s to be the most favoured auction house to watch for a broad range of Chinese porcelains, jades, ivories, bronzes and wood. Items of quality and age are met by a knowledgeable audience in our rooms. We also specialise in Japanese ukiyo-e, scroll paintings, textiles, Peking glass and Chinese silver.


BB4 - 0089

A Chinese hu-form vase with plum-purple glaze, impressed with Yongzheng four-character reign mark and bearing collector's labels.

The baluster form with raised double ring at the shoulder and mouth where the glaze thins to show the light underglaze. Under the foot the seal mark on a mottled ground framed by a drizzle of celadon glaze. Affied paper labels to the vase, referencing the collector and dealer Ching Tsai Loo (1880-1957): i) 'Flambe Hu Yung-Cheng, C.T.Loo, 57.8' and ii) 'C.T. Loo & Co., Paris 452' and to the gilt metal stand referencing Florine Ebstein-Langweil (1861-1958) iii) 'Mde F. Langweil, Objets d'Art Anciens de la Chine et du Japon. 4 Boul. des Italiens 4, Paris'. Overall H.300mm. Biog: https://agorha.inha.fr/detail/425

Realised: $7,500
AA8 - 0053

A pair of impressive and well modelled vintage Chinese bronze Foo dogs,

the opposing pair in traditional pose, the male with his right paw resting on a ball representing protection, while the female has a paw resting on a cub or pup representing nurturing and fertility. On decorative bronze bases. 210 x 310 x 450mm.

Realised: $4,300
BB4 - 0088

A Chinese pale jade Kuanyin statuette, pale celadon with subtle lavender tints - modelled seated upon a single lotus throne, the bodhisattva sits with left hand in vitarka mudra and right hand holding a vase with willow branch, the deities headdress covering a lotus diadem and backed by a leaf shaped mandala. On black lacquered plinth (chipped). Overall H.355mm.

Realised: $3,400
AA7 - 0099

A pair of large 19thC Chinese famille rose vases,

baluster form, with rectangular figured panels on floral ground, shishi and salamanders to the neck and shoulders, flared shaped top rims. Gilt highlights. H.340mm. Provenance: Through English family descent, emigrated to NZ following WWII.

Realised: $2,600
BB3 - 0108

An outstanding old Chinese carved elephant tusk,

finely carved detail of temples (one absent), pagodas, trees, and various Ching figures, raised on hardwood stand. L.830mm (tusk).

Realised: $2,400
AA8 - 0069

Chinese finely decorated porcelain bowl

relief scrolling red ground enamel with floral highlights, the four circular rondels enamelled in colours with precious objects. Daoguang mark in underglaze blue to the base. Dia.153mm.

Realised: $2,400
AA7 - 0103

A Japanese WWII katana sword,

labelled 'Sword from Japanese Army in Singapore'. Leather covered scabbard, plaited cord over the shagreen grip, plain iron tsuba. The tang signed with rubbing in attached envelope detailed 'Sword from Japanese Army in Singapore'. Total length 990mm.

Realised: $2,200
AA6 - 0064

A fine quality carved Edo period red & black lacquer four section Inro c.1840,

the complete sagemono with shaped manju netsuke all deeply carved with figures engaged in domestic pursuits. L.77mm.

Realised: $2,000
BB4 - 0101

A Japanese late 18th/early 19thC tanto - unsigned Hirazukuri blade in good polish with midare temper. Nice old mounts in excellent condition. Shakudo Tsuba, Fuchi Kashera with heron and figure with gold highlights, Shakudo double horse menuki. Fine black lacquer Saya with sash cord. Original old sword silk bag showing wear. L.530mm.

Realised: $2,000
AA10 - 0123

A Tibetan gilt bronze figure of a sixteen headed deity,

in embrace with his consort, standing upon recumbent bodies, raised upon a double lotus plinth base. H.435mm.

Realised: $2,000