Happy NIU Year

Niu (牛) in Chinese refers to ox, oxen, cows, cattle, and buffalo. It is the ultimate provider of opulence - the bull calves are the workers of the fields, manure the fertilizer and fuel, milk the ultimate nourishment. No wonder niu was worshipped as the mother goddess who cares for, feeds, and creates all life. The reverence for niu still continues in all civilisations. Lenient, calm, steadfast, loyal, courageous, and many other virtues are the values projected on the images of niu.

In Chinese civilisation, niu was not only a votive offering, it also served as the crucial role in agriculture in the agrarian society. The image of the ancient philosopher Lao Tzu (ca. 6-4 BC) riding a water buffalo is the embodiment of his wuwei (無爲, inexertion) philosophical avocation.

The Southern Song poet Lei Zhen captures the Eastern pastoral idyll in his work Rural Scene:

"A cowherd comes back astride on a buffalo;

He blows on his short flute a tune only he may know."

As the Lunar New Year begins, we have selected a few past highlights from our Asian Art Department and across other departments to celebrate the Year of the Ox. We wish you a Happy Niu Year!

 PAIR OF QING DYNASTY WUCAI VASES 

PAIR OF WUCAI VASES

QING DYNASTY, 19TH CENTURY

Sold for £8,750 incl premium

JIAQING CELADON JADE BRUSH POT 

CELADON JADE BRUSH POT

JIAQING MARK BUT PROBABLY LATER

Sold for £5,750 incl premium

QING DYNASTY FIGURE GROUP OF A BOY AND WATER BUFFALO

CHINESE EXPORT FIGURE GROUP OF A BOY AND WATER BUFFALO

MID QING DYNASTY

Sold for £2,500 incl premium

QING DYNASTY JADE RECUMBENT WATER BUFFOLO

BROWN MOTTLED JADE RECUMBENT WATER BUFFOLO

EARLY QING DYNASTY

Sold for £22,500 incl premium

JAPANESE BRONZE FIGURE OF AN OX

JAPANESE BRONZE FIGURE OF AN OX

SIGNED UNNO YOSHIMORI II (1864-1919)

Sold for £3,250 incl premium

JOHN BOULTBEE | STUDY OF TWO COWS

STUDY OF TWO COWS

JOHN BOULTBEE (BRITISH 1753-1812)

Sold for £12,500 incl premium

ANCIENT GREEK VOTIVE COW 

ANCIENT GREEK VOTIVE COW

GREECE, C. 450 B.C.

Sold for £1,625 incl premium

Forthcoming Auctions

Fine Asian Works of Art

Wednesday, 12th May 2021 10:00

 

Entries invited until Monday, 15th March 2021

 

Consign Now ⇒

 

 

 

Asian Works of Art

Tuesday, 8th June 2021 10:00

 

Entries invited until Thursday, 29th April 2021

 

Consign Now ⇒

 

 

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The Asian Art Department

Lyon & Turnbull’s international Asian Art department conduct frequent specialist auctions, in the various locations throughout the UK and via live online auctions. These auctions have a special focus on Chinese and Japanese ceramics, paintings, furniture, jade, textiles and works of art and are perfectly positioned to capitalise on the current strength in the Asian antiques markets.

 

Learn more ⇒