Sale: CNG 61, Lot: 2753. Estimate $500.  Closing Date: Wednesday, 25 September 2002.  Sold For $725. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

T'ANG DYNASTY. Circa 618-906. Orange painted ceramic statue of Armenian merchant (28 cm). Man with beard and mustache, wearing pointed hat and tunic over loose fitting trousers, standing holding right hand to breast and with left holding a pouch. For similar statue see: The Arts of the T'ang Dynasty, Oriental Ceramic Society London, 1955, 13. Some of the original paint preserved and in good condition. ($500)

From the Manuel Panossian Collection.

Under the second emperor of the T'ang, T'ai Tsung (627-649), China became the greatest empire on earth. Chinese arms were carried to Korea, Turkistan northern India and east Asia. In this prosperous and peaceful climate the arts flourished, including the earliest-known printed paper money. People from many lands and faiths, including Armenians, Persians, Indians and Arabs journeyed to its court at Ch'ang-an, all having their influence on the local art.