Tang Dynasty Terra Cotta Painted Bactrian Camel Figure, 8th century item. Made of terra cotta and paint, this fine example of a ceramic, painted Bactrian Camel figure from the Tang dynasty, measures 21†in height, 18†in width and a body depth of 6â€. The camel is very finely modeled, with its head raised in a powerful, stately pose, mouth ajar, with an ornately detailed saddle draped over center of the animal’s humps. The figure stands foursquare on a mahogany wood-fitted plinth measuring 8†x 6â€. The body is covered with a glaze finish, fine patina and some coloration. The figure has been examined by professional appraisers and Sotheby’s. Provenance: Ex-President Nasser of Egypt – Gamal Abdul Nasser Hussein (1918-1970), 2nd President of Egypt. Nasser gifted the camel figure to Colonel Robert R. McCormick (1880-1955), a Chicago newspaper baron and owner of the Chicago Tribune. McCormick’s wife, Marilyn McCormick, gifted the figure to Dr. J.W. Bizzell, of Chicago, Illinois, a physician and former attaché to the U.S. Ambassador in Moscow, Russia, in the 1960s. Dr. Bizzell performed surgery on several world leaders at the time. Other items of Dr. Bizzell’s collection included an extensive and valuable collection of Russian icons, which were donated to the Timken Museum in San Diego, California, before his passing. Import works of the Dr. Bizzell collection also included works by Kharitonov, one which sold at Sotheby’s in April of 2008 for over $130,000 to the well-known, Russian Kolodzei family, detailed in an article by Forbes in April 2008. Other artists of the Dr. Bizzell collection included Nemeukin, Vereshchagin, Anatolievich and Viktorov, many being sold at auction through Sotheby’s, Christie’s, Leslie Hindman and other sources. Similar items sold at auction and collection records: Rago Auction, 12/4/2010, #129 Tang Dynasty Camel sold for $34,700.00, a Tang Dynasty Horse and Rider figure sold for $125,000.00 on 3/19/2013 at Sotheby’s in New York. In “Departures†magazine’s December 2016 issue, an article shows 2 antique Chinese sculptures of camels on custom plinths, belonging to David Monn, Author & New York’s Grandmaster Event Planner. Note: Please reference images regarding Colonel Robert. R. McCormick and President Nasser of Egypt, as well as images referencing the collection of Tang Horses detailed in November-December 2016 issue of Departures Magazine; a similar Tang camel which sold at Rago auction, and Tang Horse and Figure mentioned above. Condition: Very good, believed to have an old, professional repair but where is not known, see images. Shipping: $250.00 USA estimate only, w/insurance and signature, double-boxed and wrapped, due to size and high-value. Local pick-up available and item release to authorized agent.

Very good, believed to have an old, professional repair but where is not known, see images.