They are bronze cast with separate bottom, soldered in. This bottom is also handworked as "timber" and has seal in archaic (clerical?) characters on each vase. The surface is black and is decorated by some early form of enamel, not cloisonne but looking rather as a coloured clay, similar to "mastica" used in Europe before 18th century. The colours are hardly visible, but one can distinguish green and red, and maybe yellow. The surface of the colours is rather coarse, not "polished". There is no separating wires used, surface is engraved and indents filled with this coloured clay. To me it looks a very old technology.

There is also a gold wash ornaments drawn over the "enamel", some of this wash has been lost but mainly its OK. Inside the opening of the vases decoration continues for an inch or more.

If there is a buyer for it then it is better to do it through eBay/PayPal system unless the buyer has an agent in NZ.

Brass vase with black velvety surface, decorated by the elements of different colour metal gold leaf or maybe gold plate on brass, cannot see exactly (if plate then the surface must have been etched first, as the gilded elements appear slightly "embossed"). To my eye it is not "komai" technique. It has a horizontal split along the soldering in the bottom part (you can see on one of the photos) so it cannot hold water. Also magnifier reveals minor losses on gold surface.

If there is a buyer for it then it is better to do it through eBay/PayPal system unlesstha buyer has an agent in NZ.

I have no pictures right now....but the only thing wrong with them is the worn leather around them...everything else functions as it should and is in good shape.

208 Piece Handcrafted Bronzeware, by Johnny Gem & Collectables" from Banqouk, Thailand. Bought in 1966. This beautiful handcrafted set of bronzeware has never been used and is still in the original wooden case as purchased. I do not know the exact original cost of the set, but when it was given to me, the statement was made that in a few years it would be worth a lot of money.

The previous owner was trying to say something about "Ming origins" but there is no markings on it despite it sure looks old. He never had it cleaned, me too as it was to be crossing USSR border and like that it looks more like pewter.

Technology in it is as follows: the body itself is smooth, soldered from several profiled pieces of flat and bent silver. The handles are hollow, the dragon and the rooster are separately made and soldered onto the body. Of course all hand-done and very finely detailed.

If there is a buyer for it, the sale is better passed through eBay/PayPal system unless the buyer has an agent in NZ.

Soft red copper with silver inlaid lettering. Similar to the modern ones, made in brass.

If there is a buyer for it, the sale is better passed through eBay/PayPal system unless the buyer has an agent in NZ.