A.lain R. T.ruong

A Famille Rose yellow-ground bowl, Daoguang seal mark in underglaze blue and of the period (1821-1850)

A Famille Rose yellow-ground bowl, Daoguang seal mark in underglaze blue and of the period (1821-1850). Photo Christie's Image Ltd 2013

With deep, slightly flaring sides, enameled on the exterior with a dense profusion of foliage interspersed with large exotic flowers, the interior decorated in iron red with five bats (wufu) in flight; 5 13/16 in. (14.8 cm.) diam. Estimate USD 1,200.00 - 1,800.00

Note: Yellow-ground famille rose bowls with this pattern on the exterior, and five iron-red bats on the interior appear to have developed during the Qianlong reign. A Qianlong-marked example in the British Museum is illustrated by H. Moss, By Imperial Command, Hong Kong, 1976, pl. 6. A Jiaqing-marked example from the Qing Court Collection is illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum - 39 - Porcelains with Cloisonn Enamel Decoration and Famille Rose Decoration, Hong Kong, 1999, p. 181, no. 205, where it is noted that a large quantity of these yellow-ground bowls were made as early as the second year of the Qianlong reign.

Daoguang-marked bowls of this pattern were made in two sizes. An example of the smaller size (6 in.) is a pair sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 1 December 2010, lot 2892, and an example of the larger size (7 in.) is a pair sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 1 June 2011, lot 3655. See, also, the similar bowl in the Metropolitan Museum of Art illustrated in Oriental Ceramics, The World's Great Collections, vol. 12, Tokyo, 1977, pl. 163, and another in the Victoria and Albert Museum, illustrated by R. Kerr, Chinese Ceramics, 1986, no. 106. 

A Daoguang-marked bowl of similar size sold at Christie's New York, 19 September 2013, lot 1315. 

Christie's. A PASSION FOR COLLECTING: A SELECTION OF CHINESE WORKS OF ART FROM THE MICHAEL D. STEVENSON COLLECTION.https://onlineonly.christies.com/

A lava, hardstone, citrine and amethyst brooch, by Hedy Martinelli

A lava, hardstone, citrine and amethyst brooch, by Hedy Martinelli. Photo courtesy Bonhams.

Designed as a Chinese dignitary with carved lava head, wearing a headdress composed of carved and fluted hardstones and a citrine briolette, his oval hardstone chest inset with foiled amethyst, signed H Martinelli, maker's suede pouch. Estimate £700 - 900 (€840 - 1,100)

"Hedy Martinelli, the Roman jeweller, combined several natural stones to make this unique modern brooch. Stone, carved lava, gold, amethyst and topaz come together to create this unique 'little man's head'. Although his face looks a bit wrinkled, I felt very affectionate toward him and called him Augustus, because Bob bought him for me one August. It was a lovely surprise gift, and also drew lots of comments and questions." 

Gift from Robert Bradford. 

Bonhams. FINE JEWELLERY INCLUDING SELECTED JEWELS FROM THE COLLECTION OF BARBARA TAYLOR BRADFORD. London, New Bond Street. 5 Dec 2013 - www.bonhams.com

A lava, coral and diamond brooch, by Hedy Martinelli

A lava, coral and diamond brooch, by Hedy Martinelli. Photo courtesy Bonhams. 

Modelled as a Chinese man, his clean-shaven, laughing face carved in lava, wearing a branch coral (corallium rubrum) headdress and robe with brilliant-cut diamond decoration, diamonds approximately 0.95 carat total, length 7.8cm, maker's suede pouch. Estimate £1,400 - 1,800 (€1,700 - 2,200)

"Bob and I discovered the amusing and whimsical jewellery designs of Hedy Martinelli in the 1990s. This Roman designer crafts many of her pieces from unusual materials, including lava. When Bob saw this unique brooch by her, he realised it would match a pair of orange enamelled earrings studded with peridots, which he had purchased earlier. It was the coral turban which linked them. Hedy Martinelli's "heads" are a modern take on the blackamoor brooches of Venice, and whenever I wore one everyone was fascinated and asked where I had bought it. In fact, most of her jewellery designs are talking points."

Gift from Robert Bradford in 1999 to celebrate Barbara's birthday.

Bonhams. FINE JEWELLERY INCLUDING SELECTED JEWELS FROM THE COLLECTION OF BARBARA TAYLOR BRADFORD. London, New Bond Street. 5 Dec 2013 - www.bonhams.com

An ebony, pink and purple sapphire and diamond "Moretto" brooch, by Codognato

An ebony, pink and purple sapphire and diamond "Moretto" brooch, by Codognato. Photo courtesy Bonhams. 

The carved ebony bust of a Moor wearing a turban pavé-set with circular-cut purple and pink sapphires and brilliant-cut diamonds, wearing a similarly set waistcoat and a pair of brilliant-cut diamond earrings, the turban and waistcoat with additional engraved decoration, diamonds approximately 18.60 carats total, signed A Codognato, length 7.7cm. Estimate £10,000 - 15,000 (€12,000 - 18,000)

"We were in Venice with friends, and they wanted to meet Attilio Codognato, who runs his family's centuries-old jewellery and antiques shop. When we arrived I immediately zeroed in on a pair of rock-crystal and lapis table lamps which had been made by a Codognato for King Farouk's yacht. After the king was deposed, Codognato's bought them back and sold them to me that day. Meanwhile, Bob had asked to see some of the famous blackamoor brooches, made by the Codognato family for years. His eyes lighted on this beauty made in 1940. The carved ebony torso is encased in a hand-carved and embellished gold waistcoat, and the huge turban is made of diamonds and pink sapphires set in gold. The blackamoor even has earrings! I was happily surprised when Bob insisted on buying it for me. As my husband pinned it on my white jacket to see how it looked, I immediately thought of Shakespeare's Othello, and that's what I called him ever after. The blackamoor graced my coats, dresses and jackets for years. My unique Othello was always much admired, never failed to fascinate everyone. It's time for another person to show him off, and enjoy wearing him as much as I did."

Gift from Robert Bradford in 1995 to celebrate publication of "Dangerous to Know". 

Bonhams. FINE JEWELLERY INCLUDING SELECTED JEWELS FROM THE COLLECTION OF BARBARA TAYLOR BRADFORD. London, New Bond Street. 5 Dec 2013 - www.bonhams.com

Confronted birds in kufic roundels. Central Asia, 10th-12th century.

Tangka of Vairocana. Tibet, 13th century

Silver gilt vase (detail). Tibet, 8th century AD.

Silver gilt vase (detail). Tibet, 8th century AD. Photo courtesy Carlo Cristi

Silver, gilding. Height: 8.5 inches (21.5 cm). 

Carlo Cristi. 1016 Madison Avenue, New York 10075. T (212) 628 7625 - M (646) 309 7970 - carlocristi@tin.it - www.asianart.com/carlocristi

Asia Week New York. MARCH 15–21 2014

Xie Zhiguang (1899-1976). Appreciating the Plum Blossom. China, 20th century

Xie Zhiguang (1899-1976). Appreciating the Plum Blossom. China, 20th century. Photo courtesy China 2000 Fine Art.

Ink and color on paper, hanging scroll. 53.5 x 11.75 inches (136 × 30 cm).

China 2000 Fine Art. 177 East 87th Street, Suite 601, New York 10128. T (212) 472 9800 - M (917) 685 6088 - c2000fa@aol.com - www.china2000fineart.com

Asia Week New York. MARCH 15–21 2014

Zhang Ling. Exchanging the White Goose for the Classic Text. China, late 15th/early 16th century, Ming dynasty

Lingbi Scholar Rock with Carved Marble Base. China, Ming dynasty