Chinese petal-lobed famille rose ogee 'cabbage' bowl, Jiaqing mark and of the period
Chinese petal-lobed famille rose ogee 'cabbage' bowl, Jiaqing mark and of the period. Photo Freeman's.
The tiered bowl decorated to exterior to resemble a head of cabbage with butterflies and other insects among its leaves, the interior base adorned with ripe fruits on vines, gilt around rim and footring. H: 2 3/4 inches D: 7 inches. With two chips to exterior of rim, the glaze slightly rubbed at sites but overall in good condition. Estimate $4,000-6,000
PROVENANCE: From Collection of the late Ferdinand Howard, Columbus, OH, thence to family and purchased at estate sale in 2009. Ferdinand was a collector of fine art and many of his items were loaned to the Columbus Museum of Art for display.
Freeman's. ASIAN ARTS.Saturday, March 15 at 10am - www.freemansauction.com
Chinese famille rose porcelain miniature water coupe, Jiaqing mark
Chinese famille rose porcelain miniature water coupe, Jiaqing mark. Photo Freeman's.
Dome shape, turquoise ground enamelled with Indian lotus scrolls and a stylized lingzhi band around rim. H: 1 1/2 inches D: 2 3/4 inches. Estimate $800-1,200
Freeman's. ASIAN ARTS.Saturday, March 15 at 10am - www.freemansauction.com
Chinese 'Fo Ri Chang Ming' famille rose bowl, Jiaqing mark and of the period
Chinese 'Fo Ri Chang Ming' famille rose bowl, Jiaqing mark and of the period. Photo Freeman's.
The bowl with deep rounded sides flaring slightly at the rim, decorated to exterior with four circular roundels "fo ri chang ming" reserved against a yellow ground embellished with lotush tendrils. H: 2 1/4 inches. Overall in very good condition with minor surface wear only. Estimate $8,000-12,000
Freeman's. ASIAN ARTS.Saturday, March 15 at 10am - www.freemansauction.com
Famille Rose Porcelain Wrist Rest, China, Jiaqing period (1796-1820). Mark ‘Le Shan Tang’ ?, ‘Hall of Pleasure from Goodness’.
Famille Rose Porcelain Wrist Rest, China, Jiaqing period (1796-1820). Mark ‘Le Shan Tang’ ?, ‘Hall of Pleasure from Goodness’. Photo courtesy Auctionata.
Finely decorated porcelain in an unusual design, in the colors of the Famille Rose. Fine pink and blue enamel diaper heightened in gilding. In the form of a furled handscroll. Length: 17 cm. Good condition. Estimate €1,200 – €1,500
Provenance: from a German private collection.
This Chinese porcelain wrist rest in the colors of Famille Rose was made during the Jiaqing period (1796-1820) of the Qing Dynasty. This unusual piece is designed in the shape of a furled handscroll. A symmetric diaper pattern in enamel colors adorns the entire wall. A gilt ribbon worked in relief is visible in the center. A golden label with the mark ‘Le Shan Tang’ ?, ‘Hall of Pleasure from Goodness’ can be found on the front. Meander borders decorate the ends of the roll and a finely modeled groove pattern adorns the top and the base of the wrist rest.
Auctionata. Fine Asian Art. March 28. Kurfurstendamm 212, Berlin, 10719 Germany. www.liveauctioneers.com
Famille Rose Lime Green Porcelain Basin, Jiaqing Mark and Period (1796-1820)
Famille Rose Lime Green Porcelain Basin, Jiaqing Mark and Period (1796-1820). Photo courtesy Auctionata.
Base with seal mark of Jiaqing in iron-red. Finely decorated with linked lotus scrolls. Beautiful enamel colors on an intense lime green ground. Diameter: 32 cm. Good condition. Estimate €1,920 – €2,400
Provenance: from a German private collection
This Chinese porcelain basin is designed in the colors of Famille Rose and was made during the Jiaqing period (1796-1820). The body of the basin stands on a round foot rim and forms a broad, sweeping upper rim. The sides are adorned with different ornaments on a fresh lime green ground. Lotus tendrils, flowers, peaches and pomegranates adorn the cavetto, the inner as well as the outer rim. The vibrant enamel colors of Famille Rose create a brilliant look and feel. The perfectly set seal mark of the Jiaqing period in iron red is visible in the center underneath.
Auctionata. Fine Asian Art. March 28. Kurfurstendamm 212, Berlin, 10719 Germany. www.liveauctioneers.com
Copper-Red Glazed Porcelain Stem Bowl with Fish Decor, China, Kangxi Period (1662-1722)
Copper-Red Glazed Porcelain Stem Bowl with Fish Decor, China, Kangxi Period (1662-1722). Photo courtesy Auctionata.
Porcelain, glazed inside and outside. Retrospective six character mark of the Xuande period (1426-1435) surrounded by double circles on the underside. Copper-red glaze. With fish decoration in reserve on the copper-red ground. Height: 9 cm. Diameter: 10 cm. Very good condition. Estimate €1,920 – €2,400
Provenance: from a German private collection
These Chinese porcelain footed bowl was presumably made during the Kangxi Period (1662-1722) and captivates with an elegant sang-de-boeuf glaze in iron red. The bowl stands on a high, flared foot, which carries the body forming an everted mouth rim. The even glaze shows a fine craquelure in deep red, a stylized fish decoration adorns the outer wall. The silhouettes of four fish have been left blank. The retrospective six character mark of Xuande period (1426-1435), surrounded by blue double circles is visible on the underside.
Auctionata. Fine Asian Art. March 28. Kurfurstendamm 212, Berlin, 10719 Germany. www.liveauctioneers.com
Rhinoceros horn, China, 17th-18th century
Rhinoceros horn, China, 17th-18th century. Photo courtesy Auctionata.
Fine open work carving. Appealing color. Beautiful translucence. Matching open work wooden base. Height (with base): 14 cm. Good condition. Estimate €24,000 – €30,000
Provenance: from an Austrian private collection
An extraordinary cup with fine open work decoration; a similar piece fetched over 142,000 Euros at Christie’s New York in 2011
This exquisite rhinoceros horn libation cup dates to the 17th or 18th century. It is carved as a large camellia blossom borne on a branch forming the open work base and handle trailing into the interior. The latter shows the finely detailed flower petals. The sides are carved with further prunus blossoms, bamboo branches and a pine tree. These plants are known as ‘The Three Friends of Winter’, also called Suihan Sanyou, in Chinese culture. Together they symbolize perseverance and resilience. The precious material shows a wonderful translucence, especially visible along the finely carved elements, and the color changes from a matt, dark brown along the base to an iridescent light brown along the upper rim. The cup rests on a matching open work wooden base carved with a similar plum blossom decor. In ancient China, cups of this kind were believed to be harbingers of good fortune and the precious, ornately carved vessels were popular wedding presents.
The libation cup is in good condition with minor wear consistent with age. There is a small crack to the rim and minor material loss here and there. The stand shows a breakage to the open work. Including the base the height is 14 cm, the cup measures 9 cm in height.
Auctionata. Fine Asian Art. March 28. Kurfurstendamm 212, Berlin, 10719 Germany. www.liveauctioneers.com
Diamond ring, 18th century composite
Diamond ring, 18th century composite. Photo Sotheby's
Composed of a heart-shaped bezel set with foil backed circular-cut and rose diamonds, claw set to a later ring mount, size J. Estimate 5,000 — 7,000 GBP
Sotheby's. FINE JEWELS. 26 MARCH 2014 | 10:00 AM GMT | LONDON - www.sothebys.com
Pair of diamond pendent earrings, late 18th century
Pair of diamond pendent earrings, late 18th century. Photo Sotheby's
Each suspending a detachable pear-shaped drop to a cluster surmount with bow connection, set with foiled back circular-cut and rose diamonds, later post fittings. Estimate 15,000 — 25,000 GBP
Sotheby's. FINE JEWELS. 26 MARCH 2014 | 10:00 AM GMT | LONDON - www.sothebys.com
Magnificently carved Dingyao basin, unseen for over 40 years, expected to fetch in excess of US$7.7 million
"The Clark Ding Basin”. A Magnificently Carved Dingyao Basin. Northern Song Dynasty, 22 cm. Expected to fetch in excess of HK$60 million / US$7.7 million. Photo: Sotheby's.
HONG KONG.- Sotheby’s Hong Kong Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art Spring Sales 2014 will take place on 8 April at Hall 5, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. The sales will offer an eclectic selection of important porcelains, gilt bronzes, scholarly objects and elegant furniture from celebrated private collections, led by The Clark Ding Basin, a Magnificently Carved Dingyao Basin, Northern Song dynasty, from the collection of legendary antique dealer Sakamoto Goro, which has not been seen for over 40 years and is expected to fetch in excess of HK$60 million / US$7.7 million*. Other highlights include a small selection of exceptional gilt-bronze Buddhist figures and animals from the Song, Ming and Qing dynasties from the esteemed Speelman Collection, later bronzes from the illustrious Water, Pine and Stone Retreat Collection, rare Chinese furniture from the famous Hung Collection, Chinese lacquer from the Baoyizhai Collection as well as important ceramics from the Ming and Qing dynasties and works of art including gilt-bronze Buddhist sculptures and jades. Altogether, the Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art Spring Sales will offer over 280 lots, with a total estimate of over HK$750 million / US$97 million.
Nicolas Chow, Sotheby’s Asia Deputy Chairman and International Head of Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, said, “The Clark dingyao basin undoubtedly ranks among the very finest Song wares ever to come to the market and is perhaps the finest piece extant from this celebrated kiln. Sakamoto Goro, the legendary Japanese dealer, purchased it at Sotheby’s in London in 1971 and has cherished it for the last 40 some years. It is an extraordinary privilege for Sotheby's to handle again the sale of this Song dynasty masterpiece.”
Auction Highlights:
Chinese Art Through the Eye of Sakamoto Goro – The Clark Ding
Following the success last October of the Sakamoto Goro collection, Sotheby’s Hong Kong is delighted to present another gem, namely The Clark Ding Basin, from the famed collection of the legendary antique dealer. Sakamoto’s career as an antiques dealer, collector and connoisseur has spanned almost 70 years. His prized purchases can now be found in renowned institutions including the Tokyo National Museum, Tokyo’s Hatakeyama Memorial Museum of Fine Art and the British Museum. Having recently celebrated his 90th birthday, he continues to search for objects of great beauty.
“The Clark Ding Basin”. A Magnificently Carved Dingyao Basin. Northern Song Dynasty, 22 cm. Expected to fetch in excess of HK$60 million / US$7.7 million. Photo: Sotheby's.
Ding is and always was one of the most admired ceramic wares of China. This large flower-shaped bowl is unique and represents this ware at its best. Combining exquisite material with fine potting and pleasing proportions, it is freely carved with a spirited design. The tactile ivory-tinged glaze, with its characteristic “tears” of a deeper tone, preserves its attractive original lustre. Comparable pieces are outstandingly rare and hardly left in private collections. The bowl was in the fabled collection of Alfred and Ivy Clark already in 1949, and featured in many important exhibitions, but has not been publicly shown since 1971, when it was sold at Sotheby’s London.
Gods and Beasts – Gilt Bronzes from the Speelman Collection
Sotheby’s will offer gilt-bronzes from the esteemed Speelman Collection. This sale features a small selection of ten exceptional gilt-bronze Buddhist figures and animals from the Song, Ming and Qing dynasties, which demonstrate the versatility and quasi-magical properties of the medium. Most of the pieces bear imperial marks and some are dated, which are excessively rare.
An Extremely Rare and Important Massive Gilt-Bronze Figure of Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara. Song Dynasty, 61 cm. Est. HK$30 – 40 million / US$3.8 – 5.1 million. Photo: Sotheby's.
The richly gilt large Song-dynasty figure of Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara draws from a thousand-year-old tradition of Buddhist bronze figures. The present sculpture represents a phase of overwhelming stylistic variety between Tang and Ming (1368-1644) dynasties, before the classic image for Buddhist gilt bronzes came into existence in the Yongle period (1403-24) of the Ming dynasty. It comes from a period when the Guanyin image had not yet turned sweet and feminine, and the feminine basic facial features were counterbalanced by indications of a masculine beard and moustache. This way of representing Avalokitesvara is characteristic of Tang painting executed at Dunhuang in Gansu province. Only one comparable example is known from the collection of Avery Brundage in the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco.
A large Yongle gilt-bronze figure of Shakyamuni Buddha from the Speelman Collection set the world auction record for any Chinese works of art when it was sold for HK$116.6 million / US$15.04 million at Sotheby’s Hong Kong in back 2006, which was only surpassed by another Yongle gilt-bronze figure of Shakyamuni Buddha in October 2013 at HK$236.44 million /US$30.3 million.
Water, Pine and Stone Retreat Collection: Later Bronzes
The sixth sale of the illustrious Water, Pine and Stone Retreat Collection features a collection of later bronzes including censers, figures and scholarly objects.
A Parcel-Gilt Tripod Censer with Boys. Mark and Period of Hongwu. Width across handles 21.2 cm. Est. HK$3.5 – 4.5 million / US$450,000 – 580,000. Photo: Sotheby's.
The Hongwu Emperor, who rose to power in 1368 from humble peasant origins, was fastidious in his adherence to ritual and ancient customs and a firm believer of the Daoist religion. Early records of his reign reveal thoughtful attention to the observance of religious rites, all of which involved the burning of incense. Decorated with lively figures of youths standing on clouds, which identify them as deities, alongside cranes, Daoist mystical symbols of longevity and vehicles or messengers for various deities, the Hongwu-marked censer reflects the emperor’s beliefs. No marked example of comparable form and decoration has been recorded.
The Hung Collection – A Selection of Chinese Furniture
Widely published exhibited, the Hung Collection is one of the most famous Chinese furniture collections to ever come on the market. This selection of 15 of their over 200-piece collection features huanghuali and zitan tables, chairs and cabinets. Many of the pieces are extremely rare, including this huanghuali table with a very unusual open fret-work on the apron.
A Huanghuali Rectangular Table. Ming Dynasty, 17th Century, 80.6 by 121.3 by 60.9 cm. Est. HK$4 – 6 million / US$510,000 – 770,000. Photo: Sotheby's
Chinese Lacquer from the Baoyizhai Collection, Part I
As ritual bronzes fell out of vogue in the late Eastern Zhou Dynasty (770-256 BC), lacquerwares began to take their place as one the most coveted luxury items one could own. Since that time, lacquer has continued to hold its place among highly esteemed collected objects like ceramics and jades. Hailed as one of the world’s top Chinese lacquer collectors, Dr. Hu Shih-chang (1924- 2006) assembled a comprehensive collection of some of the finest lacquer pieces. His collection, including pieces from the Warring States period (475-221 BC) all the way through to the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), has been widely published and exhibited. The sale includes 33 pieces from this renowned collection.
Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art
The Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art sale will feature important ceramics from the Ming and Qing dynasties, as well as works of art including gilt-bronze Buddhist sculptures and jades.
A Fine and Rare Blue and White “Fruit” Meiping. Ming Dynasty, Yongle Period. Formerly in a Japanese Collection, 28 cm. Est. HK$20 – 30 million / US$2.6 – 3.8 million. Photo: Sotheby's
Meiping vases, in the Yongle period perhaps still used as wine jars, were made in various sizes and were equally popular in China and abroad. This vase represents one of the classic patterns of the Yongle period that illustrates the phenomenal advances made by Jingdezhen’s potters and painters. It is remarkable for its particularly fine potting and its smooth and tactile glaze, and beautifully displays the characteristic “heaping and piling” of the cobalt-blue painting – a much-copied trademark of imperial blue-and-white from the early Ming dynasty. Both in terms of its well-proportioned shape and its lush fruit pattern represented here by peaches and pomegranates, one of the most popular motifs of early Ming (1368-1644) blue-and-white, this design set a standard of excellence that would be emulated for centuries to come.
