18 mai 2009

A powder-blue-glazed and gilt pear-shaped vase, Kangxi The gently bulbous body rising from a splayed foot to a tall flaring cylindrical neck, flanked on either side by mythical beast handles, finely gilt around the exterior with two registers of fierce taotie-style animal masks against geometric grounds, all below borders of upright and pendent leaves interspersed by ruyi-head and taiji motifs on the neck, with a chevron band at the rim.  38.8cm (15¼in) high. Sold for £5,400 Provenance: a French private... [Lire la suite]

Emerald and diamond bracelet, Van Cleef & Arpels, circa 1922 Composed of eight graduated step-cut emeralds, set within a geometric border of circular-, single-, step-cut and baguette diamonds, mounted in platinum, length approximately 180mm, signed Van Cleef & Arpels Paris and indistinctly numbered, French assay and maker's marks, case. Est. 80,000—140,000 CHF - Lot Sold 164,500 CHF LITERATURE AND REFERENCES: cf: Catalogue for the exhibition at the Palais Galliera, Van Cleef & Arpels, Paris 1992, page 137, plate... [Lire la suite]

A powder-blue-glazed and gilt baluster vase, Kangxi Finely and intricately painted around the exterior with figures on a bridge over a lake amidst a busy landscape of mountains, tiered pavilions and rocky outcrops, with additional groups of figures engaged in various pursuits, all below wispy clouds, the neck with bulbous middle section painted with a further continuous landscape, bordered below by a band of ruyi-heads, and above by floral sprays and insects, with a classic scroll band at the rim. 44.1cm (17¼in) high.. Sold... [Lire la suite]

Diamond demi-parure, Bulgari The necklace designed as pairs of brilliant-cut diamonds alternating with pear-shaped stones, embellished at the front with fringes of brilliant-cut diamonds terminating with pear-shaped and stylised crescent motifs, mounted in yellow gold, length approximately 410mm, signed Bulgari and numbered, maker's marks, together with a pair of diamond pendent ear clips en suite, signed Bulgari, French assay and maker's marks. Est. 175,000—230,000 CHF. Lot Sold 188,500 CHF Sotheby's. Magnificent Jewels... [Lire la suite]

A large powder-blue-ground copper-red 'prunus' dish, Kangxi Painted at the centre with a scalloped panel enclosing a blossoming prunus branch, with the flowers skilfully rendered in copper-red, all reserved on a rich powder-blue ground.  36cm (14in) diam. Sold for £2,040 Bonhams. Fine Chinese Art, 14 May 2009. New Bond Street www.bonhams.com

Helmut Newton, Flight Lieutenant US Navy, Los Angeles, 1990. Colour print mounted to aluminium, h: 48 x w: 48 in / h: 121.9 x w: 121.9 cm. Signed, titled, dated & numbered verso. May 14 - Jun 19, 2009. Spurred by the astonishing success of the Christie’s Constantiner sale in New York, December 2008, Hamiltons proudly announces their forthcoming exhibition HELMUT NEWTON. The Christie’s sale, which included the largest selection of Newtons ever sold at auction, fetched a world record price of $662,500 for his photograph Sie... [Lire la suite]

A pair of ormolu-mounted powder-blue-ground and famille verte pear-shaped bottle vases. The porcelain Kangxi Each surmounted by a tall tulip neck with flaring rim, painted around the exterior with two large quatrefoil panels, enclosing birds and insects in flight above blossoming flowers and rockwork, and two smaller leaf-shaped cartouches enclosing flowering plants, the bases and rims with later European gilt-metal mounts. 25.7cm (10in) high. (2). Sold for £2,400 Bonhams. Fine Chinese Art, 14 May 2009. New Bond... [Lire la suite]

Ji Dachun, camouflage skull, 2008, acrylic on canvas, h: 30 x w: 30 cm / h: 11.8 x w: 11.8 in. Aye Gallery. Art Hongkong 2009  May 14 - May 17, 2009 HONG KONG.-ART HK 09 opened yesterday to a heady atmosphere of excitement as Hong Kong’s elite and key Asian collectors from across the region joined the thousands who visited the Fair on it’s first day. The mood was heightened as those gallerists seeking new territory in the evolving international art market reported robust sales. The day saw a delighted Lisson Gallery (who... [Lire la suite]

A pair of green-glazed carved baluster vases. Early 18th century Each with a central register around the exterior finely incised with a dense peony scroll with meandering trellises and blossoming flower heads, the gently flaring neck with a horizontal rib dividing bands of incised lappets, all supported on a spreading foot, covered, except for the foot ring, with a vibrant green glaze. 25.2cm (10in) high. (2). Sold for £28,800 Provenance: purchased at Sotheby's London, 12 December 1989, lot 390The Jarras Collection,... [Lire la suite]