22 mai 2009

  Burmese sapphires necklace Featuring 44 cushion cut Burmese sapphires, weighing an astounding 91.12 total carats, this double strand necklace is fit for a queen. Linked by 11.63 carats of diamonds set in platinum, the sapphires are a cascade of vibrant color. These gems, hailing from the Mogok region of Burma, are exceptionally rare, as they have not been heat-treated for color and have been certified by the GRS. 16" length. Price: $270,000 M.S. RAU ANTIQUES. info@rauantiques.com

A pair of cloisonné enamel baluster vases. Late 18th century Each of the six lobes decorated with shaped panels enclosing pairs of birds perched on lotus, chrysanthemum, hibiscus, peony, narcissus and prunus, all against a turquoise ground, the tall flaring neck with spiky lotus scrolls on a dark blue ground. 42.6cm (16¾in) high. (2). Sold for £6,600 Bonhams. Fine Chinese Art, 14 May 2009. New Bond Street www.bonhams.com

A red sandstone figure of a female deity. W. India, Rajasthan, 10th/11th century. delicately sculpted and standing in tribhanga upon a lotus flower. Height: 64 cm, 25 inches. Contact the gallery for price asianartresource@aol.com  Jonathan Tucker & Antonia Tozer.

A 'famille-rose' bowl. Qianlong mark and period the gently rounded flaring sides rising from a short straight foot to an everted rim, painted in rich cobalt-blue tones to the interior with a shou medallion encircled by strapwork bands, the exterior with iron-red bands of ribbon-tied bajixiang reserved on a delicate 'famille-rose' leafy scroll ground. 15cm., 5 7/8 in. Est. 3,000—5,000 GBP. Lot Sold 9,000 GBP Sotheby's. Fine Chinese Ceramics & Works of Art. 13 May 09. London www.sothebys.com

A german parcel-gilt silver cannister.  Leipzig, circa 1666, maker's mark CB  (Rosenberg 2994) Of hexafoil form, each panel chased with a flower in bloom, the neck chased with a leaf border, the threaded domed cover chased with acanthus leaves and ring handle, the cover prick engraved MARIA MAGDALENA STEPHANIN and PETER STEPHNT 1666, marked under base, also with date "q" incuse. 5 7/8 in. (15 cm.) high; 11 oz. 10dwt. (373 gr.). Est. $8,000 - $12,000 - Price Realised $8,750 Provenance: with J. J. Klejman,... [Lire la suite]

A very rare pair of cloisonné enamel peach-shaped wall vases. Qianlong Each realistically shaped as a peach with a flat back, decorated with leafy and blossoming branches superimposed with poems, one written in lishu script the other in archaic script, both poems surmounted by the two characters reading yu zhi. 13.3cm (5¼in) wide. (2). Sold for £67,200 Provenance: a Swedish private collection, StockholmNote: Porcelain wall vases had been produced for the Imperial Court since the 16th century. A Court ceramic order... [Lire la suite]

A fine german parcel-gilt silver cup and cover. Mark of Thomas Stor II, Nuremberg, circa 1660 On domed circular foot chased with lobes, the stem a putto holding a parrot, between foliate calyxes, with waisted body and detachable domed cover chased with lobes, auricular scrolls between, the cover with parcel-gilt vase with flower finial, the interior of cover prick engraved with a coat-of-arms, marked on cup and foot. 23¾ in. (60.4 cm.) high; 32 oz. 10 dwt. (1013 gr.). Est. $15,000 - $25,000 - Price Realised $110,500 ... [Lire la suite]

A coral-red and blue 'mythical beast' bowl. Qianlong mark and period the deep slightly curved sides rising from a short tapering foot to an everted rim, painted to the interior with a medallion enclosing a scaly winged dragon reserved on an iron-red wave ground, the exterior similarly painted with various mythical beasts between keyfret and dentil bands. 21cm., 8 1/4 in. Est. 20,000—30,000 GBP. Lot Sold 37,250 GBP Sotheby's. Fine Chinese Ceramics & Works of Art. 13 May 09. London www.sothebys.com

A rare cloisonné enamel massager. Late Ming Dynasty The handle with turquoise-ground lotus scrolls in yellow, red and blue enamel, the revolving head of the massager similarly decorated and fitted with a gilt-metal prong terminating with a pair of dragon heads. 16.6cm (6½in) long. Sold for £14,400 Note: Back massagers were used to promote health and are better known to have been produced in materials such as jade, carnelian, lapis lazuli, agate, aventurine and coral; however, the use of cloisonné enamel is extremely... [Lire la suite]

photo Matthew Lyn