28 mai 2009

An ivory figure of Wen Chang. Ming dynasty, 16th/17th century the figure wearing loose-fitting robes and black hat of office, holding his belt with his left hand, with a serene expression on his face, the ivory of deep rich caramel colour, 17.2cm., 6 1/4in; together with a buffalo horn carving of a lady in long robes holding a fan. Est. 1,500—2,000 GBP. Lot Sold 1,750 GBP PROVENANCE: Spink and Son Ltd., 1990 and 1989. NOTE: Wen Chang is the popular Daoist god of literature. Sotheby's. Fine Chinese Ceramics & Works... [Lire la suite]

A brown glass overlay snuff bottle. Yangzhou school, early 19th century Of flattened rectangular form rising from a short straight oval foot ring, finely carved through the layer of pale brown overlay to the opaque milky white glass, depicting a traveller riding a mule across a bridge, followed by an attendant, the reverse with a fisherman standing in a boat trying to sell his catch to an elderly gentleman seated on a pier, the sides each with a seven-character inscription written in archaic script, stopper. 7.1cm... [Lire la suite]

Lot 77. An archaistic carved rhinoceros horn libation cup, Qing dynasty, 17th/18th century; 14cm., 5 1/2 in. Est. 8,000—12,000 GBP. Lot Sold 34,850 GBP. Courtesy Sotheby's 2009 the horn of rich dark toffee tone, finely carved around the exterior with a taotie band, a chilong forming the handle.  Sotheby's. Fine Chinese Ceramics & Works of Art, London, 13 May 09.

A large finely carved yellow glass snuff bottle. Attributed to Beijing, Qianlong Of sumptuous pear-shaped form, the compressed body resting on an oval foot and surmounted by a short straight neck, very finely carved in relief on each side with a pair of confronting dragons with ferocious countenances depicted in confrontation and coiled bodies poised in symmetry, evocative of taotie masks on archaic bronzes, all against a brilliant yellow ground, stopper. 7.2cm (2¾in) high. (2). Sold for HK$108,000 Note: A yellow... [Lire la suite]

photo Josh Olins

Lot 76. A fine rhinoceros horn libation cup, Qing dynasty, 17th/18th century; 14cm., 5 1/2 in. Est. 20,000—30,000 GBP. Lot Sold 145,250 GBP. Courtesy Sotheby's 2009 the horn of warm honey tone, finely carved around the exterior with a scholar and his horse at rest in a rocky landscape, an old gnarled pine tree forming the handle.  Note: Skilfully carved in high-relief, the charm of the present piece lies in the naturalistic depiction of the scholar who stands deep in thought while hunched over the... [Lire la suite]

A fine jadeite snuff bottle. late Qing dynasty Of slightly flattened rectangular form with shoulders gently rising to a short neck, resting on a raised foot, the icy white stone with brilliant apple-green splashes, stopper 5.8cm (2¼in) high. (2). Sold for HK$38,400 Provenance: Collection 'R', Zurich, 1980The Guo'an Collection (inventory number 325)Sotheby's Hong Kong, 30 October 2000, lot 556 Bonhams. Fine Chinese Ceramics, Works of Art and Paintings, 21 May 2009. Island Shangri-La Hong Kong Hotel, Admiralty, Hong... [Lire la suite]

Lot 75. A fine rhinoceros horn libation cup, Qing dynasty, 17th/18th century; 14.5cm, 5 3/4 in. Est. 8,000—12,000 GBP. Lot Sold 31,250 GBP. Courtesy Sotheby's 2009 of flaring U-shape, the rich toffee-coloured horn finely carved around the foot with a band of tumultuous foaming waves, to the rear of the vessel three writhing chilong form the handle, the interior of the rim with a key-fret band.  Sotheby's. Fine Chinese Ceramics & Works of Art, London, 13 May 2009.

A white jade snuff bottle. mid Qing dynasty Of flattened rectangular form with gently rounded sides, resting on a short straight foot, the stone of an even white colour, stopper. 6.4cm (2¼in) high. (2). Sold for HK$60,000 Bonhams. Fine Chinese Ceramics, Works of Art and Paintings, 21 May 2009. Island Shangri-La Hong Kong Hotel, Admiralty, Hong Kong www.bonhams.com

Lot 74. A large carved rhinoceros horn libation cup, Qing dynasty, 17th-18th century; 15.8cm., 6 1/4 in. Est. 30,000—50,000 GBP. Lot Sold 79,250 GBP. Courtesy Sotheby's 2009 the horn of dark amber tone, finely carved around the exterior with a scholar in a mountainous landscape, an old gnarled and knotted pine tree forming the handle.  Note: This rhinoceros horn cup is notable for its meticulously carved scene, and exemplifies the dexterity of Qing dynasty craftsmen. The combination of trees modelled... [Lire la suite]