10 octobre 2009

Red jadeite, cultured baroque pearl and diamond 'moth' brooch Modelled as a large stylised moth, the wings composed of two semi-translucent jadeite plaques of orangy-russet tone, centred by a cultured baroque pearl of silver grey colour, draped with brilliant-cut diamonds, mounted in 18 karat blackened gold. Plaques approximately 63.96 x 42.81 x 2.82mm and 64.02 x 42.30 x 2.73mm. Est. 90,000—120,000 HKD - Sold 112,500 HKD Accompanied by Hong Kong Jade & Stone Laboratory certificate numbered SJ 4495, dated 12 August... [Lire la suite]

An Imperial 'realgar' glass mallet vase. Palace Workshops. Mark and period of Qianlong. photo Sotheby's of opaque brilliant fiery orange, yellow ochre and chrysochlorous greenish-gold colour glass swirled together resembling the realgar mineral, the body of beehive-domed form rising to a slender cylindrical neck with a rolled lip, the slightly recessed footrim wheel-cut with a four-character Qianlong nianzhi reign mark in regular script enclosed within double squares, (fitted box).  19.5 cm., 7 5/8 in. Est.... [Lire la suite]

A superb blue and white palace bowl, mark and period of Chenghua masterfully potted with smooth rounded sides, gracefully rising from a tapered foot to a slightly flared rim, superbly painted in characteristic soft tones of cobalt-blue in outlines infilled with wash, the exterior with a gently undulating meander of musk mallow, the four blossoms in full bloom with tender flaring petals, interspersed with star-shaped leaves, each bloom with a leaf delicately tucked and partially concealed behind, all between... [Lire la suite]

An Urbino Maiolica istoriato piatto, circa 1540, possibly from the workshop of Francesco Duranto. Estimate: £12,000-18,000. Photo: Christie's Images Ltd 2009 LONDON.- Christie’s announces the second Centuries of Style: Silver, European Ceramics, Portrait Miniatures and Gold Boxes sale on November 17, 2009, presenting collectors and connoisseurs with an incredible opportunity to add to their collections with a wide-range of important, rare, and unique treasures with exceptional provenance. This follows the inaugural sale in... [Lire la suite]

A spectacular "D-Flawless" unmounted brilliant-cut diamond weighing 28.88 carats. photo Sotheby's Estimate: 29,000,000—35,000,000 HKD - Sold 36,500,000 HKD NOTE: Accompanied by GIA report numbered 5101839274, dated 27 August 2009, stating that the 28.88 carat diamond is D colour, Flawless clarity, with Excellent Cut, Polish and Symmetry; with additional diamond type classification report stating that this diamond has been determined to be a Type lla diamond. Type lla diamonds are the most chemically pure type of... [Lire la suite]

The short reign of the Guangxu Emperor was witness to one of the most disruptive periods in the dynasty. LONDON.- The wise words – ‘Love your people as you would your own children’ - on the seal of a Chinese Emperor who ruled a century ago were not enough to save his reign during the Boxer Rebellion around 1900. The Imperial white jade double-dragon seal is estimated to sell for £100,000 to £150,000 at Bonhams sale of Fine Chinese Art in New Bond Street on 5th November during Asian Art week in London. Asaph Hyman,... [Lire la suite]