8 mai 2010

Jan Fabre, Skull, 2001: Mixture of scarab wing cases, plastic, stuffed animal. Credit: Angelos “My sculptures from 2001 represent human skulls that seem to have been invaded by scarabs. I was attracted to the beetle’s shimmering colors which bestow a distinctive beauty to the skulls making them reminiscent of Aztec skulls set with precious stones. The fact that scarabs are symbols of eternity in the Egyptian mythology adds another layer of meaning, transforming the skull into an object of veneration.” — Jan Fabre Billie... [Lire la suite]

A large green and aubergine-enamelled yellow-ground 'dragon' dish. Kangxi six-character mark within a double circle and of the period (1662-1722). photo Christie's Ltd 2010 Decorated in green, aubergine and cream enamels, the interior with two scaly, five-clawed dragons contesting a flaming pearl amongst cloud and flames beneath a band of prunus, camellia, chrysanthemum, peony and lotus, the exterior decorated with similar dragons on the rounded sides - 12¾ in. (32.3 cm.) diam., fitted box. Estimate £60,000 - £80,000 ($88,200 -... [Lire la suite]

= Cat's-eye chrysoberyl and diamond ring. photo Sotheby's The oval cabochon cat's-eye chrysoberyl weighing approximately 17.00 carats, flanked by tapered baguette diamonds, mounted in platinum, size 8. Est. 12,000—15,000 USD. Lot Sold 22,500 USD Platinum, Orange Topaz and Diamond Ring. photo Sotheby's The oval orange topaz weighing 17.81 carats, framed by round diamonds weighing approximately .45 carat, size 6. Est. 12,000—15,000 USD. Lot Sold 20,000 USD Accompanied by GIA report no. 2115612850 stating Orange... [Lire la suite]

A parcel-gilt 'silver dragon' bowl. Liao Dynasty, dated by inscription to AD 1026. photo Bonhams With deep rounded sides rising from a flat base, the interior chased with a writhing dragon amidst cloud scrolls against a finely ring-punched ground, partially encircled by the raised twenty-two character inscription on the base, the steep sides with a border of stylised leafy blooms, all below a beaded rim, the interior partially gilt on the details. 17.6cm (7in) diam. Estimate: £15,000 - 20,000, HK$ 180,000 - 240,000... [Lire la suite]

A rare large grey and brown jade 'duck' brushwasher, 17th-18th century. photo Bonhams The unusual waterpot carved as a duck standing on its webbed feet, with its head turned towards the left holding a millet sprig in its beak, with the wings spread over the body around the oval opening, the stone of grey-green tone with brown inclusions with the upper section and wings turning into dark brown. 16.6cm (6½in) wide. Estimate: £4,000 - 6,000, HK$ 47,000 - 71,000 Footnote: The superb craftsmanship of the carver is demonstrated in... [Lire la suite]

Coloured jadeite 'tiger' pendant necklace. photo Sotheby's The translucent yellowish orange pendant, carved on one side as a tiger under the moon and pine trees, and the other side inscribed with ji xiang ru yi（吉祥如意）, suspending from an emerald bead and brilliant-cut diamonds, mounted in 18 karat white gold, completed by a bead necklace composed of jadeite beads of matching colour and translucency measuring approximately 4.60 to 8.40mm, length approximately 650mm, pendant detachable, signed Dily's - plaque approximately 50.02 x... [Lire la suite]

Edward Donovan, An Epitome of the Natural History of the Insects of China. London: Printed for the author, 1798. photo Sotheby's First edition, 4to (287 x 226mm.), 50 hand-coloured engraved plates, 2-leaf prospectus bound in at front, contemporary mottled calf, [Nissen ZBI 1143], first few leaves dampstained at lower margin, occasional spotting or paper toning, rebacked, recornered and repaired. Est. 2,000—3,000 GBP. Lot Sold 2,125 GBP Donovan, Insects of China, 1798 Sotheby's. Travel, Atlases, Maps & Natural... [Lire la suite]

Calme et serein, les yeux brillants, la moustache relevée enfouie dans une barbe grisonnante à la  Saint Saëns, c’est tout près de la Cité de la Musique, que  nous avons rencontré  Simon Basinger (photo), musicologue et rédacteur en chef des ‘ Cahiers Poulenc ‘ -personnage atypique, original et attachant, Nous nous devions de nous arrêter un instant sur un personnage hors du commun-  Artiste et passionné  né !  - Simon Basinger à quand remonte votre première rencontre avec  la musique ? -... [Lire la suite]

Beyrouth en 2010. Un  écrivain qui, regrettant de ne pas honorer la promesse faite à son père couturier d’embrasser le même métier que lui, dessine, taille, coupe, coud, épingle le «corps» du texte. Son imagination s’appuie sur des personnages réels, notamment une femme qui danse dont il veut voler le cœur amoureux. La métaphore de l’imagination est ainsi installée à travers les ciseaux qui taille les patrons et les drapés que l’écrivain  épingle sur les mannequins … Dès les premières images, on ne sait pas... [Lire la suite]

Caricature de Berlioz sur une partie de flûte de La Damnation de Faust, après 1846. Bibliothèque nationale de France     "On s’occupe beaucoup des Chinois, depuis quelque temps, et c’est toujours d’une façon peu flatteuse pour eux. Nous ne nous contentons pas de les battre, de tout bousculer dans leurs boutiques, de mettre en fuite leur empereur, de prendre le palais de sa céleste Majesté, de nous partager ses lingots, ses diamants, ses pierreries, ses soieries, il faut encore que nous nous moquions de ce grand... [Lire la suite]