9 mai 2011

Lot 2720. A figural rhinoceros horn libation cup, Qing dynasty, 17th-18th century; width 15.2 cm., 6 in. Estimate 700,000—900,000 HKD. Lot Sold 4,340,000 HKD. Photo Sotheby's  the amber and black toned horn carved with the scene of King Wen of Zhou inviting the retired scholar Jiang Ziya to return to official duties, the scholar seen opposite the handle seated beneath a willow tree fishing on the banks of the a river with the king standing next to him, behind a rock an attendant stands holding a large fan, on the... [Lire la suite]

Barthel Bruyn the Elder, Portrait of a Noblewoman, 1530-35. Oil on panel, 45 x 36 cm. Museo Correr, Venice Barthel Bruyn the Elder, Portrait of a knight, 1531, 62,6 x 46,5 cm. Beschriftung: unter der Bez.: AE 37; auf dem Spruchband: VIVE: MEMOR. LETI. FVGIT. HORA. Provenienz: Slg. Leopold Wilhelm.. Inv.-Nr. GG_868. Kunsthistorisches Museum, Gemäldegalerie, Wien Barthel Bruyn the Elder, Vanitas Still-Life, Oil on wood, 61 x 51 cm.. Rijksmuseum Kröller-Müller, Otterlo. Barthel Bruyn the Elder, Skull in a Niche. Oil on... [Lire la suite]

18 Karat Gold and Diamond 'Tulip' Double-Clip Brooch, René Boivin, France, Circa 1940.  Photo Sotheby's The polished gold flowers designed as tulips set throughout with rose-cut diamonds, maker's mark for Boivin, French assay marks, flowers detach to be worn separately. Estimate 25,000—35,000 USD. Lot Sold 40,625 USD NOTE: A similar brooch is illustrated in René Boivin: Jeweller, Françoise Cailles, p. 229. The tulip clip is a true signature design of the House of Boivin. When many French firms moved away from naturalism in... [Lire la suite]

A yellow silk Imperial Court nine-dragons robe. Early 19th century. Photo Bonhams Yellow silk yardage, comprising the front, back and over-flat, for an Imperial dragon robe, jifu, with Five Imperial Symbols, the thin, bright yellow, tabby-woven silk with double-sided embroidery and worked with nine couched gold thread five-clawed dragons chasing flaming pearls against a background of clouds, bats, scattered Buddhist Emblems and 'shou' characters, all above a deep water and wave border, together with the sacred mountain and Precious... [Lire la suite]

A rare Mughal gem-set jade-hilted dagger (peshkabz), North West India, 17th-18th century. Photo Sotheby's the tapering curved watered-steel blade with broad flattened back chiselled and overlaid in gold with a pendant palmette, the dark-green jade pistol-grip hilt inlaid with scrolling tendrils of gold issuing floral rosettes, buds and leaves kundun-set with cabochon rubies and cut diamonds, velvet-covered wood scabbard;  40.5cm Estimate 60,000—80,000 GBP. Lot Sold 73,250 GBP PROVENANCE: ex-Collection Robin... [Lire la suite]

An enamelled and agate-hilted dagger with bubri decoration and scabbard, possibly from the personal armoury of Tipu Sultan at Seringapatam, India, circa 1790. Photo Sotheby's the slender tapering watered wootz steel blade of peshkabz form with broad back inlaid at the forte with gold bubri motif, the agate hilt of waisted khanjar form with an enamelled gold pommel rendered in the form of a tiger's head, decorated with foliate scrolls and tiger markings reserved on an enamelled blue ground and kundan set with cut diamonds and... [Lire la suite]

Spectucular pair of gem-set and diamond ear clips, JAR. Photo Sotheby's Each designed as a stylised articulated feather, set with circular-cut gemstones such as sapphires, garnets, tourmalines and spinels of various sizes and colours, accented with single-cut diamonds, mounted in gold and silver, signed JAR's Paris, French assay and maker's marks, case. Estimate 95,000 - 185,000 CHF LITERATURE: Cf: JAR Paris, London, 2002 for several examples of jewels of naturalistic inspiration using faceted gemstones in graduated colours. ... [Lire la suite]