11 mai 2012

A carved tixi lacquer circular box and cover. Ming Dynasty, 15th century, signed Zhang Cheng Zao.  photo: Christie's Images Ltd 2012  The top of the cover and sides of the box are deeply carved through alternating layers of black and red lacquer to depict swirling classic scrolls. The interior and base of the box is covered in dark brown lacquer. 4¼ in. (10.8 cm.) diam. Lot 207. Estimate £40,000 - £60,000 ($64,560 - $96,840) Notes: There is a carved lacquer tray with the same... [Lire la suite]

A magnificent and important documentary pale green jade mountain, 18th century, dedicated by Li Hong Zhang to Prince Gong. Photo Bonhams The magnificent and large jade boulder carved as a mountain peak, boldly carved in high relief with four sages and an attendant on a narrow ledge above a stream, amidst a mountainous landscape with pine and wutong trees, the reverse with bare rocky cliffs and pine trees, with a nine-character inscription incised on an overhanging precipice retaining traces of gilt, reading: Jin... [Lire la suite]

A pair of inscribed and dated blue and white quatrefoil dishes. Jiaqing underglazed blue SIXsix-character sealmark and of the period (1796-1820). hoto: Christie's Images Ltd 2012  The interior of each lobed dish is inscribed with an imperial poem dated to the cyclical year ofdingsi, corresponding to 1797. The inscriptions are encircled by bands of lotus scroll, and the exterior of the dishes are similarly decorated. 6 3/8 in. (16.1 cm.) wide (2) Lot 395. Estimate £50,000 -... [Lire la suite]

A magnificent very pale green jade marriage bowl. Qianlong.  Photo Bonhams Superbly carved from a single stone of extremely pale whiteish-green jade, the deep bowl raised on four square-sectioned curved feet with two handles each formed as a single delicately-detailed butterfly with two looping antennae curving over the spreading wings reaching around the sides of the bowl, each suspending a single loose ring, the interior intricately decorated in low relief with blossoming flowers and a smaller bud all set... [Lire la suite]

An antique diamond flower brooch, late 19th Century. photo: Christie's Images Ltd 2012  Designed as a five petal openwork flowerhead, set with old, rose and circular-cut diamonds, mounted in silver and gold, 7.0 cm Lot 62. Estimate CHF37,000 - CHF55,000 Provenance: Christie's New York, 18-19 October 1993, lot 446  Christie's. Jewels for Hope: The Collection of Mrs Lily Safra 14 May 2012 Geneva

A pale-green-glazed bowl.. Incised Yongle four-character mark, 18th century. Photo Bonhams The bowl exceptionally thinly potted, the interior carefully incised at the centre with the Yongle nian zhi mark in seal script and on the sides with two five-clawed dragons in pursuit of flaming pearls, the exterior undecorated, all covered with a glaze of delicate pale green hue, stopping neatly at the foot and rim. 13.5 cm (5¼in) diam. Lot 6. Estimate: £2,000 - 3,000 / CNY 20,000 - 30,000 / HK$ 25,000... [Lire la suite]

A pair of moonstone, quartz and diamond ear clips, by JAR. photo: Christie's Images Ltd 2012 Each centering upon a high dome cabochon rose quartz, weighing approximately 17.32 carats, or moonstone, weighing approximately 15.79 carats, in a pavé-set diamond cage, to the single-cut diamond frame, mounted in silver, gold and platinum, 2001 Lot 144. Estimate CHF37,000 - CHF55,000 ($40,052 - $59,537) Christie's. Jewels for Hope: The Collection of Mrs Lily Safra 14 May 2012 Geneva

A pair of yellow-glazed bowls. Kangxi six-character marks and of the period. Photo Bonhams Each bowl finely potted with a slightly-tapering foot, covered on the interior and exterior with an even lemon-yellow glaze pooling at the foot, the underside white. Each bowl 14cm (5½in) diam. (2). Lot 5. Estimate:: £6,000 - 10,000 / CNY 60,000 - 100,000 / HK$ 74,000 - 120,000 清康熙 黃釉碗一對 青花「大清康熙年製」楷書款 Provenance: L.Wannieck, Paris (label on one bowl)A European private collection and thence by... [Lire la suite]

A diamond and amethyst 'Three violets' ring by JAR. photo: Christie's Images Ltd 2012 Designed as three violet flowerheads pavé-set with amethysts, diamonds and yellow diamonds, the central flower centering upon an old-cut cushion-shaped diamond, weighing approximately 2.50 carats, mounted in silver and gold, 2002, ring size 4¼. Signed JAR Paris  Lot 24. Estimate CHF46,000 - CHF65,000 Christie's. Jewels for Hope: The Collection of Mrs Lily Safra 14 May 2012 Geneva

A pair of yellow-glazed 'dragon' saucer dishes. Xuande six-character marks, Kangxi.  Photo Bonhams Each dish with a gently-flaring rim, incised on the interior with a front-facing five-clawed dragon chasing the flaming pearl amid cloud scrolls, the exterior similarly decorated with two five-clawed dragons, all covered with a pale yellow glaze stopping at the foot, the underside white. Each dish 19.5cm (7¾in) diam. (2). Lot 4. Estimate: 2,000 - 3,000 / CNY 20,000 - 30,000 . HK$ 25,000 -... [Lire la suite]