13 mai 2012

An outstanding large and rare Junyao bowl. Northern Song-Jin dynasty. photo Bonhams Of large rounded form supported on a short straight foot, the curved sides rising to a gently inverted rim, the deep body covered all over in an even milky lavender blue glaze, thining to a greyish olive green hue at the extremities, the exterior with generous splashes of vibrant purple glaze with contrasting raspberry red tones, partly overflowing over into the inner rim, the overall body with soft crackles and the footrim unglazed,... [Lire la suite]

Diamond Brooch, Van Cleef & Arpels, circa 1960; Phote Sotheby's Of foliate design, set with brilliant- and circular-cut diamonds, indistinctly signed Van Cleef & Arpels, French assay and maker's marks. Lot 77. Estimate 30,000-50,000 CHF.  NOTE: Cf: Sarah D. Coffin, Set in Style: The Jewellery of Van Cleef & Arpels, New York, 2011, pages 136-137 for similar examples of this jewel. Sotheby's. Magnificent Jewels and Noble Jewels; Geneva | 14 May 2012, 11:00... [Lire la suite]

A rare pair of Henan 'oil-spot' teabowls. Northern Song-Jin dynasty. photo Bonhams Each of rounded form supported on a short footring, covered all over the interior and exterior with a rich lustrous black glaze densely suffused with a myriad of silvery'oil spots' emanating to the surface, the unglazed foot revealing the brown buff stoneware. Each: 12.8cm diam. (2). Lot 253. Estimate: HK$ 30,000 - 50,000 . US$ 3,900 - 6,400 / £2,400 - 4,000 北宋 / 金 黑釉油滴斑盌一對 Provenance... [Lire la suite]

Gem-set brooch, Michele della Valle. Phote Sotheby's The blackamoor with a carved ebony face, the turban and tunic embellished with a briolette and brilliant-cut diamonds, circular-cut rubies and peridots and a seed pearl, signed Michele della Valle and numbered, Italian assay marks, case. Lot 76. Estimate 6,500-9,500 CHF Sotheby's. Magnificent Jewels and Noble Jewels; Geneva | 14 May 2012, 11:00 AM www.sothebys.com 

A fine and rare Imperial jade bowl. Qianlong incised four-character mark and of the period. photo Bonhams Of deep rounded form supported on a pronounced raised foot, the sides gently rising to the flared rim, the exquisite white stone smoothly and skilfully worked, simplistic and undecorated, the base incised with four-character mark, elaborate wood stand. 13.2cm diam. Lot 374. Estimate: HK$ 500,000 - 600,000 / US$ 64,000 - 77,000 / £40,000 - 48,000 清乾隆 白玉盌 「乾隆年製」刻款The quality of the... [Lire la suite]

Impressive natural pearl, ruby and diamond necklace. Phote Sotheby's Composed of three strands of natural pearls measuring from approximately 5.0 to 13.3mm, the clasp set with cabochon, oval, step-cut and cushion-shaped rubies and variously cut diamonds, length of the shortest row approximately 560mm. Lot 678. Estimate 275,000-550,000 CHF Accompanied by SSEF report no. 62596, stating that the pearls were found to be natural, saltwater. Sotheby's. Magnificent Jewels and Noble Jewels; Geneva... [Lire la suite]

A finely carved 'grapes and squirrels' rhinoceros horn libation cup. Early Qing dynasty. photo Bonhams Superbly carved around the exterior in high relief with bunches of gnarled leafy grapevines bearing fruit and squirrels amidst clusters of grapes, the interior formed of overlapping lotus petals and the openwork handle in the form of gnarled branches, the horn of an attractive honey-brown tone turning darker at the foot. 15.1cm wide. Lot 324. Estimate: HK$ 1.2 million - 2.0 million / US$ 150,000 -... [Lire la suite]

In the arts, vanitas is a type of symbolic work of art especially associated with Northern European still life painting in Flanders and the Netherlands in the 16th and 17th centuries, though also common in other places and periods. The Latin word means "emptiness" and loosely translated corresponds to the meaninglessness of earthly life and the transient nature of vanity. Ecclesiastes 1:2 from the Bible is often quoted in conjunction with this term. The Vulgate (Latin translation of the Bible) renders the verse as Vanitas... [Lire la suite]

A rare 'grape vine' rhinoceros horn libation cup. Early Qing dynasty. photo Bonhams Intricately carved around the exterior in high relief with twisting tendrils on grape-laden vines, the openwork handle in the form of curling stems and grapes, the interior similarly carved with grapes and vine leaves, the horn of dark honey tone. 16.9cm wide. Lot 325. Estimate: HK$ 1.8 million - 2.5 million / US$ 230,000 - 320,000 / £140,000 - 200,000  清初 犀角雕葡萄多子杯 「東坡氏珍賞」楷書刻款 Provenance 來源: Sotheby's... [Lire la suite]

Important natural pearl and diamond necklace, circa 1880. Phote Sotheby's Composed of seven graduated rows of natural pearls, to a clasp of concentric design set with circular-cut and cushion-shaped diamonds and a natural pearl, length of the shortest row approximately 380mm. Lot 593. Estimate 275,000-460,000 CHF Accompanied by SSEF report no. 61762, stating that three hundred and forty nine pearls were found to be natural, saltwater and five natural, freshwater.THE HOUSE OF KINSKYThe... [Lire la suite]