1 septembre 2013

A conch pearl and diamond pendant. Photo Christie's Image Ltd 2013 The pear-shaped openwork old brilliant-cut diamond pendant suspending a diamond capped conch pearl swing centre, to a diamond and conch pearl drop and surmount, suspended from a trace-link chain, pendant 5.7cm long. Estimate £1,600 – £2,000 Accompanied by report no. 05172 from The Gem & Pearl Laboratory, dated 31st January 2012, stating that the conch pearls were found to be natural.  Christie's. JEWELLERY.4 September 2013. London,... [Lire la suite]

High cover of rock crystal trophy, Saracchi, workshop, Milan, 1575-1580. Rock crystal, gold, enamel, garnets. H 48.1 cm, Dm lid 13.3 cm, 12.6 cm diam foot. V 217. Green Vault © Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden 2013 Large quartz crystals were found in the central ranges of the Alps, were as rare and coveted as the magnificent decorative vessels that have been honed in the late Renaissance from this hard and brittle quartz. Especially the Milanese workshops and Miseroni Saracchi and Annibale... [Lire la suite]

Round cup, Saracchi, workshop, Milan, 1575-1580. Rock crystal, gold, enamel. H 15.5 cm, 18.5 cm diam cuppa. V 344. Green Vault © Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden 2013 The bottom of the crystal bowl filled a circular water zone, which is formed from a strip of ocean waves. At the edge appear loosely draped and arranged in pairs assigned mermaids and deities of the sea. Trees with wide flaring branches give mythological scene of a landscape background. The very thin-walled shell... [Lire la suite]

A long huanghuali recessed-leg table (pingtouan), 17th-18th century. Photo courtesy Sotheby's the top of mitered, mortise-and-tenon frame construction with single board tongue-and-groove floating panel top with hidden tenons in the short rails and six transverse stretchers also hidden tenoned in the long rails, the waisted and  beaded apron continuing to the legs of square section with a central recessed double incense stick molding, joined by a pair of double beaded stretchers and cut to receive the... [Lire la suite]

Lot 272. A huanghuali stool (fangdeng), 17th century. Height 19 1/2 in., 49.5 cm, Width 19 in., 49 cm, Depth 16 3/4  in., 42.5 cm. Estimate 50,000 — 70,000 USD. Lot sold 50,000 USD Photo courtesy Sotheby's the rectangular frame mitered and with molded edges, the soft matted seat supported by a pair bowed transverse stretchers, with a recessed waist transitioning to a plain and straight apron, raised on legs of square section terminating in hoof feet.  Provenance: Ho... [Lire la suite]

Helmet ewer, Milan, early 17th Century. Rock crystal, silver plated; 25.4 x 13.7 x 8.0 cm. V 278. Green Vault © Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden 2013 About the sechspässigen, particularly thin ground out wide body can be symmetrically arranged, precise cut Rankenintagli that produce a dense, extremely lively in the ductus decorative braid. A strong volute forms the handle. The foot is cut in the shape of a seashell. There is no doubt as to the provenance of the vessel... [Lire la suite]

Cup with grotesque mask, Milan, 1590-1600. Rock crystal, gold, enamel; 14.3 x 15.4 x 10.0 cm. V 283. Green Vault © Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden 2013 Sublime cut motifs and delicate INTAGLI harmonize with this rock crystal vessel on 6 August 1746 from the legacy of Duke Johann Adolf II of Saxe-Weissenfels to the vault came open. Although the small bowl of the spectacular works from the Milanese workshops Saracchi Miseroni and can not be assigned, it follows that stylistic models.

A huanghuali 'dragon' daybed (chuang), Ming dynasty, 17th century. Photo courtesy Sotheby's of typical waisted corner-leg form, the seat frame with mitered, mortise and tenon construction, joined by three bowed transverse stretchers, surmounting a scrolling apron finely carved on the  front and sides with beaded edges and archaistic confronting chilong amidst clouds, the back scrolling apron, beaded, centered by two strands of entwined grasses, with lion masks in shallow... [Lire la suite]

A huanghuali low table (kangzhuo), late Ming dynasty, 17th century. Photo courtesy Sotheby's two well figured panels joined and inset into a mitered frame with molded edge, above a pierced recessed waist enclosing pairs of highly stylized archaistic chilong above a well-shaped arched and cusped, beaded apron caved with further pairs of confronting chilong amid scrolling leaves, with lion masks at each corner above cabriole legs terminating in padded ball and claw feet,... [Lire la suite]

Bucket with handles, Giovanni Battista Metellino, Milan, circa 1715. Rock crystal, silver plated. 20.3 x 29.0 x 16.4 cm. V 194. Green Vault © Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden 2013 The bucket with scrolled handles curved results with another vessel (see Inv. No. V 201) is a matched pair. The slightly wavy cut gives the vessel a "flickering" surface that is caused by reflected light. The style of the crystal cut, the bucket shape as well as the version of gilded silver filigree refer to the... [Lire la suite]