2 octobre 2013

Lot 3054. A fine ru-type vase, hu, Seal mark and period of Qianlong (1736-1795); 14.2 cm, 5 5/8  in. Estimate 400,000 -- 600,000 HKD. Lot sold 600,000 HKD. Photo: Sotheby's 2013. of archaic hu form, the pear-shaped octagonal body rising from a straight foot to a tapered neck flanked by two small lug handles, finely applied overall with a fine caesious-coloured glaze slightly draining to pale grey around the rim and lugs in imitation of the... [Lire la suite]

Lot 3053. A fine doucai 'Mandarin Duck' dish, Mark and period of Yongzheng; 17.8 cm., 7 in. Estimate 500,000 -- 700,000 HKD. Lot sold 1,360,000 HKD. Photo: Sotheby's. finely potted with shallow rounded sides supported on a footless base, painted on the interior with a cluster of slender lotus with red-tipped petals supported on curved studded stems, their furling pads naturalistically detailed in two tones of green with veins and insect holes... [Lire la suite]

Lot 3052. A pair of fine blue and white and iron-red 'Dragon' dishes, Seal marks and period of Qianlong (1736-1795);1 7.8 cm., 7 in. Estimate 500,000 — 700,000 HKD. Lot sold 750,000 HKD. Photo: Sotheby's. each with shallow rounded sides rising from a small slightly tapered foot to an everted rim, decorated on the interior with a central medallion enclosing an iron-red five-clawed dragon writhing above turbulent waves deftly painted in contrasting underglaze blue,... [Lire la suite]

Lot 3051. A pair of fine yellow-ground green-enamelled 'Dragon' bowls, Marks and period of Yongzheng (1723-1735); 14 cm., 5 1/2  in. Estimate 4,000,000 — 6,000,000 HKD. uNSOLD. Photo: Sotheby's. each with deep rounded sides rising from a tapered foot to a gently flared rim, finely decorated on the exterior with two dragons striding in mutual pursuit among clouds reaching for a 'flaming pearl', one with its head turned back, the other looking forward, each... [Lire la suite]

Rare gemstone: Chrysoberyl cat's eyes -  12.12 ct. Orissa, India. Photo courtesy Heritage Auctions Chrysoberyl cat's eyes are the most prized of the phenomenal gemstones and is considered to be THE definition of a cat's eye. Some believe that these cat's eyes have mystical powers and are able to protect the wearer from evil spirits. This is yellow green gemstone has been fashioned into an oval cabochon and exhibits a very strong eye, even in very low light conditions it is razor sharp and the line is... [Lire la suite]

Very fine gemstone: Imperial Topaz - 17.04. Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Southeast Region, Brazil. Photo courtesy Heritage Auctions "Often rumoured, seldom seen" is a phrase that aptly describes Imperial Topaz. Despite the almost universal recognition of the term "Imperial Topaz," there is almost no additional information associated with this gemstone in the public arena: what is it? where it's from? what is it worth? In truth, while many have heard of Imperial Topaz, few have actually seen the gem and even fewer... [Lire la suite]

Very fine gemstone: large Tanzanite - 61.43 ct. Merelani Hills, Umba Valley, Lelatema Mountains, Arusha Region, Tanzania. Photo courtesy Heritage Auctions Luscious is a term that comes to mind when looking at this Tanzanite. Other superlatives might be big or huge. At 61.43 carats this is a very impressive gemstone with excellent color: it has the rich blue hue with just a hint of purple that Tanzanite is renown for. When examined this stone exhibited flashes of red, so it would be a fair assumption that it has not been heat... [Lire la suite]

Very fine gemstone: natural purple spinel - 31.5 ct. with GIA cert. Burma. Photo courtesy Heritage Auctions The name "Spinel" was derived from the Latin word "spina" which means thorn - probably refering to the pointed shape of the mineral's octahedral crystals. Today the world's best Spinels originate from the rich gem gravels of Burma's Mogok Stone Tract. This very large cushion cut Spinel is accompanied by a GIA identification report that shows that this gemstone has no indications of heat treatment and the purple... [Lire la suite]

Very fine gemstone: natural ruby - 5.22 ct. with GIA cert. Vietnam. Photo courtesy Heritage Auctions In the 1980s, reports start to emerge that high quality Rubies were being found in the alluvial sediments of northern Vietnam from deposits in the Luc Yen and and Yen Bai areas. These placer deposits were discovered by farmers who found them while working the land. That was the start of a booming gem trade in Vietnam - where this brilliant gemstone originated. It is an UNHEATED natural Ruby with great depth of color that... [Lire la suite]

The Mishneh Torah: Book of Judges (Sefer Shoftim). Written by Moses Maimonides (1135-1204). Painted by the Master of the Barbo Missal (active mid-1400s) North Italian, ca. 1457. Tempera and gold leaf on parchment. Photo © The Israel Museum, Jerusalem, for Michael and Judy Steinhardt, by Ardon Bar- Hama.  NEW YORK, NY.- One of the finest illuminated Hebrew manuscripts ever created is being displayed at The Metropolitan Museum of Art beginning today. The rare 15th-century handwritten copy of the Mishneh Torah by the renowned... [Lire la suite]