11 juillet 2014

Stem Cup, Xuande mark and period (1426-1435), Ming dynasty (1368-1644), China, Jiangxi province, Jingdezhen , porcelain with reversed underglaze blue and incised decoration, Diameter - w:10.10 cm (w:3 15/16 inches)Overall - h:9.00 cm (h:3 1/2 inches). Severance and Greta Millikin Collection 1964.168. Cleveland Museum of Art © 2013 Cleveland Museum of Art.

Plate with Grapes and Floral Sprays, Xuande reign (1426-1435), Ming dynasty (1368-1644), China, Jiangxi province, Jingdezhen, porcelain with underglaze blue decoration, Diameter - w:43.20 cm (w:17 inches)Overall - h:7.70 cm (h:3 inches). Anonymous Gift 1953.127. Cleveland Museum of Art © 2013 Cleveland Museum of Art.

Bowl with Decoration of the "Three Friends", Xuande mark and reign (1426-1435), Ming dynasty (1368-1644), China, Jiangxi province, Jingdezhen, porcelain with underglaze blue decoration, Diameter - w:30.20 cm (w:11 7/8 inches)Overall - h:11.20 cm (h:4 3/8 inches). John L. Severance Fund 1953.631. Cleveland Museum of Art © 2013 Cleveland Museum of Art.

Bowl with Peony Decoration, Xuande mark and reign (1425-1435), Ming dynasty (1368-1644), China, porcelain, Diameter - w:20.50 cm (w:8 1/16 inches)Overall - h:7.30 cm (h:2 13/16 inches). John L. Severance Fund 1954.372. Cleveland Museum of Art © 2013 Cleveland Museum of Art.

Bowl with "Land of Taoist Immortals" Scene, Xuande mark and reign (1425-1435), Ming dynasty (1368-1644), China, porcelain with underglaze blue decoration, Diameter - w:19.80 cm (w:7 3/4 inches)Overall - h:6.90 cm (h:2 11/16 inches). John L. Severance Fund 1962.260. Cleveland Museum of Art © 2013 Cleveland Museum of Art.

Brush Washer with Dragons, Xuande reign (1426-1435), Ming dynasty (1368-1644), China, Jiangxi province, Jingdezhen, porcelain with underglaze blue decoration. Diameter - w:18.00 cm (w:7 1/16 inches).Overall - h:4.50 cm (h:1 3/4 inches). Severance and Greta Millikin Collection 1964.166. Cleveland Museum of Art © 2013 Cleveland Museum of Art.

Diamond Necklace. Photo Sotheby's Designed as a graduated line of brilliant-cut diamonds, suspending clusters of similarly cut and marquise-shaped diamonds, length approximately 425mm. Estimation 15,000 — 20,000 GBP Sotheby's. Fine Jewels, London | 16 juil. 2014, 10:00 AM -www.sothebys.com

Diamond Rivière, late 19th century. Photo Sotheby's Designed as a graduated line of cushion-shaped diamonds, length approximately 380mm, fitted case stamped Edward Tessier. Estimation 25,000 — 35,000 GBP Sotheby's. Fine Jewels, London | 16 juil. 2014, 10:00 AM -www.sothebys.com

Diamond Necklace. Photo Sotheby's Designed as a line of marquise-shaped and brilliant-cut diamonds, suspending a graduated fringe of pear-shaped diamonds, length approximately 425mm. Estimation 38,000 — 48,000 GBP Accompanied by 17 GIA reports stating that the diamonds weighing 0.31 to 0.91 carats are D Colour, VS2 to VVS1 Clarity. Sotheby's. Fine Jewels, London | 16 juil. 2014, 10:00 AM -www.sothebys.com

Until about 4000 years ago, various peoples occupied the regions along the Yellow River and the Yangzi, and the east coast of modern China. The earliest documented dynasty was the Shang (around 1600-1050 BC), based in central north China. In this period society developed a religious system and written records. The material culture of the Shang dynasty is notable for its cast bronze ritual vessels. These are the only examples of early metalwork to be cast from piece moulds rather than assembled from sheets of beaten metal. Casting was... [Lire la suite]