3 février 2016

Covered jar decorated with goldfish and aquatic plants, Ming dynasty, Jiajing mark and period, 1522 - 1566. Excavated in the eastern suburbs of Beijing in 1955. Porcelain with five-color enamels, wucai, height 46 cm. National Museum of Chinese History, Beijing Underglaze blue and overglaze enamel colors decorate this massive wine jar with a continuous scene of large golden carp swimming among various water weeds and lotus flowers. On the base a six-character imperial reign mark reads: "Made in the... [Lire la suite]

Wine ewer decorated with flowers and fruits, Ming dynasty, Yongle period, 1403 - 1425. Porcelain with underglaze blue decoration, height 26.1 cm, diameter of mouth 6.4 cm. National Museum of Chinese History, Beijing This wine ewer was made in Jingdezhen, the center of porcelain manufacture. It is based on an Islamic metal prototype.During the Mongol Yuan dynasty, Islamic traders settled in China's coastal cities, and Muslim officials wielded considerable influence at the imperial court. Their fine metalwork... [Lire la suite]

A Rare, Late Ming Blue and White Ewer, late 16th-early 17th Century © Christie’s Images Limited 2001 Of elegant form, the oviform body applied with a slender moulded serpentine handle, and the tall slightly flaring neck with an stylised animal mask radiating moulded feathery leaves below the small spout, all supported on a tall spreading foot, painted in a vibrant rich blue with two rows of slender petal-shaped lappets below bands of dentil, scroll, chain and trefoil patterns, the foot with similar bands above prunus... [Lire la suite]

, oil on canvas, Height: 696 mm (27.4 in). Width: 565 mm (22.24 in). Andrew W. Mellon Fund1961.6.1. © 2016 National Gallery of Art. Part of Baron Lionel Nathan de Rothschild collection. It was purchased by the National Gallery of Art in 1961. The Dutch and Flemish took extraordinary delight in depictions of the natural world as an expression of God’s everlasting blessing. The flower paintings of Jan Davidsz de Heem celebrate the beauty of flora while at the same time exemplifying the concept of Ars longa, vita brevis ... [Lire la suite]

Silks textile from the Topkapi Museum, Istanbul

Art Deco Carved Emerald, Ruby, and Diamond Pendant Brooch, Chaumet, Paris. © 1999 - 2016 SKINNER, INC.  set with three carved emeralds, fifty-six calibre-cut rubies, and 115 full-, old European-, and single-cut diamonds, approx. total diamond wt. 6.75 cts., with cabochon onyx and rose-cut diamond accents, all within a hinged platinum mount, lg. 5 1/4 in., maker's mark and guarantee stamps, signed Chaumet et Cie Made in France. Lot 750. Estimate $150,000-200,000. Sold for:$385,500 on December 6,... [Lire la suite]

  Emerald pendant, carved and shaped by Fortunato Pio Castellani in the 19th century, given by Napoleon III to his lover, Countess of Castiglione. Roberto Sciaguato. Photo courtesy press office 

Emerald earrings, 19th century. Emerald, gold, diamonds, enamel. Museum of Topkapi Palace, Istanbul

Kabuto (helmet) in the shape of a turban shell, with gold leaf, Momoyama period, 17th century, Iron, gold, lacquer, and silk, H. of bowl, 19.3 cm, Tokyo National Museum. Eboshi-shaped kabuto (helmet) with maedate (crest) in form of a mantis, Edo period, 17th century, Iron, lacquer, cord, silk, wood, gold, and papier-maché, H. of bowl, 20.3 cm. Momonari-kabuto (peach-shaped helmet) with butterfly crest, Edo period, 18th century, Iron, wood, gold, leather, lacquer, and silk, H. of bowl, 26.5 cm, National Museum of Japanese... [Lire la suite]

Michelangelo Merisi, detto il Caravaggio (1571-1610), Bacchus, circa 1596-1597, oil on canvas, 85 × 95 cm (33.5 × 37.4 in), Galleria degli Uffizi, Florence. Michelangelo Merisi, detto il Caravaggio (1571-1610), Bacchus, detail, circa 1596-1597, oil on canvas, 85 × 95 cm (33.5 × 37.4 in), Galleria degli Uffizi, Florence. Michelangelo Merisi, detto il Caravaggio (1571-1610), Bacchus, detail, circa 1596-1597, oil on canvas, 85 × 95 cm (33.5 × 37.4 in), Galleria degli Uffizi,... [Lire la suite]