4 février 2016

Mythical animal, Eastern Han dynasty, 25 - 220 CE. Excavated in Luoyang, Henan Province. Stone, height 122 cm, length 165 cm. National Museum of Chinese History, Beijing Burial grounds were approached through an avenue, a "spirit road," which was flanked by pairs of large stone figures of dignitaries, foreign envoys, and animals.This vigorously striding animal was one of the first on the road to the tomb. It is a mythical creature,bixie, with the body of a tiger, two horns, and wings, and was meant to... [Lire la suite]

Formerly in the collection of Diane Benvenuti, née Rothschild. Natural button-shaped pearl and Type IIa diamond brooch, first quarter 20th Century. Photo Sotheby's The button-shaped pearl measuring approximately 13.25 mm, flanked by two pear-shaped diamonds. Estimate 22,000 — 30,000 CHF. Lot 264. Sold 50,000 CHF  Accompanied by SSEF report no. 53393 stating that the pearl is  natural and that the two pear-shaped diamonds are Type IIa.  Notes: Madame Diane... [Lire la suite]

Pearl and diamond brooch, circa 1860. Photo Sotheby's Of tied bow design, set with circular-cut and cushion-shaped diamonds, suspending a detachable pearl pendant, the cupola mount set with rose-cut stones, signed G. Confalonieri Milano. Estimate 25,000 — 35,000 CHF. Lot 262. Sold 31,250 CHF Accompanied by SSEF report no. 53493 stating that the pearl is natural. Provenance: Duke Wilhelm II von Urach (1864-1928) and his wife Amélie (1865-1912), born Duchess in Bayern. Duke Wihelm II... [Lire la suite]

General, Qin dynasty, 221 - 206 BCE. Excavated from the Mausoleum of Qinshihuang, near Xi©am, in 1976. Terra-cotta, height 192 cm. Museum of the Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses of Qinshihuang, Shaanxi Province. The authoritative figure, which once held a sword, represents a commander in the army of Qin Shi Huangdi. He wears a chest guard, possibly made of lacquered leather, which descends from his shoulders to cover his upper arms, and his lower body is protected by fish-scale armor connected with laces to... [Lire la suite]

Group of Musicians, Tang dynasty, 618 - 906 CE. Excavated in Xiuan, Shaanxi Province, in 1995. Earthenware, height 11 x 11.5 cm. National Museum of Chinese History, Beijing The upper classes in the Tang dynasty enjoyed a life of luxury and leisure. Lavish banquets enlivened by music and dance.This group of male musicians in loose-fitting informal dress and scarf caps probably accompanied a group of dancers. The instruments are the four-stringed lute, pipa; the upright mouth organ, sheng; the... [Lire la suite]

Peter Lindbergh, NADJA AUERMANN, MOJAVE DESERT, CALIFORNIA USA, 1996, 2015. Gelatin Silver Print Illford multigrade, 23 5/8 × 19 11/16 inches unframed (60 × 50 cm). Edition of 25 © Peter Lindbergh ATHENS.- Gagosian Athens presents photographs by Peter Lindbergh. Lindbergh’s now-iconic photographs of women derive inspiration from early narrative cinema and street photography, in their fleeting observations and compositional elegance. His Eastern European heritage can be traced in the stark and... [Lire la suite]

Spinel and diamond pendant, end of 18th century. Photo Sotheby's The cross-shaped faceted spinel bordered by rose-cut diamonds. Estimate 8,000 — 12,000 CHF. Lot 259. Sold 68,500 CHF Provenance: Duke Wilhelm II von Urach (1864-1928) and his wife Amélie (1865-1912), born Duchess in Bayern. Duke Wihelm II von Urach (1864-1928) and his second wife Wiltrud (1884-1975), born Princess of Bavaria. Prince Alfred von und zu Liechtenstein (1842-1907) and his wife Henriette (1843-1931), born... [Lire la suite]

Fine Pair of spinel and diamond pendent ear clips, end of 18th century. Photo Sotheby's Each of girandole design, set with pear-shaped and oval spinels in cut down collets, embellished with circular-, single-, French-, rose-cut and cushion-shaped diamonds, the surmount can be worn on its own and the two side pendants are removable. Estimate 22,000 — 30,000 CHF. Lot 260. Sold 116,500 CHF Provenance: Duke Wilhelm II von Urach (1864-1928) and his wife Amélie (1865-1912), born Duchess... [Lire la suite]

Précieuse coupe en agate montée en or émaillé, diamants et rubis, Prague, vers 1605. Attribuée à Ottavio Miseroni (Milan 1567 – Prague 1624). La monture attribuée à Jan Vermeyen (Bruxelles 1559 – Prague 1606). © Galerie J. Kugel Hauteur : 8,9 cm - Diamètre : 6,2 cm Provenance : - William Beckford (1760-1844), Fonthill Abbey, sa vente, Phillips le 16 octobre 1823, lot 1060 - Baron Anselm von Rothschild (1803-1874), Vienne Littérature : Schestag (Franz), Katalog der Kunstsammlung des... [Lire la suite]

Le «Vase Dashkov», vase à anses en sardoine, probablement Rome, Ier siècle apr. J.-C.  © Galerie J. Kugel Hauteur : 9,5 cm. La surface du vase est lisse si ce n’est une fine moulure sur le pourtour de la partie basse de la panse. Etat : l’une des deux anses cassée, deux petites ébréchures au pied et très légère entaille dans la panse.  Provenance : -Princesse Catherine Dashkov (1743-1810), Saint-Pétersbourg, Acquis à Rome en 1780 pour 300 ducats ; -Miss Martha Wilmot (1775-1873),... [Lire la suite]