14 février 2017

From the property of Mary Duchess of Roxburghe. Diamond ring, Cartier, 1930s. Estimate 8,000 — 12,000 GBP.  Lot sold 167,000 GBP. Photo courtesy Sotheby's set with two pear-shaped diamonds weighing 2.31 and 2.34 carats respectively, further accented with two marquise-shaped diamonds, size L, signed Cartier London, case stamped Cartier Paris. A photograph of Mary Crewe-Milnes before her marriage to the Duke of Roxburghe, age 19. Mary Evelyn Hungerford Crewe-Milnes (named after her godmother Queen... [Lire la suite]

Lot 622. From the property of Mary Duchess of Roxburghe. Natural pearl and diamond brooch-pendant, late 19th century. Estimate 5,500 — 7,500 GBP. Lot sold 8,125 GBP. Photo courtesy Sotheby's. of open work circular foliate design, set with circular-cut and rose diamonds accented with natural pearls, with similarly set suspension loop, several small diamonds deficient.  Sotheby's. The Duchess Property & Precious Objects from the Estate of Mary, Duchess of Roxburghe London, 27 May 2015

Lot 208. From the property of Mary Duchess of Roxburghe. A pair of Chinese celadon-glazed garlic-mouth vases, Qing dynasty, 18th-19th century. Estimate 6,000 — 8,000 GBP. Lot sold 12,500 GBP. Photo courtesy Sotheby's. the globular body rising from a stepped foot, surmounted by a tall waisted neck terminating to a garlic-form mouth, the neck flanked by a pair of foliate scroll handles, decorated to the exterior with rows of lotus lappets, covered overall in a sea-green... [Lire la suite]

Lot 509. From the property of Mary Duchess of Roxburghe. A small Chinese cloisonné enamel 'lotus' box and cover, Qianlong mark and period (1736-1795). Estimate 6,000 — 8,000 GBP. Lot sold 17,500 GBP. Photo courtesy Sotheby's. of circular form, the rounded sides rising from a short spreading foot, brightly enamelled with lotus strapwork reserved on a turquoise ground, the domed cover similarly decorated, the interior and base gilt, the base inscribed with a four-character reign mark and shou... [Lire la suite]

Lot 182. From the property of Mary Duchess of Roxburghe. A large pair of Chinese famille-verte baluster jars and covers, Qing dynasty, Kangxi period. Estimate 5,000 — 7,000 GBP. Lot sold 18,750 GBP. Photo courtesy Sotheby's. each painted with peacocks and other birds in flight amongst large peonies and other floral blooms borne on leafy branches, all below a chevron band around the shoulder, the neck decorated with floral branches issuing from pierced rocks, the domed cover similarly decorated; each... [Lire la suite]

Lot 507. From the property of Mary Duchess of Roxburghe. A Chinese jade figure of a boy, Qing dynasty, 18th-19th century. Estimate  400 - 600GBP. Lot sold 22,500 GBP. Photo courtesy Sotheby's modelled crouching over a basket, with another small boy on his back, the stone of a pale celadon tone, hardwood stand.  Sotheby's. The Duchess Property & Precious Objects from the Estate of Mary, Duchess of Roxburghe London, 27 May 2015

Beauty in death. Archaeologists in Shuozhou City, in China, have uncovered a "mural tomb" dating back almost 1,500 years. Believed to be used by a local military commander and his wife the murals cover about 860 square feet of space. This particular mural is on the west wall of the passageway leading into the tomb. It shows a door guard leaning against his sword, watching warily. Credit: Photo courtesy Chinese Archaeology Protected in death. On the opposite wall of the passageway a guard of honor, some... [Lire la suite]

An inscription found in the tomb says that Zhao Xin and his wife Princess Née Liu were buried together in the tomb on Mar. 18, 564 A.D. The couple are seen here, still together after 1,500 years. Credit: Photo courtesy Chinese Cultural Relics The tomb of a general and his princess wife buried on March 18, in the year 564, has been discovered in China. The ancient tomb, which contained the couple's skeletons, was also filled with figurines, said the archaeologists who described the findings recently in the journal Chinese... [Lire la suite]

Herman Saftleven, Study of a Sticky Nightshade or Litchi tomato (Solanum sisymbriifolium), 1683. STOCKHOLM.- Nationalmuseum has acquired a botanical watercolour study by Herman Saftleven from 1683. It depicts a sticky nightshade and was made on commission for Agnes Block, a passionate collector of exotic flora. Only 27 of Saftleven’s botanical studies are known today. This large watercolour of a Sticky Nightshade (Solanum sisymbriifolium) – a prickly plant with small edible fruits native to South America and Africa –... [Lire la suite]

An Exceptionally Rare and Large Fine Blue and White Reserve-Decorated ‘Peony’ Dish, Xuande Mark and Period. Estimate $1/1.5 million. Photo: Courtesy Sotheby’s. NEW YORK, NY.- Sotheby’s Asian Art Division is delighted to unveil its March auction schedule, coinciding with the city-wide initiative, Asia Week New York. With all exhibitions open to the public from 9 March and continuing through 18 March, York Avenue will offer visitors a taste of the continent of Asia – from China to India, Pakistan to Japan – through... [Lire la suite]