7 septembre 2017

Nail protector, China, late 19th century, silver alloy, pigment; 1.8 × 8.0 × 1.5 cm; Felton Bequest, 1927; 2903-D3 © National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne Nail protector, with relief Chinese character, extended nail edged with grid pattern. The Chinese character for longevity that decorates the nail protector is shou 壽 .

Black & gold lacquered fan, decorated with Chinese figures confronting dragons, mother of pearl rivet, 18th century. Metallic paint on lacquered wood, silk, mother of pearl, metal; 19.3 × 32.6 × 1.9 cm; Felton Bequest, 1922; 2385A-D3 © National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne

Rhinoceros horn cup with phoenix, lotus, peonies, chrysanthemum, Ming dynasty (1368-1644), 9.2 × 18.3 × 10.6 cm. Felton Bequest, 1947; 632-D4 © National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne

Petros Koublis, Paysages dans les environs immédiats d’Athènes © Petros Koublis

Andrew Grima. LONDON - The largest private collection of jewels by Andrew Grima ever to appear at auction will go under the hammer at Bonhams this September. Charismatic Anglo-Italian jeweller Andrew Grima was regarded as one of the 20th century's most daring and imaginative designers. He was the go-to society jeweller for royals, celebrities, socialites and artists throughout the Swinging Sixties and Seventies and his earliest clients included HM The Queen, The Princess Margaret, Jackie Kennedy Onassis and Bond Girl Ursula... [Lire la suite]

Lot 1162. A brown-spotted Qingbai jar and cover, Song dynasty (960-1279), 13 3/8 in. (34 cm.) high. Estimate USD 8,000 - USD 12,000. Unsold. © Christie's Images Ltd 2017 The lower body of the jar is carved with overlapping petals beneath the shoulder which is applied with 'lotus pod' medallions alternating with four pinched handles that surround the wide neck topped with a bulbous mouth. The pagoda-shaped cover is potted with a flared edge and is decorated with further 'lotus-pod' medallions and two tiers... [Lire la suite]

Lot 1169. A carved Qingbai shallow 'Boys' bowl, Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279), 8 in. (20.3 cm.) diam. Estimate USD 8,000 - USD 12,000. Price realised USD 8,125 © Christie's Images Ltd 2017 The interior of the bowl is fluidly carved with a scene of two boys amidst flowers and it is covered overall with a translucent glaze of pale blue tone which pools in the recesses, except for the underside of the foot, cloth box. Note: Jan Wirgin, in Sung Ceramic Design, London, 1979, pp. 179-81, discusses the... [Lire la suite]

Lot 1168. A rare pair of carved Qingbai 'Day Lily' vases, Song Dynasty (AD 960-1279), 10 ½ in. (26.7 cm.) high. Estimate USD 30,000 - USD 50,000. Price realised USD 40,000 © Christie's Images Ltd 2017 Each vase is elegantly carved and combed on the tapering body with day lilies below the tall, ringed neck and the widely everted mouth, and is covered with a translucent glaze of pale greenish-blue tone pooling in the recessed areas, cloth box. Note: The result of Oxford thermoluminescence test, P106y63, is... [Lire la suite]

Lot 1167. A molded Qingbai 'Phoenix' bowl, Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279), 7 1/8 in. (18 cm.) diam. Estimate USD 6,000 - USD 8,000. Unsold. © Christie's Images Ltd 2017 The bowl is molded on the center with a pair of ducks in a lotus pond, surrounded by a band of a pair of phoenixes amidst floral sprays. The unglazed mouth rim has remnants of a silver band, cloth box. Note: Two qingbai bowls of the same size with similar design are in the collection of The Museum of Far Eastern... [Lire la suite]

Lot 1166. A carved Qingbai vase and cover, Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279), 6 ½ in. (16.5 cm.) high. Estimate USD 6,000 - USD 8,000. Unsold. © Christie's Images Ltd 2017 The slender body of the vase is carved with overlapping lotus lappets surmounted by a short neck with four lug handles and is covered in a semi-translucent glaze of pale bluish-green tone pooling in the recessed areas, and stopping irregularly at the recessed foot. The floriform cover is topped with a curly stem-form finial and... [Lire la suite]