12 novembre 2017

Matthew Simmonds, Mars Ultor, Carrara marble, 2011, Height 41cm. photo © Matthew Simmonds. When we hear of marble sculptures, we tend to think of the human forms belonging to timeless examples from Greece, Italy and elsewhere. A form is not necessarily a solid, as sculptor Matthew Simmonds points out through his work, which consists of sculptures not of full and defined human bodies, but of empty architectural interiors. Simmonds, who originally comes from Britain, studied art history before turning to illustration... [Lire la suite]

Lot 360. Spectacular fancy dark brown-greenish yellow diamond and diamond necklace, the diamond weighing 102.53 carats. Estimate CHF1,957,000–3,914,000 ($2,000,000–4,000,000). Lot Sold 2,055,000 CHF. Courtesy Sotheby's. Set with a heart-shaped fancy dark brown-greenish yellow diamond weighing 102.53 carats, framed with brilliant-cut diamonds of pink tint and heart-shaped diamonds, the necklace set with heart-shaped diamonds, length approximately 360mm. Accompanied by GIA report no. 2185800325, stating... [Lire la suite]

Lot 274. Impressive 102.50 carats fancy intense yellow diamond and diamond necklace. Estimate CHF 3,425,000 — 5,385,000. Lot Sold 4,066,600 CHF. Courtesy Sotheby's. Set with a cushion-shaped fancy intense yellow diamond weighing 102.50 carats within a frame of brilliant-cut diamonds, supporting a fringe set with pear-shaped diamonds, further accented with brilliant-cut diamonds and diamonds of yellow tint, length approximately 365mm. Accompanied by GIA report no. 2181800298,... [Lire la suite]

Lot 281. Impressive fancy coloured diamond and diamond parure, weighing 58.17, 44.08, 36.35, 18.84 and 18.24 carats. Estimate CHF3,425,000–5,385,000 ($3,500,000–5,500,000). Courtesy Sotheby's. Comprising: a necklace collet-set with an oval fancy deep brown-yellow diamond weighing 58.17 carats within a frame of circular-cut diamonds, to a line of cushion-shaped diamonds similarly set, the clasp accented with oval, brilliant-cut and pear-shaped diamonds of brown tint, supporting a pendant set with a pear-shaped fancy brown-yellow... [Lire la suite]

Lot 48. An Abbasid pottery bowl depicting a bird, Iraq, 9th-10th century. height: 7.5cm.; 3in. diam.: 23.4cm.; 9 3/16 in. Estimate 20,000 — 30,000 USD. Courtesy Sotheby's. the earthenware body with a lightly everted rim, painted in lustre on an opaque white glaze, the centre depicting a bird, possibly a peacock, with five roundels to the reverse, both sides surrounded by contour panels on a dotted ground, base with inscription, broken and restored with some associated infill and... [Lire la suite]

Lot 157. A rare rhinoceros horn 'chilong' libation cup, 17th century. Estimate GBP 7,000-10,000. Sold for £37,500 (€42,435. Courtesy Bonhams. The four-lobed cup supported on a gently spreading and hollowed foot encircled by a key-fret band, carved in relief to each lobe with a quatrefoil cartouche enclosing a sinuous chilong reserved on a diaper ground, all below a further band of key-fret to the rim, the handle carved in the form of a gnarled pine branch entwined with prunus sprigs and bamboo. 13.6cm... [Lire la suite]

Lot 156. A rare rhinoceros horn 'pine and cliff' libation cup, 17th-18th century. Estimate GBP 10,000-15,000. Sold for £27,500 (€31,119). Courtesy Bonhams. Crisply carved around the exterior with wutong, cypress and pine trees against angular rocky outcrops, two large pine trees forming the handle with further gnarled branches and pine-needles emerging through the interior in high relief, a swirling stream at the base, the horn of reddish-brown tone. 10.5cm (4 1/8in) long. Provenance: an English... [Lire la suite]

  Lot 155. A very rare rhinoceros horn carving of Green Tara, Nepal, 17th century. Estimate GBP 4,000-7,000. Sold for £40,000 (€45,264). Courtesy Bonhams. The deity expertly carved seated in lalitasana on a double-lotus base with a beaded upper edge, the left foot resting on a lotus bloom issuing from the base, the left hand raised in vitarka mudra, the face depicted with a serene expression and crowned with a five-leaf tiara atop neatly tied back hair, two lotus stalks twining around the... [Lire la suite]

Lot 154. A rare rhinoceros horn 'prunus' libation cup, 18th century. Estimate GBP 15,000 ～8,000. Sold for £47,500 (€53,751). Courtesy Bonhams. The finely-grained exterior exterior smoothly carved with four medallions enclosing 'earth diaper' patterns, the side deftly carved with a gnarled branch bearing delicate prunus blossoms and flower buds. 12.4cm (4 7/8in) long. Provenance: an important European private collection. Published and Illustrated: J.Chapman, The Art of Rhinoceros Horn Carving in... [Lire la suite]

Lot 153. A rare rhinoceros horn 'chilong and whirlpool' libation cup, 18th century. Estimate GBP 15,000 ～ 20,000. Sold for £43,750 (€49,507). Courtesy Bonhams. The well-hollowed vessel finely incised on the base with a spiraling whirlpool with surging waves stretching outward, with a writhing chilong with bifurcated tail clambering on the exterior avoiding the waves. 16.5cm (6 1/2in) long. Provenance: an important European private collection. Published and Illustrated: J.Chapman, The Art... [Lire la suite]