25 février 2019
An exceptional sandstone head of Buddha, Northern Wei dynasty, Yungang Caves, late 5th Century
Lot 727. An exceptional sandstone head of Buddha, Northern Wei dynasty, Yungang Caves, late 5th Century; 12 in., 30.5 cm. Estimate 40,000 — 60,000 USD. Lot sold 228,000 USD. Photo: Sotheby's.
the fine white granular sandstone well carved in subtle volumes to form an elongated head with crisp bow-shaped lips tenderly lifted at the corners in a beatific smile above the channeled dimple on the chin, the long nose rising to the slightly downcast eyes defined by... [Lire la suite]25 février 2019
A pair of ivory inlaid panels, Qing Dynasty, 18th century
Lot 716. A pair of ivory inlaid panels, Qing Dynasty, 18th century; 31 1/2 in., 21 cm. Estimate 35,000 — 45,000 USD. Lot sold 228,000 USD. Photo: Sotheby's.
each panel finely inlaid with Zhong Gui, the demon queller, seated among furniture and books in the company of five animated demons, one panel with a demon cleaning Zhong Gui's ear, mounted on a gilt ground, within zitan frames.
Provenance: Moy Ying Ming Gallery, Chicago.
Note: According to folklore, Zhong Gui travelled with... [Lire la suite]25 février 2019
A rare painted pottery figure of a horse nuzzling its leg, Tang dynasty (618-907)
Lot 519. A rare painted pottery figure of a horse nuzzling its leg, Tang dynasty (618-907); 15 1/4 in., 39 cm. Estimate 30,000 — 50,000 USD. Lot sold 228,000 USD. Photo: Sotheby's.
the elegant beast standing on a shaped base with the head bent low to nuzzle the slightly raised left foreleg, covered with a long mane finely combed over both sides of the arched neck, before a small saddle set upon a saddleblanket incised with lozenge motifs, with significant traces of... [Lire la suite]25 février 2019
A spectacular 'ying xiong' rhinoceros horn libation cup, late Ming-early Qing dynasty, 17th Century
Lot 370. A spectacular 'ying xiong' rhinoceros horn libation cup, late Ming-early Qing dynasty, 17th Century; 6 3/4 in., 17.2 cm. Estimate 40,000 — 60,000 USD. Lot sold 240,000 USD. Photo: Sotheby's.
possibly derived from Han and Tang period gilt-bronze 'parrot' or 'hawk' cups, the truncated tapering horn carved with a gigantic powerful eagle perched on the back of a mythical leonine bear to form the rebus yingxiong (representing heroic virtue), the... [Lire la suite]25 février 2019
A fine pair of huanghuali yokeback armchairs, shichutouguanmaoyi, Late Ming-Early Qing Dynasty, 17th Century
Lot 350. A fine pair of huanghuali yokeback armchairs, shichutouguanmaoyi, Late Ming-Early Qing Dynasty, 17th Century; each 42 by 22 by 17 1/4 in., 106.7 by 56 by 44 cm. Estimate 180,000 — 220,000 USD. Lot sold 264,000 USD. Photo: Sotheby's.
each composed of thick and generously proportioned members with a shaped headrest set on the curved crestrail, with truncated terminals supported on slightly S-shaped backsplat and backposts continuing through the seatframe to form the straight back... [Lire la suite]25 février 2019
A large archaic bronze tripod wine vessel, jia, Shang Dynasty, 13th-12th century BC
Lot 504. A large archaic bronze tripod wine vessel, jia, Shang Dynasty, 13th-12th century BC. Overall height 14 3/8 in., 36.5 cm. Estimate 200,000 — 300,000 USD. Lot sold 276,000 USD. Photo: Sotheby's.
supported on three tall blade legs, the cylindrical vessel rising to a flared mouth set with two upright posts capped with mushroom finials decorated with sun-whorls, the body crisply cast with two horizontal registers, each finely cast with pairs of low-relief taotie animal... [Lire la suite]25 février 2019
"Fables d’Orient – Miniaturistes, artistes et aventuriers à la Cour de Lahore" au Musée Guimet
"Fables d’Orient – Miniaturistes, artistes et aventuriers à la Cour de Lahore" au Musée Guimet
PARIS - Un ensemble d’illustrations qui révèle un aspect surprenant de la production picturale indienne due à un peintre de Lahore, Imam Bakhsh, au XIXe siècle. Parmi elles, 60 miniatures des Fables de la Fontaine, grâce au prêt exceptionnel du musée de Château-Thierry, constituent un premier florilège. Des peintures de l’école du Punjâb s’ajoutent aux fables : portraits de maharajahs, dignitaires royaux, paysages,... [Lire la suite]25 février 2019
A rare famille-verte 'landscape' square vase, Qing dynasty, Kangxi Period (1662-1722)
Lot 804. A rare famille-verte 'landscape' square vase, Qing dynasty, Kangxi Period (1662-1722); 21 1/8 in., 53. 6 cm. Estimate 120,000 — 150,000 USD. Lot sold 288,000 USD. Photo: Sotheby's.
of squared section, the slightly tapering upright sides finely painted in soft pastel tones of green, pale blue, yellow, gray and iron-red enamels with scholar-literati scenes, one side with a scholar crossing a over a bridge beneath towering mountains, another side with a scholar seated inside a... [Lire la suite]25 février 2019
A finely carved white jade 'marriage bowl', mark and period of Qianlong (1736-1795)
Lot 614. A finely carved white jade 'marriage bowl', mark and period of Qianlong (1736-1795); 9 in., 23 cm. Estimate 40,000 — 60,000 USD. Lot sold 288,000 USD. Photo: Sotheby's.
the white stone with a few opaque whiter inclusions and scattered russet accents, carved as a wide basin with deep rounded sides, the exterior carved in low relief with scrolling Indian lotus with projecting central stamens, the interior with two swallows elegantly turning by a large spray of prunus, the sides... [Lire la suite]25 février 2019
An outstanding large white jade finger citron, Qing dynasty, 18th Century
Lot 610. An outstanding large white jade finger citron, Qing dynasty, 18th Century; 9 in., 22.8 cm. Estimate 12,000 — 18,000 USD. Lot sold 288,000 USD. Photo: Sotheby's.
the very white stone accented by intense deep russet stains, very finely and naturalistically carved as a cluster of two finger citron or 'Buddha's-hand' fruit, one much larger than the other with finely elongated thick 'fingers' with curling tips, all issuing from an openwork stalk bearing further large lobed leaves... [Lire la suite]