Lot 768. A large Guan-type 'dragon'-handled vase, 18th-19th century; 15 ½ in. (39.4 cm.) high. Estimate USD 6,000 - USD 8,000. Price realised USD 32,500. © Christie's Image Ltd 2019

The neck of the vase is applied with a pair of handles in the form of chilong with tails curling over the body, and is covered overall with an even, lustrous pale-bluish-grey glaze suffused with gold and black crackle. The base and inside of the foot are covered with a brown dressing.

Provenance: Samuel. M. (1830-1914) and Matilda (1837-1912) Nickerson Collection, Chicago, before 1900. 
The Art Institute of Chicago, accessioned in 1900.

Samuel Mayo Nickerson (1830-1914)
Samuel Mayo Nickerson was a businessman who made his fortune in the distillery, railroad and banking industries. Together with his wife Matilda Nickerson (née Matilda Pinkham Crosby; 1837-1912), Samuel built an eclectic collection of Chinese works of art which included jades, porcelains, lacquer and bronzes, as well as modern paintings, sculpture, and engravings. They acquired much of their Asian art collection during several world tours that brought them to China, Japan and India. The majority of their collection was bequeathed to The Art Institute of Chicago in 1900.

Christie's. Chinese Art from The Art Institute of Chicago, New York, 12 September 2019