11 juin 2021

Lot 36. A fine small jadeite 'lingzhi and bat' rectangular pendant, 18th-19th century; 4.3cm (1 3/4in) long. Sold for HK$ 277,500 (€ 29,493). © Bonhams.  Intricately carved in openwork as a spray of lingzhi fungus within its curled leaf on the underside, the bottom with one outstretched bat with interlocked wings perched on a lingzhi, the smoothly-polished jadeite of even green tone, box. Note: The lingzhi motif is commonly found in Chinese art. It is a pun for age (ling 齡).... [Lire la suite]

Lot 8. An aloeswood reticulated 'orchid and lingzhi' plaque, 18th-19th century; 5.5cm (2 1/4in) high x 4cm (1/2in) wide. Sold for HK$ 53,550 (€ 5,691). © Bonhams.  Of rectangular form, the jianan aloeswood plaque intricately carved in openwork on both sides with lingzhi fungus and orchid amidst scrolling leaves within an archaistic chi dragon board, box. Note: The plaque belongs to a group of accessories made of aloeswood for the ladies, consorts and concubines in the Imperial... [Lire la suite]

Lot 7. A string of amber and lapis lazuli rosary beads, shouchuan, Qing Dynasty; 26.2cm (10 1/4in) long. Sold for HK$ 63,750 (€ 6,775). © Bonhams.  Comprising eighteen amber beads divided by a larger lapis lazuli bead pierced with stylised chilong dragons, suspending a circular pendant above two lapis lazuli drops pierced with the same dragon design, dividing four pearls, box. Note: Amber rosary beads were commonly used in a Qing court lady's daily life for praying, wearing as a bracelet or... [Lire la suite]

Lot 4. Two pale green jade reticulated nail guards, 19th century. Each 7.3cm (2 7/8in) long. Sold for HK$ 102,000 (€ 10,840). © Bonhams.  Of elongated half-cone shape with a short tubular opening tapering to a point and open at the larger end with the lower section enclosing the fingertips, the front engraved and carved with leafy lotus scrolls, the stone of even translucent white tone, box. Note: Traditional Chinese society places aesthetic attention on women maintaining elegant long nails. It is... [Lire la suite]

  Lot 3. A pair of white jade nail guards, 18th century; 6.5cm (2 1/2in) long. Sold for HK$ 51,000 (€ 5,420). © Bonhams.  A pair of elongated half-cones shaped like a long fingernail with a short tubular opening tapering to a point, open at the larger end with the lower section enclosing the fingertip, designed also to reduce the weight worn on fingers, the front engraved and carved with auspicious emblems shou ('longevity') and a coin that symbolises wealth ('cai'), the stone of even... [Lire la suite]

Lot 52. A very rare jadeite, pearl and gemstone-inset headdress and necklace set, 19th century. The headdress 19cm (7 1/2in) wide; the necklace 58cm (22 3/4in) long.Sold for HK$ 940,000 (€ 99,905). © Bonhams.  The pierced metal silk-woven arched frame elaborately decorated with delicate spring-mounted blossoming sprigs embellished with jadeite, pearl, tourmaline, sapphire and other semi-precious materials below a row of tourmaline beads and above a row of miniature jadeite coins, all within a beaded pearl... [Lire la suite]

Lot 32. A kingfisher, pearl and ruby-inset headdress, 19th century; 32cm (12 1/2in) wide. Sold for HK$ 202,500 (€ 21,522). © Bonhams. The domed gilt-metal frame elaborately applied with sprig-mounted motifs including a pair of phoenixes and dragons, butterflies and flowers, around a central pearl boss, set in a radiating border above a jade pagoda fixed on a shaped filigree cloud, the front applied with eight small phoenixes suspending beaded tassels, the back of the headdress flanked by flowers within ruyi-cloud borders, all... [Lire la suite]

Lot 30. A kingfisher feather 'jewel'-encrusted headdress, dianzi, 19th century; 18cm (7 1/8in) high. Sold for HK$ 877,500 (€ 93,262). © Bonhams The oval flat-crowned headdress with semi-circular section sweeping towards the forehead, the wire frame lined in black silk and elaborately applied with red ribbon wire with shaped gilt-silver filigree motifs covered with kingfisher feathers and embellished with jadeite, tourmaline, pearl, quartz, coral, and other semi-precious stones, some of the motifs including the cranes, flowers and... [Lire la suite]

Lot 6. A gold filigree gemstone-mounted double-gourd hairpin, 18th-19th century; 12.5cm (4 7/8in) long. Sold for HK$ 63,750 (€ 6,775). © Bonhams. The gemstone-embellished terminal formed as a delicately worked double-gourd bordered with two layers of dense ruyi-cloud-scroll filigree, all secured to the tapering shaft finely detailed as a tree trunk extended to a repousse cloud, a filigree ruyi-head and a leaf enclosing a blue gemstone, box. Note: Gold filigree hairpins inset with gemstones such as the present lot was known as zan,... [Lire la suite]

Lot 67. A fine yellow-glazed saucer-dish, Jiajing six-character mark and of the period; 22.2cm (8in) diam. Sold for HK$ 565,000 (€ 59,715). © Bonhams. The shallow rounded sides rising from a short tapered foot, luxuriously covered in a rich egg-yolk-yellow glaze, the base with a six-character kaishu mark in underglaze-blue within a double circle, box. Provenance: Sotheby's London, 11 May 2011, lot 215 A distinguished Asian private collection. Note : Compare two closely related yellow-glazed dishes, Jiajing marks and... [Lire la suite]