29 novembre 2022

 “L’or est la chose la plus précieuse dans le monde entier, car il est immortel et ne se décompose jamais. Les alchimistes le mangent et bénéficient de la longévité”.Wei Boyang, alchimiste, dynastie Han de l’Est (206 avant notre ère -220) Depuis les premiers témoignages de son utilisation au Ve millénaire avant notre ère, l’or fascine et émerveille dans le monde entier. En Chine, l’or est rarement utilisé avant les Han, réservé principalement à la décoration d’autres matériaux, comme le bronze, ou pour réaliser de petits... [Lire la suite]

Lot 132. A miniature white jade figure of a phoenix, Ming dynasty (1368-1644); 3.1 cm. Lot sold: 75,600 HKD (Estimate: 30,000 - 50,000 HKD). © Sotheby's 2022 depicted in flight with its head held high and wings outstretched, its plumage well detailed and finely carved, the translucent stone of an even celadon-tinged white tone with russet inclusions. Provenance: Chung Wah Pui, Hong Kong, 6th July 1993. Literature: Jessica Rawson, Chinese Jade from the Neolithic to the... [Lire la suite]

Lot 131. A large huanghuali 'mallow' brushpot, 17th century; d. 25.5 cm, h. 21.6 cm. Lot sold: 1,260,000 HKD (Estimate: 200,000 - 300,000  HKD). © Sotheby's 2022 carved in the form of a blossoming mallow flower with eight partially overlapping petals, the exterior further decorated in relief with prunus, begonia, magnolia and orchid, set in a continuous garden scene with craggy rockwork, the wood of an attractive chestnut-brown tone. Provenance: Eastern Pacific Co. (Hei Hung-Lu),... [Lire la suite]

Lot 130. A carved lapis lazuli boulder, Qing dynasty, Qianlong period (1736-1795); 12.3 cm, overall 15.1 cm. Lot sold: 1,512,000 HKD (Estimate: 300,000 - 400,000  HKD). © Sotheby's 2022 skilfully carved with a mountainous setting, the idyllic scene featured a secluded pavilion amongst jagged rockwork and gnarled trees, the stone of a rich blue colour accentuated with streaks of gold flecks and milky-white inclusions, with a boxwood stand carved in the form of a rockwork issuing entwined pine... [Lire la suite]

Lot 129. A huanghuali side table, pingtou'an, 17th century; 95.8 by 42.7 by h. 83.4 cm. Lot sold: 1,134,000 HKD (Estimate: 600,000 - 800,000  HKD). © Sotheby's 2022 the rectangular top secured within a mitred frame with moulded edges, supported on paired recessed legs of circular section secured by parallel stretchers and cut to house the shaped spandrelled apron, the wood of an attractive reddish-brown tone. Provenance: Collection of George N. Kates... [Lire la suite]

Lot 128. A white and russet jade 'bird' pebble, Song - Ming dynasty (960-1644); 6.3 cm. Lot sold: 378,000 HKD (Estimate: 300,000 - 500,000 HKD). © Sotheby's 2022 portrayed with its head turned backwards and two-clawed feet tucked underneath its body, depicted with a hooked beak and a bifurcated tail issuing from the mouth of another small animal, its stylised wings detailed with incised plumage and archaistic scrolls, pierced with an aperture. Provenance: Collection of Robert... [Lire la suite]

Lot 127. A reticulated white jade 'dragon' plaque, Ming dynasty (1368-1644); 5.8 by 7 cm. Lot sold: 94,500 HKD (Estimate: 30,000 - 50,000 HKD). © Sotheby's 2022 the rectangular plaque rendered with cusped corners, reticulated with a four-clawed dragon shown in frontal view, clutching a pearl and writhing against a ground of scrolling tendrils issuing lingzhi, its body detailed with cross-hatching. Provenance: Pin Chen Tang, Hong Kong, 18th February 1993. Literature: Jessica... [Lire la suite]

  Agnolo Bronzino (Florence 1503-72), Portrait of A Man, Facing Left, With A Quill and a Sheet of Paper, ca. 1527. Estimate $3 million and $5 million. Courtesy Sotheby's NEW YORK – A restituted portrait by the Italian Renaissance artist Bronzino will come to auction next year. Expected to fetch a price between $3 million and $5 million, the work will be offered during an Old Masters sale at Sotheby’s in New York that is scheduled to take place in January 2023. The ca. 1527 painting was restituted... [Lire la suite]