Lot 30. Property from the Ezekiel Collection. A small carved cinnabar lacquer box and cover, Ming dynasty, 16th century. Diameter 6.8 cm. Lot Sold 7,560 GBP (Estimate 3,000 - 5,000 GBP). © Sotheby's

of circular form, the domed cover carved in varying levels of relief with three children at play framed by jagged rockwork and gnarled pine trees, the box similarly decorated, the interiors lacquered brown.

Provenance: Property of the late F. A. Richards.
Sotheby's London, 14th April 1964, lot 331.
Collection of Victor Ezekiel (1905-1976).

Lot 31. Property from the Ezekiel Collection. A carved cinnabar lacquer 'lotus' box and cover, Ming dynasty, 16th century. Diameter 8.6 cm. Lot Sold 21,420 GBP (Estimate 4,000 - 6,000 GBP). © Sotheby's

the domed cover finely carved in relief with a pair of mandarin ducks amidst large lotus leaves, the box similarly decorated, the interiors lacquered black.

Provenance: Collection of Miss A. C. Kemp.
Sotheby's London, 7th May 1963, lot 86.
John Sparks Ltd., London.
Collection of Victor Ezekiel (1905-1976).

Lot 32. Property from the Ezekiel Collection. A carved cinnabar lacquer 'dragon' box and cover, Qing dynasty, Qianlong period (1736-1795). Diameter 19 cm. Lot Sold 21,420 GBP (Estimate 15,000 - 20,000 GBP). © Sotheby's

the top of the domed cover deeply and finely carved with a central ferocious five-clawed dragon with its powerful scaly body writhing around a 'flaming pearl', encircled by four dragons striding in a similar pursuit, all reserved on a dense ground of crashing waves and flames, the base similarly decorated, the interiors lacquered black.

Provenance: Sotheby's London, 6th November 1962, lot 72.
Bluett & Sons Ltd., London.
Collection of Percy D. Krolik.
Sotheby's London, 24th February 1970, Lot 87.
Collection of Victor Ezekiel (1905-1976).

Lot 33. Property from the Ezekiel Collection. A carved polychrome lacquer box and cover, Japan, 19th century. Diameter 9.7 cm. Lot Sold 26,460 GBP (Estimate 4,000 - 6,000 GBP). © Sotheby's

carved to the cover in cinnabar and green lacquer with a large chrysanthemum blossom borne on a leafy stem issuing smaller floral buds, the box similarly decorated, all against a yellow ground.

Provenance: Collection of Mrs Walter Sedgwick (1883-1967).
Sotheby's London, 15th October 1968, lot 41.
Collection of Victor Ezekiel (1905-1976).

Lot 35. Property from the Ezekiel Collection. A very rare Yixing brushrest, Qing dynasty, Kangxi period (1662-1722). Length 11.5 cm. Lot Sold 741,000 GBP (Estimate 10,000 - 15,000 GBP). © Sotheby's

superbly modelled as a gnarled prunus branch issuing small blossoms, detailed with knots of varying sizes, the base with an impressed seal mark reading Chen Ciwei, matched with a similarly carved zitan stand.

Provenance: Collection of Sir Percival David (1892-1964).
Sotheby's London, 30th June 1964, lot 62.
Collection of Victor Ezekiel (1905-1976).

Literature: Geoffrey Hedley, 'Yi-Hsing Ware', Transaction of the Oriental Ceramic Society, vol. 14, 1936-37, pl. 36a.

Exhibited: International Exhibition of Chinese Art, Royal Academy of Art, London, 1935-36, cat. no. 1885.
The Ceramic Art of China, Oriental Ceramic Society, London, 1971, cat. no. 189.
China Without Dragons, Oriental Ceramic Society, London, 2016, cat. no. 12.

Note: Brush rests such as this superbly modelled, gnarled prunus branch sprouting small blossoms were a speciality of one of the most famous Yixing potters, Chen Mingyuan, who was active during much of the Kangxi period. Chen Mingyuan used many artist's names and Geoffrey Hedley suggests 'Chen Ciwei', whose seal is found here, was one of them, see Geoffrey Hedley, 'Yi-hsing Ware', in Transactions of the Oriental Ceramic Society, vol. 14, 1936-1937, p. 79. Given the outstanding artistry of the present piece, the fact that it is  accompanied by a high-quality zitan stand, and particularly its similarity to brush rests definitely attributable to Chen Mingyuan, this seems most likely. The seal of Chen Ciwei is also found on other high-quality Yixing pieces, but no potter of that name appears to be expressly recorded. Compare, for instance, with brush rests of similar shape and design, illustrated in Themes and Variations: The Zisha Pottery of Chen Mingyuan, Art Museum, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 1997, cat. no. 31, and figs. 1-6, and further examples published in K. S. Lo, The Stonewares of Yixing from the Ming Period to the Present Day, Hong Kong, 1986, pl. 141, and for a cup with the same 'Chen Ciwei' seal, see ibid., pl. 166.

Lot 36. Property from the Ezekiel Collection. An archaistic white jade scabbard slide, Qing dynasty, 18th century. Length 10.1 cm. Lot Sold 4,410 GBP (Estimate 3,000 - 4,000 GBP). © Sotheby's

of rectangular form, carved to the top with a stylised beast mask and a dense ground of scrolls, the white stone with russet inclusions.

Provenance: Presumably Louis Joseph, late 1961/early 1962 (J/94).
Collection of Victor Ezekiel (1905-1976).

Lot 37. Property from the Ezekiel Collection. An archaistic white jade scabbard slide, Qing dynasty, 18th century. Length 9.8 cm. Lot Sold 3,150 GBP (Estimate 2,000 - 3,000 GBP). © Sotheby's

carved to the top in high relief with two confronting sinuous chilong, the stone a variegated celadon and russet-brown tone.

Provenance: Presumably Louis Joseph, 10th April 1970 (J/145).
Collection of Victor Ezekiel (1905-1976).

Lot 38. Property from the Ezekiel Collection. An archaistic celadon and russet jade scabbard slide, Probably Song dynasty. Length 8 cm. Lot Sold 6,300 GBP (Estimate 3,000 - 5,000 GBP). © Sotheby's

the rectangular body carved in high relief with a pair of opposing chilong, all reserved on a low relief ruyi scroll ground, the stone of celadon and russet tone.

Provenance: Presumably Louis Joseph, late 1961 (J/91).
Collection of Victor Ezekiel (1905-1976).

Lot 39. Property from the Ezekiel Collection. A rare large white jade 'dragon and phoenix' disc, bi, Probably Song dynasty. Diameter 13.8 cm. Lot Sold 252,000 GBP (Estimate 15,000 - 20,000 GBP). © Sotheby's

the large disc finely carved and pierced in high relief with a dragon crawling from the underside carved with rows of bosses through the central aperture to the top surface encircled by three chilong and a phoenix, the stone a very pale celadon-white tone.

Provenance: Property of Mrs Younger.
Sotheby's London, 9th June 1959, lot 174.
Collection of Victor Ezekiel (1905-1976).

Exhibited: Chinese Jade Throughout the Ages, Oriental Ceramic Society, London, 1975, cat. no. 390.

Lot 40. Property from the Ezekiel Collection. A small celadon and grey jade 'chilong' cover, Song - Yuan dynasty (960-1368). Length 5.2 cm. Lot Sold 2,520 GBP (Estimate 2,000 - 3,000 GBP). © Sotheby's

of slightly domed oval form, the top carved and pierced in high relief using the contrasting colour of the stone with a sinuous chilong, the stone a cream tone with brownish-grey inclusions.

Provenance: Collection of Victor Ezekiel (1905-1976).

Lot 41. Property from the Ezekiel Collection. An archaistic white jade 'chilong' libation cup, 17th-18th century. Length 10.5 cm. Lot Sold 27,720 GBP (Estimate 5,000 - 7,000 GBP). © Sotheby's

the oval body rising from a corresponding short spreading foot, carved to one end with a spout and to the other end with a high relief chilong forming the handle, further carved in high relief to the side of the vessel with a chilong looking into the vessel, the stone of creamy-white tone with dark inclusions.

Exhibited: Chinese Jade Throughout the Ages, Oriental Ceramic Society, London, 1975, cat. no. 327.

Lot 42. Property from the Ezekiel Collection. A white jade belt buckle, Qing dynasty, 18th century. Overall length 11.8 cm. Lot Sold 13,860 GBP (Estimate 4,000 - 6,000 GBP). © Sotheby's

each section carved and pierced as a tightly coiled interlaced dragon with a bat at each end, one half of the buckle terminating in a dragon-head hook, the other with an accommodating oval aperture, the stone of an even white tone.

Provenance: Collection of George de Menasce (1890-1967).
Sotheby's London, 9th June 1959, lot 174.
Collection of Victor Ezekiel (1905-1976).

Exhibited: The George Menasce Collection, Part II, Spink & Son Ltd., London, 1972, cat. no. 323.
Chinese Jade Throughout the Ages, Oriental Ceramic Society, London, 1975, cat. no. 469.

Lot 43. Property from the Ezekiel Collection. A spinach-green jade rhyton and cover, Qing dynasty, 18th-19th century. Height 15.5 cm. Lot Sold 11,340 GBP (Estimate 3,000 - 5,000 GBP). © Sotheby's

the deep flattened U-shaped body issuing from the Makara head, the body swept up the side of the vessel forming the handle, carved in high relief around the exterior with four chilong reserved on a scroll ground, the domed cover surmounted by a chilong finial, the stone a dark olive-green tone suffused with dark green flecks.

Provenance: Presumably William Clayton, 1st May 1963 (CL/106).
Collection of Victor Ezekiel (1905-1976).

Lot 44. Property from the Ezekiel Collection. An archaistic white jade libation cup, Qing dynasty, 18th century. Height 10.5 cm. Lot Sold 44,100 GBP (Estimate 6,000 - 8,000 GBP). © Sotheby's

of rectangular section, the deep flattened U-shaped body rising from a short stepped foot and carved to the middle with a low relief archaistic C-scroll band, the rim carved to one side with high relief chilong amidst billowing cloud scrolls climbing up to the spout and to the other with a chilong forming the handle, the stone of pale celadon tone with scattered russet inclusions.

Provenance: Collection of S. Howard Hansford (1899-1973).
Sotheby's London, 28th April 1953, lot 99.
Sotheby's London, 11th February 1958, lot 92
Louis Joseph, 19th February 1958.
Collection of Victor Ezekiel (1905-1976).

Lot 45. Property from the Ezekiel Collection. A yellow jade 'dragon' pendant, 17th-18th century. Length 6 cm. Lot Sold 2,520 GBP (Estimate 2,000 - 3,000 GBP). © Sotheby's

of rectangular form, carved and pierced as a stylised recumbent dragon, the stone a greenish-yellow tone with russet inclusions.

Provenance: Possibly Louis Joseph, late 1961/early 1962 (J/93).
Collection of Victor Ezekiel (1905-1976).

Lot 46. Property from the Ezekiel Collection. A yellow jade 'dragon' pendant, Qing dynasty, 18th century. Length 5 cm. Lot Sold 4,788 GBP (Estimate 3,000 - 4,000 GBP). © Sotheby's

carved and pierced as a coiled dragon with a long curled tail, each side detailed with incisions depicting the snout and tail, the stone of yellowish-green tone with russet markings.

Provenance: Collection of George de Menasce (1890-1967).
Spink & Son Ltd., London, May 1972.
Collection of Victor Ezekiel (1905-1976).

Exhibited: The George Menasce Collection, Part II, Spink & Son Ltd., London, 1972, cat. no. 318.

Lot 47. Property from the Ezekiel Collection. A large reticulated white jade 'dragon' plaque, Qing dynasty, Qianlong period (1736-1795). Diameter 14.3 cm. Lot Sold 37,800 GBP (Estimate 8,000 - 12,000 GBP). © Sotheby's

the circular domed plaque finely carved and pierced with a large full face scaly dragon chasing a pearl, encircled by four sinuous chilong writhing amidst dense lotus scrolls, the stone a pale celadon-white tone, wood stand.

Provenance: Collection of Mrs Amber Blanco White.
Sotheby's London, 20th February 1962, lot 340.
Collection of Victor Ezekiel (1905-1976).

Exhibited: Chinese Jade Throughout the Ages, Oriental Ceramic Society, London, 1975, cat. no. 407.

Lot 48. Property from the Ezekiel Collection. A pair of white jade saucer dishes, Seal marks and period of Jiaqing (1796-1820). Diameters 14.5 cm. Lot Sold 100,800 GBP (Estimate 15,000 - 20,000 GBP). © Sotheby's

each carved with low rounded sides rising to a gently flared rim, the base incised with the four-character mark, the stone a very pale celadon-white tone.

Provenance: Sotheby's London, 24th July 1968, lot 329.
William Clayton, London.
Collection of Victor Ezekiel (1905-1976).

Exhibited: Chinese Jade Throughout the Ages, Oriental Ceramic Society, London, 1975, cat. no. 437.

Lot 51. Property from the Ezekiel Collection. A rare large celadon jade carving of a crab, Qing dynasty, 18th century. Length 19.6 cm. Lot Sold 22,680 GBP (Estimate 10,000 - 15,000 GBP). © Sotheby's

naturalistically carved crouching with long bent legs, the carapace detailed with small eyes, bumps and ridged edges, the large pincers grasping a long stalk of millet, the smoothly polished stone an even celadon colour, fitted wood stand.

Provenance: Sotheby's London, 7th June 1957, lot 77.
Collection of Victor Ezekiel (1905-1976).

Exhibited: The Animal in Chinese Art, Oriental Ceramic Society, London, 1968, cat. no. 525.
Chinese Jade Throughout the Ages, Oriental Ceramic Society, London, 1975, cat. no. 404.

Lot 55. Property from the Ezekiel Collection. A white jade 'mythical beast' waterpot, Probably Song dynasty (960-1279). Length 10 cm. Lot Sold 8,190 GBP (Estimate 4,000 - 6,000 GBP). © Sotheby's

the fabulous animal depicted recumbent with its legs tucked underneath the rotund body and its head turned to the back, with large round eyes below bushy eyebrows, the body hollowed with an orifice in the back, the stone a white tone suffused with dark speckles.

Provenance: Collection of H.R.N. Norton (d. 1961/1962).
Sotheby's London, November 5th 1963, lot 111.
John Sparks Ltd., London, 9th December 1963.
Collection of Victor Ezekiel (1905-1976).

Exhibited: Chinese Jade Throughout the Ages, Oriental Ceramic Society, London, 1975, cat. no. 184 (dated as Six Dynasties or later).

Lot 56. Property from the Ezekiel Collection. A pale celadon jade figure of a boy, Qing dynasty, 18th century. Height of the figure 7.1 cm. Lot Sold 8,190 GBP (Estimate 3,000 - 5,000 GBP). © Sotheby's

carved standing, wearing a tunic, his head turned sharply to the left, the stone a very pale celadon-white tone, black marble base.

Provenance: Christie's London, 21st November 1967, lot 54 (part lot).
Collection of Victor Ezekiel (1905-1976).

Lot 57. Property from the Ezekiel Collection. A pale celadon jade figure of a recumbent horse, Late Ming dynasty. Length 6.3 cm. Lot Sold 2,520 GBP (Estimate 1,500 - 2,000 GBP). © Sotheby's

with legs neatly tucked under the body and the head turned back sharply over the back, the stone a celadon tone with white mottling and faint caramel veining.

Provenance: Presumably Louis Joseph, late 1960s (J/83).
Collection of Victor Ezekiel (1905-1976).

Lot 60. Property from the Ezekiel Collection. A pale celadon jade 'scholars garden' group, Qing dynasty, 18th century. Length 10 cm. Lot Sold 20,160 GBP (Estimate 10,000 - 15,000 GBP). © Sotheby's

carved and pierced in high relief with a scholar seated on rockwork wearing a long robe, to his side sits a simple stone bench beneath craggy rocks issuing branches of fir, the stone of very pale celadon tone.

Provenance: Collection of G. H. Whigham.
Sotheby's London, 13th May 1958, lot 135.
Collection of Victor Ezekiel (1905-1976).

Sotheby's. Important Chinese Art, London, 3 November 2021