23 septembre 2023

Lot 1041. Property from the Collection of Lady Thomson (Judith Bullitt). A cord-marked pottery bottle with two handles, Neolithic period, Yangshao culture, Banpo phase, circa 4800-3600 BC; 34.5 cm high. Price realised USD 8,820 (Estimate USD 3,000 – USD 5,000) © Christie's 2023 Provenance: Lady Thomson (Judith Ogden Bullitt, 1939-2021) Collection, Cambridge, Massachusetts, acquired prior to 1987. Exhibited: On loan: New York, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1987-2023. Lot... [Lire la suite]

Beast of prey, Western Zhou dynasty, ca 1000 BC. Jade; height 2,6 cm, width 6,2 cm. National Gallery of Prague, Vp 2463. Jade was used in ancient China to make not only small figurines, pendants and ornaments but, in the first place, special ritual objects such as the circular bi disk and the elongated cong tube. The magic power of jade was moreover often combined with the symbolic meaning of a certain motif or form. A beast of prey or a tiger was a favorite shape of small carvings produced by members of the ancient warrior... [Lire la suite]

Locust, Western Zhou dynasty, 10th–9th century BC. Jade, height 4 cm, width 2,6 cm. National Gallery of Prague, Vp 2441. Jade was used in ancient China to make not only small figurines, pendants and ornaments but, in the first place, special ritual objects such as the circular bi disk and the elongated cong tube. The magic power of jade was moreover often combined with the symbolic meaning of a certain motif or form. For example, jade plugs, which were put into the mouth of the dead, are often shaped as a locust – symbol of the... [Lire la suite]

Mirror with geometric pattern, Western Zhou dynasty, 11th–10th century BC. Bronze, depth Ø 6 cm. National Gallery of Prague, Vp 1796. The mirror’s physical property of reflecting images seems to be inferior to its magic and ritual roles in ancient China. A bronze mirror interred in a tomb was expected to protect the dead from evil and malignant forces and help guide his or her soul in the afterworld. Decorative motifs and inscriptions on mirrors often reflect cosmological meanings, symbols of the Heaven and Earth and other... [Lire la suite]

Ritual vessel you with birds, Western Zhou dynasty, 10th century BC. Bronze, height 18 cm. National Gallery of Prague, Vp 20. The ritual bronze wares from the Bronze Period (ca 2000–200 BC) that have survived in China in large numbers are unique in use and production technology. They were not made in the so-called lost-wax technique, but were cast in complexly decorated moulds of joint ceramic parts specially produced for each object. At the time the first states were forming in China, these vessels were used for rituals to pay... [Lire la suite]

Ritual vessel jue for serving wine, Shang dynasty, ca 1200 BC. Bronze, height 18 cm. National Gallery of Prague, Vp 2909. The ritual bronze wares from the Bronze Period (ca 2000–200 BC) that have survived in China in large numbers are unique in use and production technology. They were not made in the so-called lost-wax technique, but were cast in complexly decorated moulds of joint ceramic parts specially produced for each object. At the time the first states were forming in China, these vessels were used for rituals to pay respect... [Lire la suite]

Ding - Ritual Vessel, 12th Century B.C. Bronze cast in ceramic mold; height 18 cm, width 17,5 cm, depth 17,5 cm. Collection of Kinsky Palace, National Gallery of Prague, Vp 3138. The ritual bronze wares from the Bronze Period (c. 2000–200 B.C.) that have survived in China in large numbers are unique in use and production technology. They were not made in the so-called lost-wax technique, but were cast in complexly decorated moulds of joint ceramic parts specially produced for each object. At the time the first states were forming... [Lire la suite]

"Hu“ storage jar with motives of spirals, Neolithic age, Yangshao culture, ca 22th–20th century BC. Polychrome paint earthenware, height 40,4 cm. National Gallery of Prague, Vp 415. Storage jar, Neolithic age, Yangshao culture, ca 2600–2300 BC. Polychrome paint earthenware, height 18,4 cm. National Gallery of Prague, Vp 416. Storage jar, Neolithic age, Yangshao culture, 23rd–21st century BC. Polychrome paint earthenware, height 32 cm. National Gallery of Prague, Vp 2611. Urns and vessels decorated with abstract or... [Lire la suite]