Property from The Butler Family Collection sold at Christie's HK, 30.11.2023

25 décembre 2023

Property from The Butler Family Collection sold at Christie's HK, 30.11.2023

Lot 2999. A blue and white ‘Three Friends of Winter’ sleeve vase, Shunzhi period (1644-1661); 47.5 cm high. Price realised HKD 693,000 (Estimate HKD 200,000 – HKD 300,000). © Christie's Images Ltd 2023

The vase is inscribed with a poem illustrated in the scene.

Provenance: The Butler Family Collection, UK.

Literature: Sir M. Butler, ‘The Butler Family collection – Supplement to the 1990 Catalogue', Collections Baur, no. 58, Autumn-Winter 1994, pp. 5-64, pl. 12
J. B. Curtis, Chinese Porcelains of the Seventeenth Century: Landscapes, Scholars' Motifs and Narratives, New York, 1995, pp. 116-117, no. 45
Sir M. Butler and Q. Wang, Seventeenth Century Jingdezhen Porcelain from the Shanghai Museum and the Butler Collections: Beauty's Enchantment, Shanghai, 2006, pp. 136-137, no. 34
T. Canepa and K. Butler, Leaping the Dragon Gate- The Sir Michael Butler Collection of Seventeenth-Century Chinese Porcelain, London, 2021, p. 298, pl. III.3.45a, b.

Exhibited: China Institute Gallery, New York, Chinese Porcelains of the Seventeenth Century: Landscapes, Scholars' Motifs and Narratives, 22 April- 5 August 1995
Shanghai Museum, Seventeenth Century Jingdezhen Porcelain from the Shanghai Museum and the Butler Collections: Beauty's Enchantment, 1 December 2005- 28 February 2006.

Lot 3000. An enameled petal-moulded ‘figural’ dish, Tianqi period (1621-1627); 19.5 cm diam. Price realised HKD 47,880 (Estimate HKD 20,000 – HKD 30,000). © Christie's Images Ltd 2023

Provenance: The Butler Family Collection, UK.

Literature: T. Canepa and K. Butler, Leaping the Dragon Gate- The Sir Michael Butler Collection of Seventeenth-Century Chinese Porcelain, London, 2021, p. 153, pl. III.1.238.

Lot 3001. An enameled ‘insect and plant’ bowl, Tianqi period (1621-1627); 14.7 cm diam. Price realised HKD 27,720 (Estimate HKD 10,000 – HKD 15,000). © Christie's Images Ltd 2023

Provenance: The Butler Family Collection, UK.

Literature: T. Canepa and K. Butler, Leaping the Dragon Gate- The Sir Michael Butler Collection of Seventeenth-Century Chinese Porcelain, London, 2021, p. 152, pl. III.1.232.

Lot 3002. A small blue and white ‘Master of the Rocks’ shallow dish, Shunzhi-Kangxi period (1644-1722); 14.7 cm diam. Price realised HKD 126,000 (Estimate HKD 80,000 – HKD 120,000). © Christie's Images Ltd 2023

Provenance: The Butler Family Collection, UK.

Literature: Sir M. Butler, M. Medley and S. Little, Seventeenth Century Chinese Porcelain from the Butler Family Collection, Alexandria, Virginia, 1990, p. 139, no. 88
T. Canepa and K. Butler, Leaping the Dragon Gate- The Sir Michael Butler Collection of Seventeenth-Century Chinese Porcelain, London, 2021, p. 297, pl. III.3.44a, b

Exhibited: Travelling exhibition to 12 museums in the United States, Seventeenth Century Chinese Porcelain from the Butler Family Collection, 1990.

Lot 3004. An incised white-glazed ‘Flower and insect’ ovoid jar, Shunzhi period (1644-1661); 16 cm high. Price realised HKD 35,280 (Estimate HKD 15,000 – HKD 20,000). © Christie's Images Ltd 2023

Provenance: The Butler Family Collection, UK.

Literature: T. Canepa and K. Butler, Leaping the Dragon Gate- The Sir Michael Butler Collection of Seventeenth-Century Chinese Porcelain, London, 2021, p. 500, pl. III.5.5a, b.

Lot 3005. An enamelled ‘Eagle and pine tree’ foliate dish, Chongzhen period (1628-1644); 14.4 cm diam. Price realised HKD 8,820 (Estimate HKD 6,000 – HKD 8,000). © Christie's Images Ltd 2023

The base is inscribed with a character reading fu, ‘fortune’.

Provenance: The Butler Family Collection, UK.

Literature: Sir M. Butler, M. Medley and S. Little, Seventeenth Century Chinese Porcelain from the Butler Family Collection, Alexandria, Virginia, 1990, p. 70, no. 32
T. Canepa and K. Butler, Leaping the Dragon Gate- The Sir Michael Butler Collection of Seventeenth-Century Chinese Porcelain, London, 2021, p. 157, pl. III.1.277.

Lot 3006. A carved underglaze-blue, copper-red, and celadon-glazed 'landscape' jar, Kangxi period (1662-1722); 34.7 cm high. Price realised HKD 138,600 (Estimate HKD 40,000 – HKD 60,000). © Christie's Images Ltd 2023

Provenance: The Butler Family Collection, UK.

Literature: T. Canepa and K. Butler, Leaping the Dragon Gate- The Sir Michael Butler Collection of Seventeenth-Century Chinese Porcelain, London, 2021, p. 488, pl. III.4.198.

Lot 3007. A blue and white 'landscape' 'phoenix tail' vase, Kangxi period (1662-1722); 39.2 cm high. Price realised HKD 176,400 (Estimate HKD 80,000 – HKD 120,000). © Christie's Images Ltd 2023

Provenance: The Butler Family Collection, UK.

Literature: Sir M. Butler, M. Medley and S. Little, Seventeenth Century Chinese Porcelain from the Butler Family Collection, Alexandria, Virginia, 1990, p. 170, no. 116
T. Canepa and K. Butler, Leaping the Dragon Gate- The Sir Michael Butler Collection of Seventeenth-Century Chinese Porcelain, London, 2021, p. 460, pl. III.4.132.

Exhibited: Travelling exhibition to 12 museums in the United States, Seventeenth Century Chinese Porcelain from the Butler Family Collection, 1990.

Lot 3008. A large blue and white 'Wild geese and landscape' brush pot, Kangxi period (1662-1722); 18.8 cm diam. Price realised HKD 3,024,000 (Estimate HKD 300,000 – HKD 500,000). © Christie's Images Ltd 2023

The brush pot is inscribed with two poems describing each scene, and the base has an apocryphal Chenghua six-character mark.

Provenance: The Butler Family Collection, UK.

Literature: Sir M. Butler, ‘The Butler Family collection – Supplement to the 1990 Catalogue', Collections Baur, no. 58, Autumn-Winter 1994, pp. 5-64, pl. 24
J. B. Curtis, Chinese Porcelains of the Seventeenth Century: Landscapes, Scholars' Motifs and Narratives, New York, 1995, pp. 80-81, no. 24
T. Canepa and K. Butler, Leaping the Dragon Gate- The Sir Michael Butler Collection of Seventeenth-Century Chinese Porcelain, London, 2021, p. 457, pl. III.4.126a-d.

Exhibited: China Institute Gallery, New York, Chinese Porcelains of the Seventeenth Century: Landscapes, Scholars' Motifs and Narratives, 22 April- 5 August 1995.

Lot 3009. An underglaze-blue and enamelled 'Riverscape' deep canted square dish, Chongzhen period (1628-1644); 16.5 cm square. Price realised HKD 20,160 (Estimate HKD 6,000 – HKD 8,000). © Christie's Images Ltd 2023

Provenance: The Butler Family Collection, UK.

Literature: M. Butler, B. Harrisson, and Princessehof Museum, Chinese Porcelain: The Transitional Period 1620-1683: A Selection from the Michael Butler Collection, Leeuwarden, Netherlands, 1986, p. 40, no. 37
T. Canepa and K. Butler, Leaping the Dragon Gate- The Sir Michael Butler Collection of Seventeenth-Century Chinese Porcelain, London, 2021, p. 155, pl. III.1.256.

Exhibited: The Princessehof National Museum of Ceramics, Leeuwarde, Netherlands, Chinese Porcelain: The Transitional Period 1620-1683: A Selection from the Michael Butler Collection, 1986.

Lot 3010. An enamelled 'Mandarin duck' dish, Shunzhi-Kangxi period (1644-1722); 17 cm diam. Price realised HKD 23,940 (Estimate HKD 15,000 – HKD 25,000). © Christie's Images Ltd 2023

Provenance: The Butler Family Collection, UK.

Literature: Sir M. Butler, M. Medley and S. Little, Seventeenth Century Chinese Porcelain from the Butler Family Collection, Alexandria, Virginia, 1990, p. 132, no. 82
T. Canepa and K. Butler, Leaping the Dragon Gate- The Sir Michael Butler Collection of Seventeenth-Century Chinese Porcelain, London, 2021, p. 487, pl. III.4.192.

Exhibited: Travelling exhibition to 12 museums in the United States, Seventeenth Century Chinese Porcelain from the Butler Family Collection, 1990.

Lot 3012. A blue and white ‘Hare and Lingzhi’ dish, Tianqi period (1621-1627); 20.8 cm diam. Price realised HKD 10,710 (Estimate HKD 8,000 – HKD 12,000). © Christie's Images Ltd 2023

Provenance: The Butler Family Collection, UK.

Literature: M. Butler, B. Harrisson, and Princessehof Museum, Chinese Porcelain: The Transitional Period 1620-1683: A Selection from the Michael Butler Collection, Leeuwarden, Netherlands, 1986, p. 29, no. 17
T. Canepa and K. Butler, Leaping the Dragon Gate- The Sir Michael Butler Collection of Seventeenth-Century Chinese Porcelain, London, 2021, p. 150, pl. III.1.201.

Exhibited: The Princessehof National Museum of Ceramics, Leeuwarde, Netherlands, Chinese Porcelain: The Transitional Period 1620-1683: A Selection from the Michael Butler Collection, 1986.

Lot 3013. A blue and white ‘Hare and Trigrams’ octogonal dish, Tianqi period (1621-1627); 20.5 cm diam. Price realised HKD 11,340 (Estimate HKD 7,000 – HKD 10,000). © Christie's Images Ltd 2023

Provenance: The Butler Family Collection, UK.

Literature: M. Butler, B. Harrisson, and Princessehof Museum, Chinese Porcelain: The Transitional Period 1620-1683: A Selection from the Michael Butler Collection, Leeuwarden, Netherlands, 1986, p. 27, no. 14
T. Canepa and K. Butler, Leaping the Dragon Gate- The Sir Michael Butler Collection of Seventeenth-Century Chinese Porcelain, London, 2021, p. 147, pl. III.1.156.

Exhibited: The Princessehof National Museum of Ceramics, Leeuwarde, Netherlands, Chinese Porcelain: The Transitional Period 1620-1683: A Selection from the Michael Butler Collection, 1986.

Lot 3014. A blue and white ‘Scholar and Boy’ dish, Tianqi period (1621-1627); 15 cm diam. Price realised HKD 8,820 (Estimate HKD 5,000 – HKD 8,000). © Christie's Images Ltd 2023

Provenance: The Butler Family Collection, UK.

Literature: T. Canepa and K. Butler, Leaping the Dragon Gate- The Sir Michael Butler Collection of Seventeenth-Century Chinese Porcelain, London, 2021, Pp. 100-101, pl. III.1.54.

Lot 3015. A blue and white ‘Bird and Butterfly’ saucer dish, Tianqi period (1621-1627); 15,5 cm diam. Price realised HKD 30,240 (Estimate HKD 6,000 – HKD 8,000). © Christie's Images Ltd 2023

Provenance: The Butler Family Collection, UK.

Literature: T. Canepa and K. Butler, Leaping the Dragon Gate- The Sir Michael Butler Collection of Seventeenth-Century Chinese Porcelain, London, 2021, p. 147, pl. III.1.161.

Lot 3016. An enamelled ‘Immortal and Cranes’ dish, Chongzhen period (1628-1644); 21 cm diam. Price realised HKD 88,200 (Estimate HKD 30,000 – HKD 50,000). © Christie's Images Ltd 2023

The base is inscribed with a four-character inscription reading tianxia taiping, ‘peace under heaven’.

Provenance: The Butler Family Collection, UK.

Literature: Sir M. Butler, 'Chinese Porcelain at the End of the Ming', Transactions of the Oriental Ceramic Society, 1983- 84, vol. 48, London, 1985, pp. 33-62, pl. 21 (one)
Sir M. Butler, M. Medley and S. Little, Seventeenth Century Chinese Porcelain from the Butler Family Collection, Alexandria, Virginia, 1990, p. 63, no. 25
T. Canepa and K. Butler, Leaping the Dragon Gate- The Sir Michael Butler Collection of Seventeenth-Century Chinese Porcelain, London, 2021, p. 120, pl. III.1.86.

Exhibited: Travelling exhibition to 12 museums in the United States, Seventeenth Century Chinese Porcelain from the Butler Family Collection, 1990.

Lot 3017. An enamelled blue and white ‘Peach and Pomegranate’ dish, Chongzhen period (1628-1644); 12.3 cm diam. Price realised HKD 21,420 (Estimate HKD 6,000 – HKD 8,000). © Christie's Images Ltd 2023

The interior is inscribed with a four-character inscription reading yutang jiaqi, ‘precious vessel for the Jade Hall’.

Provenance: The Butler Family Collection, UK.

Literature: T. Canepa and K. Butler, Leaping the Dragon Gate- The Sir Michael Butler Collection of Seventeenth-Century Chinese Porcelain, London, 2021, p. 154, pl. III.1.253.

Lot 3018. A moulded blue and white ‘Deer and Pine Tree’ chrysanthemum dish, Wanli-Tianqi period (1573-1627); 20.5 cm diam. Price realised HKD 12,600 (Estimate HKD 8,000 – HKD 12,000). © Christie's Images Ltd 2023

Provenance: The Butler Family Collection, UK.

Literature: M. Butler, B. Harrisson, and Princessehof Museum, Chinese Porcelain: The Transitional Period 1620-1683: A Selection from the Michael Butler Collection, Leeuwarden, Netherlands, 1986, p. 21, no. 5
Sir M. Butler, M. Medley and S. Little, Seventeenth Century Chinese Porcelain from the Butler Family Collection, Alexandria, Virginia, 1990, p. 38, no. 2
T. Canepa and K. Butler, Leaping the Dragon Gate- The Sir Michael Butler Collection of Seventeenth-Century Chinese Porcelain, London, 2021, p. 110, pl. III.1.68.

Exhibited: The Princessehof National Museum of Ceramics, Leeuwarde, Netherlands, Chinese Porcelain: The Transitional Period 1620-1683: A Selection from the Michael Butler Collection, 1986
Travelling exhibition to 12 museums in the United States, Seventeenth Century Chinese Porcelain from the Butler Family Collection, 1990.

Lot 3019. A small blue and white ‘Bird and Flower’ baluster vase, Shunzhi period (1644-1661); 15.3 cm high. Price realised HKD 40,320 (Estimate HKD 2,000 – HKD 30,000). © Christie's Images Ltd 2023

Provenance: The Butler Family Collection, UK.

Literature: T. Canepa and K. Butler, Leaping the Dragon Gate- The Sir Michael Butler Collection of Seventeenth-Century Chinese Porcelain, London, 2021, p. 360, pl. III.3.114.

Lot 3020. A small underglaze-blue and copper-red-decorated ‘sanduo’ meiping, Kangxi period (1662-1722); 14 cm high. Price realised HKD 107,100 (Estimate HKD 30,000 – HKD 50,000). © Christie's Images Ltd 2023

The base is inscribed with an apocryphal Jiajing four-character mark.

Provenance: The Butler Family Collection, UK.

Literature: M. Butler, B. Harrisson, and Princessehof Museum, Chinese Porcelain: The Transitional Period 1620-1683: A Selection from the Michael Butler Collection, Leeuwarden, Netherlands, 1986, p. 103, no. 124
T. Canepa and K. Butler, Leaping the Dragon Gate- The Sir Michael Butler Collection of Seventeenth-Century Chinese Porcelain, London, 2021, p. 487, pl. III.4.188.

Exhibited: The Princessehof National Museum of Ceramics, Leeuwarde, Netherlands, Chinese Porcelain: The Transitional Period 1620-1683: A Selection from the Michael Butler Collection, 1986.

Lot 3021. A miniature blue and white ‘Flower and fruit’ baluster vase, Kangxi period (1662-1722); 11.8 cm high. Price realised HKD 60,480 (Estimate HKD 5,000 – HKD 8,000). © Christie's Images Ltd 2023

Provenance: The Butler Family Collection, UK.

Lot 3022. A blue and white ‘Shoulao’ 'garlic-mouth' vase, Kangxi period (1662-1722); 11.8 cm high. Price realised HKD 201,600 (Estimate HKD 80,000 – HKD 120,000). © Christie's Images Ltd 2023

Provenance: The Butler Family Collection, UK.

Literature: T. Canepa and K. Butler, Leaping the Dragon Gate- The Sir Michael Butler Collection of Seventeenth-Century Chinese Porcelain, London, 2021, p. 399, pl. III.4.42a, b.

Lot 3023. An enamelled blue and white ‘figural’ saucer dish, Tianqi period (1621-1627); 16.3 cm diam. Price realised HKD 13,860 (Estimate HKD 6,000 – HKD 8,000). © Christie's Images Ltd 2023

Provenance: The Butler Family Collection, UK.

Literature: T. Canepa and K. Butler, Leaping the Dragon Gate- The Sir Michael Butler Collection of Seventeenth-Century Chinese Porcelain, London, 2021, p. 152, pl. III.1.225.

Lot 3024. A blue and white ‘crane and pine tree’ saucer dish, Tianqi period (1621-1627); 15.8 cm diam. Price realised HKD 7,560 (Estimate HKD 5,000 – HKD 8,000). © Christie's Images Ltd 2023

Provenance: The Butler Family Collection, UK.

Literature: T. Canepa and K. Butler, Leaping the Dragon Gate- The Sir Michael Butler Collection of Seventeenth-Century Chinese Porcelain, London, 2021, p. 147, pl. III.1.160.

Lot 3025. A blue and white ‘flower and bird’ jardinière, Shunzhi period (1644-1661); 23 cm diam. Price realised HKD 504,000 (Estimate HKD 80,000 – HKD 120,000). © Christie's Images Ltd 2023

Provenance: The Butler Family Collection, UK.

Literature: T. Canepa and K. Butler, Leaping the Dragon Gate- The Sir Michael Butler Collection of Seventeenth-Century Chinese Porcelain, London, 2021, p. 302, pl. III.3.49.

Lot 3026. A blue and white ‘geese and reed’ bulbous jar, Shunzhi period (1644-1661); 19.2 cm high. Price realised HKD 163,800 (Estimate HKD 60,000 – HKD 80,000). © Christie's Images Ltd 2023

Provenance: The Butler Family Collection, UK.

Literature: Sir M. Butler, M. Medley and S. Little, Seventeenth Century Chinese Porcelain from the Butler Family Collection, Alexandria, Virginia, 1990, p. 115, no. 68
T. Canepa and K. Butler, Leaping the Dragon Gate- The Sir Michael Butler Collection of Seventeenth-Century Chinese Porcelain, London, 2021, p. 309, pl. III. 3.60.

Exhibited: Travelling exhibition to 12 museums in the United States, Seventeenth Century Chinese Porcelain from the Butler Family Collection, 1990.

Lot 3027. A small blue and white ‘Scholars’ double gourd vase, Chongzhen-Shunzhi period (1628-1661); 18.5 cm high. Price realised HKD 69,300 (Estimate HKD 20,000 – HKD 30,000). © Christie's Images Ltd 2023

Provenance: The Butler Family Collection, UK.

Literature: M. Butler, B. Harrisson, and Princessehof Museum, Chinese Porcelain: The Transitional Period 1620-1683: A Selection from the Michael Butler Collection, Leeuwarden, Netherlands, 1986, p. 65, no. 73
T. Canepa and K. Butler, Leaping the Dragon Gate- The Sir Michael Butler Collection of Seventeenth-Century Chinese Porcelain, London, 2021, p. 251, pl. III.2.89.

Exhibited: The Princessehof National Museum of Ceramics, Leeuwarde, Netherlands, Chinese Porcelain: The Transitional Period 1620-1683: A Selection from the Michael Butler Collection, 1986.

Lot 3028. An enamelled foliate saucer dish, Chongzhen period (1628-1644); 15.2 cm diam. Price realised HKD 32,760 (Estimate HKD 15,000 – HKD 20,000). © Christie's Images Ltd 2023

The base is inscribed with a character reading ya, ‘elegance’.

Provenance: The Butler Family Collection, UK.

Literature: T. Canepa and K. Butler, Leaping the Dragon Gate- The Sir Michael Butler Collection of Seventeenth-Century Chinese Porcelain, London, 2021, p. 156, pl. III.1.269.

Lot 3029. A famille verte 'Romance of the Western Chamber' bowl, Shunzhi period (1644-1661); 16.2 cm diam. Price realised HKD 60,480 (Estimate HKD 30,000 – HKD 50,000). © Christie's Images Ltd 2023

The bowl is inscribed with a poem excerpt from Romance of the Western Chamber, and the base is inscribed with an apocryphal Jiajing six-character mark.

Provenance: The Butler Family Collection, UK.

Literature: T. Canepa and K. Butler, Leaping the Dragon Gate- The Sir Michael Butler Collection of Seventeenth-Century Chinese Porcelain, London, 2021, p. 352, pl. III.3.100.

Lot 3030. A blue and white 'Immortals' ovoid jar, Chongzhen period (1628-1644); 23 cm high. Price realised HKD 201,600 (Estimate HKD 80,000 – HKD 120,000). © Christie's Images Ltd 2023

Provenance: The Butler Family Collection, UK.

Literature: Sir M. Butler, M. Medley and S. Little, Seventeenth Century Chinese Porcelain from the Butler Family Collection, Alexandria, Virginia, 1990, p. 76, no. 35
T. Canepa and K. Butler, Leaping the Dragon Gate- The Sir Michael Butler Collection of Seventeenth-Century Chinese Porcelain, London, 2021, p.187, pl. III.2.15a, b.

Exhibited: Travelling exhibition to 12 museums in the United States, Seventeenth Century Chinese Porcelain from the Butler Family Collection, 1990.

Lot 3031. A blue and white 'Pheasant and Peony' jar, Kangxi six-character mark in underglaze blue and of the period (1662-1722); 21.7 cm high. Price realised HKD 126,000 (Estimate HKD 100,000 – HKD 150,000). © Christie's Images Ltd 2023

Provenance: The Butler Family Collection, UK.

Literature: M. Butler, B. Harrisson, and Princessehof Museum, Chinese Porcelain: The Transitional Period 1620-1683: A Selection from the Michael Butler Collection, Leeuwarden, Netherlands, 1986, p. 92, no. 109
T. Canepa and K. Butler, Leaping the Dragon Gate- The Sir Michael Butler Collection of Seventeenth-Century Chinese Porcelain, London, 2021, p. 397, pl. III.4.40a, b.

Exhibited: The Princessehof National Museum of Ceramics, Leeuwarde, Netherlands, Chinese Porcelain: The Transitional Period 1620-1683: A Selection from the Michael Butler Collection, 1986.

Lot 3032. A blue and white 'Peony' shallow dish, Kangxi period (1662-1722); 21.7 cm high. Price realised HKD 35,280 (Estimate HKD 20,000 – HKD 30,000). © Christie's Images Ltd 2023

Provenance: Henry Knowler Collection, no. 40, according to label
The Butler Family Collection, UK.

Literature: T. Canepa and K. Butler, Leaping the Dragon Gate- The Sir Michael Butler Collection of Seventeenth-Century Chinese Porcelain, London, 2021, p. 487, pl. III.4.184.

Lot 3033. A small blue and white 'butterfly' bowl, Chongzhen period (1628-1644); 12 cm diam. Price realised HKD 22,680 (Estimate HKD 15,000 – HKD 25,000). © Christie's Images Ltd 2023

Provenance: Henry Knowler Collection, no. 40, according to label
The Butler Family Collection, UK.

Literature: M. Butler, B. Harrisson, and Princessehof Museum, Chinese Porcelain: The Transitional Period 1620-1683: A Selection from the Michael Butler Collection, Leeuwarden, Netherlands, 1986, p. 22, no. 6
T. Canepa and K. Butler, Leaping the Dragon Gate- The Sir Michael Butler Collection of Seventeenth-Century Chinese Porcelain, London, 2021, p. 250, pl. III.2.76.

Lot 3034. A small blue and white 'figural' ovoid jar, Chongzhen period (1628-1644); 15.8 cm high. Price realised HKD 151,200 (Estimate HKD 50,000 – HKD 80,000). © Christie's Images Ltd 2023

Provenance: The Butler Family Collection, UK.

Lot 3035. An enamelled 'Shoulao' birthday dish, Shunzhi period (1644-1661); 21 cm diam. Price realised HKD 40,320 (Estimate HKD 20,000 – HKD 30,000). © Christie's Images Ltd 2023

The inscriptions on the interior of the dish is partially effaced and illegible, most likely describing the scene. The base has four characters reading mu fu jia qi (precious vessel for the Mu Family).

Provenance: The Butler Family Collection, UK.

Exhibited: The Princessehof National Museum of Ceramics, Leeuwarde, Netherlands, Chinese Porcelain: The Transitional Period 1620-1683: A Selection from the Michael Butler Collection, 1986.

Lot 3036. A blue and white 'riverscape' saucer dish, Chongzhen period (1628-1644); 9.8 cm diam. Price realised HKD 10,080 (Estimate HKD 6,000 – HKD 9,000). © Christie's Images Ltd 2023

The base is inscribed with an apocryphal Chenghua six-character mark.

Provenance: The Butler Family Collection, UK.

Lot 3037. A blue and white 'figural' waisted vase, Kangxi period (1662-1722); 40.8 cm high. Price realised HKD 201,600 (Estimate HKD 150,000 – HKD 250,000). © Christie's Images Ltd 2023

The base is inscribed with an apocryphal Chenghua six-character mark.

Provenance: The Butler Family Collection, UK.

Literature: Sir M. Butler, M. Medley and S. Little, Seventeenth Century Chinese Porcelain from the Butler Family Collection, Alexandria, Virginia, 1990, pp. 186-187, no. 130
T. Canepa and K. Butler, Leaping the Dragon Gate- The Sir Michael Butler Collection of Seventeenth-Century Chinese Porcelain, London, 2021, p. 393, pl. III.4.35.

Exhibited: Travelling exhibition to 12 museums in the United States, Seventeenth Century Chinese Porcelain from the Butler Family Collection, 1990.

Lot 3038. A blue and white 'figural' ovoid vase, Chongzhen period (1628-1644); 19.7 cm high. Price realised HKD 302,400 (Estimate HKD 60,000 – HKD 80,000). © Christie's Images Ltd 2023

Provenance: Spink & Son Ltd., London, according to label
The Butler Family Collection, UK.

Literature: T. Canepa and K. Butler, Leaping the Dragon Gate- The Sir Michael Butler Collection of Seventeenth-Century Chinese Porcelain, London, 2021, p. 250, pl. III.2.82.

Lot 3039. A carved underglaze-blue, copper-red and celadon-glazed ‘Magnolia and Peony’ jardinière, Kangxi six-character mark in underglaze blue within a double circle and of the period (1662-1722); 20 cm diam. Price realised HKD 378,000 (Estimate HKD 150,000 – HKD 200,000). © Christie's Images Ltd 2023

Provenance: The Butler Family Collection, UK.

Lot 3040. A blue and white square section ‘Ode to the Red Cliff’ vase, Kangxi period (1662-1722); 53 cm high. Price realised HKD 630,000 (Estimate HKD 500,000 – HKD 800,000). © Christie's Images Ltd 2023

Provenance: The Butler Family Collection, UK.

Literature: Sir M. Butler, 'Chinese Porcelain at the Beginning of the Qing,’ Transactions of the Oriental Ceramic Society, 1984-1985, vol. 49, London, 1986, pp. 11-39, pl. 38
T. Canepa and K. Butler, Leaping the Dragon Gate- The Sir Michael Butler Collection of Seventeenth-Century Chinese Porcelain, London, 2021, p. 446, pl. III.4.106.

Note: The present facetted vase has tall tapering sides and is surmounted by a trumpet neck. Two sides are inscribed with the 'Ode to the Red Cliff’ by the Song-dynasty poet, Su Shi (1037-1101). The other two sides are decorated with figures in landscape and riverscape illustrating scenes from the poem. The shoulders are further decorated with floral sprays and the neck with bamboo.

The two long inscriptions to the sides contain the Former Ode to the Red Cliff and the Later Ode to the Red Cliff, both composed by the famous Song Dynasty poet Su Shi (1037-1101). The nine-characters following each long inscription contain the titles of the poems and Su Shi’s other name, Su Zizhan. This subject was very popular during the Kangxi period and appears on a variety of high-quality blue and white wares, including brush pots, square-section vases, large ‘phoenix-tail vases’ and gu-form vases. A very similar 'Red Cliff' square vase is in the Shanghai Museum, illustrated in Kangxi Porcelain Wares, Hong Kong, 1998, pp. 42-43, pl. 31; and another similar vase is illustrated by Julia Curtis, Chinese Porcelains of the Seventeenth Century, New York, 1995, p. 84, no. 26. A nearly identical example with related scenes and inscription was sold at Christie’s Paris, 6 July 2022, lot 184. Another brush pot example with inscriptions only from the 'Second Ode on the Red Cliff’ was sold at Christie’s New York, 23 September 2022, lot 1013.

The Butler Family had another ‘Ode to Red Cliff’ square vase, inscribed with a Kangxi six-character mark and of the period; it was sold at Christie’s Hong Kong as part of its first single-owner collection section, 29 November 2022, lot 2968.

Lot 3041. A small blue and white ‘Flower, birds and lingzhi’ gu-form vase, Chongzhen period (1628-1644); 18.7 cm high. Price realised HKD 69,300 (Estimate HKD 20,000 – HKD 30,000). © Christie's Images Ltd 2023

There is an apocryphal Jiajing six-character mark inscribed below the mouth rim.

Provenance: The Butler Family Collection, UK.

Literature: M. Butler, B. Harrisson, and Princessehof Museum, Chinese Porcelain: The Transitional Period 1620-1683: A Selection from the Michael Butler Collection, Leeuwarden, Netherlands, 1986, p. 77, no. 90
T. Canepa and K. Butler, Leaping the Dragon Gate- The Sir Michael Butler Collection of Seventeenth-Century Chinese Porcelain, London, 2021, p. 536, pl. IV.4a, b.

Exhibited: The Princessehof National Museum of Ceramics, Leeuwarde, Netherlands, Chinese Porcelain: The Transitional Period 1620-1683: A Selection from the Michael Butler Collection, 1986.

Lot 3042. A blue and white ‘Bingji and the buffalo’ double-gourd vase, Chongzhen period (1628-1644); 31.7 cm high. Price realised HKD 239,400 (Estimate HKD 150,000 – HKD 250,000). © Christie's Images Ltd 2023

Provenance: The Butler Family Collection, UK.

Literature: Sir M. Butler, M. Medley and S. Little, Seventeenth Century Chinese Porcelain from the Butler Family Collection, Alexandria, Virginia, 1990, p. 80, no. 39
T. Canepa and K. Butler, Leaping the Dragon Gate- The Sir Michael Butler Collection of Seventeenth-Century Chinese Porcelain, London, 2021, p. 236, pl. III.2.65.

Exhibited: Travelling exhibition to 12 museums in the United States, Seventeenth Century Chinese Porcelain from the Butler Family Collection, 1990.

Lot 3043. A small blue and white ‘Butterfly and flower’ condiment pot, Ming dynasty, 17th century; 7 cm diam. Price realised HKD 75,600 (Estimate HKD 30,000 – HKD 50,000). © Christie's Images Ltd 2023

The flat mouth rim is inscribed with a four-character inscription reading wuwei tiaohe, ‘harmonizing the five flavours’.

Provenance: The Butler Family Collection, UK.

Literature: Sir M. Butler, M. Medley and S. Little, Seventeenth Century Chinese Porcelain from the Butler Family Collection, Alexandria, Virginia, 1990, p. 40, no. 4
T. Canepa and K. Butler, Leaping the Dragon Gate- The Sir Michael Butler Collection of Seventeenth-Century Chinese Porcelain, London, 2021, p. 145, pl. III.1.142.

Exhibited: Travelling exhibition to 12 museums in the United States, Seventeenth Century Chinese Porcelain from the Butler Family Collection, 1990.

Lot 3044. A wucai ‘Eight Immortals’ jar, Shunzhi period (1644-1661); 18 cm high. Price realised HKD 81,900 (Estimate HKD 60,000 – HKD 100,000). © Christie's Images Ltd 2023

Provenance: The Butler Family Collection, UK.

Literature: M. Butler, B. Harrisson, and Princessehof Museum, Chinese Porcelain: The Transitional Period 1620-1683: A Selection from the Michael Butler Collection, Leeuwarden, Netherlands, 1986, p.45, no. 45
T. Canepa and K. Butler, Leaping the Dragon Gate- The Sir Michael Butler Collection of Seventeenth-Century Chinese Porcelain, London, 2021, p. 363, pl. III.3.136.

Exhibited: The Princessehof National Museum of Ceramics, Leeuwarde, Netherlands, Chinese Porcelain: The Transitional Period 1620-1683: A Selection from the Michael Butler Collection, 1986.

Lot 3045. A superb large blue and white ‘landscape’ gu-form vase, Kangxi period (1662-1722); 50.8 cm high. Price realised HKD 352,800 (Estimate HKD 150,000 – HKD 200,000). © Christie's Images Ltd 2023

Provenance: The Butler Family Collection, UK.

Literature: M. Butler, B. Harrisson, and Princessehof Museum, Chinese Porcelain: The Transitional Period 1620-1683: A Selection from the Michael Butler Collection, Leeuwarden, Netherlands, 1986, p. 88, no. 104
Sir M. Butler, 'Chinese Porcelain at the Beginning of the Qing,’ Transactions of the Oriental Ceramic Society, 1984-1985, vol. 49, London, 1986, pp. 11-39, pl. 27
J. B. Curtis, Chinese Porcelains of the Seventeenth Century: Landscapes, Scholars' Motifs and Narratives, New York, 1995, pp. 64-65, no. 14
Sir M. Butler and Q. Wang, Seventeenth Century Jingdezhen Porcelain from the Shanghai Museum and the Butler Collections: Beauty's Enchantment, Shanghai, 2006, pp. 160-161 , no. 46
T. Canepa and K. Butler, Leaping the Dragon Gate- The Sir Michael Butler Collection of Seventeenth-Century Chinese Porcelain, London, 2021, p. 486, pl. III.4.176.

Exhibited: The Princessehof National Museum of Ceramics, Leeuwarde, Netherlands, Chinese Porcelain: The Transitional Period 1620-1683: A Selection from the Michael Butler Collection, 1986
China Institute Gallery, New York, Chinese Porcelains of the Seventeenth Century: Landscapes, Scholars' Motifs and Narratives, 22 April- 5 August 1995
Shanghai Museum, Seventeenth Century Jingdezhen Porcelain from the Shanghai Museum and the Butler Collections: Beauty's Enchantment, 1 December 2005- 28 February 2006.

Lot 3046. A rare blue and white 'Master of the Rocks' 'landscape' dish, Kangxi period (1662-1722); 32.5 cm diam. Price realised HKD 302,400 (Estimate HKD 150,000 – HKD 200,000). © Christie's Images Ltd 2023

Provenance: The Butler Family Collection, UK.

Literature: M. Butler, B. Harrisson, and Princessehof Museum, Chinese Porcelain: The Transitional Period 1620-1683: A Selection from the Michael Butler Collection, Leeuwarden, Netherlands, 1986, p. 88, no. 105
Sir M. Butler, 'Chinese Porcelain at the Beginning of the Qing,’ Transactions of the Oriental Ceramic Society, 1984-1985, vol. 49, London, 1986, pp. 11-39, pl. 29
Sir M. Butler, M. Medley and S. Little, Seventeenth Century Chinese Porcelain from the Butler Family Collection, Alexandria, Virginia, 1990, p. 137, no. 86
T. Canepa and K. Butler, Leaping the Dragon Gate- The Sir Michael Butler Collection of Seventeenth-Century Chinese Porcelain, London, 2021, p. 407, pl. III.4.56a, b.

Exhibited: The Princessehof National Museum of Ceramics, Leeuwarde, Netherlands, Chinese Porcelain: The Transitional Period 1620-1683: A Selection from the Michael Butler Collection, 1986
Travelling exhibition to 12 museums in the United States, Seventeenth Century Chinese Porcelain from the Butler Family Collection, 1990.

Lot 3047. A rare blue and white 'Master of the Rocks' 'landscape' cylindrical brush pot, Kangxi period (1662-1722); 17.8 cm diam. Price realised HKD 1,260,000 (Estimate HKD 400,000 – HKD 600,000). © Christie's Images Ltd 2023

Provenance: The Butler Family Collection, UK.

Literature: Sir M. Butler, ‘The Butler Family collection – Supplement to the 1990 Catalogue', Collections Baur, no. 58, Autumn-Winter 1994, pp. 5-64, pl. 15
J. B. Curtis, Chinese Porcelains of the Seventeenth Century: Landscapes, Scholars' Motifs and Narratives, New York, 1995, pp. 72-73, no. 19
T. Canepa and K. Butler, Leaping the Dragon Gate- The Sir Michael Butler Collection of Seventeenth-Century Chinese Porcelain, London, 2021, p. 414, pl. III.4.63a, b.

Exhibited: China Institute Gallery, New York, Chinese Porcelains of the Seventeenth Century: Landscapes, Scholars' Motifs and Narratives, 22 April- 5 August 1995.

Lot 3048. A rare large blue and white 'flower basket' basin, Tianqi six-character mark in underglaze blue within a double circle and of the period (1621-1627); 32.7 cm diam. Price realised HKD 693,000 (Estimate HKD 150,000 – HKD 250,000). © Christie's Images Ltd 2023

Provenance: The Butler Family Collection, UK.

Literature: Sir M. Butler, M. Medley and S. Little, Seventeenth Century Chinese Porcelain from the Butler Family Collection, Alexandria, Virginia, 1990, pp. 40-41, no. 5
Sir M. Butler and Q. Wang, Seventeenth Century Jingdezhen Porcelain from the Shanghai Museum and the Butler Collections: Beauty's Enchantment, Shanghai, 2006, pp. 66-67, no. 3
T. Canepa and K. Butler, Leaping the Dragon Gate- The Sir Michael Butler Collection of Seventeenth-Century Chinese Porcelain, London, 2021, p. 88, pl. III.1.35.

Exhibited: Travelling exhibition to 12 museums in the United States, Seventeenth Century Chinese Porcelain from the Butler Family Collection, 1990
Shanghai Museum, Seventeenth Century Jingdezhen Porcelain from the Shanghai Museum and the Butler Collections: Beauty's Enchantment, 1 December 2005- 28 February 2006.

Lot 3049. A blue and white 'Buddhist lion' shallow bowl, Shunzhi period (1644-1661); 16.3 cm diam. Price realised HKD 693,000 (Estimate HKD 150,000 – HKD 250,000). © Christie's Images Ltd 2023

The base is inscribed with an apocryphal Jiajing six-character mark.

Provenance: The Butler Family Collection, UK.

Literature: Sir M. Butler, M. Medley and S. Little, Seventeenth Century Chinese Porcelain from the Butler Family Collection, Alexandria, Virginia, 1990, p. 118, no. 70
T. Canepa and K. Butler, Leaping the Dragon Gate- The Sir Michael Butler Collection of Seventeenth-Century Chinese Porcelain, London, 2021, p. 360, pl. III.3.107.

Exhibited: Travelling exhibition to 12 museums in the United States, Seventeenth Century Chinese Porcelain from the Butler Family Collection, 1990.

Lot 3050. A small blue and white 'Geese and lotus' vase, Shunzhi period (1644-1661); 15.5 cm high. Price realised HKD 100,800 (Estimate HKD 40,000 – HKD 60,000). © Christie's Images Ltd 2023

Provenance: The Butler Family Collection, UK.

Literature: M. Butler, B. Harrisson, and Princessehof Museum, Chinese Porcelain: The Transitional Period 1620-1683: A Selection from the Michael Butler Collection, Leeuwarden, Netherlands, 1986, p. 74, no. 86
T. Canepa and K. Butler, Leaping the Dragon Gate- The Sir Michael Butler Collection of Seventeenth-Century Chinese Porcelain, London, 2021, p. 309, pl. III.3.59.

Exhibited: The Princessehof National Museum of Ceramics, Leeuwarde, Netherlands, Chinese Porcelain: The Transitional Period 1620-1683: A Selection from the Michael Butler Collection, 1986.

Lot 3051. A rare gilt-decorated famille verte 'Water Margin' dish, Kangxi six-character mark in underglaze blue within a double circle and of the period (1662-1722); 32.8 cm diam. Price realised HKD 302,400 (Estimate HKD 200,000 – HKD 300,000). © Christie's Images Ltd 2023

Provenance: The Butler Family Collection, UK.

Literature: M. Butler, B. Harrisson, and Princessehof Museum, Chinese Porcelain: The Transitional Period 1620-1683: A Selection from the Michael Butler Collection, Leeuwarden, Netherlands, 1986, p. 97, no. 115
Sir M. Butler, 'Chinese Porcelain at the Beginning of the Qing,’ Transactions of the Oriental Ceramic Society, 1984-1985, vol. 49, London, 1986, pp. 11-39, pl. 34
Sir M. Butler, M. Medley and S. Little, Seventeenth Century Chinese Porcelain from the Butler Family Collection, Alexandria, Virginia, 1990, p. 182, no. 126
T. Canepa and K. Butler, Leaping the Dragon Gate- The Sir Michael Butler Collection of Seventeenth-Century Chinese Porcelain, London, 2021, p. 435, pl. III.4.90.

Exhibited: The Princessehof National Museum of Ceramics, Leeuwarde, Netherlands, Chinese Porcelain: The Transitional Period 1620-1683: A Selection from the Michael Butler Collection, 1986
Travelling exhibition to 12 museums in the United States, Seventeenth Century Chinese Porcelain from the Butler Family Collection, 1990.

Lot 3052. A wucai 'Phoenix and Peony' baluster vase, Shunzhi period (1644-1661); 31 cm high. Price realised HKD 119,700 (Estimate HKD 70,000 – HKD 100,000). © Christie's Images Ltd 2023

Provenance: The Butler Family Collection, UK.

Literature: Sir M. Butler, M. Medley and S. Little, Seventeenth Century Chinese Porcelain from the Butler Family Collection, Alexandria, Virginia, 1990, p. 107, no. 60
Sir M. Butler and Q. Wang, Seventeenth Century Jingdezhen Porcelain from the Shanghai Museum and the Butler Collections: Beauty's Enchantment, Shanghai, 2006, pp. 344-345, no. 132
T. Canepa and K. Butler, Leaping the Dragon Gate- The Sir Michael Butler Collection of Seventeenth-Century Chinese Porcelain, London, 2021, p. 346, pl. III.3.94.