Chine, Objets de lettrés / Treasures of the Chinese Scholar

Lot 3005. A superbly carved bamboo-root 'Pine tree' waterpot, attributed to Zhu He, Jiading School, Late Ming dynasty, l. 6.5 cm, 2 1/2  in. Estimate 400,000 — 600,000 HKD. Lot sold 1,625,000 HKD. Photo: Sotheby's. delicately carved as a hollowed-out trunk section of a burled pine tree, the exterior further well rendered in openwork with gnarled branches bearing clusters of pine needles, the stippled grained surface of a dark reddish-brown colour, wood stand. Provenance: Bluett... [Lire la suite]

Lot 3007. An outstanding and extremely rare inscribed 'shanmu' 'dragon' raft, signed Meigen, Qing dynasty, Guangxu period (1875-1908), 31.7 cm, 12 1/2  in. Estimate 2,000,000 — 3,000,000 HKD. Lot sold 2,500,000 HKD. Photo: Sotheby's. the natural branch oriented horizontally to resemble a log raft with protrusions extending upwards, one side carved with a two-character inscription reading long cha ('dragon raft') followed by Jilou ('Odds and Ends Studio'), the reverse densely carved with a... [Lire la suite]

Lot 3704. A finely carved rhinoceros horn 'Lotus leaf' libation cup, 17th century, 14.7 cm, 5 7/8  in. Estimate 600,000 — 800,000. Lot sold 2,500,000 HKD. Photo: Sotheby's. modelled in the form of a finely veined lotus leaf, the exterior carved with a leafy millet spray on one side and a broad, downward folded leaf with furled edges on another, set on one side with an openwork handle formed from intertwining stems issuing a lotus flower, extended to the base as a further bloom... [Lire la suite]

Lot 3703. A rhinoceros horn 'Peach' libation cup, Late Ming-early Qing dynasty, 7 cm, 2 5/8  in. Estimate 500,000 — 700,000. Lot sold 625,000 HKD. Photo: Sotheby's. modelled in the form of a hollowed peach, borne on a gnarled leafy bough forming the handle, extended to further branches issuing a smaller peach fruit on the base, carved bamboo stand. Provenance: The Songzhutang Collection, acquired in New York, 1997. Christie's Hong Kong, 30th November 2011, lot 3035. ... [Lire la suite]

Lot 3702. An archaistic rhinoceros horn libation cup, 17th century, 14 cm, 5½ in. Estimate 300,000 — 500,000. Lot sold 1,500,000 HKD. Photo: Sotheby's. of rectangular section, the flaring sides supported on a short splayed foot, set on one side with a handle decorated in openwork with a chilong climbing up to the rim, the exterior carved in low relief with a wide band of taotie masks reserved on a leiwen ground, below a band of keyfret at the rim, the interior... [Lire la suite]

Lot 3700. An archaistic rhinoceros horn libation cup, 17th century, 10.2 cm, 4 in. Estimate 200,000 — 300,000. Lot sold 875,000 HKD. Photo: Sotheby's. the protruding central section resting on a straight foot and surmounted by a wide and everted rim, carved in low relief around the middle section with a diaper band with bracketed motifs, encircled by keyfret bands at the rim and the foot, set with an 'S'-scroll handle on one side with a chilong, the horn of an even golden brown colour. ... [Lire la suite]

Lot 3698. A rhinoceros horn 'Chilong and Lingzhi' libation cup, 17th century, 14.7 cm, 5¾ in. Estimate 400,000 — 600,000. Lot sold 2,000,000 HKD. Photo: Sotheby's. the flared sides carved in relief on the exterior with a sinuous long-horned chilong, grasping a sprig of lingzhiin its mouth and clambering amongst stems issuing further lingzhi and leafy bamboo, the double handle formed from intertwined bamboo and a stem issuing further clusters... [Lire la suite]

Lot 3695. A finely carved rhinoceros horn 'Chilong and Lingzhi' libation cup, 17th century, length 16.5 cm, 6 1/2  in. Estimate 400,000 — 600,000. Lot sold 2,000,000 HKD. Photo: Sotheby's. of conical form, deftly carved on the exterior in high relief with three long-horned chilong, each with a sinuous body terminating in a bifurcated tail, clambering amongst leafy bamboo and stems bearing clusters of large lingzhi, the base formed from further large lingzhi heads in... [Lire la suite]

Lot 3694. A finely carved rhinoceros horn 'Landscape' libation cup, 17th century, length 14.2 cm, 5 5/8  in. Estimate 200,000 — 300,000. Lot sold 812,500 HKD. Photo: Sotheby's.  of conical form, the flaring sides tapering to a hollowed oval base, carved around the exterior in high relief with a continuous riverscape detailed with figures engaging in various activities, including one holding a qincrossing a bridge, two standing beside a pavilion, another riding on a horse with an... [Lire la suite]

Lot 3008. A superbly carved and extremely rare tianhuang 'Dragon' seal, signed Lin Ji, Qing dynasty, Kangxi period (1662-1722), 6 cm, 2 3/8  in., 141.4 gr. Estimate 10,000,000 — 15,000,000 HKD. Photo: Sotheby's. the well-patinated rich caramel-yellow soapstone of natural pebble form, the irregular side skilfully carved with a pair of soaring three-clawed dragons depicted in mutual pursuit of a 'flaming pearl' above tumultuous waves, all amidst cloud wisps extending across the straight sides... [Lire la suite]