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The history and provenance of this artefact speaks both of a simple and elegant personal aesthetic as well as the stamp of Imperial power. Photo: Bonhams. LONDON.- A stunning piece of China’s Imperial history – a seal personally commissioned by the Qianlong Emperor (1711-1799) - will be the highlight of Bonhams Sale of Fine Chinese Art on November 11th in London. The perfect four centimeter square jade seal bearing the inscription `Zi Qiang Bu Xi’, (‘Self-Strengthening Never Ceases’) is closely linked to the Emperor’s 80th... [Lire la suite]

Une parure exceptionnelle et unique de topazes roses et diamants de provenance royale. © Faerber A l’occasion de la 25ème Biennale des Antiquaires de Paris, la FAERBER-COLLECTION présentera une parure exceptionnelle et historique de provenance royale. L’ensemble composé d’une tiare, d’un collier, d’une paire de bracelets, d’une broche et d’une paire de boucles d’oreilles, est monté sur or et argent, serti de topazes roses exceptionnels et de diamants et date de la première moitié du 19ème siècle. Une parure historique... [Lire la suite]

A rare bamboo veneer 'Hundred Shou Character' snuff bottle. 1750-1800. Imperial, Attributed to the Palace workshops, Beijing. photo courtesy Sotheby's of rounded spade shape, with plain narrow sides tapering towards the flat foot, the slightly flared neck of square section, each main face carved with 50 shou ('longevity') characters, the bamboo stopper outlined with darker veneer surmounted by a ball finial; height 2 1/8 in., 5.4 cm – Estimate 60,000 - 90,000 USD PROVENANCE : Christie's New York, 1st December... [Lire la suite]

Bouddha paré assis sur le Naga Muchalinda. Bronze de patine verte à traces de dorure. Cambodge, Art Khmer, Ecole d’Angkor Vat, 11ème siècle. Hauteur : 65 cm © Galerie Christian Deydier Exceptionnelle statue de Bouddha en méditation, les mains en Dhyana mudra (geste de la méditation), assis dans la position du lotus sur un siège élevé composé des anneaux du Naga Muchalinda . Enroulé trois fois sur lui-même, le roi des serpents Naga se dresse pour former à l’aide des capuchons déployés de ses sept têtes, une mandorle destinée à... [Lire la suite]

The Crosby Garrett Helmet dates from the late 1st-2nd Century A.D. Photo: Christie's Images Ltd 2010. LONDON.- The auction of Antiquities on 7 October at Christie’s South Kensington will offer an exceptional survival from Roman Britain discovered by a metal detectorist. Discovered in Cumbria, in May 2010, the Crosby Garrett Helmet dates from the late 1st-2nd Century A.D. and is one of only three comparable examples ever to have been discovered in the United Kingdom complete with face-mask in the last 250 years. It will be on... [Lire la suite]

Encrier et pendule de bureau. Paris - 1752. Maître Orfèvre François-Thomas Germain © Bernard De Leye Argent, bronze doré et porcelaine de Vincennes, âme en bois. Dimensions : Le support en bronze:. Longueur : 39,8 cm; Largeur : 25 cm; Hauteur totale : 41 cm - L’encrier-bateau: Hauteur : 37 cm; Longueur : 32 cm Bibliographie: Objet répertorié dans l’ouvrage : Cedric Jagger - Clocks - Orbis Publishing - London- 1973 - p.38 n°39. Provenance: Château de Thoiry - Ancienne collection de Jean-Baptiste de Machault... [Lire la suite]

The Phoenix portrait. Queen Elizabeth I attributed to Nicholas Hilliard, oil on panel, circa 1575. © National Portrait Gallery, London. LONDON.- New scientific detective work has revealed that two renowned 16th century portraits of Queen Elizabeth I belonging to two different galleries were painted on wood panels from the same tree. The portraits were first associated with Hilliard in 1933, and the new findings support the attribution as it is now known that both portraits were painted in the same studio. The paintings of... [Lire la suite]

A rare gourd snuff bottle. Jiaqing mark and period 1796-1821. Imperial, Attributed to the Palace workshops, Beijing. photo courtesy Sotheby's of pear shape with a rounded base and culminating in a narrow pointed mouth, the body finely carved with four quatrefoil cartouches, each enclosing a character together comprising the reign mark Jiaqing nianzhi ('Made during the Jiaqing period'), reserved on a ground of prunus flowers borne on foliate scrolls, the foot and the neck with well articulated plantain lappets, of warm honey... [Lire la suite]

Giovanni Antonio Canal dit Canaletto (Venise 1697 – 1768), Rome, l’Arc de Septime Sévère © Cesare Lampronti Huile sur toile, 102,7 x 129,5 cm. Provenance: Collection particulière, Bergame, jusqu’en 1966Collection particulière Expertises: Gerardo Celestini, Milan, 9 octobre 1968 Bozena Anna Kowalczyk, Venise, 6 mars 2010.  Identifié pour la première fois en 1966 par Antonio Morassi, ce magnifique caprice était alors publié comme une des toutes premières oeuvres de Canaletto. Cette opinion n’a jamais été remise en... [Lire la suite]

Evan Gruzis, Skull And Univibe, 2010. Speedball Superblack India Ink on Arches Aquarelle, 100 x 70 cm. photo courtesy Saks Price on application @ SAKS. www.saks.ch