Lot 611. A flambé-glazed 'pomegrenate' vase, Qianlong six-character impressed seal mark and of the period (1662-1722); Height: 18.5 cm. Price realised EUR 5,670 (Estimate EUR 2,000 – EUR 3,000) © Christie's Images Ltd 2025

Provenance: With L. Wannieck, Paris (according to label).

Lot 612. A flambé-glazed bottle vase, Qing dynasty, 18th century; Height: 37 cm. Price realised EUR 8,190 (Estimate EUR 4,000 – EUR 6,000) © Christie's Images Ltd 2025

Lot 613. A small celadon Guan-type brushpot, bitong, Qing dynasty, 18th century; Height: 9.7 cm, hongmu stand. Price realised EUR 8,190 (Estimate EUR 1,000 – EUR 1,500) © Christie's Images Ltd 2025

Provenance: With L. Michon, Paris (according to label).
French private collection, appraised by Michel Beurdeley and Guy Raindre in 26 November 1991.

Lot 647. A finely carved and moulded celadon archaistic 'dragon' baluster vase, Qing dynasty, 18th century; Height: 26.2 cm. Price realised EUR 12,600 (Estimate EUR 3,000 – EUR 5,000) © Christie's Images Ltd 2025

Provenance: Collection of Major General Baron H. van Hemert Toy Dingshof, by repute.
With S. Marchant & Son, London, label to base.

Lot 620. A blue-glazed hexagonal vase, Guangxu period (1875-1908), Apocryphal Qianlong mark; Height: 28.3 cm. Price realised EUR 1,764 (Estimate EUR 1,000 – EUR 1,500) © Christie's Images Ltd 2025

Provenance: Personal collection of Mr Antony Tao, acquired in China in the early 20th century ; thence by descent to the family.

Note: Antony Tao (1919–2019), born in Antony, France to a Chinese father and French mother, maintained a lifelong connection with China. His father, Colonel Samuel Tao, served in the Chinese military mission in France during World War I and corresponded with Antony until 1937, the year of his final letter from Nanjing.

As a mathematics professor and high school principal for 27 years, Antony Tao worked around the world, including in China. In 1946, he accepted a post in Shanghai offered by the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, marking the start of his deep engagement with Chinese culture. He arrived that year aboard the ship Le Sontay and remained in China until 1951.

Tao’s passion for Chinese culture extended well beyond his collection of artworks from Shanghai. In retirement, he devoted himself to research and authored several books, including Shamanism and Ancient Chinese Civilization (2003), God and the Tao (2007), and China Facing Modernity (2015).

His legacy as a collector and scholar continues to resonate with those drawn to the depth and richness of Chinese art and tradition.

Lot 619. A blue-glazed vase, yuhuchunping, Late Qing dynasty (1644-1911), Apocryphal Qianlong mark; Height: 37 cm. Price realised EUR 11,970 (Estimate EUR 2,000 – EUR 3,000) © Christie's Images Ltd 2025

Provenance: Personal collection of Mr Antony Tao, acquired in China in the early 20th century ; thence by descent to the family.

Lot 645. A celadon-glazed 'lotus scroll' moulded jar, Qing dynasty (1644-1911), Apocryphal Chenghua mark; the gilt-metal mounts later added; Height: 17.5 cm. Price realised EUR 5,670 (Estimate EUR 2,000 – EUR 3,000) © Christie's Images Ltd 2025

Lot 646. Two ormolu-mounted moulded celadon-glazed moon flasks, Late Qing dynasty (1644-1911), Apocryphal Chenghua mark; the gilt-metal mounts later added; Height: 17 cm. Price realised EUR 1,008 (Estimate EUR 4,000 – EUR 6,000) © Christie's Images Ltd 2025

Lot 621. A massive celadon-glazed incised 'floral' jar, China, 19th-20th century, Apocryphal Guangxu mark; Height: 54 cm, hongmu stand. Price realised EUR 13;860 (Estimate EUR 2,000 – EUR 3,000) © Christie's Images Ltd 2025

Lot 614. A green-glazed bottle vase, China, 20th century, Apocryphal Guangxu mark; Height: 38.5 cm. Price realised EUR 2,016 (Estimate EUR 2,000 – EUR 3,000) © Christie's Images Ltd 2025

Provenance: Previously from an old English private collection.

Christie's. Art d'Asie, Paris, 10 June 2025