A pair of famille rose soldier vases and covers, early Qianlong period 50 inches high. Estimate: $100,000 - 150,000. Photo: Christie's Images Ltd. 2009.

NEW YORK, NY.- Christie’s will offer two sales of Chinese Export Porcelain on January 21 in New York. The Hodroff Collection, Part III is the third sale in a series from the renowned private collection of Leo and Doris Hodroff, and features many pieces from Winterthur's first traveling exhibition, Made in China. Chinese Export Art will present a carefully selected sale of China trade porcelain and paintings drawn from a variety of collections.

The Hodroff Collection is one of the largest and finest collections formed over the last forty years, reflecting a unique blending of professional scholarship and the far-reaching vision of the collectors. Minneapolis residents Leo and Doris Hodroff have made substantial gifts of Chinese export porcelain to the Minneapolis Institute of Arts, the Norton Museum of Art, the Peabody-Essex Museum, the Mayo Clinic Art Collection and the Winterthur.

The core of this sale is formed from pieces that were featured in Winterthur’s Made in China exhibit, together with some significant additions from the Hodroffs’ Minneapolis penthouse. The Hodroffs’ deep appreciation of outstanding quality and rarity is reflected in exceptional armorial, European subject, blue and white, famille verte and rose examples, including outstanding figures and animals.

Top lots include a rare famille rose ship on movable porcelain wheels (estimate: $20,000-30,000); a finely enameled rare famille rose “Scotsman” punchbowl (estimate: $20,000-30,000); a three-piece botanical garniture (illustrated top left, estimate: $30,000-50,000); a rare botanical coffeepot (estimate: $8,000-12,000); and magnificent animal models including pairs of cockerels, horses and cranes.

Various Owner Sale
Highlighting the Chinese Export Art sale are three extensive dinner services from the Qianlong period including a blue and white dinner service (estimate: $30,000-50,000), a famille rose dinner service (estimate: $60,000-80,000), and a rare “Priestly Blessing” dinner service displaying a pair of upraised hands, in the position of the Judaic Priestly Blessing (estimate: $25,000-40,000).

A small section of private commissions for the American market are led by a rare reverse glass painting of George Washington standing on a pedestal with British ships in the background departing the New York Harbor (illustrated left, estimate: $25,000-40,000). A dish from the George Washington Memorial Service commemorates the first President’s heroic leadership and dedication (estimate: $10,000-15,000).

European subjects are conveyed in a rare “golfing” punchbowl, showing a gentleman in his backswing (estimate: $10,000-15,000), and a rare set of “South Sea Bubble” plates with Harlequins satirizing the massive financial speculation disaster of 1720 known as the “The South Sea Bubble” (estimate: $40,000-60,000).

Important vases include a pair of famille rose “soldier” vases from the Qianlong period (estimate: $100,000-150,000) and a large pair of “porcelain production” vases (estimate: $30,000-50,000). The sale also features a wonderful selection of pairs of wine coolers with estimates starting at $6,000.

A rare three-piece Botanical Garniture, circa 1740, 12 inches high. Estimate: $30,000 - 50,000. Photo: Christie's Images Ltd. 2009