Asian Works of Art
AN IMPERIAL FINELY-CARVED AND RETICULATED SPINACH-GREEN JADE BRUSH POT
QIANLONG PERIOD (1736-1795)
The decoration on this elegant brush pot depicts a group of scholars in a bucolic setting accompanied by servants. The figures depicted on the brush pot are the Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove, sometimes known as the Seven Worthies. The Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove (Zhulin qixian 竹林七賢) were supposedly 3rd century literary recluses, who in a period of political strictures and social injustice emerged to advocate freedom and spiritual independence.
While the Seven Sages attempted to remove themselves from politics and concentrate on leisure activities such as music and poetry, as well as philosophical discussion with those of like mind, they were also known for their prodigious consumption of wine.
This brush pot belongs to the prestigious group of jade brush pots carved in the second half of the Qianlong reign.
Estimate HKD 3,000,000 - HKD 5,000,000. Price realised £3,500,000.
Sold by Christie’s, May 2021 in Hong Kong.
QING DYNASTY 18th CENTURY JASPER LOTUS HOLDER
with eight auspicious patterns and double chrysanthemums. and large lid vase.
Estimate HKD 1,000,000 - HKD2,000,000.
Chinese Jade Carvings From a Distinguished European Collection.
A RARE BRONZE TRIPOD POURING VESSEL AND A COVER, XIAOLIUDING
LATE WESTERN ZHOU DYNASTY, 8TH - 7TH CENTURY B.C.
The only example known outside of China and still in private hands, this liuding represents a rare vessel type that was produced for only a short period time, from the late Western Zhou into the early Spring and Autumn period. Moreover, it belongs to a category of miniature vessels which, though few in number, have long been known but have only recently attracted scholarly interest.
Estimate £250,000 – £350,000. Price realised £325,500
Sold by Christie’s, November 2020 in London.
THE LORD DUCIE'S CHINOISERIE BOWLS
ONE BOWL AND COVER CHINESE EXPORT, CIRCA 1730 THE MATCHING BOWL, COVER AND THE PLINTHS WITH MARK OF PAUL STORR, LONDON, 1810
It is possible the bowl and cover was acquired or given to Francis, 3rd Baron Ducie (1739-1808), a captain in George III's navy, however, it may have been bought by his son, who commissioned the matching bowl and two plinths from the goldsmiths to King George III and the Prince of Wales, later King George IV, Rundell, Bridge and Rundell. Rundells later supplied King George IV with a silver-gilt Chinese export bowl, cover and stand. Thought to date from the late 17th century, it may be the 'silver porringer, cover and plate chased over' which cost the king £47 5s with additional costs for gilding and engraving and which is illustrated in Dr. H. A. Crosby Forbes, op. cit., p. 9, fig. 8.
Estimate £50,000 – £80,000. Price realised £327,500
Sold by Christie’s in February 2022, Online.
A PAIR OF LOUIS XVI ORMOLU-MOUNTED RED JAPANESE LACQUER POTS-POURRIS
Whilst gilt-bronze mounted European porcelain was relatively common amongst 18th century collectors, mounted lacquer objects were rarer, and more prized, as European craftsman had not been able to master the art of lacquering to the same standard. Thus these exotic lacquer objects had to be imported, with a preference for the precision of Japanese lacquer. In Paris this fashion for collecting lacquer objects began in the second quarter of the 18th century but continued to delight collectors in to the 21st century.
Estimate £40,000 – £60,000.
Offered by Christie’s in September 2022, London.