Rare and Exquisite Imperial Ming and Qing ceramics

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1 For Immediate Release 17 May 2011 Contact: Yvonne So (Hong Kong) Gillian Leung (Hong Kong) Belinda Chen (Beijing) Spectacular Chinese Imperial Ceramics & Works of Art valued at close to HK$1 billion to be offered at Christie s Hong Kong 2011 Spring Sales A dazzling array of Imperial Ceramics, Jades and Lacquer and Exquisite Buddhist Art, including rare works from Private Collections Over 450 Chinese works of art valued at close to HK$1 billion Highlights from the collections of Mr. Robert Chang, Baron James de Rothschild, Dr. Elizabeth Shing and a European private collector Wednesday, 1 June 2011, Convention Hall, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre Inspired Connoisseurship: Property from a European Collection (10am) The Imperial Sale (11.15am) A Magnificent Qianlong Revolving Vase (1.15pm) Important Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art () Hong Kong Christie s Hong Kong Spring sales of Important Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, to be held on Wednesday, 1 June 2011 at the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre, will present over 450 rare and exquisite Chinese Imperial ceramics and works of art, valued at close to HK$1 billion. This represents an increase of almost 60 times Christie s first sale of Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art in Hong Kong in Offering global collectors unprecedented breadth and depth, the sale this season is the perfect place from which connoisseurs can acquire the rarest and the best in a wide range of Chinese works of art. Rare and Exquisite Imperial Ming and Qing ceramics Leading the group of Imperial ceramics is the very rare Ming doucai stemcup, Chenghua six-character mark and of the period ( ), estimated at HK$25-30 million/us$ million (image left, Lot 3582). Coming from the Dr. Elizabeth Shing collection, this stemcup was likely created in the 1480 s when, during the latter part of the Emperor Chenghua s reign, the Emperor s interest in Buddhism sparked the production of works of art decorated with Buddhist emblems, such as this stemcup which is adorned with lotus flowers. Doucai (meaning joined colours or contrasting colours ) ceramics have enjoyed universal admiration for many centuries, not only for its delicate colours but also due to the technical skills required to produce pieces of outstanding quality. Another spectacular example of early Ming ceramics is an important early Ming blue and white Dragon jar, Xuande six-character mark within double-circles and of the period ( ), (image right, Lot 3589, estimate on request). From the renowned collector Robert Chang, this finely potted jar is painted in rich, saturated cobalt of inky-blue tone with areas of heaping and piling to depict a striding three-clawed Makara dragon with a long snout, curled horns pointed back to its sinuous, muscular 1

2 upper body and forelegs, jaws open wide with a floral sprig extended from the tongue. There appear to be only two other Xuande marked jars of this extremely rare pattern, one in the Palace Museum in Beijing, China, and one in the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge in the UK. From the Qianlong period ( ) is an extremely rare, very large famille rose mille fleurs double-gourd vase, Qianlong iron-red six-character seal mark and of the period ( ). This was part of the famed Fonthill Heirloom Collection, a collection amassed by Alfred Morrison ( ), who had one time owned some of the most important Qing ceramics collections in the West. Standing at 22 5/8 in. (57.5 cm) high, this impressively proportioned vase has a millefleures pattern that is among the most complex and pleasing to the eye produced in the 18 th century, known only on a small quantity of Imperial porcelains. (image left, Lot 3648, estimate: HK$18 22 million/us$ million.) Another highlight is an extremely rare falangcai bowl, Qianlong blue enamel four-character mark and of the period ( ). (image right, Lot 3650, estimate: HK$10 15 million/us$ million). Falangcai wares decorated in the palace workshops were among the rarest and the most prized by collectors from the Qing dynasty. This bowl was formerly in the collection of Japanese collector Chutaro Nakano ( ), who was from an important land-owning family in present-day Niigata prefecture from the middle of the Edo period onwards. The bowl is exquisitely enamelled around the sides on a vibrant blue ground with four pairs of confronted kui dragons, their bodies arched to almost join the tails and wings to enclose a single, whimsical flower sprig, while the interior is decorated with peony and orchids. Only one other bowl of this rare pattern is known at the Guimet Museum in Paris and it was almost certainly made as a pair to the bowl offered in the current sale. Lacquer: Treasures from Japanese Collections Following the success of the Lee Family Collection of lacquer at Christie s Hong Kong in November 2009, this season s lacquerware is led by a magnificent Imperial mother-of-pearl, inlaid black lacquer incense stand, Kangxi incised and gilt eight-character mark and guichou cyclical date corresponding to 1673 and of the period. (image left, Lot 3577, estimate: HK$12-18million/US$ million). The present lot comes from a Japanese private collection and has never been published or exhibited to date. It is intricately decorated with mother-of-pearl, gold, silver and lead. In addition to its superb artistry, this work is of great rarity and importance because of its decorative scene, which depicts a legendary Japanese Empress rather than a figure from Chinese literature or mythological theme. The scene shows a regal lady, standing on the rocks by a river bank, fishing, watched over by her attendants and a high official, near a palanquin decorated with chrysanthemum blossoms. It is possible that the blossoms refer to the Chrysanthemum throne of Japan, while the lady represents the Japanese Empress Jingu (AD ), a heroine empress who led the army to conquer the West (present-day Korea), after her prayers for fish as an omen to determine whether to go into battle or not were answered at a river bank. This unusual choice of a Japanese subject and a woman may indicate that this stand was meant as an Imperial gift to Japan to improve relations between China and Japan. Alternatively, this stand might have been intended as a gift from the Emperor Kangxi to his beloved grandmother Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang on her 60 th birthday, since one of her favourite summer retreats was a pavilion on the north banks of the Taiyechi (Great Liquid Pool). Comparing her piety, wisdom and courage to that of the Japanese heroine empress would be a fitting gift, where chrysanthemums symbolise long life while willows refer to springtime and youth. 2

3 Another lacquer treasure, a magnificent Imperial craved cinnabar lacquer three-tiered travelling box and cover, Qianlong incised and gilt sixcharacter mark and of the period ( ). (image right, Lot 3575, estimate: HK$4-6million/US$520, ,000). From the Kaisendo Museum, Yamagata, Japan, this box is superbly carved to the top of the cover with bats and a show character amidst swirling clouds, set with dense blossoming peony scroll. The sides of the three square stacked boxes, the handle and the stand are all carved with further bats and clouds. The interiors and base are lacquered black. This box appears to be unique, with no other comparable examples of this form and decoration published, although there are paintings in the Imperial collections depicting the Qing Yongzheng and Qianlong emperors using picnic boxes of this type on excursions. It is possible that this is the only such example that has survived and is in remarkably good condition. Another notable highlight also from the Kaisendo Museum is a highly important and extremely rare Imperial polychrome lacquer dragon box, Wanli period ( ). (image left, Lot 3573, estimate: HK$5 7 million /US$650, ,000). Its design is apparently unique and it is superbly carved to the flat cover through layers of cinnabar, green and yellow lacquer with a central roundel containing a fierce, full-face dragon, its eyes picked out in black, amidst vaporous ruyi-shaped clouds coiling around a flaming pearl. The central roundel is encircled by six further roundels depicting similar dragons show in profile facing the central, dominant dragon, their bodies alternatively picked out in cinnabar and green, the roundels separated by ruyi clouds and lotus sprigs. Further, the sides of the box and cover show shaped panels depicting two rows of four confronted green and cinnabar dragons separated by the Eight Buddhist Emblems (Babao), all against intricate yellow and cinnabar lacquer diaper grounds, with the interiors and base lacquered black. It is also unusual in that it depicts seven dragons rather than the nine favoured by the Imperial court of the era. The Collector s Eye: highlights from important private collections Collectors of Chinese art throughout the centuries have never ceased to be amazed by the artistic techniques, craftsmanship and creativity of works of art in the past. Whether collections are amassed over generations or by one passionate individual over many years, the best collections always have a purpose and consist of the best in their categories. Christie s Hong Kong is privileged to present highl ights from some of the world s most discerning collectors. Leading this group is a private collection of mostly Ming and Qing, with some Song ceramics from a European private collector. Totalling 44 lots and amassed with great care over a period of thirty years, this group of exquisite ceramics consistently shows the fine aesthetic judgment of the collector, who preserved them in pristine condition. Demonstrating a particular appreciation for porcelains from the Yongzheng period, the collector s taste for monochromes and doucai of this period coincides with two of the greatest areas of achievement in porcelains of the reign. One example is a fine and rare doucai narcissus dish, Yongzheng character mark within double-circles and of the period ( ). (image left, Lot 3526, estimate: HK$3-4 million/us$390, ,000). Not only is this a beautiful piece, but its subject matter narcissus, nandina, lingzhi (the immortal fungus), rocks - signifying immortality, good fortune and prosperity, makes this piece particularly auspicious. Another superb example is a fine and rare doucai Qilin dish, Yongzheng sixcharacter mark within double circles and of the period ( ). (image right, Lot 3528, estimate: HK$2.5-3 million/ US$330, ,000). This lot has a vivacious qilin, a legendary animal that is known for its nobility and virtue, and which often 3

4 alludes to wise and accomplished rulers. In addition to the Ming Chenghua stemcup (Lot 3582), another highlight from the collection of Dr. Elizabeth Shing is a very important and very rare inscribed Yixing pumpkin teapot and cover from the Qing Dynasty Kangxi-Yongzheng period (image left, Lot 3870, estimate: HK$7-8 million/us$910,000-1 million), with an impressed sealmark of Chen Ming Yuan ( ). Exquisitely modelled in the form of a pumpkin, the extremely smooth body of dark red stoneware, is inscribed on one side with text derived from a short poem by Song poet Su Dongpo ( ), followed by the name of the artist, Yuan Ming, and a stamped, Chen Ming Yuan, sealmark. Chen was one of the most famous and versatile Yixing potters, who was active during the Kangxi/Yongzheng periods. The inscription, appearing on the side rather than the base, became typical in the Qing dynasty. Another highlight of note is a magnificent pair of famille rose Fahua-style jars, Qianlong impressed six-character sealmarks and of the period ( ). (image right, Lot 3651, estimate on request). Coming from a private collector, this pair of delicate jars has a jewel-like appearance. A decorative motif is inspired by 15 th century Fahua decorative pottery. The result is a marvellous combination of style and form that is even rare in a pair. A connoisseur of fine objects of art and a collector of infinite taste, Baron James de Rothschild ( ) was an avid collector of Chinese art. This important and exceedingly rare pair of cloisonné and champleve enamel gilt-bronze circular chun boxes and cove, Qianlong period ( ) is one such example. (image left, Lot 3653, estimate: HK$15-20 million/us$2-2.6 million). In addition, this present lot, made in cloisonné, was possibly specially commissioned. In addition the plentiful symbols of longevity (Shoulou, God of longevity holding a peach), a pine tree beside a deer and a crane, on the cover a large chun character, signifying Spring time and youth, flanked by a pair of dragons above a lobed bowl filled with the Eight Treasures, Babao. This form was normally made in lacquer, and the present lot, made in cloisonné would probably have been specially commissioned as an Imperial birthday gift. Buddhist Art: Serenity and Spirituality In the religious arts of the world, few have provided as wide a canvas and as long a history as Buddhist art. Expressing serenity and displaying harmonious physical proportions, Buddhist art is an expression of great beauty and a symbol of deep spirituality. One spectacular item available at this sale is an exceptionally rare Qingbai seated figure of Guanyin from the Southern Song Dynasty ( ), made in the Jingdezhen kilns. Coming from the Yiqingge Collection, this lot belongs to a very small group of finely modeled religious figures made at the Qingbai kilns during the Southern Song period. The inscriptions and the date of the tombs in which these figures were found suggest that they were made in the second or third quarters of the 13 th century. (image left, Lot 3726, estimate: HK$7 9 million/us$910, million.). This Guanyin depicts the upper body gently leaning forward, seated with legs crossed and arms folder under a voluminous robe, the garment is worn over the head, partially exposing a finely articulated floral diadem accommodating the Amitabha, the rounded face exquisitely and naturalistically carved with finely detailed eyes, a straight nose and indented lips providing a serene expression. 4

5 Lot 3770 is a magnificent large 16 th century Ming gilt-bronze figure of Vairocana (image right, estimate: HK$10 15 million/us$ million), which shows the majestic, superbly cast figure seated in vajrasana, the sole of each exposed foot incised with the Wheel of transmigration, falun, the right hand placed over the folded left hand, tips of both index finger touching in a gesture of abhisekana mudra, the full face with eyes downcast in serene contemplation. Such a massive figure would have been commissioned by an important patron as a pious gift to a major temple and was designed with a combination of Chinese and Tibetan tantric influences. The hands in abhisekana, gesture of anointing, is characteristic of holy personages and symbolic act of anointment in esoteric Buddhism. Despite the Buddhist tantric influences, the present sculpture displays strong Chinese characteristics such as the full-rounded face and the rendition of the incised floral design on the garment edges. The latter's floral motifs are comparable to those popularly decorating late Yuan to early Ming porcelains. # # # IMAGES can be downloaded here: Selected highlights will be on view in the following cities, prior to the sale. Date Location Venue May Taipei Fubon Life Assurance Building May Hong Kong Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre Updated Christie s Hong Kong Spring 2011 Auctions Schedule CHRISTIE S HONG KONG SPRING 2011 AUCTIONS Auctions: 27 May 1 June Public viewing: Begins 26 May Convention Hall, Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre Friday, 27 May 5.30pm Finest and Rarest Wines - Rarities from the Cellar of Château Latour Saturday, 28 May 7pm Asian 20th Century & Contemporary Art (Evening Sale) Sunday, 29 May Monday, 30 May Tuesday, 31 May Wednesday, 1 June 10.30am 10.30am 11.30am & 10am 1.30pm 10am 11.15am 1.15pm Saleroom 2 Saleroom 2 Chinese 20 th Century Art (Day Sale) Asian Contemporary Art (Day Sale) Southeast Asian Modern and Contemporary Art Important Watches Fine Chinese Classical Paintings and Calligraphy Fine Chinese Modern Paintings Hong Kong Magnificent Jewels Inspired Connoisseurship: Property from a European Collection The Imperial Sale A Magnificent Qianlong Revolving Vase Important Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art About Christie s Christie s, the world's leading art business had global auction and private sales in 2010 that totaled 3.3 billion/us$5.0 billion. Christie s is a name and place that speaks of extraordinary art, unparalleled service and expertise, as well as international glamour. Founded in 1766 by James Christie, Christie's conducted the greatest auctions of the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries, and today remains a popular showcase for the unique and the beautiful. Christie s offers over 450 sales annually in over 80 categories, including all areas of fine and decorative arts, jewellery, photographs, collectibles, wine, and more. Prices range from US$200 to over US$100 million. Christie s has 53 offices in 32 countries and 10 salerooms around the world including in London, New York, Paris, Geneva, Milan, Amsterdam, Dubai, Zürich, and Hong Kong. More recently, Christie s has led the market with expanded initiatives in emerging and new markets such as Russia, China, India and the United Arab Emirates, with successful sales and exhibitions in Beijing, Mumbai and Dubai. *Estimates do not include buyer s premium. Sales totals are hammer price plus buyer s premium and do not reflect costs, fi nancing fees or application of buyer s or seller s credits. 5