Very Fine Hessonite, Sri Lanka. Estimate US$ 3,500 - 4,500 (€3,100 - 4,000). Photo Bonhams.
This is a very fine hessonite garnet which displays true red hues and virtually no aspect of brown. Both the clarity and luster are superb. Weighing approximately 29.71 carats and measuring 21.0 x 19.0 x 9.0 mm
Bonhams. LAPIDARY WORKS OF ART, GEMSTONES AND MINERALS INCLUDING GOLD, 19 May 2015 10:00 PDT - LOS ANGELES
Fine Orange-Pink Tourmaline, Madagascar. Estimate US$ 3,500 - 4,500 (€3,100 - 4,000). Photo Bonhams.
Expertly faceted as a circular brilliant, this fine gem-quality tourmaline exhibits changing hues of pink and orange with slight purple flashes. Both its clarity and luster are exceptional. Weighing approximately 49.75 carats and measuring 23.0 x 15.5mm
Bonhams. LAPIDARY WORKS OF ART, GEMSTONES AND MINERALS INCLUDING GOLD, 19 May 2015 10:00 PDT - LOS ANGELES
A very rare and small yaozhou black glazed censor, Jin Dynasty (AD1115-1234). Estimate HKD120,000 - 160,000 (TWD486,000 - 648,000) (USD15,500 - 20,600) Photo Ravenel.
This censor has a lipped rim, a straight neck, and a rounded belly, and it rests on three feet. The entire vessel has a black glaze finish, inside and out. The finish is thinner at the edges, partly revealing the russet colored body. The glaze was allowed to run during the manufacturing process, and is therefore somewhat thinner around the rim and neck, and slightly thicker at the bottom. This was a very popular design for censors during the Song and Jin dynasties, similar to those found in Jun ware. H: 6.5 cm
PROVENANCE: Old Private Hong Kong Collection
Ravenel Spring Auction 2015 Hong Kong. Literati Sublimation - Oriental Arts for the Chinese Scholars. Tuesday, June 2, 2015, 3:30 PM. Renaissance Hong Kong Harbour View Hotel Boardroom, Mezzanine Floor, 1 Harbour Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong
A rare junyao censor with lavender blue glaze, Song or Jin Dynasty (AD960-1234). Estimate HKD400,000 - 500,000 (TWD1,619,000 - 2,024,000) (USD51,600 - 64,500). Photo courtesy Ravenel.
This censor has a thick body, a mouth with a lipped edge, a short neck, and a round belly. It is completely covered in a sky blue glaze, with the exception of the three feet on which the vessel rests. The glaze shows fine crackling from rim to base, and the finish is thinner on top of the mouth, revealing the brown color of the ceramic body. The glaze was allowed to run from the edge of the mouth towards the foot. As a result, the finish is thicker at the bottom, and its luster is particularly smooth and vitreous. Overall, this lot is highly representative of censor style and design during the Song dynasty. H: 11 cm
PROVENANCE: Old Private Japanese Collection
Ravenel Spring Auction 2015 Hong Kong. Literati Sublimation - Oriental Arts for the Chinese Scholars. Tuesday, June 2, 2015, 3:30 PM. Renaissance Hong Kong Harbour View Hotel Boardroom, Mezzanine Floor, 1 Harbour Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong
A very rare dingyao bowl, Northern Sony Dynasty (AD 960-1127). Estimate HKD250,000 - 350,000 (TWD1,012,000 - 1,417,000) (USD32,200 - 45,100) Photo Ravenel.
This bowl has a wide, slightly flaring mouth, curved belly, and round foot. The faintly visible lines wrapping around the outer wall are not decorations, but traces of the casting process. The vessel is completely covered with white glaze, except for the round foot, where the ceramic body is visible, also of a pure white color and smoothly worked. This bowl is comparatively large, and its body is somewhat thinner than the norm. Its snow-white finish and soft luster are still as attractive as they were almost a thousand years ago. MD: 14 cm
PROVENANCE: Old Private Hong Kong Collection
Ravenel Spring Auction 2015 Hong Kong. Literati Sublimation - Oriental Arts for the Chinese Scholars. Tuesday, June 2, 2015, 3:30 PM. Renaissance Hong Kong Harbour View Hotel Boardroom, Mezzanine Floor, 1 Harbour Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong
A very rare yueyao celadon box with cover, Five Dynasties (AD907-960). Estimate HKD150,000 - 200,000 (TWD607,000 - 810,000) (USD19,300 - 25,800). Photo courtesy Ravenel.
The cover of this box, which fits snugly onto the bottom part, is very slightly arched. Below the edge of the cover's flat top a protruding decorative line runs all around. Box and lid have a smooth surface without any decorative designs. At the rims and the bottom of the foot the yellow-brown ceramic body is visible, but the rest of the object is covered in celadon glaze of a rich and full color. The simple design and uniform tint give this lot a classic, understated elegance. MD: 9.5 cm
PROVENANCE: Old Private Japanese Collection
Ravenel Spring Auction 2015 Hong Kong. Literati Sublimation - Oriental Arts for the Chinese Scholars. Tuesday, June 2, 2015, 3:30 PM. Renaissance Hong Kong Harbour View Hotel Boardroom, Mezzanine Floor, 1 Harbour Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong
An extremely rare junyao lavender blue glazed teabowl with cover, Northern Song Dynasty (AD960-1127). Estimate HKD200,000 - 280,000 (TWD810,000 - 1,134,000) (USD25,800 - 36,100). Photo courtesy Ravenel.
The entire teabowl is covered with lavender blue glaze of a particularly bright color, and comes with a snugly fitting cover. The round foot has a finish of protective glaze typically seen in top-grade Junyao ware. At the rims of the bowl and cover, the opaque glaze is slightly thinner, revealing the ocher body underneath. Around the outer side of the round foot the glaze is thicker, because the opaque finish was allowed to run and form tears. This is typical for the Northern and Southern Song, an attempt to recreate the texture and appeal of jade. The bowl's design is simple and elegant, and there are no decorative designs of any kind. Its appeal rests entirely on the color and luster of the celadon glaze, and its understated beauty and refinement are expressive of the aesthetic ideals of the Song literati class.
PROVENANCE: Old Private Hong Kong Collection
Ravenel Spring Auction 2015 Hong Kong. Literati Sublimation - Oriental Arts for the Chinese Scholars. Tuesday, June 2, 2015, 3:30 PM. Renaissance Hong Kong Harbour View Hotel Boardroom, Mezzanine Floor, 1 Harbour Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong
Bague 8.20 carats Type IIa diamant, par Harry Winston. Estimate €300,000 – €500,000 ($341,866 - $569,776). Photo Christie's Image Ltd 2015
Ornée d'un diamant rectangulaire à pans coupés pesant environ 8.20 carats épaulé de chaque côté d'un diamant baguette, monture en platine, poids brut: 6.65 gr. Porte le poinçon de Jacques Timey pour Harry Winston
Accompagnée d'un certificat et d'une lettre du Gemological Institute of America (GIA) no. 5172084828 en date du 27 mars 2015 attestant que le diamant est de couleur D, pureté VVS1, potentiellement pur, type IIa
Les diamants de type IIa sont les diamants les plus purs chimiquement et ont souvent une transparence optique exceptionnelle. Ils furent d'abord identifiés comme provenant d'Inde (et plus particulièrement de la région de Golconde) mais ont depuis été retrouvés dans toutes les régions productrices de diamants dans le monde. Parmi les diamants les plus célèbres, le Cullinan (530.20 carats) et le Koh-i-noor (105.60 carats) sont des spécimens de diamants type IIa.
Christie's. PARIS JEWELS, 1er Juin 2015, Paris
Broche perle fine et diamants, travail de la fin du XIXème siècle. Estimate €200,000 – €300,000 ($227,910 - $341,866). Photo Christie's Image Ltd 2015
Formée d'un motif de feuilles stylisées serti de diamants taille ancienne dont deux plus important de forme coussin et marquise retenant en pampille une perle fine baroque mesurant environ 15.27-15.49 x 18.06, mm. et pesant environ 124.87 grains, monture en argent et or 9K, poids brut: 15.50 gr., travail de la fin du XIXème siècle
Accompagnée d'un certificat de l'Institut Suisse de Gemmologie (SSEF) no. 79247 en date du 2 avril 2015 attestant que la perle est d'origine naturelle, eau de mer, et d'une lettre appendice
Notes: Symbole de pureté, de pouvoir ou de richesse, la perle naturelle est l’un des rares matériaux organiques ayant exercé une telle fascination sur les hommes. Pour autant que le diamant soit considéré comme un miracle de la terre, les perles sont, quant à elles, une véritable offrande de la mer, à la beauté inégalée.
Remontant aussi loin que l’Égypte ancienne ou la Perse antique, l’attraction des plus grands de ce monde pour les belles perles est incontestable. Les plus puissantes familles royales, aussi bien européennes qu’indiennes ou orientales, ne s’y sont pas trompées, accumulant nombre de perles importantes dans leurs écrins au cours des siècles.
Divers facteurs permettent d’évaluer la valeur d’une perle naturelle : l’homogénéité de sa couleur, l’éclat de son lustre, la régularité de sa ‘peau’, l’équilibre de sa forme, et, bien sûr, sa taille. Quelques rares exemples font parfois montre d’une remarquable combinaison de ses paramètres, les plaçant directement dans la catégorie des perles d’exception.
C’est certainement le cas de cette perle. Sa forme proche de la perfection et son magnifique lustre en font d’emblée une perle d’une grande singularité. Mais c’est bien évidemment son poids de presque 125 grains qui lui confère une dimension exceptionnelle et la distingue comme une perle extraordinaire digne des plus beaux écrins. Elle s’inscrit ainsi dans la lignée des perles d’exception vendues chez Christie’s, tout comme la perle Napoléon (autrement appelée la Régente), la Pelegrina, les perles de Baroda, les perles de Marie Mancini ou la Peregrina.
A 19TH CENTURY NATURAL PEARL, DIAMOND, SILVER AND 9K GOLD BROOCH
Symbol of purity, power or wealth, natural pearls are one of the few organic materials to have fascinated men. If diamonds are considered Earth wonders, pearls can certainly be defined as offerings from the Sea, with unparalleled beauty.
As far back as ancient Egypt or Persia, beautiful pearls have always been coveted by Kings and Rulers. Royal families, whether from Europe, Middle-East or India, have traditionally accumulated a number of important pearls in their jewellery caskets over the centuries.
Various factors are used to value a natural pearl: the homogeneity of its color, the brightness of its lustre, the softness of its 'skin', the symmetry of its shape, and of course, its size. Some rare examples demonstrate a remarkable combination of these parameters, putting them directly in the ‘Exceptional pearl’ category.
This is surely the case with the present pearl. Its near-perfect shape and magnificent lustre make it a pearl of great singularity. But it is definitely its weight of nearly 125 grains which makes it stand out as an extraordinary pearl worthy of the finest collections. It is therefore in line with the tradition of exceptional pearls sold at Christie's, such as the Napoleon Pearl (otherwise known as the ‘Régente’ ), the Pelegrina, the Baroda pearls, the Mancini pearls or the famous world-record price Peregrina.
Christie's. PARIS JEWELS, 1er Juin 2015, Paris
Bague 7.86 carats diamant rectangulaire à pans coupés. Estimate €100,000 – €150,000 ($113,955 - $170,933). Photo Christie's Image Ltd 2015
Ornée d'un diamant rectangulaire à pans coupés pesant environ 7.86 carats épaulé de chaque côté d'un diamant baguette, monture en platine, poinçon français, poids brut: 5.20 gr.
Accompagnée d'un certificat du Gemological Institute of America (GIA) no. 5172075139 en date du 17 mars 2015 attestant que le diamant est de couleur G, pureté VVS2
Christie's. PARIS JEWELS, 1er Juin 2015, Paris
Broche Art Déco émeraudes de Colombie et diamants, par Van Cleef & Arpels, vers 1920. Estimate €100,000 – €150,000 ($113,955 - $170,933). Photo Christie's Image Ltd 2015
Ornée d'une émeraude octogonale pesant environ 5.7 carats épaulée de chaque côté d'un diamant rectangulaire à pans coupés pesant environ 3.14 et 3.37 carats, d'une émeraude rectangulaire pesant environ 0.60 carat et d'un diamant triangulaire, monture en platine, poinçons français, poids brut: 13.40 gr., vers 1920. Signée Van Cleef Arpels Paris, no. 28365
Accompagnée d'un certificat de l'Institut Suisse de Gemmologie (SSEF) no. 77682 en date du 28 novembre 2014 attestant que l'émeraude centrale possède les caractéristiques des émeraudes des gisements de Colombie, pas d'indication d'huile et que les deux émeraudes rectangulaires possèdent les caractéristiques des émeraudes des gisements de Colombie pour la première et du Brésil pour la seconde, présence mineure d'huile dans les fissures
Accompagnée de deux certificats du Laboratoire Français de Gemmologie (LFG) no. 307090 et 307091 en date du 4 novembre 2014 attestant que le diamant de 3.14 carats est de couleur G, pureté VS1 et que le diamant de 3.37 carats est de couleur F, pureté VS1
Christie's. PARIS JEWELS, 1er Juin 2015, Paris
Sautoir perles fines, perles de culture et diamants, vers 1870. Estimate €100,000 – €150,000 ($68,373 - $91,164). Photo Christie's Image Ltd 2015
Formé d'un rang de perles fines, de perles de culture et de perles de semence, 73 cm., le fermoir ponctué de deux diamants taille ancienne, monture en argent et or, poids brut: 43.70 gr., vers 1870
Accompagné d'un certificat du Laboratoire Français de Gemmologie (LFG) no. 309633 en date du 13 avril 2015 attestant que 45 perles sur 59 sont d'origine naturelle, eau de mer
Christie's. PARIS JEWELS, 1er Juin 2015, Paris
A very rare Northern kiln teabowl with bronze imitation glaze, Song Dynasty (AD960-1279). Estimate HKD55,000 - 70,000 (TWD223,000 - 283,000) (USD7,100 - 9,000). Photo courtesy Ravenel.
Russet-colored glaze was a specialty of the northern Cizhou kilns during the Song, Jin, and Yuan dynasties. It involves glazing an object black, and then applying an extra layer of coloring agent made from banhuashi, an ore high in iron oxide, to add patterns as an adornment. When the vessel is burned at high temperatures, the iron crystals will give the decorative designs their characteristic russet color and mottled appearance. This teabowl is in a shape frequently seen in Song dynasty Jian ware, and these type of teabowls were so popular that both northern and southern kilns manufactured them. This bowl has an inwardly curved mouth, a deep, wide belly, and a round foot. The entire vessel is covered in black glaze, and adorned with elongated stripes of a rusty color that extend from the rim to the bottom, inside and out. The underside of the foot has a finish of purple-black protective glaze, which is an important distinguishing characteristic of Shanxi kilns (or Huairen ware). During the Song dynasty, tea-tasting contests were a very popular pastime, and the southern kilns, such as Jianyao, could not satisfy the huge demand for exquisite tea utensils. Northern kilns picked up the slack, successfully imitating southern styles and design, such as tuhao and tietai. This bowl has a northern flair, combining rustic charm with fine craftsmanship. MD: 11 cm.
PROVENANCE: Old Private Japanese Collection
Ravenel Spring Auction 2015 Hong Kong. Literati Sublimation - Oriental Arts for the Chinese Scholars. Tuesday, June 2, 2015, 3:30 PM. Renaissance Hong Kong Harbour View Hotel Boardroom, Mezzanine Floor, 1 Harbour Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong
An extremely rare and large raozhouqingbai glazed floral pillow, Northern Song Dynasty (AD960-1127). Estimate 650,000 - 850,000 (2,632,000 - 3,441,000) (83,800 - 109,600). Photo courtesy Ravenel.
The pillow's surface is shaped like the traditional Chinese ruyi motif, with an arched edge that is cocked up on three sides. The oval body is much narrower than the surface, with the walls slightly slanted and engraved all round with a floral design. The entire pillow is glazed celadon, with a green shimmer to the predominantly white finish. The celadon hue is more pronounced where the glaze is more thickly applied. Where the body is exposed, the pure white of the china clay dominates. The surface has a kaiguang border, but no decorative design of any kind in the center. However, a floral pattern runs along the outer edge of the border, featuring raised and recessed parts to create a bas-relief effect. This large piece of Raozhou ware, preserved without flaw or damage, is highly representative of Northern Song celadon glazed pillows. L 28 cm x H 16.5 cm
PROVENANCE: Old Private Hong Kong Collection
Ravenel Spring Auction 2015 Hong Kong. Literati Sublimation - Oriental Arts for the Chinese Scholars. Tuesday, June 2, 2015, 3:30 PM. Renaissance Hong Kong Harbour View Hotel Boardroom, Mezzanine Floor, 1 Harbour Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong
A very rare Henan carved bowl, Song Dynasty (AD960-1279). Estimate 100,000 - 150,000 (405,000 - 607,000) (12,900 - 19,300). Photo courtesy Ravenel.
This bowl has a curved belly, and its mouth is embellished with a decorative band wrapping around the vessel. Below that, the belly is adorned with vertical, semicircular lines running towards the center of the bowl and reminiscent of a woven wicker design. The entire body is glazed white inside and out, and the wicker stripes were added by chipping away the finish. The ceramic body is a light gray hue, and has a tight texture. The bowl's shape and decorative patterns are imitative of a wickerwork basket, giving this type of vessel its name: liudou bowl. Liudou designs first appeared in Henan ware around the late Tang, and became popular during the Five Dynasties period. Originally, liudou ware was known for the realism of the wicker weave designs, but by the Song dynasty the figurative patterns had become much stylized and simplified. MD: 13 cm
PROVENANCE: Old Private Hong Kong Collection
Ravenel Spring Auction 2015 Hong Kong. Literati Sublimation - Oriental Arts for the Chinese Scholars. Tuesday, June 2, 2015, 3:30 PM. Renaissance Hong Kong Harbour View Hotel Boardroom, Mezzanine Floor, 1 Harbour Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong
An extremely rare dingyao white glazed pillow carved with lion pattern, Song Dynasty (AD960-1279). Estimate HKD400,000 - 500,000 (TWD1,619,000 - 2,024,000) (USD51,600 - 64,500). Photo courtesy Ravenel.
The surface of this roughly kidney-shaped pillow is very slightly slanted from the lower front to the higher back. Its body has a grayish-white hue and a robust texture. The top and all sides have a white glaze finish with a layer of black glaze underneath. For the decorative pattern, the white glaze was carved out, and the engraved design consists of an outer border with a plum blossom motif, which frames a lion in the center. The animal is captured in a jumping pose, powerful and impressive, and its face, mane, and bushy tail are shown in fine detail. The pillow's sides are visually divided into two parts by several swirl-grained patterns, the top one showing a band of round designs, and the bottom three consisting of a regular arrangement of plum blossoms. The plum blossom patterns on the top and the sides nicely complement each other. Overall, this is a piece of masterly craftsmanship with exquisitely drawn decorative patterns, putting it in the top range of Song dynasty porcelain pillows. L 22.5 cm x H 12.5 cm
PROVENANCE: Old Private Japanese Collection
Ravenel Spring Auction 2015 Hong Kong. Literati Sublimation - Oriental Arts for the Chinese Scholars. Tuesday, June 2, 2015, 3:30 PM. Renaissance Hong Kong Harbour View Hotel Boardroom, Mezzanine Floor, 1 Harbour Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong
Bague “Pierre Noyée”, cristal de roche et diamants, par Suzanne Belperron. Estimation €60,000 – €80,000 ($68,373 - $91,164). Photo Christie's Image Ltd 2015
Le tour de doigt en cristal de roche dépoli ponctué d'un diamant rond taille brillant en serti clos, tour de doigt: 52, poids brut: 16.40 gr., vers 1950
Accompagnée d'un certificat de Belperron LLC no. B49304102015 en date du 10 avril 2015
Christie's. PARIS JEWELS, 1er Juin 2015, Paris
Bracelet “Rouleau” diamants, par René Boivin. Estimation €45,000 – €60,000 ($51,280 - $68,373). Photo Christie's Image Ltd 2015
Orné d'un clip amovible formé de décors géométriques et de volutes partiellement serties de diamants taille ancienne et baguette, monture en platine et or gris, poinçons français et d'un bracelet jonc en métal, poids brut: 84.95 gr., le clip vers 1935, le bracelet probablement postérieur, dans un écrin moderne René Boivin - Le clip signé René Boivin
Accompagné d'un certificat de Françoise Cailles
Littérature: René Boivin, Françoise Cailles, Editions de l'Amateur, 1994, page 187 pour un modèle similaire.
Christie's. PARIS JEWELS, 1er Juin 2015, Paris
Clip “Passementerie” aigues-marines et diamants, par René Boivin, vers 1950. Estimation €18,000 – €25,000 ($20,512 - $28,489). Photo Christie's Image Ltd 2015
Figurant un noeud gordien serti d'aigues-marines rondes retenu par un lien de diamants ronds taille brillant et terminé par deux pampilles mobiles retenant chacune une aigue-marine de forme poire, monture en or jaune, poinçons français, poids brut: 50.85 gr., vers 1950. Porte le poinçon de Robert Davière pour René Boivin
Modèles de noeuds par René Boivin.
Christie's. PARIS JEWELS, 1er Juin 2015, Paris
Clip “Otarie” saphirs, par René Boivin. Estimation €15,000 – €25,000 ($17,093 - $28,489). Photo Christie's Image Ltd 2015
Figurant une otarie, articulée, le corps ponctué de saphirs ovales, monture en or jaune, poinçons français, poids brut: 59.90 gr. Non signé.
Possibilité de le porter en pendentif
Nous remercions Françoise Cailles pour son aide dans l'authentification de ce clip
Christie's. PARIS JEWELS, 1er Juin 2015, Paris
