Lot 704. A carved Yaozhou dish, Northern Song-Jin dynasty (960-1234). Estimate USD 20,000 - USD 30,000 . Photo Christie's Image Ltd 2016

The dish is carved on the interior with a lotus flower borne on a large lotus leaf, within a fluted quatrefoil panel bordered by floral scrolls, and is covered with an olive-green glaze with areas of crackling. 7 3/8 in. (18.9 cm.) diam., box

Provenance: Kochukyo, Tokyo

Literature: Kochukyo, Soji (Song Ceramics), Tokyo, 1998, no. 38. 
Christie’s, The Classical Age of Chinese Ceramics: An Exhibition of Song Treasures from the Linyushanren Collection, Hong Kong, 2012, pp. 52-53, no. 12. 
Rosemary Scott, ‘Chinese Classic Wares from a Japanese Collection: Song Ceramics from the Linyushanren Collection’,Arts of Asia, March-April 2014, pp. 97-108, fig. 16. 

Exhibited: Kochukyo, Tokyo, Soji (Song Ceramics), 2 to 4 October 1998. 
Christie’s, The Classical Age of Chinese Ceramics: An Exhibition of Song Treasures from the Linyushanren Collection, Hong Kong, 22 to 27 November 2012; New York, 15 to 20 March 2013; London, 10 to 14 May 2013.

Notes: The present dish, with its attractive pale olive-green glaze, is a classic example of fine Yaozhou ware. A nearly identical dish is in the Palace Museum, Beijing, and illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum, Porcelain of the Song Dynasty (I), Hong Kong, 1996, p. 154, no. 140, where it is suggested that the quatrefoil panel design is typical of Jin dynasty Yaozhou wares. A Yaozhou dish with a similar carved design, but with a buffalo in the central panel, was sold at Christie’s Hong Kong, 1 June 2016, lot 3122. 

Christie's. The Classic Age of Chinese Ceramics: The Linyushanren Collection, Part II, 15 September 2016, New York, Rockefeller Plaza

almakarinastudio. In the Garden. Cartier bracelet shot for L'Officiel Indonesia.

almakarinastudio. In the Garden. Cartier ring shot for L'Officiel Indonesia.

almakarinastudio. In the Garden. Boucheron necklace shot for L'Officiel Indonesia.

Lot 705. A rare and finely carved Ding'lotus' dish, Northern Song dynasty, 11th-12th century. Estimate USD 300,000 - USD 500,000 . Photo Christie's Image Ltd 2016

The dish has angled sides rising from a broad base supported on a short foot to a flaring rim which is bound with copper. The interior is skillfully carved and combed to depict a single leafy lotus sprig. The dish is covered in a pale ivory glaze pooling in areas to the base, part of which is unglazed and fired to a slightly warmer tone. 6 ½ in. (16.5 cm.) diam., double box

Provenance: The Edward T. Chow Collection; Sotheby's London, 16 December 1980, lot 251.
The Robert Chang Collection; Christie’s Hong Kong, 1 November 2004, lot 805.
Sen Shu Tey, Tokyo.

Literature: Cecile and Michael Beurdeley, La Ceramique Chinoise, Fribourg, 1974, no. 77.
Christie’s, An Exhibition of Important Chinese Ceramics from the Robert Chang Collection, London, 1993, p. 19, no. 1.
Sen Shu Tey, The Collection of Chinese Art - Special Exhibition ‘Run Through 10 Years’, Tokyo, 2006, p. 52, no. 59 (left).
Christie's, The Classical Age of Chinese Ceramics: An Exhibition of Song Treasures from the Linyushanren Collection, Hong Kong, 2012, pp. 32-33, no. 6 (right). 

Exhibited: Christie’s London, An Exhibition of Important Chinese Ceramics from the Robert Chang Collection, 1993.
Sen Shu Tey, Tokyo, The Collection of Chinese Art - Special Exhibition ‘Run Through 10 Years’, 2006.
Christie's, The Classical Age of Chinese Ceramics: An Exhibition of Song Treasures from the Linyushanren Collection, Hong Kong, 22 to 27 November 2012; New York, 15 to 20 March 2013; London, 10 to 14 May 2013.

Notes: The companion to the present dish, also formerly in the collections of Edward T. Chow and Linyushanren, was sold in The Classic Age of Chinese Ceramics - The Linyushanren Collection, Part I; Christie’s Hong Kong, 2 December 2015, lot 2816. (Fig. 1). Another Ding dish with carved lotus spray meandering towards the right is in the Meiyintang Collection and illustrated by R. Krahl, Chinese Ceramics from the Meiyintang Collection, London, 1994, vol. 1, p. 205, no. 362. A third similar Ding dish is illustrated in A Dealer’s Hand: The Chinese Art World through the Eyes of Guiseppe Eskenazi, London, 2012, p. 284, no. 273. Compare, also, a related Ding dish carved with a peony spray on the interior and peony scroll on the exterior, illustrated by Tsai Meifen, Decorated Porcelains of Dingzhou: White Ding Wares from the collection of the National Palace Museum, Taipei, 2014, p. 86-87, no. II-41. 

Fig. 1. Lot 2816. A rare and finely carved Ding 'lotus' dish, Northern Song dynasty, 11th-12th century. Price Realised  HKD 3,400,000 (USD 440,762) at Sotheby's, The Classic Age of Chinese Ceramics - The Linyushanren Collection, Part I, 2 December 2015, Convention Hall. Photo: Sotheby's.

It is interesting to note that excavations at the Silongkou Yue kiln site have revealed dishes of similar form and design from the Southern Song stratum (see Silongkou yueyao zhi (Silongkou Yue Ware Kiln Site), Beijing, 2002, pp. 108-113). In order to assert his legitimacy to the throne, the Southern Song Emperor Gaozong made huge efforts to re-establish the Northern Song imperial rites and court life after fleeing to Hangzhou. According to the Southern Song official book, Zhongxing lishu (Book of Rites in the Age of Revival), in the 1st and 4th year of the Shaoxing reign (1131 and 1134), the Southern Song court ordered Yuezhou and Shaoxingfu Yuyaoxian to produce ceramic ritual vessels for the imperial sacrificial hall. Gaozong not only ordered local Yue kilns to make ritual vessels but also to produce wares for daily use in the Northern Song imperial style. A shard of a Southern Song Yue ware dish of very similar form and design bearing a yuchu(Imperial Kitchen) mark, found at Hangzhou, is illustrated by Jin Zhiwei, ‘Yuchu zikuan yueci zaitan’ (Study of Yue Wares BearingYuchu Marks), Palace Museum Journal, 2001, no. 1, pl. 8. 

Christie's. The Classic Age of Chinese Ceramics: The Linyushanren Collection, Part II, 15 September 2016, New York, Rockefeller Plaza

Lot 706. A rare molded Ding dish, Northern Song-Jin Dynasty, 12th century. Estimate USD 20,000 - USD 30,000 . Photo Christie's Image Ltd 2016

The dish is potted with rounded sides rising from a short foot, and is deeply molded on the inner cavetto with a band of floral scroll below a key-fret band encircling the rim and above a single flower sprig in the center. The dish is covered overall with a clear glaze of warm ivory tone. 6 ¼ in. (16 cm.) diam., Japanese double wood box

Provenance: Mayuyama, Tokyo, acquired in 2006.

Notes: Molded decoration on Ding wares was adopted in the latter part of the Northern Song dynasty (960-1127) and flourished during the Jin dynasty (1115-1234). Ding dishes of this particular design are very rare. A shard with similar molded decoration, found in the Ding kiln site in Quyang county, Hebei province, is illustrated in Selection of Ding Ware: the Palace Museum’s Collection and Archaeological Excavation, Beijing, 2012, pp. 270-271, no. 117. A molded Ding bowl with similar design in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, is illustrated by Tsai Meifen, Decorated Porcelains of Dingzhou: White Ding Wares from the collection of the National Palace Museum, Taipei, 2014, p. 150, no. II-95. 

Christie's. The Classic Age of Chinese Ceramics: The Linyushanren Collection, Part II, 15 September 2016, New York, Rockefeller Plaza

Bracelet, Paul Flato, New York, circa 1938. Platinum and diamond©Wartski

Brooch, Lacloche, circa 1930. Platinum and Diamond© Wartski

formed as a platinum cylinder set with brilliant cut diamonds, orbited by three extended diamond set bands, a row of square cut diamonds running down the centre. Signed: Lacloche, c.1930.

Bracelet, Lacloche, Paris, circa 1910. Platinum and diamond© Wartski

A platinum and diamond bracelet by LaCloche,made to replicate delicate petit point lace, this jewel is a prodigious example of the goldsmith’s art. Created in platinum and diamonds, the ingenious mounting technique is redolent of the famous Mosaic Imperial Easter egg by Carl Faberge. With a platinum extension allowing it to be worn as a choker. Paris, circa 1910. Contained  in its original silk and velvet lined fitted leather box.

Lot 707. The Kuroda Family Yuteki Tenmoku. A highly important and very rare ‘oil spot’ Jian tea bowl, Southern Song dynasty (1127-1279). Estimate USD 1,500,000 - USD 2,500,000. Photo: Sotheby's.

The deep, rounded sides are covered inside and out with a thick iridescent black glaze suffused with a dense pattern of variegated iridescent ‘oil spots’, stopping in an irregular line and pooling above the foot, exposing the blackish-brown body. The mouth rim is mounted with a metal band. 4 13/16 in. (12.2 cm.) diam., Japanese wood and lacquer boxes and a selection of other accessories 

Registered in Japan as an Important Art Object on 18 December 1935; deregistered on 4 September 2015. 

Provenance: The Kuroda Family Collection.
The Marquis Kuroda Nagashige (1867-1939).
The Marquis Kuroda Nagamichi (1889-1978).
The Ataka Collection.

Literature: Koyama Fujio, Toji taikei (Compendium of Ceramics), vol. 38:tenmoku, Tokyo, 1974, pl. 17 & 18. 
Nihon Keizai Shinbunsha, Ataka korekushon: chugoku toji meihin ten (Masterpieces of Old Chinese Ceramics from Ataka Collection), Tokyo, 1975, no. 59. 
Christie’s, The Classical Age of Chinese Ceramics: An Exhibition of Song Treasures from the Linyushanren Collection, Hong Kong, 2012, pp. 104-105, no. 39. 
Rosemary Scott, ‘Chinese Classic Wares from a Japanese Collection: Song Ceramics from the Linyushanren Collection’,Arts of Asia, March-April 2014, pp. 97-108, fig. 9.

Exhibited: Nihon Keizai Shimbun, Tokyo Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi Department Store, Ataka korekushon: chugoku toji meihin ten(Masterpieces of Old Chinese Ceramics from Ataka Collection), September 1975.

Notes: Box Inscription:
"Yuteki Tenmoku" is inscribed in gold lacquer on the cover of the black lacquer inner box.

"Foremost family heirloom", "Tea bowl", "One" written on a paper slip on the cover of wood box. 

Accessories:
Song Dynasty Brown lacquer circular bowl stand, zhantuo, inscribed inside the foot and the mouth with tea master's mon.
Ming Dynasty Yellow and gold brocade silk, kinran, pouch. 
Green and gold brocade silk pouch.
Gilt-metal-decorated brown lacquer box, probably early Edo period.

Christie's. The Classic Age of Chinese Ceramics: The Linyushanren Collection, Part II, 15 September 2016, New York, Rockefeller Plaza

t shirt by Modus Vivendi, Jacket: Issey Miyake, Vintage Hat: Stylists own.

Jacket: Nico Didonna, Trousers: Ann Demeulemeester, Apron: Craig Green Waistcoat: Issey Miyake, Vest/t shirt Modus Vivendi, Vintage Hat & boots: Stylists own.

Jumper by Zara, Trousers: Comme des Garcons, Boots: Doc Martens, Leggings Modus Vivendi, belt: Stylists own.

Jacket: Thom Browne, Trousers: Craig Green, Shirt: Prada.

Jacket: Thom Browne, Trousers: Craig Green, Shirt: Prada.

Suit: Issey Miyake, t shirt by Modus Vivendi.

Shirt by Ann Demeulemeester, Suit: Isabel Benenato, Waistcoat: Issey Miyake Shoes by Vans.

Trousers: Craig Green, Shirt: Prada.

Jacket: Thom Browne, Trousers: Craig Green, Shirt: Prada.

Jumper: Zara,Trousers: Comme des Garcons, Boots: Doc Martin, Vest: Craig Green, Leggings Modus Vivendi.

Shirt by Ann Demeulemeester, Suit: Isabel Benenato, Waistcoat: Issey Miyake Shoes by Vans.

Jacket: Nico Didonna, Trousers: Ann Demeulemeester, Apron: Craig Green Waistcoat: Issey Miyake, Vest/t shirt Modus Vivendi, Vintage Hat & boots: Stylists own.

Photography by Gavin Harrison, instagram.com/Gavin_H_photography

Model is Rokas Zilionis @ Bookings Models London. Thanks to Mark.

Stylist is Verna Taylor-Barker,    instagram.com/vernataylorbarker/

Special thanks to Robert Matta and FASHIONABLYMALE

Lot 921. A rare and unusual 'mirror black'-glazed stem cup, Yongzheng six-character mark in underglaze blue in a line and of the period  (1723-1735). Estimate USD 30,000 - USD 50,000. Photo Christie's Image Ltd 2016

The deep cup is raised on a wide pedestal foot, and is covered on the exterior with a deep black glaze that has very faint traces of gilt decoration depicting a dragon chasing a flaming pearl. The reign mark is inscribed in a line inside the pedestal foot. 3 5/8 in. (9.2 cm.) high. 

Provenance: Robert West Collection. 
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, accessioned in 1950.

Notes: A nearly identical 'mirror-black'-glazed stem cup, but with well-preserved dragon and cloud gilt decoration, is in the collection of the Palace Museum, Taipei, and is illustrated in Harmony and Integrity: The Yongzheng Emperor and His Times, Taipei, 2010, p. 271, no. II-94. The author states that gilt-decorated 'mirror-black'-glazed stem cups were highly prized by the Yongzheng Emperor. In the Account of Records in the Qing dynasty archives of the Imperial Workshops, it is noted that on the third month and 13th day of Yongzheng, the official Hai Wang gave a similar cup to the Yongzheng Emperor. The text also states that a 'du sheng pan' (a Western-style tray for scholar's objects), was made in either wood or lacquer, and contained sets of 12 or 18 cups.

Christie's. Collected in America: Chinese Ceramics from The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 15 September 2016, New York, Rockefeller Plaza

Lot 924. A famille rose pink-enameled bowl, Yongzheng period (1723-1735). Estimate USD 3,000 - USD 5,000. Photo Christie's Image Ltd 2016

The bowl is finely potted with rounded sides rising from a straight foot, and is enameled in the interior with a single peony spray. The exterior is covered in mottled pink enamel. 3 in. (7.6 cm.) diam.

Provenance: Samuel Putnam Avery Sr. (1822-1904) Collection, New York. 
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, accessioned in 1879..

Notes: A similar pair of famille rose bowls of slightly larger size (4 1/8 in.) was sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 29 May 2013, lot 2108..

Christie's. Collected in America: Chinese Ceramics from The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 15 September 2016, New York, Rockefeller Plaza

Lot 925. A small anhua-decorated ruby-pink-enameled bowl, Yongzheng four-character mark in underglaze blue within a double square and of the period (1723-1735). Estimate USD 6,000 - USD 8,000. Photo Christie's Image Ltd 2016

With rounded sides rising to the slightly everted rim, the interior is anhua-decorated with dragons leaping amidst flames, and the exterior is covered with a vibrant ruby-pink enamel in contrast to the white interior. 3 ¾ in. (9.4 cm.) diam.

Provenance: Mary Clark Thompson (1835-1923) Collection. 
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, accessioned in 1923.

Christie's. Collected in America: Chinese Ceramics from The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 15 September 2016, New York, Rockefeller Plaza

Lot 927. A small ruby-pink-enameled dish, Yongzheng six-character mark in underglaze blue within a double square and of the period (1723-1735). Estimate USD 20,000 - USD 30,000. Photo Christie's Image Ltd 2016

The dish has rounded sides rising to the slightly everted rim, and is covered on the exterior with a faintly mottled pink enamel in contrast to the white interior.
5 ¼ in. (13.4 cm.) diam. 

Provenance: Mary Clark Thompson (1835-1923) Collection. 
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, accessioned in 1923. 

Christie's. Collected in America: Chinese Ceramics from The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 15 September 2016, New York, Rockefeller Plaza

Lot 928. A small anhua-decorated ruby-pink-enameled bowl, Yongzheng four-character mark in underglaze blue within a double square and of the period (1723-1735). Estimate USD 60,000 - USD 80,000. Photo Christie's Image Ltd 2016

The bowl has rounded sides rising to the slightly everted rim, and the interior is anhua-decorated with dragons leaping amidst flames, while the exterior is covered with a finely mottled enamel of ruby-pink tone. 3 5/8 in. (9.5 cm.) diam.

Provenance: Mary Clark Thompson (1835-1923) Collection. 
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, accessioned in 1923. 

Christie's. Collected in America: Chinese Ceramics from The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 15 September 2016, New York, Rockefeller Plaza

Lot 1333. A very rare small white-glazed relief-decorated double-gourd vase, Yongzheng six-character mark in underglaze blue and of the period (1723-1735). Estimate USD 25,000 - USD 35,000. Photo Christie's Image Ltd 2016

The vase is relief-decorated under a white glaze with a leafy, gourd-hung vine that extends around the sides below the neck. 7 in. (17.8 cm.) high. 

Provenance: Frank Caro, New York, 1963.  

Note: Compare the Yongzheng-period blue and white vase of similar proportions, size, and design, but lacking the relief decoration, sold at Christie's London, 8 November 2011, lot 319.

Christie's. Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, 16 September 2016, New York, Rockefeller Plaza

Lot 1334. A pale café-au-lait-glazed bowl, Yongzheng six-character mark in underglaze blue within a double circle and of the period (1723-1735). Estimate USD 6,000 - USD 8,000. Photo Christie's Image Ltd 2016

The exterior is covered with a glaze of very pale café-au-lait color in contrast to the white interior. 4 ¾ in. (12 cm.) diam., wood stand.  

Christie's. Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, 16 September 2016, New York, Rockefeller Plaza

Lot 1335. A rare small teadust-glazed bottle vase, Yongzheng four-character incised seal mark and of the period (1723-1735). Estimate USD 20,000 - USD 30,000. Photo Christie's Image Ltd 2016

The vase is covered overall with a finely speckled opaque glaze of rich olive-green color that thins to a brownish-tone shell on the edges of the tubular handles and everted rim. 5 7/8 in. (15 cm.) high

Notes: A vase of this rare shape and comparable size (14.5 cm. high), covered with a Ru-type glaze, and with a Yongzheng six-character mark in underglaze blue rather than a four-character incised mark, is in the Palace Museum, Beijing, and illustrated inQingdai Yugao Ciqi, vol. I, part 2, Beijing, 2005, pp. 322-23, no. 147. The form of these vases is based on 'arrow' vases, or touhu. The touhu was the primary accessory of a drinking game which involved throwing all of one's arrows into the mouth of the vase. The loser was assessed a penalty drink for every errant throw.

Christie's. Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, 16 September 2016, New York, Rockefeller Plaza

Lot 1336. A Dehua beaker vase, 17th-early 18th century. Estimate USD 7,000 - USD 9,000. Photo Christie's Image Ltd 2016

The vase of gu shape has been left plain and covered with a glaze of ivory color that continues over the trumpet-shaped mouth into the interior of the neck. 15 3/8 in. (39.2 cm.) high, wood stand, Japanese wood box. 

Christie's. Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, 16 September 2016, New York, Rockefeller Plaza

Lot 1336. A Dehua stem bowl, 17th-early 18th century. Estimate USD 10,000 - USD 15,000. Photo Christie's Image Ltd 2016

The bowl with everted rim is encircled by a bow-string band, and is raised on a spreading pedestal foot with solid recessed base pierced with a vent hole. The glaze is of ivory tone. 4 3/8 in. (11 cm.) high, 5 ¼ in. (13.4 cm.) diam., Japanese wood box. 

Provenance: Segando, acquired in the early 20th century.  

Note: A very similar stem bowl of the same size was included in the Oriental Ceramic Society exhibition Monochrome Porcelain of the Ming and Manchu Dynasties, London, 1948, and illustrated inT.O.C.S., vol. 24, 1948-49, pl. 25, no. 101, where it was dated Ming dynasty. However, when published by P. J. Donnelly in Blanc de Chine, New York/Washington, 1967, pl. 35c, and p. 96, the author dated it no earlier than Kangxi, more likely between 1675-1725.

Christie's. Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, 16 September 2016, New York, Rockefeller Plaza

Lot 715. A russet-splashed black-glazed globular jar, Northern Song-Jin dynasty (960-1234). Estimate USD 20,000 - USD 30,000. Photo Christie's Image Ltd 2016

The jar is well potted with a compressed globular body and a narrow mouth, and is supported on a slightly splayed foot. It is covered with a thick lustrous blackish-brown glaze accented with russet splashes, stopping neatly above the lower body and exposing the body of greyish-brown color. 4.15/16 in. (12.5 cm.) wide, Japanese wood box.

Provenance: Alfred E. Mirsky (1900-1974) Collection; Christie’s New York, 29 March 2006, lot 402.
Sen Shu Tey, Tokyo. 

Literature: Christie's, The Classic Age of Chinese Ceramics, An Exhibition of Song Treasures from the Linyushanren Collection, Hong Kong, 2012, p. 88, no. 28.

Exhibited: Christie's, The Classical Age of Chinese Ceramics: An Exhibition of Song Treasures from the Linyushanren Collection, Hong Kong, 22 to 27 November 2012; New York, 15 to 20 March 2013; London, 10 to 14 May 2013.

Notes: The bold russet splashes accenting the blackish-brown glaze on this handsome jar are often referred to as zhegu ban, or ‘partridge-feather mottles’. In his discussion of a russet-splashed black-glazed meiping in the Art Institute of Chicago, R. D. Mowry, in Hare’s Fur, Tortoiseshell, and Partridge Feathers: Chinese Brown-and Black Glazed Ceramics, 400-1400, Cambridge, 1996, pp. 137-8, no. 35, notes that the “term, zhegu ban (partridge-feather mottles) appears in texts of the mid-tenth century to describe ceramics with mottled decoration,” and that ‘partridge-feather mottles’ began to appear in dark-glazed Cizhou-type wares in the eleventh century. The glaze on the present jar, with its bold, yet well-controlled splashes of even russet tone, is particularly successful and attractive.

Christie's. The Classic Age of Chinese Ceramics: The Linyushanren Collection, Part II. 15 September 2016, New York, Rockefeller Plaza