Lot 3214. A pair of famille rose'bajixiang' bowls, Qianlong six-character seal marks in underglaze blue and of the period (1736-1795), 4 1/8 in. (10.5 cm.) diam., box. Estimate HKD 500,000 - HKD 700,000 (USD 64,508 - USD 90,311) © Christie's Images Ltd 2017

Each is finely decorated on the exterior with the 'Eight Buddhist Emblems' tied in ribbons and arranged in pairs below iron-red key-fret scrollwork within blue bands at the slightly flaring rim and above conjoined ruyi-heads and a dotted band on yellow-ground above the foot. 

Provenance: Sold at Sotheby's Hong Kong, 30 April-2 May 1991, lot 108

Christie's. The Imperial Sale / Important Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, 31 May 2017, Convention Hall

Lot 3215. A rare famille rose lime-green ground ‘Western figures’ cong-form vase, Qing dynasty, 18th century, 8 ¾ in. (22 cm. high), box. Estimate HKD 1,500,000 - HKD 2,600,000 (USD 193,524 - USD 335,442) © Christie's Images Ltd 2017

Each side of the vase is delicately enamelled with a scene of Western figures engaged in various pursuits by a riverbank, between a lime-green ground decorated with foliate sprays, with the vertical edges, mouth rim and base of neck highlighted in gilt. The interior and base are covered under a transparent glaze. 

Note: Famille rose vases with similar arrangement of decoration had been popular since the 18th century, though it is rare to find an example with this high quality of enamelling. Such superb skill is particularly conveyed through the use of the blue and turquoise enamels in the depiction of the rocks on this vase, a feature which is similarly found on deer vases of the Qianlong period, such as the pair in the National Palace Museum, Illustrated in Stunning Decorative Porcelains from the Ch’ien-lung Reign, Taipei, 2008, pp. 156-7, pl, 51. 

Christie's. The Imperial Sale / Important Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, 31 May 2017, Convention Hall

Lot 3216. A gold-ground famille rose 'mille-fleurs' bowl, Qianlong six-character seal mark in underglaze blue and of the period (1736-1795), 8 1/8 in. (20.6 cm.) diam., box. Estimate HKD 1,600,000 - HKD 2,800,000 (USD 206,426 - USD 361,245) © Christie's Images Ltd 2017

The ogee-form bowl is exquisitely decorated to the interior and exterior in bright enamels to render a dense pattern of floral sprays including peonies, lotus, hydrangea, chrysanthemum, pinks, narcissus, and daisies in rich tones of pink, yellow, blue and green, all reserved on a gilt ground. 

Note: The dense arrangement of various flowers that decorates this bowl is known as wanhuajin (myriad flower brocade), as well as baihuadi (ground of one hundred flowers), and, according to T. T. Bartholomew in Hidden Meanings in Chinese Art, Asian Art Museum of San Francisco, 2006, p. 146, during the Qing dynasty the design conveyed the hope that the Qing dynasty ‘would last as long as flowers continue to bloom.’ A large bowl decorated in similar motif on a gold ground in the collection of the Palace Museum, Beijing, is illustrated in Porcelains with Cloisonné Enamel Decoration and Famille Rose Decoration, The Complete Collection of Treasures from the Palace Museum, vol. 39, Hong Kong, 1999, p. 208, no. 184. Compare also a small bowl with very similar decoration and with a blue-enamelled Caixiutang Zhi mark, sold at Christie’s Hong Kong, 29 May 2013, lot 2295 (fig. 1).

A rare gilt-ground famille rose millefleurs bowl, Qing dynasty, 18th-early 19th century, blue-enamelled caixiutang zhi hall mark; 4 in. (10 cm.) diam., box. Sold for HKD 3,390,000 (USD 438,747) at Christie’s Hong Kong, 29 May 2013, lot 2295 © Christie's Images Ltd 2015

Christie's. The Imperial Sale / Important Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, 31 May 2017, Convention Hall 

Lot 2051. A Burma ruby and diamond necklace. Estimate HKD 9,000,000 - HKD 15,000,000 (US$1,150,000-1,900,000) © Christie's Images Ltd 2017

Designed as a line of oval and cushion-shaped rubies, each within a baguette and circular-cut diamond latticework openwork band, lined by marquise-cut diamonds, mounted in platinum and gold, 37.0 cm

Accompanied by report no. 16027170/1 to 32 dated 21 March 2016 from the Gübelin GemLab stating that the rubies are of Burma (Myanmar) origin, with no indications of heating and a few of the rubies are called pigeon’s blood red

Report no. 91506 dated 9 March 2016 from the SSEF Swiss Gemmological Institute stating that the rubies are of Burma (Myanmar) origin, with no indications of heating and the colour of some of these rubies may also be called ‘pigeon blood red’based on SSEF reference standards; also accompanied by an appendix stating that the rubies possess extraordinary characteristics and merits special mention and appreciation. The rubies have been carefully selected for this necklace and exhibit a beautifully matching colour and fine purity. The small inclusions found by microscopic inspection and the analysed properties of these rubies are the hallmarks of rubies from the reputed mines in the Mogok valley (the majority of these rubies including the largest ruby) and Mong Hsu (southeast of Mogok). Their attractive and saturated colour- for some of these rubies poetically referred to as ‘pigeon blood red’-is due to a combination of well-balanced trace elements, which are characteristics for the finest rubies from Burma (Myanmar). Assembling a matching selection of natural rubies from Burma of this quality can be considered rare and exceptional

Lot 2050. A Burma Mogok valley 'pigeon's blood red' ruby and diamond bracelet. Estimate HKD 5,500,000 - HKD 8,000,000 (US$700,000-1,000,000) © Christie's Images Ltd 201t

Designed as a line of oval-shaped rubies, weighing approximately 3.18 to 1.69 carats, within a baguette and circular-cut diamond latticework openwork band, lined by marquise-cut diamonds, mounted in platinum and gold, 17.1 cm

Accompanied by report no. 83883 dated 25 January 2016 from the SSEF Swiss Gemmological Institute stating that the rubies are of Burma (Myanmar) origin, with no indications of heating and the colour of part of these rubies may also be called 'pigeon's blood red' based on SSEF reference standards; also accompanied by an appendix stating that the rubies possess extraordinary characteristics and merits special mention and appreciation. The rubies exhibit a highly matching and saturated colour combined with a fine purity. The small inclusions found by microscopic inspection are the hallmarks of rubies from the classical ruby mines in the Mogok valley in Burma (Myanmar), well known for its wealth in gems since historic times. Their attractive and saturated colour-poetically also referred to as “pigeon’s blood red” for part of these rubies- is due to a combination of well-balanced trace elements, which are characteristics for the finest rubies from Burma (Myanmar). Assembling a matching selection of natural rubies from Burma of this quality is rare and exceptional 

Lot 2049. An important 5.64 carats Burma 'pigeon blood red' ruby and diamond ring. Estimate HKD 6,500,000 - HKD 9,500,000 (US$800,000-1,200,000) © Christie's Images Ltd 2017

Centering on a cushion-shaped ruby, weighing approximately 5.64 carats, within a lozenge-shaped marquise-cut diamond surround, each weighing approximately 0.55 to 0.50 carat, to the circular-cut diamond stylized gallery, extending to the undulating hoop, mounted in platinum and gold, ring size 6 ¼ 

Accompanied by report no. 89505 dated 17 January 2017 from the SSEF Swiss Gemmological Institute stating that the ruby is of Burma (Myanmar) origin, with no indications of heating and the colour of this ruby may also be called 'pigeon blood red' based on SSEF reference standards

Eight reports dated from 5 October 2016 to 2 February 2017from the GIA Gemological Institute of America stating that the marquise-cut diamonds range from D to E colour, internally flawless to VVS1 clarity, with excellent polish

Lot 3204. A fine red-glazed pear-shaped vase, Qianlong six-character seal mark in underglaze blue and of the period (1736-1795), 7 in. (17.8 cm.) high, box. Estimate HKD 200,000 - HKD 300,000 (USD 25,803 - USD 38,705) © Christie's Images Ltd 2017

The finely potted vase is applied to the exterior with an even glaze of liverish-red tone, the interior and base with a clear glaze. 

Christie's. The Imperial Sale / Important Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, 31 May 2017, Convention Hall 

Lot 3205. A fine and very rare large robin’s egg-glazed double-gourd vase, Qing dynasty, 18th century, 12 7/8 in. (32.5 cm.) high. Estimate HKD 200,000 - HKD 300,000 (USD 25,803 - USD 38,705) © Christie's Images Ltd 2017

The generous double-gourd shape glazed inside and out with a robin’s egg glaze which falls to the edge of the broad unglazed ring encircling the similarly glazed concave centre of the base. Japanese wood box

Provenance: Kochukyo Co. Ltd., Tokyo, acquired in 2004

Christie's. The Imperial Sale / Important Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, 31 May 2017, Convention Hall 

Lot 3206. A flambé-glazed ‘pomegranate’ vase, Qianlong incised six-character seal mark and of the period (1736-1795), 7 11/16 in. (19.5 cm.) high, box. Estimate HKD 400,000 - HKD 600,000 (USD 51,606 - USD 77,410) © Christie's Images Ltd 2017

The vase is of hexafoil lobed section with conforming neck and everted rim, standing on a low flaring foot. All under a deep reddish-purple glaze with lavender- and light blue cascades running between the segments. The rim and interior are applied with a pale blue glaze. 

Provenance: Kochukyo Co. Ltd., Tokyo, December 2002

Lot 208. Rare vase en porcelaine bleu blanc, meiping, Chine, dynastie Ming, marque à six caractères et époque Wanli (1573-1619), 68.5 cm. (27 in.). Estimate EUR 60,000 - EUR 80,000 (USD 67,221 - USD 89,628) © Christie's Images Ltd 2017

Impressionnant par sa taille, le vase est décoré de deux majestueux phénix volant parmi les nuages auspicieux stylisés, le pied et l'épaulement sont ornés de pétales stylisés, la marque Wanli horizontale à six caractères en script régulier souligne le col ; fêle. 

Provenance: Private French collection, in the family since the 18th century by repute.

Note: By the reign of the Wanli Emperor, Ming potter have mastered and were ever improving their art of making ever bigger porcelain vases, inspired by the trend started under the reign of the Xuande Emperor. Large size blue and white porcelain pieces were treasured objects and exemplary of Ming dynasty achievement in blue and white porcelain artistry. Eight large format meiping with their covers still on were discovered in the Wanli Emperor’s Ding Ling mausoleum in 1958. An example with cover and decorated with dragons in the collection of the Beijing Palace Museum is illustrated in Blue and White Porcelain with Underglaze Red (II), The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum, Hong Kong, 2000, pl. 160; see another smaller one with dragons on pl. 161. Here, the two phoenixes in flight are echoing each other’s movement. Another with phoenixes is illustrated in The World’s Greatest Collections, Oriental Ceramics, Vol. 8, Museum of Far Eastern Antiquities, Stockholm, Kodansha 1982, pl. 246. All of those vases show similar decoration with dragons or phoenixes on a background of scrolling clouds and lappet bands around the foot and shoulder with the reign mark inscribed horizontally above the shoulder band. The board shoulder and elongated neck as well as the slightly flaring mouth rim are also typical of Wanli period large size meiping. Compare to Christie’s, London, 11 May 2015, lot 12 (fg. 1) and Christie’s, Paris, 22 November 2006, lot 282.

A large, rare and impressive blue and white 'phoenix' vase, meiping, Wanli six-character mark in underglaze blue and of the period (1573-1619), 22 ¾ in. (58 cm.) high. Price realised GBP 146,500 (USD 225,756) Christie’s, London, 11 May 2015, lot 12 © Christie's Images Ltd 2015

Christie's. Art d'Asie, 20 June 2017, Paris

Lot 205. Brûle-parfum en porcelaine bleu blanc, Chine, dynastie Ming, XVIIème siècle. Diamètre : 15.8 cm. (6 ¼ in.). Estimate EUR 6,000 - EUR 8,000 (USD 6,722 - USD 8,963) © Christie's Images Ltd 2015

La panse circulaire est décorée de deux dragons, la gueule béante, émergeant des flots à la poursuite de la perle sacrée. Il repose sur trois petits pieds ornés de masques d'animaux fantastiques, la bordure est agrémentée d'une frise d'objets précieux. 

Provenance: Collection of L. Wannieck.
Collection of Daisy Lion-Goldschmidt (1903-1998).
With Bertrand de Lavergne, Paris, 5 June 2010.
Private French collection.

Literature: Daisy Lion-Goldschmidt, La porcelaine Ming, Fribourg, 1978, pl. 234.

Note: Daisy Lion-Goldschmidt was a longstanding expert of Chinese porcelain. She was first curator at the Louvre and later at the Guimet Museum as the Asian collections were redistributed after WWII. She was also a prolific author and her works include the bestselling book on Ming porcelain in which this censer was illustrated. She dated this censer to the beginning of the 17th century and used it as a nice example of symmetrical Ming blue and white porcelain pieces before the genre develops into the Transition period during which blue and white porcelain becomes more free-styled.

Lot 206. Verseuse en porcelaine bleu blanc, Chine, époque Transition, XVIIème siècle. Hauteur : 21 cm. (8 ¼ in.); socle. Estimate EUR 2,000 - EUR 3,000 (USD 2,241 - USD 3,361)© Christie's Images Ltd 2015

De forme balustre, elle est agrémentée d'un bec verseur et d'une anse décorés de nuages stylisés. La panse est ornée de différents registres successifs de motifs géométriques et rinceaux floraux, le pied ceint de larges pétales stylisés. 

Provenance: Collection of Benoît Boland (1885-1983), a French naval captain who worked in China from 1923 to 1946, and thence by descent in the family.

Lot 207. Aiguière en porcelaine bleu blanc, Chine, époque Transition, XVIIème siècle. Hauteur : 35 cm. (13 ¾ in.). Estimate EUR 8,000 - EUR 12,000 (USD 8,963 - USD 13,444) © Christie's Images Ltd 2015

De forme balustre agrémentée d'une anse, la panse est décorée d'une scène continue illustrant la poursuite de Han Xin par Xiao He sous la lune dans un paysage rocailleux. Le col et le pied sont ornés de rinceaux floraux stylisés.

Provenance: Sotheby's Paris, 14 June 2007, lot 143.
Private French collection.

Note: The scene illustrated here is the pursuit of Han Xin by Han emperor-to-be Liu Bang's minister Xiao He at night. It is a motif commonly seen on transitional period porcelain. Compare to a vase sold at Christie's, Hong Kong, 27 November 2013, lot 3415.

Lot 142. Coupe en porcelaine bleu blanc, Marque et époque Wanli (1573-1619), 17,6 cm, 6 7/8  in. Estimation 20,000 — 30,000 € Photo: Sotheby's. 

le pourtour extérieur peint d'une frise de deux dragons à cinq griffes pourchassant la perle enflammée délimitée par deux double-lignes, l'intérieur décoré de trois nuages en forme de lingzhi, marque à six caractères dans un double cercle à la base  

Sotheby's. Arts d'Asie Paris, 22 juin 2017, 10:30 AM

Lot 143. Coupe en porcelaine wucai, Marque et époque Wanli (1573-1619), 19,2 cm, 7 1/2  in. Estimation 9,000 — 12,000 €. Photo: Sotheby's. 

peinte au centre d'un lettré accompagné de deux jeunes serviteurs dans un jardin entouré de montagnes, le marli rehaussé de double-gourdes multicolores dans des rinceaux feuillagés, le pourtour extérieur orné de fleurs de lotus portant chacune un symbole bouddhiste, restaurations.

Sotheby's. Arts d'Asie Paris, 22 juin 2017, 10:30 AM

LOS ANGELES, CA.- The J. Paul Getty Museum announced today the voluntary return of a marble statuette representing the god Zeus which dates to about 100 B.C. The Museum acquired the sculpture in 1992. 

The Museum made its decision to return the Statue of Zeus Enthroned, a 29-inch high marble statuette, following thorough consideration of information provided by Italian officials, including a recently discovered fragment of the statue. 

The sculpture may originally have served as a cult statue in a private shrine of a wealthy Greek or Roman home. It appears to have spent a long period of time submerged in the sea and is partly covered in heavy marine incrustations. 

“The Getty values greatly its relationships with Italian colleagues in museums and other cultural sectors,” said Timothy Potts, director of the J. Paul Getty Museum. “The decision to return this object continues our practice of working with the Ministry to resolve issues of provenance and ownership of works in our collection in a way that responds to new information as it emerges, and respects the good faith and cultural missions of both parties.” 

“We are pleased to work with the Getty to return this fascinating object to the Italian people,” said Dario Franceschini, Italian Culture Minister. 

Added Nunzio Fragliasso, Naples public prosecutor, “On behalf of the del Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Napoli, we are delighted to bring Zeus Enthroned home to share with the Italian people and visitors from all over the world who come to learn about Italian history and culture.” 

The ancient sculpture was returned to Italian authorities today at the Getty Center under the supervision of the Italian Consul General for Los Angeles, Antonio Verde, and with the invaluable cooperation of Armando Varricchio, Italy’s Ambassador to the United States. “The return of the Statue of Zeus Enthroned is a vivid demonstration of the superb cooperation between the United States and Italy and our cultural institutions,” said Ambassador Varricchio. “It falls within the framework of the bilateral Memorandum of Understanding between Italy and the US, renewed in 2016 for the third time, and underscores our common unwavering commitment to the protection of cultural heritage.” 

Consul General Verde complimented the Getty’s decision to return the object, saying “It is wonderful that the Getty has such a positive working relationship with Italy, both for issues like this one that involve the repatriation of works of art and for special exhibitions and loans which display Italian masterpieces at the Museum."

Lot 200. Plat en grès céladon Longquan,  Début de la dynastie Ming, 34,5 cm, 13 5/8  in. Estimation 6,000 — 8,000 €. Photo: Sotheby's.

le centre sculpté d'un dragon au corps écailleux sinueux à long cou et aux pattes à longues griffes acérées, le pourtour à décor incisé d'une frise de fleurs de lotus.

ANCIENNE COLLECTION DR. ERNST NEUMANN (1878 - CA. 1947)

 A CARVED LONGQUAN CELADON 'DRAGON' DISH, EARLY MING DYNASTY

Lot 201. Bol en grès céladon Longquan, Dynastie Song-Yuan, 15 cm, 5 7/8  in. Estimation 3,000 — 5,000 €. Photo: Sotheby's.

le corps arrondi et profond reposant sur un petit pied fuselé, mouléà l'extérieur sculpté de longs pétales de lotus, entièrement recouvert d'une glaçure mate de couleur verte céladon.

ANCIENNE COLLECTION DR. ERNST NEUMANN (1878 - CA. 1947)

Lot 202. Vase balustre en grès céladon Longquan, Début de la dynastie Ming, 21,3 cm, 8 3/8  in. Estimation 5,000 — 6,000 €. Photo: Sotheby's.

piriforme, le col cintré flanqué de deux anses en forme de poissons et tenant dans leur queue un anneau fixe, le col et la partie inférieure de la panse cerclés d'un filet en relief, couvert d'une épaisse glaçure vert céladon.

ANCIENNE COLLECTION DR. ERNST NEUMANN (1878 - CA. 1947)

Lot 203. Brûle-parfum en grès céladon Longquan, Début de la dynastie Ming, H. 11 cm, 4 3/8  in. Estimation 4,000 — 6,000 €. Photo: Sotheby's.

la panse bombée et aplatie reposant sur trois pieds cintrés, le petit col droit terminé par une bordure plate saillante accueillant deux petites anses en "U" inversé, le pourtour à décor incisé de lotus et de chevrons

ANCIENNE COLLECTION DR. ERNST NEUMANN (1878 - CA. 1947)

Lot 204. Vase en grès céladon Longquan, de style Song, 15,3 cm, 6 in. Estimation 2,000 — 3,000 €. Photo: Sotheby's.

la panse globulaire aplatie reposant sur un petit pied, surmontée d'un long col tri-annelé évasé en son extrêmité, la glaçure épaisse d'une vert pâle uniforme 

ANCIENNE COLLECTION DR. ERNST NEUMANN (1878 - CA. 1947)