Lot 3198. A very rare copper-red ‘nine dragons’ vase, Qianlong six-character seal mark in underglaze blue and of the period (1736-1795). Estimate HKD 600,000 - HKD 800,000. Price realised HKD 1,000,000 © Christie's Images Ltd 2017

The vase is finely painted in 'pencil' style with nine five-clawed dragons striding powerfully above waves and amid bats and clouds contesting a flaming pearl, below a band of ruyi-heads surrounding the mouth rim and a key-fret border on the foot rim. 12 in. (30.3 cm.) high, box .

Note: The motif of nine dragons appears to be more commonly found on blue and white wares of this period, such as a smaller vase in the Palace Museum, Beijing, illustrated in Blue and White Porcelain with Underglaze-Red (III), The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum., Hong Kong, p. 132, no. 118; and a broad-shouldered vase sold at Christie’s London, 11 May 2010, lot 210. It is interesting however, to compare to a Jiaqing-marked vase of a very similar design and shape in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, illustrated in Lord Jiaqing and the Journey to Taiwan: A Special Exhibition on Cultural Artifacts of the Qing Emperor Renzong, Taipei, 2016, pp. 286-7, pl. III-36, suggesting that this vase was probably made towards the later part of the Qianlong reign.  

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

Lot 3212. A fine pair of wucai‘Dragon and Phoenix’ bowls, Qianlong six-character seal marks in underglaze blue and of the period (1736-1795). Estimate HKD 500,000 - HKD 800,000. Price realised HKD 687,500 © Christie's Images Ltd 2017

The bowl is enamelled on the exterior with two scaly five-clawed dragons in pursuit of the flaming pearl, alternating with descending long-tailed phoenix, all amidst meandering leafy scrolls and below a band with the eight Buddhist Emblems,bajixiang, divided by ruyi elements. The interior is decorated with a central medallion enclosing a five-clawed dragon in pursuit of the flaming pearl.
5 1/8 in. (13 cm.) diam., box. 

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

Lot 3197. A fine blue and white ‘Nine Dragons’ cup, Yongzheng six-character mark in underglaze blue within a double circle and of the period (1723-1735). Estimate HKD 500,000 - HKD 700,000. Price realised HKD 625,000 © Christie's Images Ltd 2017

The cup is finely potted with deep sides rising to a gently flared mouth rim, decorated in blue and white with nine dragons flowing amidst clouds. 2 3/16 in. (5.6 cm.) diam., box.

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

Lot 485. A pair of platinum ear pendants set with two Burma natural cabochon sapphires weighing 17,74 cts and 16,66 cts and two cushion modified brilliant diamonds weighing 5,02 cts et 5,11 cts. Estimate 650 000 € / 750 000 € © Hôtel des Ventes de Monte-Carlo

Lot 638. Bulgari. A diamond, platinum and 18K gold ring set with an exceptional Burma, Mogok "pigeon blood" cushion shaped ruby weighing 3,87 cts. Estimate 650 000 € / 750 000 € © Hôtel des Ventes de Monte-Carlo

Lot 560. A diamond, onyx, Colombian emerald and platinum ring by Cartier set with a cushion shaped emerald weighing 27,82 cts, ca 1930. Estimate 600 000 - 700 000 € © Hôtel des Ventes de Monte-Carlo

Lot 475. An impressive diamond and 18K gold ring set with an emerald cut diamond weighing 25,45 cts. Estimate 520 000 - 580 000 € © Hôtel des Ventes de Monte-Carlo

Lot 556. A diamond and platinum ring by Van Cleef & Arpels set with a Type IIA rectangular cut diamond weighing 5,05 cts. Estimate 300 000 - 350 000 € © Hôtel des Ventes de Monte-Carlo

The Eyes of Africa. Composed of several white, semi-translucent quartz crystals and large, green and black Alien Eye Fluorites, Erongo Region, Namibia.

DALLAS – Ten years after a spectacular “alien eye” mineral was unearthed by a miner in Namibia, the enormous and intensely beautiful specimen – dubbed Eyes of Africa – will make its debut at the Perot Museum of Nature and Science’s Lyda Hill Gems and Minerals Hall. An unprecedented discovery that has garnered a cult-like following in the mineral-collecting community, the 2-foot-tall Eyes of Africa is not only rare and mesmerizing, but the story – and 10-year journey – behind its discovery is unusual and intriguing.

Thanks to philanthropist, entrepreneur and internationally renowned gem collector Lyda Hill, Eyes of Africa is now on permanent display at the Perot Museum.

“My passion for science began as a child when I collected rocks,” said Hill. “So when I saw‘Eyes of Africa’ – which is by far the largest and most important of all known specimens – and then heard the story behind its discovery, it captured my imagination in a big way. I’m delighted that millions of visitors to the Perot Museum will now get a chance to witness its radiance and glory for themselves.” 

Composed of several white, semi-translucent quartz crystals and large, green and black Alien Eye Fluorites, Eyes of Africa was recovered from the Erongo Region of Namibia in 2007. Alien Eyes are a unique and unusual subset of fluorite, differentiated by a vivid green color and black outer zones that create a diamond shape at each crystal’s center. They also have a naturally formed, complex crystal habit in the form of cuboctahedra (eight triangular faces and six square faces). With light, Alien Eye fluorites glow with an incredible otherworldly quality that inspired their name. The total number of Alien Eye Fluorites recovered from this find is low, amounting to less than 30 fine specimens, due to the small pocket size and the fact that there was only one single discovery. 

Head miner and Namibian local Herold Gariseb, along with his men, were the first to come across the spectacular specimen found in the Alien Eye pocket. Gariseb immediately knew Eyes of Africa was the “prize of the pocket” and determined it was too special for immediate release, despite high demand for these minerals. Not only was it the largest of all known specimens, but it had the highest quantity of Alien Eye flourites from that pocket. Instead of going straight to market, he stowed it away in the trunk of his white Mercedes, and it went with him everywhere. As word got around, the white Mercedes became the White Whale for collectors, including Mark Kielbaso and Jurgen Tron who ventured for days looking for the infamous mineral-toting Mercedes. After finding Gariseb, they immediately made a deal to acquire Eyes of Africa and ended up purchasing 400 diapers to protect and ship the precious piece! Hill later acquired the mineral and, by offering it to the Perot Museum, will allow millions of children and adults to experience its wonder and beauty.

Lot 83. Morris Mini Cooper S MKII Wood & Pickett, 1970. Vehicle Registration YYU292H. Chassis Number KA2S6-1321285. Engine Number 9F1SA1Y-54194. Estimate £40000 - 50000. © H&H Auctioneers

LONDON.- This superb Mini Cooper S which was transformed by the coachbuilder Wood & Pickett to Margrave specification when new, was once owned by Leonard Albert Lewis, better known as ‘Leonard of Mayfair’, hairdresser to the stars. The car is coming up for sale with auctioneers H&H Classics Ltd on July 26th at the Imperial War Museum, Duxford and is estimated to sell for £40,000 to £50,000. 

Leonard converted 6 Upper Grosvenor Street, London W1 into a five-storey hairdressing salon and counted the following as clients: President John F. Kennedy, Jacqueline Kennedy, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Tony Curtis, Elizabeth Taylor, Bob Marley, Marie Helvin, Jerry Hall, David Bowie, Warren Beatty, Audrey Hepburn, Liza Minelli, Meryl Streep, Faye Dunaway, Barbara Streisand, Christine Keeler, Reggie Kray, Grace Kelly, Jack Nicholson and Stanley Kubrick. Responsible for the haircuts in the latter’s Clockwork Orange film, Lewis also helped transform Lesley Hornby into ‘Twiggy’ via a bold Eton Crop. 

Jack Nicholson and Stanley Kubrick became lifelong friends of Leonard Lewis as did the society writer Richard Compton Miller who described Lewis thus: ‘He was the first hairdressing superstar, who taught John Frieda, Daniel Galvin, Nicky Clarke and many more household names. Leonard could barely read or write and yet created some of the unique styles of the Sixties, Seventies and Eighties. He was so renowned he was known only by his Christian name’. 

A bona fide trend-setter and confidant of the rich and famous, it was Lewis who had the Wood & Pickett-transformed Mini painted Pacific Dark Blue in 1971 (its copy logbook indicating the colour change took place in October that year). Given his status it is not difficult to imagine ‘YYU 292H’ roaring around London’s hippest streets with some of the twentieth century’s most famous people aboard! 

Damian Jones, Head of Sales at H&H Classics says: “This Mini is a wonderful example of a car that became a British automotive style icon, an exhilarating drive and with links to celebrity London in the 1970s. These coachbuilt Mini’s were the preferred transport of many celebrities, both Peter Sellers and John Lennon had one as did so many others.” 

The Mini sports saloon was also previously owned by the musician John Frederick Hammel in 1974. He reportedly swapped it for a BMW and £300 in cash and showing some 21,000 miles to its odometer at the time, the Cooper S was repainted Claret shortly thereafter. Hammel sold the Margrave to Denny Laine (formerly of The Moody Blues and then a member of Wings) in 1978 for the latter’s wife JoJo to use but soon found himself asking to buy it back. 

His second tenure lasted until 1998 when Andy Stewart purchased ‘YYU 292H’. Passing to Hammel for a third time in the early 2000s, he subsequently had the Margrave restored to its former glory such that it won the MiniWorld Car of the Show Trophy at the 2009 London to Brighton Mini Run. Perhaps best known as Sir Paul McCartney’s long-time guitar technician, Mr Hammel has owned numerous classics over the years but had a particular affinity for this one which his friend Steve Marriott of Humble Pie apparently referred to as ‘a 100-miles per hour pair of shades’. 
  
Reputedly the only Morris Mini Cooper S to be converted to Margrave specification by coachbuilder Wood & Pickett, chassis K-A2S6/1321285 was despatched to dealer Stewart & Arden Ltd of Acton, London on 9th December 1969 but not road registered as ‘YYU 292H’ until 11th September 1970. 

The ten-month gap was understandable given the craftsmanship that went into its subtly reworked exterior and thoroughly remodelled interior. Both front wings were given modest peaks (something of a W&P trademark), the headlamps gained hooded chrome surrounds (Riley 1.5 litre items) and the doors were modified to accept James Young-fabricated opening quarterlights, Piper electric windows and repositioned Princess 1100 handles. The Benelite front grille played host to Lucas LR9 spotlights, while a full-length Webasto sunroof and sleeker MKIII Mini boot lid were both added. 

A more aggressive stance came courtesy of wheelarch extensions housing wider wheels / tyres. Inside, the diminutive sports saloon was treated to Aston Martin DB6-style Black leather seats to complement its Aston Martin electric window switches, Rolls-Royce cigarette lighter, Rolls-Royce door handles and Jaguar / MG instrumentation. A drop bracket allowed the steering column to be repositioned and a padded central armrest with cubby nestled between the front seats. Left in standard Cooper S tune, ‘YYU 292H’ thus boasted a twin-carburettor fed 1275cc engine, four-speed manual transmission, hydrolastic independent suspension and disc/drum brakes.

Lot 28. Peter Ustinov's Lagonda DB 2.6/3.0 Litre Drophead Coupé, 1953. Vehicle Registration NLO 950. Chassis Number LAG/50/536. Engine Number VB6J/343. Estimate £70000 - 90000. © H&H Auctioneers

- Supplied via Brooklands of London to Sir Peter Ustinov CBE FRSA and notable as the renowned actor / writer's first new car purchase

- Built as a 2.6 litre model but uprated with a 3 litre engine by the factory in November 1954 (and a four star diff three years later)

- Retained by Ustinov for twelve years and current ownership since 1968

- Engine overhauled in 1997 and veteran of numerous Continental trips

- 'NLO 950' quite possibly inspired HRH The Duke of Edinburgh to order his own Lagonda 3 Litre Drophead Coupe given that both he and Ustinov were members of The Thursday Club.

Notwithstanding Lagonda's commitment to the war effort, their chief engineer W.O. Bentley - ably assisted by W.G. Watson and Donald Bastow - began work on a new car in early 1944. Conceived as a sports saloon, the resultant design boasted an innovative chassis equipped with all-round independent suspension and hydraulic drum brakes (inboard at the back). Powered by a DOHC straight-six engine featuring hemispherical combustion chambers, its flowing lines were partially attributable to Frank Feeley. Unveiled to an enthusiastic press in September 1945, production plans for the exclusive `2.5 Litre' were stymied by Lagonda's inability to negotiate sufficient steel supplies given the prevailing `export-or-die' atmosphere. Unable to recover financially, the marque was bought by industrialist David Brown in 1947. Merged with Brown's other recent purchase Aston Martin, the two companies operated out of the latter's Feltham premises. In addition to donating its powerplant to the nascent Aston Martin DB2 programme, the `2.5 Litre' was developed in its own right. Fitted with a David Brown S430 four-speed synchromesh gearbox, rack-and-pinion steering and hypoid back axle, it reappeared at the October 1949 Earls Court Motor Show as the DB Lagonda 2.6. Highly regarded but expensive, the model evolved through a MKII version and reputedly accounted for just 511 sales (386 saloons and 125 drophead coupes) before giving way to the DB 3 Litre in 1954.  

Marque concessionaire Brooklands of Bond Street are understood to have purchased the last sixteen DB 2.6 MKII chassis and had them bodied as a mixture of fixed-head and drophead coupes by Tickford Ltd of Newport Pagnell. The resultant six 'tin tops' and ten 'soft-tops' presaged the styling of their equivalent DB 3 Litre successors exactly. The last 'Brooklands of Bond Street' Drophead Coupe made, chassis LAG50/536 has the further distinction of being the first new car bought by Sir Peter Ustinov, CBE FRSA, the acclaimed raconteur, writer and star of stage and screen. Born Peter Alexander Freiherr von Ustinov on April 16th 1921 in Swiss Cottage, London, his ancestral connections ranged from Russian nobility to the Ethiopian Royal Family! Fluent in Russian, French, Italian, German, and English, Ustinov befriended David Niven whilst serving in the Royal Sussex Regiment during World War Two and HRH The Duke of Edinburgh when all three were members of The Thursday Club. Indeed, it is quite probable that Sir Peter's purchase of 'NLO 950' inspired Prince Phillip to commission his own Lagonda DB 3 Litre Drophead Coupe (which we sold last year for a world record price of £346,800). A true car enthusiast, Ustinov returned chassis LAG50/536 to its maker to be fitted with a larger 3 Litre engine in late November 1954 and a four-star differential some three years later. Part of his stable when he won Best Supporting Oscars for Spartacus (1960) and Topkapi (1964), the Lagonda is known to have belonged to Coleman & Sons of Coalville, Smith Capell & Company of Northampton and Breedon General Services Ltd of Derby before entering the current family ownership during 1968.  

Re-trimmed in Grey leather the following decade, the Drophead Coupe received a new hood during 1986 courtesy of Northampton-based coach trimmer R.A. Waite. Invited to take part in the Display of British Coachwork Commemorating the Centenary of the British Motor Industry at Hagley Hall in the West Midlands on May 11th 1996 by The Worshipful Company of Coachmakers and Coach Harness Makers of London, the four-seater was treated to an engine overhaul some twelve months later. The cylinder liners showed remarkably little wear (.002thou) but the crankshaft was re-ground and new main / big-end bearings installed etc. The clutch friction plate and a propshaft universal joint (ahead of the gearbox) were renewed at the same time too. A stainless steel exhaust was commissioned for the car during 2000 and remains in situ. Damage to a rear wing prompted a full respray in 2001 which was carried out by Aston Martin specialist Four Ashes Garage Ltd of Stratford-upon-Avon. The colour chosen was a close match to the Lagonda's original Metalichrome Gulf Blue livery but some sixteen years on the finish has deteriorated. The same year also saw the radiator refurbished, while more recent fettling has seen attention paid to the dynamo (2005), water pump / gearbox oil seal (2006) and cylinder head (2011). The vendor proudly tells us that 'NLO 950' has never failed a MOT test during his forty-nine year stewardship and attributes its longevity to the basic excellence of W.O. Bentley's design and the extensive use of wear resistant phosphor bronze fittings for the steering and suspension etc.

Lot 100. 1923 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost 40/50 Tourer. Vehicle Registration BT 6611. Chassis Number 55PK. Engine Number R213. Estimate £120000 - 150000. © H&H Auctioneers

- Sold by the factory in late 1923 to Sir Henry Samman and despatched to Barker & Co for a Limousine body to be fitted

- Acquired by the vendor in October 1988 as rolling chassis with its original engine and rebodied shortly afterwards with the London-to-Edinburgh style open four-seater body currently fitted

- Reported to have been in regular use as part of the vendors collection since re-acquiring its original registration number and returning to the road in 1993 

The fascinating Silver Ghost now offered was built to the order of the Hull-based shipping magnate Sir Henry Samman, who had it clothed from new in a Limousine body by Barkers, from whom it came off test on November 14, 1923. The accompanying chassis records suggest that, Samman retained the Ghost until his death in March 1928, six months after which title for the car passed to a Frank Finn of Bridlington, Yorkshire. Little is then known of its history until the Rolls-Royce appeared at auction in July 1988, where it was purchased from the deceased estate of Rolls-Royce and Sunbeam collector J Ball by specialist marque dealer Brian Ball. It was from Brian Ball that the vendor acquired the car in October the same year. By that stage, though complete, it had been reduced to the state of rolling chassis and scuttle, and bonnet, and a seized engine. However, the ensuing transformation was swift and effective, resulting in the splendid motorcar now offered. 

The powerplant was stripped and re-assembled during 1988 and 1989 (no new parts were required and it was evident the block had never been repaired) and the vendor provides the following report: "when the engine was stripped and examined it was found to be locked on its seven main bearings from standing unused for many years, all that it needed was to scrape off the layer of carbon on the face of the bearings, the crankshaft itself was found to be perfect with zero wear, the rest of the engine was found to be in the same condition with minimal or no wear so after a careful clean all was reassembled and the engine ran perfectly". The gearbox and axle were treated to fresh oil. A coachbuilder of note, the vendor initially treated the Ghost to a four-seater open Tourer body, but shortly afterwards replaced that with the current London to Edinburgh-style coachwork. With the assistance of historian Michael Worthington-Williams the original registration 'BT 6611' was reclaimed in 1993, since when the venerable Ghost has enjoyed continual use, and starred in several weddings and a Welsh television drama. Prior to the sale it will be treated to a thorough clean, and the wheels repainted and shod with new tyres, while the non-original Spirit of Ecstasy mascot will be replaced by one of a slightly smaller size. Finished in Grey and trimmed in Navy Blue hide, this matching numbers Rolls-Royce is currently considered by the vendor to have 'very good' bodywork, interior trim, engine and transmission, and 'good' upholstery. A relatively rare opportunity to acquire one of only 7,874 Silver Ghosts made. 

The 40/50hp was the model upon which Rolls-Royce's reputation as manufacturers of 'The Best Car in the World' was founded, and it made its debut at the November 1906 London Motor Show. A conventional but beautifully executed design, the newcomer was based around a massive ladder-frame chassis equipped with leaf-spring suspension all-round, powerful rear wheel brakes and spiral-bevel final drive. Displacing 7036cc (7428cc from 1910), its six-cylinder engine featured a seven-bearing crankshaft, full pressure lubrication and 12 spark plugs (fed via a dual magneto / coil ignition system). This wonderfully torquey yet eerily quiet side-valve unit initially drove through a three-speed gearbox, but a further forward ratio was added from 1913.  

With a shrewd eye for publicity, Managing Director Claude Johnson had the company demonstrator 'AX 201' (the car that inspired the now legendary Silver Ghost moniker on account of its striking livery and silver-plated fittings) take part in both the 1907 Scottish Reliability Trial and an RAC scrutinised 15,000 mile endurance run immediately afterwards. Though made to journey between London and Glasgow no less than 27 times as part of the latter ordeal, a thorough post-event examination revealed the car had suffered no appreciable wear to its engine, gearbox, rear axle or brakes.  

Lot 74. 1938 Bentley 4.25 Litre James Young Sedanca Coupé. Vehicle Registration FGW 390. Chassis Number B72MR. Engine Number L4BD. Estimate £180000 - 220000. © H&H Auctioneers

- One of just three Derby Bentley 'Overdrive' chassis to be bodied as a Sedanca Coupe by James Young

- The work of renowned stylist A.F. McNeil who had previously penned some of Gurney Nutting's most notable creations

- The subject of much restoration work during the 1990s and resident in a European collection before being recently repatriated.

Unveiled to great acclaim at the August 1933 Ascot Races, the Derby Bentley was underpinned by a 'double dropped' chassis featuring all-round semi-elliptic suspension and four-wheel drum brakes. Powered by a more potent version of its Rolls-Royce 20/25 sibling's 3669cc OHV straight-six engine allied to four-speed manual transmission, the newcomer was soon christened the 'Silent Sportscar'. Responding to increased competition from the likes of Alvis and Lagonda, Bentley gave its customers the option of a larger 4257cc engine during the 1936 season. Priced at £50, a comparatively modest sum compared to the cost of a basic chassis, the new unit proved so popular that the smaller capacity powerplant was soon dropped. Nicely balanced to begin with, the Derby Bentley chassis proved more than capable of handling the extra power and torque. Further revised in late 1938, the 'Silent Sportscar' gained centralised chassis lubrication, automatic shock absorbers (with hand control override), better steering, improved 'big-end' crankshaft bearings and - most importantly of all - an 'overdrive' gearbox with direct drive on 3rd gear and overdrive on 4th gear. Available from chassis B2MR onwards, these modifications allowed it to tackle Europe's first generation of high-speed roads such as Italy's autostradas or Germany's autobahns with confidence. Long sought after due to their relaxed cruising capabilities and theoretical 100mph plus performance (they were geared to 107mph in 'overdrive' top), production of the final MR and MX series amounted to a mere 200 cars. 

Arguably the pre-eminent British coachwork designer of the 1920s / 1930s, former Cunard Line employee A.F. McNeil jumped ship from Gurney Nutting to James Young shortly after the latter was acquired by Rolls-Royce and Bentley dealer Jack Barclay in 1937. Blessed with a wonderful eye for proportion and detail, McNeil penned a supremely elegant Sedanca Coupe design that James Young fitted to just three Derby Bentley 'Overdrive' Series chassis (B72MR, B86MR and B97MX). The first of the trio, chassis B72MR was supplied new to George Sinclair Brodrick Esq. on 15th November 1938. Aged just twenty-three at the time, Mr Brodrick was the grandson of American railway magnate Jay Gould who had once been deemed the world's richest man (the $2.7 million spent contesting his estate during the 1890s entered the Guinness Book of Records as the most costly legal action in history). 

Mr Brodrick's obituary in The Telegraph noted that he 'mixed dangerous cocktails' and 'went up to Trinity, Cambridge, where he arrived in his Bentley accompanied by his chauffeur. An impoverished young gentleman attended all the lectures on his behalf and provided him with a comprehensive set of notes three weeks before his Finals, which he sailed through'. Awarded an MBE for military service whilst serving in the Irish Guards during World War Two, Mr Brodrick sold the Bentley back to Jack Barclay during November 1940. Thereafter, it is known to have belonged to P.B. Cow Ltd, Harold Radford & Co Ltd, Mrs Howard Sneyd and Messrs Basil Roy Ltd before being acquired by Major P.R.J. Everidge FRCS OBE in February 1961. The veteran of numerous Continental runs during Major Everidge's custodianship, chassis B72MR had its original engine extensively overhauled at an indicated 84,584 miles by G. Ashley Carter of Dorchester, Oxon in November 1984 (£3,422.23).  

The subject of an article in Retroviseur magazine whilst owned by noted collector / dealer C.A.R. Howard and subsequently featured in his autobiography, the Bentley then passed to fellow dealer Gregor Fisken and on to Hugh Boucher Esq. of Sittingbourne, Kent. Mr Boucher had Derby Bentley specialist Blackmore Engineering Company refurbish the suspension, rejuvenate the heater, fettle the wiring and restore the dynamo etc during January 1997. The following month saw chassis B72MR entrusted to James E. Pearce Specialist Coachbuilders who fitted flashing indicators, rehung the doors and smartened its overall appearance. Further improved by Sargeants of Goudhurst at an indicated 92,733 miles during August 1997, the Bentley was serviced and sold via Frank Dale & Stepson to Dutch collector J.W. ten Ham some two years later. 

Reissued with its original registration number 'FGW 390' upon repatriation by Frank Dale & Stepson last Summer, chassis B72MR entered the current ownership not long afterwards. A lifelong Bentley enthusiast, the vendor was prompted to acquire the Sedanca Coupe by fond memories of another MR-series 'Overdrive' machine. As well as having acknowledged expert Ken Lee give the four-seater a thorough inspection (paying particular attention to the soundness of its wooden body support frame), the seller treated it to a new pipe for the ride control pump and a full service. Currently showing some 96,800 miles to its odometer, 'FGW 390' presents as an older restoration. The Sedanca roof above the front occupants folds away neatly and the doors not only open and close easily but also sit well within their apertures. Understood to have covered circa 12,000 miles since its last major overhaul, the 4.25 litre straight-six engine runs smoothly and pulls well. Sadly, the vendor does not find driving a Derby Bentley as easy as he once did hence the reason that this notably elegant example is being offered for sale.

Lot 65. 1961 Jaguar E-Type 3.8 'Flat Floor' Roadster. Vehicle Registration 533 UYW. Chassis Number 876192. Engine Number R2663-9. Estimate £180000 - 220000. © H&H Auctioneers

- Highly desirable 'flat floor' model with matching chassis and engine numbers (1 of just 1,582 made)

- The subject of much recent restoration work by renowned marque specialist XK Engineering

- Among the finest examples we have encountered

Famously launched at the 1961 Geneva Salon, the Jaguar E-Type created a furore. With its stunning looks, outrageous performance and low price tag, the newcomer left rivals reeling and customers clamouring. While, early competition success at the hands of Graham Hill and Roy Salvadori amongst others helped cement its reputation. Built as a monocoque with an engine cradling front sub-frame, the model's combination of all-round independent suspension (torsion-bar front / coil-sprung rear) rack and pinion steering and four-wheel disc brakes gave it excellent roadholding and handling capabilities. Fed by triple SU HD8 carburettors and topped with a 'straight port' DOHC cylinder head, its 3781cc straight-six engine was quoted as developing some 265bhp and 260lbft. Allied to a four-speed Moss gearbox, the free-revving unit reputedly enabled the E-type to sprint from 0-60mph in 6.9 seconds and onto 150mph.  

Seemingly borrowed from a light aircraft, the wonderful turned aluminium centre console that adorned its dashboard was complemented by scalloped 'Dunlopillo' seats and a wood-rim steering wheel. Achingly beautiful yet viciously quick, the E-type remains for many the ultimate production Jaguar. While any roadster is desirable, the so-called 'Flat Floor' cars enjoy a particularly exalted status. Dating from early in the production cycle before Jaguar responded to popular demand and had footwell recesses pressed into the model's previously 'Flat Floor' platform so that it could better accommodate tall drivers, they arguably represent the automotive icon in its purist form. Just 1,939 'Flat Floor' Roadsters (357 RHD, 1,582 LHD) left the Browns Lane factory and some fifty-years' worth of attrition means that survivors are not only scarce but also highly sought after. 

According to its accompanying Jaguar Heritage Production Record Trace Certificate, this particular example - chassis 876192 - was built on 23rd November 1961 and despatched to Jaguar Cars' New York distribution hub eight days later. Originally finished in Carmen Red with Black leather and a Black hood, it was supplied new by Falvey Motors of Ferndale, Michigan to W.H. Mansfield. Migrating to the more car-friendly climate of California thereafter, the E-Type was repatriated by the vendor during late 2014 on the understanding that it was 'rust free' and comprised 'all factory sheetmetal, no cut out or replacement panels'. Said to be a 'nice driver' at the time, the two-seater was nonetheless entrusted to renowned marque specialist XK Engineering of Coventry with instructions that they restore the 'Flat Floor' Roadster to its former glory. 

Stripped back to bare metal and re-profiled as necessary, the bodywork was then painstakingly resprayed in its original Carmen Red hue. The interior was retrimmed in Black and thus adhered to factory specification too. Attention was paid to the wiring, fuel system, exhaust, brakes, steering and suspension with numerous components being repainted as well as refurbished. The brightwork was renewed or re-plated and a brand new Black hood installed. Considerable time and effort was spent on ensuring that the opening panels (bonnet, boot, doors) fitted properly and sat well within their apertures. Rubber seals were replaced throughout and the wire wheels shod with fresh Avon tyres. In keeping with XK Engineering's ethos, the wood-rim steering wheel was refurbished rather than replaced because it was deemed to be the one with which the car had left Browns Lane! 

Pleasingly retaining its original 'matching numbers' 3.8 litre straight-six engine, the E-Type was upgraded whilst Stateside with one of Jaguar's more user-friendly four-speed all-synchromesh gearboxes. Not long emerged from XK Engineering's workshops, chassis 876192 is worthy of close inspection and a testament to their craftsmanship.

Lot 3223. A fine and rare iron-red and gilt-decorated 'Carp’ rouleau vase, Kangxi period (1662-1722), 18 ½ in. (47 cm.) high. Estimate HKD 400,000 - HKD 600,000. Price realised HKD 625,000 © Christie's Images Ltd 2017

The cylindrical body is deftly painted in iron red and black enamels with four large finely detailed carp reserved on a powder-blue ground, amongst further gilt smaller carp and aquatic plants, the shoulder with four flowerheads framed in quatrefoil panels reserved on a diaper border, the neck with two striding three-clawed dragons in gilt, all framed by formal borders. The base is decorated with an underglaze-blue lingzhihead. Japanese wood box. 

Provenance: A Japanese private collection, formed over the last two decades.

Note: Compare to similarly-decorated vases including one in the Baur collection is illustrated by John Ayers, Chinese Ceramics in the Baur Collection, volume 2, Geneva, 1999, pl. 131; another illustrated by John Ayers in Far Eastern Ceramics in the Victoria and Albert Museum, Tokyo, 1990, pl. 193; one in the Musée Guimet is illustrated by J.J. Marquet de Vasselot and M.J. Ballot, Musée du Louvre: La Ceramique Chinoise-II, Paris, 1922, pl. 26. 

Porcelain rouleau vase with powder-blue glaze and decorated in iron red and gold, Jingdezhen, China, Qing dynasty, Kangxi period (1662-1722). Given by W.G. Gulland, Esq., 199-1905© Victoria and Albert Museum, London 2017.

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

Lot 3225. A fine and small blue and white ‘Dragon’ waterpot, Xianfeng six-character mark in underglaze blue and of the period (1851-1861), 2 1/16 in. (5.3 cm.) high, box. Estimate HKD 80,000 - HKD 120,000. Price realised HKD 237,500 © Christie's Images Ltd 2017

The globular waterpot is decorated with two five-clawed dragons pursuing flaming pearls over waves amongst fire and clouds between a lower lappet band and foaming waves. 

Provenance: A Japanese private collection, acquired from Shogodo in October 2010
Mayuyama & Co. Ltd., Tokyo, acquired in 2011.

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

Lot 3218. A fine famille rose‘Mountain Stroll’ bowl, Daoguang six-character seal marks in iron red and of the period (1821-1850), 4 3/8 in. (11 cm.) diam. box. Estimate HKD 100,000 - HKD 150,000. Price realised HKD 212,500 © Christie's Images Ltd 2017

The bowl is delicately enamelled to one side depicting a scholar seated in a rickshaw, gazing at the landscape beyond, while the rickshaw puller behind takes a rest. The scene takes inspiration from the poem ‘Shanxing’ (Mountain Stroll) by the Tang-dynasty poet Du Mu (803-circa 852). 

Provenance: Berwald Oriental Art, 1992.

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

Lot 3224. A fine and very rare iron-red decorated 'Dragon' waterpot, Daoguang six-character mark in iron-red within a double square and of the period (1821-1850), 2 in. (5.2 cm.) high, box. Estimate HKD 150,000 - HKD 250,000. Price realised HKD 200,000 © Christie's Images Ltd 2017

Delicately potted of cylindrical form rising to an incurving shoulder and a short neck, the water pot is finely painted on the exterior with a pair of iron-red striding dragons in pursuit of flaming pearls, against a ground interspersed with cloud and fire scrolls, the eyes of the dragons highlighted with green enamel. 

Provenance: Sold at Christie’s Hong Kong, 1 December 2010, lot 3199.

Note: The present waterpot, with its elegantly incurving shoulder and waisted neck, is of a very rare shape and appears to be unique, with no other published example found.

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