Lot 106. A sancai-glazed pottery figure of a lady, Tang dynasty, 8th century. 8 3/4in (22.2cm) high. Estimate US$ 5,000 - 7,000 (€4,300 - 6,000). Photo: Bonhams.
Modeled in a dance pose, grasping her long skirt in her right hand, her long-sleeved left arm raised over her head, the hair in an elaborate coiffure above the full, round face, wood stand.
Provenance: Priestley and Ferraro, London, 28 March 2003.
Lot 107. A small sancai-glazed waterpot, Tang dynasty (618-907). 3 3/4in (9.5cm) diameter. Estimate US$ 1,500 - 2,500 (€1,300 - 2,200). Photo: Bonhams.
Lot 108. A rare sancai-glazed pottery figure of a court lady, Tang dynasty (618-907). 13 1/4in (33.7cm) high. Estimate US$ 12,000 - 18,000 (€10,000 - 16,000). Photo: Bonhams.
Modeled with an oval face with delicately painted features, a floral huadian centering the forehead, beneath a 'double-conch' coiffure, wearing a long skirt, tied above the waist, the left hand resting on one knee and holding the end of a long scarf, the right hand holding a long stemmed flower against one shoulder, seated on a rock-work stool all supported on a square plinth.
Provenance: Property of a New York Collector
Bonhams & Butterfields, San Francisco, 5 November, lot 5263
Property from a Pacific Northwest Collector.
Note: the result of Oxford Authentication Ltd. thermoluminescence test sample sample no. C100h25 is consistent with the dating of this lot.
Lot 146. A rare early archaic bronze wine vessel, (jue), Erlitou Period (c. 1900 – c. 1500 BC), Shang Dynasty. length 11 in., 28 cm. Estimate 10,000 — 15,000 USD. Lot sold 120,000 USD. Courtesy Sotgheby's.
the thinly cast vessel, elegantly balanced on three thin tapered legs, rising to a flat-bottom hourglass body flaring at the rim to a sharp elliptical point opposite a long channeled spout flanked by two small nail-head posts on the rim, one side cast with a curved double-strap handle, the dark patina with malachite encrustation.
Note: This jue is a fine example of a very early Shang dynasty wine vessel of this slender and elegant form. See a very similar jue, excavated at the Erlitou-type site, Yanshi, Henan province and now in the Henan Provincial Museum of the Shang City at Yanshi, illustrated in Zhongguo qingtongqi quanji, vol. 1, Beijing, 1996, pl. 7.
A detailed scientific report accompanies this lot.
Sotheby's. Fine Chinese Ceramics & Works of Art, New York, 31 mars 2005
Lot 147. An Archaic bronze drinking vessel, gu, Shang Dynasty (c.1600-1046 BCE). 9 in., 22.9 cm. Estimate 7,000 — 9,000 USD. Lot sold 7,800 USD. Courtesy Sotheby's.
the waisted cylindrical vessel with a wide trumpet mouth, crisply cast around the middle with a pair of taotiemasks consisting of raised bosses for eyes and centered with a low flange on a leiwen ground, the middle section set off by raised filets and four cruciform holes, all above further leiwen and quill ground with disintegrated masks around the flared foot, the surface of smooth gunmetal patina.
Note: This bronze and the preceeding one have very similar decoration. The pattern on the foot is not axially symmetrical and could be interpreted as a downward-facing dragon moving to the right, its open jaw resting on the bottom of the frieze, its eye set above the lower jaw and tail curling at the top of the quadrant. Similar gu in the Sackler Collection is illustrated in Robert Bagley, Shang Ritual Bronzes in the Arthur M. Sackler Collection, vol. 1, 1987, nos. 25-27.
Sotheby's. Fine Chinese Ceramics & Works of Art, New York, 31 mars 2005
Lot 148. An archaic bronze drinking vessel, gu, Shang Dynasty (c.1600-1046 BCE). 9 3/4 in., 24.7 cm. Estimate 10,000 — 15,000 USD. Lot sold 9,600 USD. Courtesy Sotheby's.
of classic gu form with a wide trumpet mouth tapering to a waisted cylinder with a slightly bulging belly and a flared foot, the belly cast in low relief with two pairs of bosses and a flange forming a taotie mask reserved on a leiwen ground, the foot similarly cast but with a disintegrated mask, the pale green patina with light malachite encrusation.
Note: The design on this gu closely resembles the design on the preceding lot. Please refer to the note for lot 147. According to Max Loehr, these designs represent Phase III in the progression of Shang bronze decoration and was produced at Anyang in the 13th century BC.
Sotheby's. Fine Chinese Ceramics & Works of Art, New York, 31 mars 2005
Lot 149. An Archaic bronze drinking vessel, jue, Shang Dynasty (c.1600-1046 BCE). 8 1/4 in., 21 cm. Estimate 10,000 — 15,000 USD. Lot sold 19,200 USD. Courtesy Sotheby's.
the deep U-shaped body raised on three slender blade legs, crisply cast in low relief with a pair of taotieanimal masks reserved on a leiwen ground and centered by a raised flange on one side and a loop handle on the other side, all set below a band of upright plantain leaves around the flaring rim and channeled spout, the rim further cast with a pair of upright posts with capped finials flanking the spout, the mottled patina with patches of light malachite and cuprite encrustation, with a two-character pictogram below the handle.
Provenance: The Barbara and Helen Myers Collection.
Sotheby's New York, 30th May 1990, lot 15.
Note: The two-character inscription consists of the graph tian (field) and a diamond-shaped graph that can be found on a number of different types of vessels. Compare two jue illustrated in Robert W. Bagley, Shang Ritual Bronzes in the Arthur M. Sackler Collections, Washington D.C., 1987, pls. 12 and 13, together with a jue attributed by Bagley to the 12th and 11th Century B.C. pl. 18..
Sotheby's. Fine Chinese Ceramics & Works of Art, New York, 31 mars 2005
Lot 150 An Archaic bronze drinking vessel, Gu, Late Shang Dynasty (1600-1100 BC). 8 1/2 in., 21.6 cm. Estimate 7,000 — 9,000 USD. Lot sold 8,400 USD. Courtesy Sotheby's.
the wide trumpet mouth tapering to a waisted cylinder resting on a small flared foot, the middle section cast in relief with a pair of taotie masks divided down the center with raised flanges, all between upright plantain leaves and snakes around the neck and a further pair of masks around the foot, the dry surface with malachite and cuprite encrustation.
Note: This vessel displays all the main characteristics of the fully mature late Shang style, with well balanced divisions, slender stem and widely flaring mouth. See a related gu vessel, in the St. Louis Art Museum, illustrated in Ancient Chinese Bronzes, St. Louis, 1997, pl. 3. Compare also a gu of similar shape and design sold in these rooms, 24th March 1998, lot 524; and another sold in our London rooms, 16th June 1998, lot 2.
Sotheby's. Fine Chinese Ceramics & Works of Art, New York, 31 mars 2005
Lot 151. An Archaic bronze food vessel, li ding, Late Shang Dynasty (1600-1100 BC). 8 in., 20.3 cm. Estimate 30,000 — 40,000 USD. Lot sold 30,000 USD. Courtesy Sotheby's.
the wide trumpet mouth tapering to a waisted cylinder resting on a small flared foot, the middle section cast in relief with a pair of taotie masks divided down the center with raised flanges, all between upright plantain leaves and snakes around the neck and a further pair of masks around the foot, the dry surface with malachite and cuprite encrustation.
Note: The two-character inscription consists of the cyclical graph ji and a graph that appears to be qiu. A similar vessel excavated at Fangduicun, Hongdong county, Shanxi province and now in the Shanxi Provincial Museum is illustrated in Selected Cultural relics from Local Museums in Shanxi: Bronzes, Taiyuan, n.d., pl. 60; other ding of this form are included in Robert W. Bagley, Shang Ritual Bronzes from the Arthur M. Sackler Collections, Washington D.C., 1987, nos. 93-95, together with comparisons from other collections, pp. 487-494. See also a ding excavated from the no. 160 tomb site at the west of Guojiazhuang, Anyang city, Henan province, illustrated in Zhongguo qingtongqi quanji, vol. 2, Beijing, 1997, pl. 58. A related ding was sold in our London rooms, 7th June 2000, lot 17; and another from the Hwa Family collection, also in our London rooms, 15th March 1973, lot 412, and again at Christie's Hong Kong, 7th July 2003, lot 611.
Sotheby's. Fine Chinese Ceramics & Works of Art, New York, 31 mars 2005
The Art of de GRISOGONO, Creation I, is revealed, a journey from mine to masterpiece of a one-of-a-kind High Jewellery necklace featuring the largest 163.41 carat D-Colour Flawless diamond ever to come to auction.
Peerless diamonds, unparalleled craftsmanship, superlative jewels and a unique partnership for historical gems, as Christie’s and de GRISOGONO set a new standard for sublime luxury. A dazzling new chapter in which historically signifcant diamonds in the most spectacular settings take centre stage.
de GRISOGONO proudly presents an asymmetric necklace starring the 163.41-carat diamond as its centrepiece. The magnifcent gem is framed to the left by 18 emerald-cut diamonds; a nd to the right by two rows of pear-shaped emeralds set against a darkened gold background creating the Maison’s signature chiaroscuro efect.
François Curiel said: "In my long career, I have had the privilege of handling many exceptional stones, some of them truly phenomenal, a few absolutely spell binding. The magnifcence of this 163.41 carat D Flawless diamond by de Grisogono has got to be one of the highlights of my 48 years in the business.
And how would one describe a dream like this? Already a miracle at birth, it was a 404.20 carat rough of immaculate colour and clarity. It is then transformed by an elite international team of cutters, designers and craftsmen into a stunning necklace set with emeralds and diamonds, as an icon of perfection, a symbol of the best of de Grisogono.
At 163 carats and 41 points, it will be the largest D Flawless diamond ever to appear for sale at auction, a ftting tribute to de Grisogono on the eve of its 25th anniversary. It will also be a shining star at Christie’s ‘Magnifcent Jewels’ auction in Geneva on November 14, 2017.
Christie’s is exceedingly honoured to present this unique, incomparable natural wonder of a diamond to the world."
Lot 505. The largest D flawless diamond ever offered at auction. A sensational diamond and emerald necklace, by DE GRISOGONO. Estimate On Request. © Christie's Images Ltd 2017
Set with a rectangular cut-cornered diamond, weighing approximately 163.41 carats, to the rectangular cut-cornered diamond and pavé-set emerald necklace, one side enhanced by two rows of pear-shaped emeralds, together with a shagreen and diamond-set bangle, 2017, 44.0 cm, mounted in gold. Signed de Grisogono, numbered.
Accompanied by report no. 2185058201 dated 15 December 2016 from the GIA Gemological Institute of America stating that the 163.41 carat diamond is D colour, Flawless clarity, with excellent polish and excellent symmetry; and a Diamond Type Classification letter stating that the diamond has been determined to be Type IIa.
Further accompanied by hardbound monograph from the GIA Gemological Institute of America featuring additional photography, data collection charts and gemmological research, attesting to the rarity of this diamond.
Note: The beauty of the project lay in conveying the spirit of de GRISOGONO through a jewel worthy of this magnifcent stone while ensuring a wearable piece of jewellery of the utmost comfort. Here, inspired by the majesty of the historic stone, Fawaz Gruosi’s unstoppable search for beauty in audacious and exciting new forms rises to fresh heights of mastery.
Produced by the unparalleled expertise of 14 master craftspeople in de GRISOGONO’s high jewellery atelier, the result is Creation 1, a sensational asymmetric necklace with the 163.41-carat diamond as the centerpiece, enhanced with emerald-cut diamonds and emeralds, propelling de GRISOGONO into a class of its own.
Renowned for its signature audacious glamour, rich colours, large volumes, baroque opulence and exquisite attention to detail, de GRISOGONO prides itself on its uncompromising approach to craftsmanship.
Christie's. Magnificent Jewels, 14 November 2017, Geneva
Lot 62. A blue gauze 'Dragon' robe, late Qing dynasty. Estimate US$ 2,000 - 3,000 (€1,700 - 2,600). Photo: Bonhams.
Woven in polychrome and gold threads with nine dragons in pursuit of flaming pearls surrounded by shou medallions, auspicious emblems and clouds, all bordered by lishui stripes and terrestrial diagrams emerging from churning waves, the sleeves terminating in horse-hoof cuffs. 57in (144.7cm) long.
Lot 63. A blue gauze 'Dragon' robe, late Qing dynasty. Estimate US$ 2,000 - 3,000 (€1,700 - 2,600). Photo: Bonhams.
Couched with nine dragons and shou medallions in gold-wrapped threads, surrounded by embroidered auspicious emblems and clouds in polychrome threads, all bordered by lishui stripes and terrestrial diagrams emerging from churning waves, the sleeves terminating in horse-hoof cuffs, the neck and sleeves with brocade borders. 55 3/4in (141.7cm) long.
Lot 64. A blue silk embroidered 'Dragon' robe, 19th century. Estimate US$ 4,000 - 6,000 (€3,400 - 5,200). Photo: Bonhams.
Boldly embroidered with nine five-clawed dragons and shou medallions in gold-wrapped silk threads, surrounded by Buddhist emblems, auspicious animals and clouds, all bordered by lishui stripes and terrestrial diagrams emerging from churning waves, black collar and sleeve bands similarly embroidered and edged in brocade. 53 1/2in (135.8cm) long.
Bonhams. ASIAN WORKS OF ART. 30 Oct 2017, 10:00 EDT, NEW YORK
Lot 65. A blue gauze 'Dragon' robe, late Qing dynasty. Estimate US$ 3,500 - 4,500 (€3,000 - 3,900). Photo: Bonhams.
Woven in gold threads with nine four-clawed dragons in pursuit of flaming pearls surrounded by baskets of flowers, auspicious emblems and clouds, all above lishui stripes and terrestrial diagrams emerging from churning waves at the hem, the black collar and sleeve bands similarly woven. 53 3/4in (136.6cm) long.
Bonhams. ASIAN WORKS OF ART. 30 Oct 2017, 10:00 EDT, NEW YORK
Lot 67. A first rank civil official surcoat, late Qing dynasty. Estimate US$ 3,000 - 5,000 (€2,600 - 4,300). Photo: Bonhams.
Made of black silk, with a front opening, the back sewn with a first rank civil official badge, portraying a crane standing on a rock rising from turbulent waves, surrounded by clouds and auspicious emblems, a similar badge divided down the middle sewn to the front. 44in (112cm) long.
Bonhams. ASIAN WORKS OF ART. 30 Oct 2017, 10:00 EDT, NEW YORK
Lot 70. Two yellow silk embroidered 'Dragon' panels, 18th century. Estimate US$ 4,000 - 6,000 (€3,400 - 5,200). Photo: Bonhams.
Each salvaged from the shoulder of a dragon robe, couched in gold-wrapped threads with a forward-facing five-clawed dragon surrounded by clouds and auspicious emblems above a terrestrial diagram rising from waves above a lishui border, farmed and glazed. 11 1/2 x 6 1/2in (29 x 16.5cm).
Bonhams. ASIAN WORKS OF ART. 30 Oct 2017, 10:00 EDT, NEW YORK
Lot 246. An Imperial yellow-glazed dish, Hongzhi mark and period (1488-1505). 21.5 cm, 8 7/16 in. Estimate 8,000 — 10,000 GBP. Photo: Sotheby's.
the shallow rounded sides supported on a tapered foot, covered overall with a pale yellow glaze, the base left white and inscribed with a six-character mark within a double-circle in underglaze blue.
Sotheby's. St George Street Sale: Chinese Art, London, 10 Nov 2017, 10:00 AM
Lot 448. A yellow-glazed conical bowl, Jiajing mark and period (1522-1566). 17.5 cm, 6 7/8 in. Estimate 2,000 — 3,000 GBP. Photo: Sotheby's.
the flaring rounded sides rising from a short straight foot, covered overall in a rich egg-yolk yellow glaze, save for the base with the six-character mark in underglaze-blue.
Provenance: Bonhams Knightsbridge, 7th September 2011, lot 155.
Sotheby's. St George Street Sale: Chinese Art, London, 10 Nov 2017, 10:00 AM
Lot 153. A rare Pair of rare silver-inlaid archaic bronze canopy pole fittings, Warring States Period (475-221 BC). 17 7/8 in., 45.4 cm. Estimate 60,000 — 80,000 USD. Lot sold 84,000 USD. Courtesy Sotheby's.
cast in two cylindrical sections each with a single rib, finely inlaid in silver with highly stylized phoenixes against a densely scrolled zoomorphic ground of diagonal scrolls, chevrons, and heart-shaped lappets, the elements forming positive and negative images against the bronze, the upper section interlocking with the lower and secured by a deeply grooved double-ribbed central belt.
Note: This canopy pole fitting is especially fine for its elaborate and well preserved inlaid decoration. Fittings of this form are rare although a closely related bronze and silver inlaid pole fitting is illustrated in Chinese Bronzes: A Selection from European Collections, Beijing, 1998, pl. 149. A-B. See also a shorter tubular fitting inlaid with a design resembling some of the elaborately embroidered textiles from Mashan and Mawangdui included in the exhibition Ancient Chinese and Ordos Bronzes, Oriental Ceramic Society of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 1990, cat.no. 94; and another shorter in size, in the British Museum collection illustrated in Jessica Rawson, Ancient China: Art and Archaeology, London, 1980, pl. XII. A pole fitting of similar design was sold in these rooms, 3rd June 1992, lot 55.
Sotheby's. Fine Chinese Ceramics & Works of Art, New York, 31 mars 2005
Lot 170. A Pair of silver foliate cups, Song Dynasty (960-1127). 4 1/4 in., 10.7 cm. Estimate 20,000 — 30,000 USD. Lot sold 26,400 USD. Courtesy Sotheby's.
each of hexafoil form with thin sides chased with petals delineated by wavy lines radiating out from a slightly raised prunus flowerhead in the center of the well, with further feathery leaves outlined with circle-punches, all supported on a slighly flared footring, the interior near the rim stamped with a maker's mark.
Note: The elegant shape of this Song silver pair of cups is seldom found although a related foliate cup, from the Pierre Uldry collection, was included in the exhibition Chinesisches Gold und Silber, Museum Rietberg, Zürich, 1994, cat.no. 280.
