Lot 83. A rare silver figure of Naro Dakini, Tibeto-Chinese, 18th century; 20cm (7 7/8in) overall height. Estimate £10,000-12,000. Sold for £25,000 (€ 28,609). © Bonhams.

The deity striding in alidhasana on a gilt bronze base cast with two prostrate human figures and sealed with a double vajra, holding a curved knife in her outstretched right hand and a skull cup in the left, clad in various beaded jewellery and a garland of skulls about her neck, her wrathful face with three eyes surmounted by a foliate tiara of skull heads, her hair piled into a high chignon, surrounded by a gilt copper halo of flames. 

Provenance: the Jeannette Claude Jongen collection of Buddhist Art.

Published and Illustrated: A.Neven, Etudes D'Art Lamaique et de L'Himalaya, Brussels, 1978, p.110, pl.8 (the catalogue is offered as part of the lot).

Note: As noted by D.Weldon and J.C.Singer in The Sculptural Heritage of Tibet: Buddhist Art in the Nyingjei Lam Collection, London, 1999, p.124, illustrating a related silver figure of Mahapratisara, 17th century - silver, a precious metal - was used only rarely and apparently for special commissions in Tibet. See also a related but earlier silver figure of Yi-dam Cakrasamvara, Tibet, 17th century, with a gilt stand and mandorla, illustrated by H.Uhlig, On the Path to Enlightment: The Berti Aschmann Foundation of Tibetan Art at the Rietberg Zurich, Zurich, 1995, pl.112.

A related rare silver figure of Usnisavijaya on a gilt-copper pedestal, 17th century, sold in these rooms on 6 November 2014, lot 366.

Bonhams. FINE CHINESE ART, London, 12 November 2015

Lot 84. A gilt-copper figure of Shakyamuni Buddha, Tibet, circa 16th century; 17cm (6 6/8in) high. Estimate £ 10,000-12,000. Sold for £11,250 (€ 12,874). © Bonhams.

The figure seated in vajraparyankasana on a beaded double-lotus base, the right hand held in bhumisparsha mudra, the left holding an alms bowl, wearing a pleated robe draped over the left shoulder, the serene face with a meditative expression, the hair arranged in tight curls surrounding the ushnisha and the domed jewel. 

Provenance: the Jeannette Claude Jongen collection of Buddhist Art.

Published and Illustrated: A.Neven, Etudes D'Art Lamaique et de L'Himalaya, Brussels, 1978, p.119, pl.24 (the catalogue is offered as part of the lot).

Note: Compare the similar high ushnisha, face, and raised beaded hems on a Bhaishajyaguru and Shakyamuni sold at Christie's New York, 16 September 2008, lot 523 and 13 September 2011, lot 313, respectively. Also see Kramrisch, The Art of Nepal, New York, 1964, no.52, p.85.

Bonhams. FINE CHINESE ART, London, 12 November 2015

Lot 85. A gilt-copper figure of Amitayus, Tibet, 16th-17th century; 16.5cm (6 1/2in) high. Estimate £ 10,000-12,000. Sold for £ 11,250 (€ 12,874). © Bonhams.

The deity seated in in vajraparyankasana on a double-lotus base, holding a jivana-kalasha, wearing detailed robes and beaded jewellery inlaid with hardstones, the face with serene expression, the high chignon supporting a foliate finial and surrounding a five-pointed crown, the base sealed and incised with a double vajra. 

Provenance: the Jeannette Claude Jongen collection of Buddhist Art.

Published and Illustrated: A.Neven, Etudes D'Art Lamaique et de L'Himalaya, Brussels, 1978, p.120, pl.26 (the catalogue is offered as part of the lot).

Note: Amitayus as the 'Buddha of Eternal life' is highly revered in China and Mongolia because of his special ability to prolong life.

Bonhams. FINE CHINESE ART, London, 12 November 2015

Lot 86. A rare gilt-copper alloy figure of Sadaksari Avalokitesvara, Tibet, circa 16th century; 21.4cm (8 3/8in) high. Estimate £ 3,000-4,000. Sold for £15,000 (€ 17,165). © Bonhams.

The four-armed deity seated in dhyanasana on a beaded double lotus base, the main hands in anjalimudra, the others holding a lotus flower and prayer beads, wearing an elegant dhoti incised with scrolling borders and beaded jewellery, the face with a serene expression and head crowned with an elaborate foliate tiara surrounding the hair swept in a topknot surmounted by the head of Amitabha, the base sealed and incised with a double vajra. 

Provenance: the Jeannette Claude Jongen collection of Buddhist Art.

Published and Illustrated: A.Neven, Etudes D'Art Lamaique et de L'Himalaya, Brussels, 1978, p.109, pl.5 (the catalogue is offered as part of the lot).

Note: A related but smaller gilt bronze figure of Sadaksari Avalokitesvara, Tibet, 15th century, was sold at Sotheby's Hong Kong, 1-2 June 2015, lot 661.

Bonhams. FINE CHINESE ART, London, 12 November 2015

Lot 87. A gilt-bronze figure of Hayagriva, Tibet, 18th-19th century; 18.5cm (7 2/8in) high. Estimate £ 7,000-9,000. Sold for £ 15,000 (€ 17,165). © Bonhams.

The deity cast striding in alidhasana over a lotus base, adorned with snakes around the neck and ankles, the face ferocious with bared fangs and bulging eyes, surmounted by a skull tiara surrounding the high chignon set with a horse head, complete with removable silk garments which include a tiger skin around the waist and a cloud collar at the neck, the sealed base incised with a double vajra. 

Provenance: the Jeannette Claude Jongen collection of Buddhist Art.

Published and Illustrated: A.Neven, Etudes D'Art Lamaique et de L'Himalaya, Brussels, 1978, p.112, pl.12 (the catalogue is offered as part of the lot).

Note: See another figure from the same set, Candavajrapani, illustrated by U.von Schroeder, Indo-Tibetan Bronzes, Hong Kong, 1981, p.458, no.127B.

Bonhams. FINE CHINESE ART, London, 12 November 2015

Lot 88. A rare gilt-copper alloy figure of Manjusri, Tibet, 15th century; 18.5cm (7 2/8in) high. Estimate £ 5,000-7,000. Sold for £31,250 (€ 35,761). © Bonhams.

The figure cast seated in dhyanasana on a double-lotus base, the arms in dharamcakra mudra, holding two stalks of uptala lotus and wearing a graceful dhoti and a shawl on the shoulders, adorned with various jewellery, the face with a benevolent expression and hair arranged in a high chignon surrounded by a five-leaf tiara, the base sealed and incised with a double vajra. 

Provenance: the Jeannette Claude Jongen collection of Buddhist Art.

Published and Illustrated: A.Neven, Etudes D'Art Lamaique et de L'Himalaya, Brussels, 1978, p.109, pl.6 (the catalogue is offered as part of the lot).

Note: The modeling is directly inspired by early fifteenth century Chinese bronzes of the Yongle period that were known to Tibetan artists through the numerous donations from the Imperial court to Tibetan monasteries. The treatment of the robes that fall in loose folds over the legs, the lotuses at the shoulders, and the fine elongated lotus petals of the pedestal, are all inspired by these early Ming masterpieces. The use of turquoise to embellish the heavier jewellery, on the other hand, denotes the Tibetan taste. Compare with a Tibetan fifteenth century Vajradhara now in the Palace Museum, Beijing, see Cultural Relics of Tibetan Buddhism Collected in the Qing Palace, Beijing, 1992, p.86, pl.58. Also compare the crown type and treatment of the lotus base with a Vajradhara illustrated in U. von Schroeder, Buddhist Sculptures Tibet and China, Hong Kong, 1981, no.119F p.443.

Bonhams. FINE CHINESE ART, London, 12 November 2015

Lot 89. A gilt-bronze figure of Mahakala Shadbhuja, Tibeto-Chinese, circa 19th century; 21.3 (8 3/8in) high. Estimate £ 5,000-7,000. Sold for £33,750 (€ 38,622). © Bonhams.

The six-armed deity standing on two prostrate elephant-headed figures over a lotus base, surrounded by the orange pristine awareness fire, the main hands holding the wish-fulfilling jewel and a skull cup filled with jewels, dressed in a dhoti and adorned with various jewellery and streaming ribbons, the face surmounted by a five-jewelled tiara, the sealed base incised with a double vajra. 

Provenance: the Jeannette Claude Jongen collection of Buddhist Art.

Note: In contrast to the various other forms of Mahakala, the Shadbhuja Sita ("The White Lord with Six Hands") form is a wealth deity - the skull cup resting in his primary left hand contains jewels, rather than grisly remains. Furthermore, White Mahakala can be distinguished iconographically by his diadem, made of jewels rather than skulls, and the elephant-headed deities on which he stands.

Compare with elaborate Mongolian example of the same period held in a private collection, illustrated in HAR - himalayanart.org/items/32376; and smaller example with a similar treatment of the mandorla in the John and Berte Ford Collection, illustrated by P.Pal, Desire and Devotion, Baltimore, 2001, p.309, no.183.

A related gilt-bronze figure of White Mahakala, Tibeto-Chinese, 18th century, but without a mandorla, sold at Christie's New York, 21 March 2012, lot 802.

Bonhams. FINE CHINESE ART, London, 12 November 2015

Karen Knorr, The Queen's Room, Zanana, Udaipur City Palace, India Song 2008 - 2020. © Karen Knorr

Karen Knorr, Conqueror of the World, Podar Haveli, Nawalgarh, India Song 2008 - 2020. © Karen Knorr

Karen Knorr, The Opium Smoker, Chitrasala, Bundi, India Song 2008 - 2020. © Karen Knorr

Karen Knorr, The Joy of Ahimsa, Takhat Vilas, Jodhpur, India Song 2008 - 2020. © Karen Knorr

Karen Knorr, Avatars of Devi, Samode Palace, Samode, India Song 2008 - 2020. © Karen Knorr

Karen Knorr, The Return of the Hunter, Chandra Mahal, Jaipur Palace, Jaipur, India Song 2008 - 2020. © Karen Knorr

Karen Knorr, Sikander’s Entrance, Chandra Mahal, Jaipur City Palace, Jaipur, India Song 2008 - 2020. © Karen Knorr

Karen Knorr, The Flight to Freedom, Durbar Hall, Juna Mahal, Dungarpur, India Song 2008 - 2020. © Karen Knorr

Karen Knorr, The Lovesick Prince, Aam Khas, Junha Mahal, Dungarpur Palace, India Song 2008 - 2020. © Karen Knorr

Karen Knorr, The Survivors, Deogarh Palace, Deogarh, India Song 2008 - 2020. © Karen Knorr

Karen Knorr, The Private Audience, Aam Khas, Junha Mahal, Dungarpur, India Song 2008 - 2020. © Karen Knorr

Karen Knorr, Durga’s Mount, Junha Mahal, Dungarpur, India Song 2008 - 2020. © Karen Knorr

Karen Knorr, Krishna’s Crown, Jawa Mahal, Jaipur, India Song 2008 - 2020. © Karen Knorr

Karen Knorr, Friends in Need, Juna Mahal, Dungarpur Palace, India Song 2008 - 2020. © Karen Knorr

Karen Knorr, Master of Seduction, Amer Fort, Amer, India Song 2008 - 2020. © Karen Knorr

Karen Knorr, Homage to Ustad Mansur, India Song 2008 - 2020. © Karen Knorr

Karen Knorr, Mohan, A Prince in Waiting, Manak Mahal, Udaipur City Palace, India Song 2008 - 2020. © Karen Knorr

Karen Knorr, Krishna's Rasa Leela, Chitrasala, Bundi, India Song 2008 - 2020. © Karen Knorr

Karen Knorr, Mahasattva’s Sacrifice, Ajanta Caves, India Song 2008 - 2020. © Karen Knorr

Karen Knorr, Attaining Moksha, Ajanta Caves, Ajanta, India Song 2008 - 2020. © Karen Knorr

Lot 3662. A rare celadon jade segmented dragon ornament, Qing dynasty, 18th century; 76.2 by 54.4 cm., 30 by 21 3/8  in. Estimate 600,000 — 800,000 HKD. Lot sold 325,000 HKD. Photo: Sotheby's.

the segmented jade plaques masterfully fixed on a blue silk ground against a plywood board, depicting a five-clawed dragon writhing sinuously below ruyi-shaped clouds and chasing a flaming pearl, its fierce expression framed by its long curved whiskers, its scales meticulously detailed with fine incisions, the stone of an even pale greenish-white colour with some areas of calcification, the silk background decorated with evenly spread floral designs, framed.

Provenance: Collection of Marcello Sardi (1870-1956).

Sotheby’s. Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, Hong Kong, 08 october 2014

Lot 3675. A celadon jade 'dragon' washer, Qing dynasty, 18th century; 14.8 cm., 5 7/8  in. Estimate 250,000 — 300,000 HKD. Lot sold 750,000 HKD. Photo: Sotheby's.

of circular section, carved with shallow rounded sides rising from a countersunk base, the interior carved with a stylised sinuous dragon, the stone of a beige-celadon tone mottled with faint russet inclusions.

Provenance: An old Japanese collection.

Sotheby’s. Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, Hong Kong, 08 october 2014

Lot 3957. A rare and large spinach-green jade marriage bowl, Qing dynasty, 18th century; 13 1/4 in. (34 cm.) across handles. Estimate 700,000 - HKD 900,000. Price realised HKD 1,580,000. © Christie's Images Ltd 2012.  

The bowl with an incurving rim is ornately carved in the interior in high relief with the Bajixiang, Eight Buddhist Emblems, surrounding a central leafy peony blossom amidst smaller scrolling peonies. The handles are carved as a pair of bats flanking a Shou character suspending with a loose ring. The marriage bowl is supported on six evenly spaced low ruyi-cloud feet. The stone is of characteristic mossy green tone with areas of mottling, wood stand.

Provenance: Dreicer & Co, New York, late 19th century to early 20th century
A New York private collection, acquired in the early 1900s.

Note: Spinach jade was often reserved for large pieces in the Imperial palace, and the present example is unusually large for a marriage bowl. Compare with two slightly smaller examples, both with the similar Bajixiang theme on the exterior but butterfly handles. The first is from the Alan & Simone Hartman Collection, sold at Christie's New York, 26 March 2010, lot 1140. The other with an additional Jiaqing Yushang mark was sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 30 April 2000, lot 520.

Bowls of this type were often given as gifts on special occasions, such as a wedding or birthday. The combination of decorative motifs on these bowls usually formed a rebus appropriate to the event. The bats and Shou characters represent fortune and longevity. The peonies represent wealth. It is most likely this bowl was commissioned as a gift in honor of a birthday, wishing someone a long life and the fulfilment of all his wishes.

Lot 4006. A superbly carved reticulated bamboo cylindrical parfumier, Qing dynasty, 18th century. The cylinder, 10 1/4 in. (26 cm.) high. Estimate 1,200,000 - HKD 1,800,000. Price realised HKD 1,220,000. © Christie's Images Ltd 2012.  

The parfumier is exquisitely carved in various levels of relief and in openwork to depict the Eight Immortals and three Star Gods led by Shoulao seated on the back of a crane descending from the right through billowing clouds to attend the Queen Mother of the West, Xiwangmu's birthday banquet. Xiwangmu is shown descending from the left on the back of a phoenix accompanied by her attendant on the back of a dragon to a gathering of sages and attendants bearing gifts and auspicious objects, all within the celestial setting of the Kunlun Shan. The mountainous landscape is strewn with bamboo groves, pine trees and wutong emerging from rocky outcrops and waterfalls cascading among the cliffs. The zitan base is carved with four boys at play alternating with Buddhist lions playing with brocade balls raised on four ruyi feet, the pierced zitan cover carved in relief with a pair of confronting dragons emerging form ruyi clouds, stand and cover.

Provenance: Michael Merton, 1970s
The Collection of Mr and Mrs Gerard Hawthorn
Sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 3 December 2008, lot 2328.

Note: The fine carving of the zitan base and cover indicate that these are highly likely to have been produced in the Palace workshops in Beijing.

Xi Wangmu's palace at the Jasper Pool in the Kunlun mountains is known for its size and beauty, and for its gardens in which grows a fabulous peach tree. The tree bears magical peaches which confer immortality upon anyone who eats them. They are said to take 3000 years to grow and a further 3000 years to ripen. The cylinder depicts the scene of the banquet that is held when the peaches have been harvested. This event is proclaimed Xi Wangmu's birthday and all the immortals are invited to the Pantao hui (Feast of Peaches) to celebrate by the eating of exotic delicacies and by enjoying musical performances.

Lot 4034. A fine kesi civil official's rank badge of a mandarin duck, buzi, Qing dynasty, 18th century; 9 7/8 x 10 3/8 in. (25.2 x 26.5 cm.). Estimate 80,000 - HKD 120,000. Price realised HKD 81,250. © Christie's Images Ltd 2012.  

Made for a civil official of the seventh rank. The bird shown facing the sun as it alights on a rock protruding from a grassy ground with narcissus, lingzhi, chrysanthemum and bamboo, beside a river and flanked by further rockwork with an additional pine tree, the sky filled with ruyi-shaped clouds, all in shades of blue, coral, green, white and brown with painted details, within a gold border, mounted.

Provenance: Judith Rutherford.

Note: The seventh rank included the post of District Magistrate, the most important official with whom the vast majority of ordinary Chinese people would not have any dealings.

A very similar badge from the collection of Judith Rutherford is illustrated by B. Jackson and D. Hughes, Ph.D., Ladder to the Clouds, Berkeley, 1999, p. 240.

Lot 3155. A yellow jade openwork 'dragon' pendant, Qing dynasty, 18th century; 2 1/2 in. (6.2 cm.) long. Estimate 600,000 - HKD 800,000. Price realised HKD 1,420,000. © Christie's Images Ltd 2014.  

The flattened pendant is carved on both sides as an archaistic dragon with backward-turned head and long curly tail, and further incised with cloud motifs on the surfaces. The semi-translucent stone is of even, warm yellowish colour with a tinge of russet on the lower right corner cleverly worked into a mouse, box.

Provenance: Tam Tai, Hong Kong, acquired in 1992.

Note: The seventh rank included the post of District Magistrate, the most important official with whom the vast majority of ordinary Chinese people would not have any dealings.

A very similar badge from the collection of Judith Rutherford is illustrated by B. Jackson and D. Hughes, Ph.D., Ladder to the Clouds, Berkeley, 1999, p. 240.

Lot 3347. A large pale celadon and russet jade carving of a mandarin fish, Qing dynasty, 18th century; 6 1/2 in. (16.5 cm.) long. Estimate 750,000 - HKD 1,200,000. Price realised HKD 1,000,000. © Christie's Images Ltd 2014.  

The fish is carved in the round swimming amongst trailing lotus stems and flowers, all upon a bed of swirling waves. The carving is enhanced by incised details to the scales and waves. The stone is of an even tone with areas of russet highlights, box.

Note: This carving is rich in auspicious symbolism. The word for fish in Chinese,yu, provides a homonym for 'abundance' while the lotus it grasps in its mouth,he, provides a rebus for 'harmony'. This carving therefore promises abundant peace.

This piece compares very closely with a jade carving of a carp amongst waves from the B.S. McElney Collection, illustrated in J. Watt, Chinese Jades from the Ming to the Ch'ing, The Asia Society, 1980, p. 103, no. 90, illustration on p. 106; and a carp amongst lotus as illustrated in B. Morgan, Chinese Jades from the Kirknorton Collection, London, 1995, no. 75.

Lot 3145. A carved white jade 'chilong' disc, Qing dynasty, 18th century; 2 in. (5 cm.) diam. Estimate 300,000 - HKD 500,000. Price realised HKD 600,000. © Christie's Images Ltd 2014.  

The circular ring is carved in relief with two clambering chilong, both with long bifurcated tails. The semi-translucent stone is of an even milky white tone.

Lot 3606. A pair of aubergine-glazed 'Bajixiang' incised dishes, marks and period of Yongzheng (1723-1735); 11.5 cm., 4 1/2  in. Estimate 280,000 — 320,000 HKD . Lot sold 350,000 HKD . © Sotheby's.

each potted with shallow rounded sides rising from a short foot to a slightly flared rim, finely incised around the exterior with beribboned bajixiang ('Eight Buddhist Emblems'), applied overall with a translucent aubergine glaze, the countersunk base reserved in white and inscribed in underglaze blue with a six-character reign mark within a double circle.

Provenance: Sotheby's Hong Kong, 28th April 1998, lot 756.

Sotheby's. Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, Hong Kong,  08 October 2014

Lot 3612. A peachbloom-glazed bowl, Qing dynasty, 18th century; 21.2 cm., 8 3/8  in. Estimate 40,000 — 60,000 HKD . Lot sold 112,500 HKD. © Sotheby's.

the deep rounded sides rising from a short foot to a flared rim, covered overall save for the base with a pink glaze thinning to pale bluish-green over the rim, the base incised with an apocryphal six-character Xuande reign mark within a double circle.

Sotheby's. Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, Hong Kong,  08 October 2014

Lot 3622. A flambé-glazed meiping, Qing dynasty, 18th-19th century; 23 cm., 9 in. Estimate 70,000 — 90,000 HKD . Lot sold 162,500 HKD. © Sotheby's.

robustly potted, the round shouldered tapering baluster body rising from a slightly splayed foot to a narrow short waisted neck and a lipped mouthrim, applied overall save for the base with a glossy milky lavender-blue glaze cascading down resembling a waterfall, gathering in the unctuous pool of pale cobalt-blue glaze concentrating below the shoulders, suffused with a fine network of crackles, the base incised with the character qi ('seven'), wood stand.

Sotheby's. Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, Hong Kong,  08 October 2014

Lot 3361. A large lapis lazuli water buffalo, Qing dynasty, 18th century; 8 1/8 in. (20.5 cm.) long. Estimate 500,000 - HKD 700,000. Price realised HKD 600,000. © Christie's Images Ltd 2014.  

The stone is carved as a recumbent water buffalo with the legs tucked beneath the rounded body and tail flicked to one side. The head is turned to one side with a well-carved mouth, bulging eyes and long ridged horns above the well-hollowed ears.

Note: The buffalo is associated with strength, prosperity and tranquility. The ox or buffalo is one of the twelve horary animals representing one of the twelve branches of the Chinese calendrical system. Buffalo are also associated with farming and the production of food. The poetic view of the buffalo had resonance for Chan Buddhists and Daoists alike, suggesting retreat into a tranquil rural life away from the cities and the responsibilities of public office.