Lot 99. 2004 Aston Martin DB7 Zagato. Registration no. WJ53 TSV. Chassis no. SCFAE12323K700082. Estimate £ 250,000 - 300,000 (€ 280,000 - 330,000). Courtesy Bonhams.

Bonhams Motoring calendar re-starts on 30 May with a traditional auction encompassing motorcars, motorcycles and cherished registrations, in a revised format to reflect the current climate.

The sale will be a live 'behind-closed-doors' auction. The auctioneer will be present on the rostrum as normal, and bids will be accepted in the following formats: online, on the phone, or by leaving an absentee bid. All bidding will be conducted remotely via a live stream online and in accordance with the latest government guidelines.

118 Lots are consigned and available to view - by appointment only - at Bonhams Bicester Heritage offices on Thursday 28, Friday 29, and the morning of Saturday 30 May. The sale features dedicated sections spanning different eras and disciplines of motoring.

Aston Martin

Leading the pack is a 2004 Aston Martin DB7 Zagato (estimate £250,000 - 300,000), one of just 99 such cars ever built, and the sole example to be painted Ferrari 'Nero Daytona' with a charcoal-hue interior. It is offered by just the second owner who purchased the car from Aston Martin Works Service in October 2015 when it had covered 14,000 miles. Today it shows just 17,205 miles and continues the Bonhams tradition of offering quality Aston Martins at auction.

Lot 99. 2004 Aston Martin DB7 Zagato. Registration no. WJ53 TSV. Chassis no. SCFAE12323K700082. Estimate £ 250,000 - 300,000 (€ 280,000 - 330,000). Courtesy Bonhams.

Odometer Reading: 17,205
MoT Expiry: 20/02/2021

*Comprehensive service history
*Low mileage
*Understated colour combination

Zagato's take on the DB7 added the Italian designer's signature styling cues to the '7' to create an entirely different design, being one that reprised Zagato creations of previous decades but updated for the new millennium.

This is number 82 of just 99 cars built, and the sole example to be painted Ferrari 'Nero Daytona' with a charcoal-hue interior. Our vendor is the second owner, purchasing the car from Aston Martin Works Service in October 2015 when it had covered 14,000 miles. Today it shows 17,205 miles.

Our vendor says the car's servicing has been at main dealers and Aston Martin Works Service, with the most recent at Aston Martin Hatfield in February, when the MoT test was also carried out. They also point out that despite its low mileage, servicing has been carried as per the service guide.
The car's mechanical condition is vendor-ranked as excellent, from the engine's starting and running to its underbonnet presentation. Running gear (gearbox, clutch, suspension and brakes) also rank as excellent, the vendor says.
The bodywork and Ferrari 'Nero Daytona' paintwork are described as very good, as are the trim, glass and wheels/tyres. The charcoal-coloured leather interior is also ranked as excellent.
During the vendor's tenure it has been kept in a heated garage and under cover and will be accompanied by the unique-to-car build book, numbered car cover, interior covers and model (in the same colour as the 'real' car).

Successfully combining traditional Aston Martin lines with Zagato's styling cues, the DB7 Zagato offers multi-cylindered grand touring combined with a pleasing looks. This low-mileage, well-documented example is a must for any serious Aston Martin collector.

Sports and GT

1958 Lancia Aurelia B24S Convertible with hardtop (estimate £220,000 - 260,000) is the ultimate incarnation of the Italian classic. Sourced for the current owner by renowned marque specialists Thornley Kelham, this beautiful example has been restored at various stages of its life, most recently in 2005/2006.

Lot 106. 1958 Lancia Aurelia B24S Convertible with hardtop. Coachwork by Pininfarina. Registration no. 704 XVG. Chassis no. B24S-1610. Estimate £ 220,000 - 260,000 (€ 250,000 - 290,000). Courtesy Bonhams.

Odometer Reading: TBA
MoT Expiry: Exempt

*Fitted with new hood
*Restored 2005/2006
*The ultimate Aurelia?

Lancia specialists Thornley Kelham sourced this car for the vendor. It has been restored several times, most recently being in 2005/2006. The vendor says it remains in generally good condition and its V6 engine means it is perfectly capable of running with modern traffic. The leather trim remains in good order and the brand-new hood is said to be fitting well: an un-restored (and rarely seen) factory hardtop is included. It comes with restoration invoices, current MoT test certificate and V5C.

An older restoration remaining in good order this B24S, which is said to be in good all-round condition, is worthy of consideration by anyone who appreciates Lancia's golden era.

Edwardian, Vintage and Post Vintage Thoroughbred

A 1927 Frazer Nash Boulogne Super Sport (estimate £140,000 - 180,000) will be of special interest to vintage enthusiasts, with in-period competition history including the 1929 Tourist Trophy. The car was notably campaigned during the '90s by Frazer Nash Car Club captain Bill Roberts and his son Steve Stanton. Today it is described by the vendor as being in 'top condition', with a 'marvellous patina'. Competition history and expenditure over the years make this is an important part of Nash history. 

Lot 21. 1927 Frazer Nash Boulogne Super Sport. Registration no. PH 3870. Chassis no. 1118. Estimate £140,000 - 180,000 (€ 160,000 - 200,000). Courtesy Bonhams.

Odometer Reading: TBA
MoT Expiry: Exempt

*Period competition history including 1929 TT
*No expense-spared maintenance
*In-period competition history

Re-bodied as a saloon whose coachwork was scrapped following a wartime raid, this Boulogne was intended for restoration and after a long time those intentions became reality when it was re-bodied as a Super Sport. An ultra-lightweight body was built by Frazer Nash Car Club captain Bill Roberts and it saw many racing outings before being campaigned by Roberts' son, Steve Stanton: in 1999 it was part of the FNCC's Raid to Bolzano. One year later it was bought by the vendor. The engine was re-built and other mechanicals overhauled, without replacing any original parts. Since then it has taken part in numerous mainland European events including the 2010 Alpenfahrt and Vernasca in 2011 and 2012. Today it is described by the vendor as being in 'top condition', with a 'marvellous patina'.

With much competition history and much expenditure over the years this Boulogne Super Sport is an important part of 'Nash history and should delight any lover of 'true' British sporting cars.

There are 33 Lots offered without reserve, including a 1934 Talbot AV105 Three Position Drophead Coupé (estimate £70,000 – 90,000), a 1935 Bentley 3½ Litre Pillarless Coupé (estimate £50,000 – 70,000) and a 1929 Rolls-Royce Phantom I (estimate £30,000 – 40,000).

Lot 25. 1934 Talbot AV105 Three Position Drophead Coupé. Registration no. ARE 34. Chassis no. 35488. Estimate £70,000 – 90,000 (€ 78,000 - 100,000). Courtesy Bonhams.

1935 Bentley 3½ Litre Pillarless Coupé. Coachwork by Rippon. Registration no. BUE 922. Chassis no. B129EJ. Estimate £70,000 – 90,000 (€ 78,000 - 100,000). Courtesy Bonhams.

Lot 22. 1929 Rolls-Royce Phantom I. Registration no. UV 1377. Chassis no. 116KR. Estimate £30,000 - 40,000 (€ 78,000 - 100,000). Courtesy Bonhams. 

Modern Classics Powered by Bonhams MPH

Homologation specials include a 1987 Ford Sierra Cosworth (estimate £55,000 – 75,000) the late-1980s urban hero that paved the way for successful motorsport campaigns on both racetrack and rally stage. Unusually, this example has just over 55,000 miles and a factory-straight appearance. Its forbears are represented with both a 1969 Ford Escort Twin Cam (estimate £50,000 – 60,000), and a 1977 Ford Escort RS2000 (estimate £40,000 – 50,000). There is also an example of its successor, a 1990 Ford Sierra Sapphire RS Cosworth 4x4 (estimate £30,000 – 40,000).

Lot 64. 1987 Ford Sierra RS Cosworth. Registration no. D318 GBF. Chassis no. WF0ECCGBBEGR93447. Estimate £55,000 - 75,000 (€ 61,000 - 84,000). Courtesy Bonhams. 

The sale features a series of luxury cars that represent great value today. When new, these motors commanded impressive equipment specifications and price lists to match. The 2001 Bentley Arnage Red Label (estimate £14,000 – 18,000) presents well, comes with good history, and has covered just 49,000 miles. An Italian, and altogether more sporting proposition, is a lesser-seen red example of a 2005 Maserati Quattroporte (estimate £8,000 – 12,000). An attractive, reliable and typically well-engineered, 2004 Mercedes-Benz SL 500 (estimate £6,500 – 8,500) has just 93,000 miles on the clock.

Lot 74. 2001 Bentley Arnage Red Label. Registration no. Y836 VFF. Chassis no. SCBLC31E31CH06031. Estimate £14,000 – 18,000 (€ 16,000 - 20,000). Courtesy Bonhams. 

Lot 80. 2005 Maserati Quattroporte. Registration no. PNZ 3092. Chassis no. ZAMCD39C000018747. Estimate £8,000 – 12,000 (€8,900 - 13,000). Courtesy Bonhams. 

Lot 78. 2004 Mercedes-Benz SL 500. Registration no. GD54 CBO. Chassis no. WDB2304752F091050. Estimate £6,500 - 8,500 (€7,300 - 9,500). Courtesy Bonhams. 

Popular Classics Powered by Bonhams MPH

The 1964 Jaguar MK2 3.4 Saloon (estimate £28,000 – 34,000) is the property of film star Robbie Coltrane. During his 22 years of ownership, Mr Coltrane commissioned enhancements to the brakes, steering, transmission and engine.

 Lot 39. 1964 Jaguar MK2 3.4 Saloon. Registration no. HOO 449B. Chassis no. 164567DN. Estimate £28,000 - 34,000 (€31,000 - 38,000). Courtesy Bonhams. 

Motorcycles

Lot 3238. A Yaozhou celadon petal-carved bowl, Northern Song dynasty (AD 960-1127); 5 ¾ in. (14.8 cm.) diam. Estimate $70,000 - $10,000. Price Realized $7,500. © Christie's Image Ltd 2015

The bowl has rounded sides well carved on the exterior with four rows of overlapping petal tips and is covered overall with a glaze of grey-green color that also covers the interior of the neatly cut foot ring and the base, box

Provenance: Christie's New York, 21 September 2004, lot 199.

Note: A very similar bowl of comparable size is illustrated by R. L. Hobson in The Eumorfopoulos Collection, vol. II, 1926, pl. LIII, no. B 203.

Christie's. FINE CHINESE CERAMICS AND WORKS OF ART, 15 - 16 March 2015, New York, Rockefeller Plaza

Lot 3239. A small Ding-type deep bowl, Song dynasty (AD 960-1279); 3 ¾ in. (9.5 cm.) diam. Estimate $4,000 - USD 6,000. Price Realized $3,750. © Christie's Image Ltd 2015

The thinly potted bowl has deep sides that are covered below the unglazed rim with a thin glaze of ivory tone that falls short of the center of the interior and falls irregularly on the lower body and base to reveal the white ware, box.

Christie's. FINE CHINESE CERAMICS AND WORKS OF ART, 15 - 16 March 2015, New York, Rockefeller Plaza

Lot 3243. An exquisite and exceptionally rare Geyao water pot, Southern Song-Yuan dynasty (1127-1279); 2 7/8 in. (7.3 cm.) high. Estimate USD 1,000,000 - USD 1,500,000. Price Realized USD 1,085,000. © Christie's Image Ltd 2015

The water pot is finely potted with a spherical body that rises to a short neck with slightly thickened mouth rim, and is covered with an unctuous pale grey glaze suffused with a network of irregular black crackle ('iron wire') interspersed with some golden-brown crackle ('golden thread') that stops in a neat line at the brown-dressed foot ring.

Provenance: Christie's Hong Kong, 1 November 2004, lot 802.

Literature: Christie's 20 Years in Hong Kong, 1986 - 2006, Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art Highlights, p. 31.

Note: This water pot has an exceptionally well-potted spherical form. Small compressed globular water pots with celadon glazes were made in Zhejiang province as early as the Southern Dynasties period (AD 420-589). One such vessel, excavated from a 5th century tomb in Yongjia county and now in the Wenzhou Museum, is illustrated in Complete Collection of Ceramic Art Unearthed in China, vol. 9, Zhejiang, Beijing, 2008, p. 87. Similar compressed globular water pots, with or without three small feet, were also made at the Ou kilns and the Yue ware kilns in the Tang dynasty. Examples from the Wenzhou Museum and the Cixi Museum are illustrated ibid, pp. 126 and 127 respectively. However, in the Five Dynasties period well-potted spherical water pots can be found amongst vessels from prestigious kilns which found favour with the imperial court. A mise celadon water pot of this spherical form, and of very similar size to the current Ge ware vessel, was excavated in Lin’an county in 1996 from the Kangling Mausoleum (dated AD 939), illustrated ibid., p. 143. A fine 10th-century spherical white-glazed water pot with incised lotus decoration, slightly smaller than the current Ge ware vessel, is in the collection of the Tokyo National Museum. This white water pot, which is illustrated in Sekai toji zenshu, vol. 11, Sui Tang, Tokyo, 1976, pp. 115-6, pls. 92-3, is inscribed on the base with the characters xin guan (new official). Although the Tokyo water pot has no neck or raised mouth rim, a small Ding ware spherical water pot (7.5 cm high) with a very short neck was excavated in 1969 from the foundations of the Jingzhongyuan Temple pagoda, dated AD 995, illustrated by the Idemitsu Museum of Arts in Treasures from the Underground Palaces - Excavated Treasures from Northern Song Pagodas, Dingzhou, Hebei Province, China, Tokyo, 1997, no. 90. A larger spherical Ding ware water pot with longer neck and thickened rim, also from Jingzhongyuan Temple pagoda, is illustrated by Liu Tao in Song Liao Jin jinian ciqi, Beijing, 2004, p. 5, fig. 1-29. Thus, by the early Northern Song dynasty, late 10th century, the spherical form for small water pots was already established as desirable amongst the Chinese elite.

Christie's. FINE CHINESE CERAMICS AND WORKS OF ART, 15 - 16 March 2015, New York, Rockefeller Plaza

Lot 127. A huanghuali dismantable recessed-leg table, qiaotouan, Late Ming dynasty; 82.6 by 215.3 by 46 cm., 32 1/2  by 84 3/4  by 18 1/8  in. Estimate 6,800,000 — 8,800,000 HKD. Lot Sold 11,120,000 HKD (1,278,310 EUR). Courtesy Sotheby's.

Exhibited: In Pursuit of Antiquities: Thirty-fifth Anniversary Exhibition of the Min Chiu Society, Hong Kong Museum of Art, Hong Kong, 1995-96, cat. no. 242, p. 270.
Grace Wu Bruce, Chan Chair and Qin Bench: The Dr. S. Y. Yip Collection of Classic Chinese Furniture II, Art Museum, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 1998, cat. no. 18, pp. 94-95.
Grace Wu Bruce presents Ming Furniture from the Collection of Dr. S. Y. Yip, Institute of Contemporary Art, London, 1999.
Grace Wu Bruce, Grace Wu Bruce presents a choice selection of Ming Furniture from the Dr. S. Y. Yip collections, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Hong Kong, 2012, pp. 42-43.

Note: "Even when dismantled, the separate parts display a distinctive sculptural effect!"

Sotheby's. Ming Furniture – The Dr S Y Yip Collection, Hong Kong, 07 October 2015

Lot 128. A pair of huanghuali low-back armchairs, meiguiyi, Late Ming-early Qing dynasty; 86 by 59 by 45 cm., 33 7/8  by 23 1/4  by 17 3/4  in. Estimate 1,800,000 — 2,800,000 HKD. Lot Sold 5,480,000 HKD (629,959 EUR). Courtesy Sotheby's.

Exhibited: The Chinese Collections, Asian Civilisations Museum, Singapore, 1997-99, p. 124.
Grace Wu Bruce, Feast by a Wine Table Reclining on a Couch: The Dr. S. Y. Yip Collection of Classic Chinese Furniture III, Art Museum, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 2007, cat. no. 3, pp. 32-33.
Grace Wu Bruce, Grace Wu Bruce presents a Choice Selection of Ming Furniture from the Dr. S. Y. Yip Collection, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Hong Kong, 2012, pp. 34-35.

Literature: Catherine Maudsley, ed., Classical and Vernacular Chinese Furniture in the Living Environment, Hong Kong, 1998, p. 125.

Note: "A classic literati type of chair for scholars to sit fairly upright, with minimal support to the mid-back so as not to induce sleep. It would be delicious to own this pair from the original set of four – the other two being at the Victoria and Albert Museum!"

Sotheby's. Ming Furniture – The Dr S Y Yip Collection, Hong Kong, 07 October 2015

Lot 129. A small huanghuali and green stone recessed-leg table with a shield, pingtouan, Late Ming dynasty; 75 by 68.4 by 38.6 cm., 29 1/2  by 26 7/8  by 15 1/4  in. Estimate 900,000 — 1,800,000 HKD. Lot Sold 3,320,000 HKD (381,654 EUR). Courtesy Sotheby's.

Literature: Catherine Maudsley, ed., Classical and Vernacular Chinese Furniture in the Living Environment, Hong Kong, 1998, p. 125.

Note: "Addition of a shelf gives the table a different presence. Green clouds on the table top gives it a distinct complexion."

Sotheby's. Ming Furniture – The Dr S Y Yip Collection, Hong Kong, 07 October 2015

Lot 130. A small huanghuali recessed-leg painting table, pingtouan, Late Ming dynasty; 81.3 by 137.5 by 81.3 cm., 32 by 54 1/8  by 32 in. Estimate 2,800,000 — 4,000,000 HKD. Lot Sold 7,880,000 HKD (905,853 EUR). Courtesy Sotheby's.

Literature: Catherine Maudsley, ed., Classical and Vernacular Chinese Furniture in the Living Environment, Hong Kong, 1998, p. 125.

Note: "A classic desk of elegant simplicity."

Tables with legs not at the corners, but recessed, are called an tables. This classic pingtouan design has its origin in ancient Chinese architecture in wood. Completely plain, this simple form with pure lines is what first captured the attention of twentieth century furniture historians. The design is now considered quintessentially Ming.

Tables with this design were used for various functions as seen in Ming publications in woodblock illustrations. The present example, being unusually deep, over 81 cm deep, is especially suitable for being used as a desk, the modern equivalent of a Ming dynasty painting table. Painting tables are very rare in surviving examples of classic Chinese furniture.

A very similar painting table in the Lu Ming Shi Collection, also with a huamu top, but not as deep, is illustrated in Grace Wu Bruce, Living with Ming – the Lu Ming Shi Collection, Hong Kong, 2000, pp. 126-127.

Sotheby's. Ming Furniture – The Dr S Y Yip Collection, Hong Kong, 07 October 2015

Lot 132. A huanghuali and puddingstone high waist incense table, Late Ming dynasty; 84 by 79 by 49.3 cm., 33 1/8  by 31 1/8  by 19 3/8  in. Estimate 1,200,000 — 2,500,000 HKD. Lot Sold 3,920,000 HKD (450,627 EUR). Courtesy Sotheby's.

Note: "Be it called an incense table, I find this ideal for placing penzai plants or rock sculptures. One can find pudding stone floors at some secluded chambers in the Beijing Palace Museum."

This piece has such a simple form that it relies entirely on the delicacy of its proportions for its beauty. Its restrained framework sets off perfectly the complex and colourful pattern of the puddingstone panel inset in the frame top. 

Tables of this design without stretchers between the legs belong to a type classic to Ming furniture designs, as frequently depicted in contemporaneous paintings and woodblock print illustrations. However, surviving examples are rare.

This table is probably an incense table, xiangji, which was recorded in the 16th century publication Eight Discourses on the Art of Living Zunsheng Bajian by Gao Lian, used for displaying a rock sculpture, fragrant bonsai (miniature plant), flower vase or an incense burner.

For a related example that is deeper with a burlwood top, see Wang Shixiang et al., Masterpieces from the Museum of Classical Chinese Furniture, Chicago and San Francisco, 1995, pp. 90-91. Another example of similar design but with a huanghuali top is illustrated in Grace Wu Bruce, A Choice Collection Chinese Ming Furniture, Hong Kong, 2011, pp. 46-49.

Sotheby's. Ming Furniture – The Dr S Y Yip Collection, Hong Kong, 07 October 2015

Lot 87. A rare very pale green jade bowl, Qianlong four-character mark and of the period (1736-1795), with additional character jia; 15.8cm (6 1/4in) diam. Estimate: £ 15,000-20,000. Sold for £ 31,250 (€ 34,891). © Bonhams

The attractive pale stone highlighted with opaque inclusions and striations, exquisitely and simplistically worked with steep curving sides elegantly rising to a slightly flaring rim, the interior well hollowed and supported on a thick gently spreading foot. 

Provenance: acquired from Spink & Son, Ltd., London on 7 January 1980
An English private collection.

Note: Bowls such as the present lot are rare: the finely hollowed shape requires the removal as waste of an extravagant amount of precious jade, necessary for the desired effect of allowing the light to gleam through the translucent sides.

Furthermore, it is unusual to find such a piece with an imperial reign mark, although related unmarked jade bowls were also in the imperial collections: see for example a white jade bowl with a Palace inventory label in the Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, illustrated by J.C.S.Lin, The Immortal Stone: Chinese jades from the Neolithic period to the twentieth century, Cambridge, 2009, p.91, no.81, where the author notes that 'the quality of the jade, excellent carving and polishing, and the location label... indicate that [it] belonged to the Imperial collection'.

For a similar example also with a jia character, Qianlong mark and period, see Ming and Qing Chinese Arts from the C.P.Lin Collection, Hong Kong, 2014, no.130. Another smaller example also with a jia character was sold at Sotheby's New York, 19 March 2007, lot 11, and a related white jade bowl, Qianlong mark and period, was sold at Sotheby's Hong Kong, 8 April 2014, lot 3038.

Lot 109. A rare pale green jade Mughal-style bowl and stand, 18th century. The bowl 13.3cm (5 1/4in) diam., the stand 13cm (5 1/8in) wide. Estimate: £ 10,000-15,000. Sold for £ 31,250 (€ 34,891). © Bonhams

With slightly everted rim supported on a straight foot, incised to the exterior with sunflowers borne on scrolling tendrils issuing acanthus leaves, supported on a reticulated quatrefoil stand in the shape of four petals carved with further flower heads surrounded by leafy tendrils. 

Provenance: An English private collection.

Note: The present lot is a very fine example of the ingenious jade workmanship achieved during the Qianlong period, as is particularly exemplified in the outstanding openwork carving of the jade stand.

The design and craftsmanship of the bowl and stand is clearly derived from Mughal jades, which were identified by the Qianlong emperor as 'Hindustan' jades. Mughal jades originating in India were highly admired by the emperor as demonstrated by the very large number of extant examples from the Qing Court Collection and now in the National Palace Museum, Taipei; see Teng Shu-p'ing, Exquisite Beauty: Islamic Jades, Taipei, 2007 (for related openwork examples see pls.193-195, 207 and 208). The admiration and demand for Mughal jades affected the design of jade carving in second-half 18th century China, and the present bowl and stand is a fine example of the combination of styles, utilising to a great effect the overlapping reticulated lappets encircling the shou-character medallion. The precise fitting of the bowl onto the stand, allowing for greater stability and ability to rotate the bowl upon it, are noteworthy and a further testament to the masterful carving.

Lot 101. A white and russet jade carving of a mythical beast, 18th century; 7.5cm (2 7/8in) wide. Estimate: £8,000-12,000. Sold for £22,500 (€ 25,121). © Bonhams

The lustrous stone of an even pale tone with minor russet inclusions, exquisitely carved as a recumbent horned beast detailed with bulging eyes and curling mane, grasping a leafy lingzhi spray in its mouth, its head turned to the backwards with its tail coiling along the rounded thigh, crouching on scrolling clouds extending to the underside. 

Provenance: an English private collection
S. Marchant & Son Ltd., London, 13 November 2003
John Sinkankas Collection, San Diego, California.

Lot 89. A small white jade flarring spitoon zhadou, 18th century; 5.2cm (2in) high. Estimate: £ 2,500-4,000. Sold for £21,250 (€ 23,726). © Bonhams

Of quatrefoil form with foliate facets, the globular body rising to a wide flaring rim, supported on a short straight foot, the lustrous stone with an attractive white tone. 

Provenance: acquired from Spink & Son, Ltd., London on 31 July 1979
An English private collection.

Note: Compare a slightly larger white jade spittoon, zhadou, Qing dynasty, illustrated in Studies of the Collections of the National Museum of China: Jade, Beijing, 2007, pl.260.

Lot 95. A very pale green and russet jade boulder, Qianlong-Jiaqing period (1736-1820); 8.3cm (3 1/4in) wide. Estimate: £4,000-6,000. Sold for £ 21,250 (€ 23,726). © Bonhams

The pebble-shaped stone of a lustrous pale tone scattered with some russet patches, intricately carved in deep relief to one side with a boy clambering on a tusked elephant, standing amidst rocky outcrops and overhung by a gnarled pine branch. 

Provenance: acquired from Spink & Son, Ltd., London on 7 February 1979
An English private collection.

Note: The subject matter of a boy tending to an elephant, forming a rebus for the meaning 'may you have a peaceful and prosperous future', was popular with the Qing Court, as may be seen in two white jade carvings from the Qing Court Collection, illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum: Jadeware (II), Beijing, 2008, pls.137-138.

Lot 92. A fine white jade 'lotus' box and cover, Qianlong period (1736-1795); 8.7cm (3 3/8in) diam. Estimate: £ 10,000-15,000. Sold for £20,000 (€ 22,330). © Bonhams

The flawless stone of a lustrous pale tone with rounded sides rising from a short recessed foot, intricately carved in relief to the dome-shaped cover with a central medallion enclosing two lotus flower heads borne on scrolling tendrils issuing curling acanthus leaves, the interior well hollowed. 

Provenance: acquired from Spink & Son, Ltd., London on 7 February 1979
An English private collection.

Note: The lustrous white jade box and cover is a very fine example of the highest quality of white jade. Such fine stone had become more available following the Qianlong emperor's conquest of the Dzungar Khanate between 1755 and 1759, renamed Xinjiang, where much of the jade was sourced. The subtle low-relief design restricted to the top of the cover, enhances the master craftsman's choice to keep the walls of the box and cover plain, displaying the superb quality of the natural white jade stone polished to a lustrous sheen.

For related white jade boxes and covers, carved on the top with shou medallions, see R.Kleiner, Chinese Jades from the Collection of Alan and Simone Hartman, Hong Kong, 1996, pl.85, later sold at Christie's Hong Kong on 27 November 2007, lot 1519; and The Woolf Collection of Chinese Jade, London, 2013, pl.64.

Lot 3255. A small Longquan celadon washer, Southern Song dynasty (1127-1279); 4 in. (10.1 cm.) diam. Estimate $3,000 – $4,000. Price Realized $6,875. © Christie's Image Ltd 2015

The The washer is finely potted with an angular profile rising from the short foot to a slightly everted rim, and is covered overall with an even crackled glaze of sea-green tone, Japanese wood box. 

Provenance: Private collection, Japan, acquired in the 1990s.

Christie's. FINE CHINESE CERAMICS AND WORKS OF ART, 15 - 16 March 2015, New York, Rockefeller Plaza

Lot 3256. Two Qingbai vessels, Southern Song-Yuan Dynasty, 12th-13th century; 4 7/8 and 3 ¾ in. (12.4 and 9.5 cm.) diam. Estimate USD 5,000 - USD 7,000. Price Realized USD 13,750. © Christie's Image Ltd 2015

One is a dish with upright sides, the interior carved with a foliate sprig; the other is a bowl carved on the interior with a flowering branch. Each is covered with a delicate, pale greenish-blue glaze below the unglazed mouth rim. 

Christie's. FINE CHINESE CERAMICS AND WORKS OF ART, 15 - 16 March 2015, New York, Rockefeller Plaza