Lot 13. A rare large blue and white 'landscape' and inscribed jar, Qing Dynasty, Kangxi period, dated to the gengzi year (in accordance with 1720); 50,5 cm, 19¾ in. Estimate: 8,000 - 12,000 EUR. Lot sold 35,000 EUR. Courtesy Sotheby's.

l'imposante potiche de forme balustre, la panse décorée sur sa face d'un grand paysage montagneux animé de personnages cheminant vers un pavillon, sur l'autre face, un large poème titré'l'Histoire du lettré ivre du pavillon'écrit par Ouyang Xiu (1007-1072) et daté de l'automne de l'année gengzi (correspondant à 1720).

Note: The vase is inscribed with the prose poem Zui Weng Ting ji, ‘From the Hut of the Drunken Old Man’ by Ouyang Xiu (1007-1072), one of the famous works of Chinese literature and considered as key text of the guwen literary genre that propagated a simple and clear style of prose, inspired by classical texts. Written in 1046 from exile in Anhui, Ouyang writes about his personal joys of sharing simple meals and drinking with friends, but above all celebrates the beauty of nature around his hut.

The combination of painting and calligraphy, rendering texts of famous Song dynasty intellectuals, was very popular as porcelain decoration in the Kangxi period. Well known are Kangxi blue-and-white bowls and brush pots inscribed with the Red Cliff Poem by Ouyang’s contemporary Su Shi (1037-1101), for example, a brush pot of Kangxi mark and period in the Palace Museum, Beijing, in Chen Runmin, ed., Gugong Bowuyuan cang Qingdai ciqi lei xuan [Qing porcelains from the Palace Museum Collection Selected by Type], vol.1: Qing Shunzhi Kangxi chao qinghua ci [Blue-and-white porcelain of the Shunzhi and Kangxi reigns of the Qing], Beijing, 2005, pl. 206.

The intense cobalt blue of this vase and the painting style with dramatic shading to depict ragged cliffs are also characteristic of this period late in the Kangxi reign; another vase in the Palace Museum, similarly decorated with figures in a landscape and inscribed with a date equivalent to 1715, is published in Gugong Bowuyuan cang wenwu zhenpin quanji/Qinghua youlihong The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum. Blue and White Porcelain with Underglazed Red, Shanghai, 2000, vol. 3, pl. 28. See also another vase inscribed with the same poem, sold at Christie’s Paris, 13th December 2017, lot 32.

Sotheby's. Arts d'Asie, Paris, 18 Juin 2020

Lot 14. A blue and white 'Immortals' vase, Qing Dynasty, 18th century; 36 cm, 14⅛ in. Estimate: 800 - 1,200 EUR. Lot sold 5,625 EUR. Courtesy Sotheby's.

la panse ornée des Huit Immortels et leurs attributs respectifs traversant la mer, surmontée d'une frise de ruyi et de caractères shou, les bords supérieurs à décor de leiwen.

Collection Particulière Française.

Sotheby's. Arts d'Asie, Paris, 18 Juin 2020

Lot 15. A flambé-glazed 'pomegranate' lobed vase and a blue-glazed tripod censer, Qing Dynasty, 19th century; 33,5 cm; 33,5 cm, 13⅛ in.; 13⅛ in. Estimate: 1,500 - 2,000 EUR. Lot sold 2,000 EUR. Courtesy Sotheby's.

socles et couvercle (5).

Collection Particulière Française.

Sotheby's. Arts d'Asie, Paris, 18 Juin 2020

Lot 17. A gilt-bronze figure of Palden Lhamo, Qing Dynasty, 18th century; 15,3 cm, 6 in. Estimate: 3,000 - 4,000 EUR. Lot sold 15,000 EUR. Courtesy Sotheby's.

chevauchant sa mule en amazone, le bras droit levé près de sa tête, un kapala dans sa main gauche, le visage féroce aux yeux incrustés de pierres, les cheveux hirsutes retenus par un diadème à cinq têtes aux yeux incrustés de perles, sur un socle jonché de cadavres, scellée (2).

Collection Particulière du Sud-Ouest de la France.

Sotheby's. Arts d'Asie, Paris, 18 Juin 2020

Lot 18. A rare gilt bronze figure of Rolpai Dorje, the 3rd Changkya Khutukhtu (1717-1786), Qing Dynasty, 18th century; 16,2 cm, 6⅜ in. Estimate: 4,000 - 6,000 EUR. Lot sold 7,750 EUR. Courtesy Sotheby's.

assis sur un double coussin finement incisé, portant une longue robe monastique et la haute coiffe plate caractéristique de l'ordre, la main droite en vitarka mudra, sa main gauche tenant une tige, non scellée.

Collection Particulière Italienne.

Sotheby's. Arts d'Asie, Paris, 18 Juin 2020

Lot 19. A small gilt-bronze figure of Boddhisattva, Qing Dynasty, 18th-19th century; 12,1 cm, 4¾ in. Estimate: 2,000 - 3,000 EUR. Lot sold 4,750 EUR. Courtesy Sotheby's.

assise en dhyanasana, les mains en vitarka mudra, la gauche au-dessus de l'aine tenant une perle sacrée, la droite levée devant l'épaule, le torse découvert paré de bijoux, le visage serein surmonté d'une couronne ouvragée, socle en bois (2).

Sotheby's. Arts d'Asie, Paris, 18 Juin 2020

Lot 20. A copper-alloy Pala style figure of Bodhisattva, Tibet, ca. 18th century; 16,2 cm, 6⅜ in. Estimate: 3,000 - 5,000 EUR. Lot sold 6,875 EUR. Courtesy Sotheby's.

assise en lalitasana sur un double socle lotiforme, la main droite tenant des tiges de fleurs de lotus s'épanouissant près de l'épaule, vêtue d'un fin dhoti et le corps richement paré de bijoux, coiffée d'une couronne à trois fleurons encadrant un chignon orné d'un joyau, non scellée.

Sotheby's. Arts d'Asie, Paris, 18 Juin 2020

BRUGES.- By means of archive documents and recent research results, this exhibition sheds new light on the intriguing life and work of the famous Flemish primitive Jan van Eyck.

EXHIBITION
Musea Brugge holds two of Jan Van Eyck’s most famous works in its collection: 'Madonna with Canon Joris van der Paele' and 'Portrait of Margareta van Eyck'. Moreover, Musea Brugge recently acquired a 'Virgin with Child in an Interior', painted by a follower of Van Eyck. To mark the Van Eyck Year 2020, these three works have been brought together in this exhibition.

Recent research results, re-examined archival documents, and an intriguing archaeological find shed new light on the life and world of Jan Van Eyck in the fifteenth century. Furthermore, thanks to infrared reflectograms and macro XRF images, you can also see the composition of the paint layers and the first drawing on the panel, allowing you to discover more about the painter’s working methods.

Van Eyck cut a striking figure in lively, medieval Bruges. He was a famous painter of high repute and one of the first artists to actually sign his work. In this exhibition, you see Van Eyck, his oeuvre and his clients through the eyes of a contemporary.

Jan Van Eyck, Madonna with Canon Joris van der Paele, Musea Brugge. © Lukas - Art in Flanders vzw, foto: Dominique Provost.

Jan Van Eyck, Portrait of Margareta van Eyck, Musea Brugge. © Lukas - Art in Flanders vzw, foto: Dominique Provost.

Virgin with Child in an Interior, follower of Jan van Eyck, 15th century, Musea Brugge. © Lukas - Art in Flanders vzw, foto: Dominique Provost.

WHO WAS JAN VAN EYCK?
Jan van Eyck remains the undisputed master of the Flemish Primitives. He was one of the founders of Flemish painting in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries who, with his unique style and innovative use of oil painting techniques, brought about a total revolution in European art. With brush and oil paint he achieved breathtaking results. His detailed realism has an irresistible appeal.

Van Eyck was born in around 1390, probably in Maaseik in the county of Loon. He probably learned his trade as a painter amongst the highly-skilled artisans in Maasland, within the former Prince-Bishopric of Liège.

After working for several years in the Northern Netherlands, he first appeared in Bruges in 1425. He became court painter to the Burgundian duke, Philip the Good. In around 1431, he purchased a house in the city, which probably also contained his studio. It is no coincidence that his house was located on what is now Gouden Handstraat, in the midst of rich merchants and large inns, close to his potential clients. Until his death in 1441, this is where he painted his famous portraits and panels, perhaps even parts of The Ghent Altarpiece

BRUGES, MEDIEVAL TRADING METROPOLIS
In the fifteenth century, Bruges was undoubtedly one of the most important cities in Europe, a vibrant trading metropolis famous for producing luxury goods such as illuminated manuscripts, works in precious metals and panel paintings. Merchants from all four corners of the globe would sojourn here. The local and international elite, including rich clerics, liked to emphasise their status by leading a life of luxury. It is not surprising, therefore, that a painter of Van Eyck’s renown chose to settle in the city. His studio was located in North-Western Europe’s most vibrant street.

What was life like in the medieval trading metropolis of Bruges, where Jan van Eyck lived? Jan Dumolyn, a historian and a senior lecturer at Ghent University, sketches a picture of the Bruges luxury market and of the city’s international allure.

Gothic choir cap buckle, excavated near the now-disappeared Church of Saint Danube, 1375-1450, Crown Plaza Hotel Brugge, © Cel Fotografie Stad Brugge.

 Jan Baptist van Meunincxhove (c. 1620/25 – 1703/04), De Burg in Brugge, 1672, Musea Brugge © Lukas - Art in Flanders vzw, foto: Hugo Maertens.

 Jan Baptist van Meunincxhove (c. 1620/25 – 1703/04), De Burg in Brugge, 1696, Musea Brugge © Lukas - Art in Flanders vzw, foto: Hugo Maertens

  Jan Baptist van Meunincxhove (c. 1620/25 – 1703/04), Interior of the former St Donatus Church in Bruges, 1696, Musea Brugge © Lukas - Art in Flanders vzw, foto: Hugo Maertens.

 The invention of oil-painting, Plate 15 from Nova Reperta New Discoveries, engraving of Philip Galle (1537-1612), c.1600 2b, Musea Brugge© Lukas - Art in Flanders vzw, foto: Dominique Provost.

Musea Brugge

Musea Brugge

Musea Brugge

Musea Brugge

Musea Brugge

Lot 38317259. A porcelain ink rest and paper weight in the form of a miniature album from the Qing dynasty, China, 18th century, 1.9×5.4×3.6 cm, estimate € 2,000 - € 3,000.

https://www.catawiki.com/l/38277373-paper-weight-porcelain-a-porcelain-ink-rest-and-paper-weight-in-the-form-of-a-miniature-album-from-the-qing-dynasty-china-18th-century

Lot 38284821. A ‘Duan’ stone scholar’s studio amongst mountains brushrest from the Qing dynasty, China, 19th century, 6×3.8×17.5 cm, estimate € 2,000 - € 2,500. 

https://www.catawiki.com/l/38284821-brushrest-duan-stone-a-duan-stone-scholar-s-studio-amongst-mountains-brushrest-from-the-qing-dynasty-china-19th-century

Lot 38190537. A Bronze Figure of Guanyin, Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), 26 cm, estimate € 2,500 - € 2,800.

https://www.catawiki.com/l/38190537-guanyin-figure-bronze-china-ming-dynasty-1368-1644

Lot 38276815. A carved soapstone figure of a ‘Luohan’ from the Qing dynasty, China, 18th Century -19th Century, 9.5×7.5×5 cm, estimate € 1,100 - € 1,300.

https://www.catawiki.com/l/38276815-figure-soapstone-a-carved-soapstone-figure-of-a-luohan-from-the-qing-dynasty-china-18th-century-19th-century

Lot 38318079. A rare and large antique Chinese carved cinnabar lacquer bowl, Ming Dynasty, 17th Century, 9.8×16.4×16.4 cm, estimate € 5,000 - € 6,000.

https://www.catawiki.com/l/38318079-bowl-cinnabar-lacquer-immortal-large-size-china-ming-dynasty-1368-1644

Lot 38454185. A good rare double-spouted Yixing teapot and cover, Kangxi period (1662-1722), 11×9×16.5 cm, estimate € 4,500 - € 5,000.

https://www.catawiki.com/l/38454185-teapot-1-yixing-yixing-clay-prunus-a-good-rare-double-spouted-yixing-teapot-and-cover-china-kangxi-1662-1722

Lot 38453593. A blue and white ovoid jar and cover, Kangxi, with 19th century French silver mounts to the foot, the neck and the lid, 27×13×13 cm, estimate € 1,400 - € 1,600.

https://www.catawiki.com/l/38453593-jar-vase-1-blue-and-white-porcelain-flowers-a-blue-and-white-ovoid-jar-and-cover-china-kangxi-1662-1722

Lot 38483885. A large Chinese famille verte bpwl decorated with mythical beasts, Kangxi period (1662-1722), Diam : 20 cm, estimate € 2,500 - € 2,800.

https://www.catawiki.com/l/38483885-a-large-chinese-famille-verte-bowl-decorated-with-mysthical-beasts-porcelain-china-kangxi-1662-1722

Lot 38393449. A Chinese porcelain enamelled 'Magpies and prunus' bowl, 19th century, 59×126×126 mm, estimate € 1,300 - € 1,500.

https://www.catawiki.com/l/38393449-bowl-famille-rose-porcelain-china-19th-century

Lot 35381049. A rare tortoiseshell snuff bottle, Qing Dynasty, 1720–1860, 68×40×16 mm, estimate € 3,600 - € 4,000.

https://www.catawiki.com/l/35381049-snuff-bottle-tortoiseshell-a-rare-tortoiseshell-snuff-bottle-china-qing-dynasty-1644-1911

Lot 35381049. A carved turquoise vase and cover from the Qing dynasty, 18th century-19th century, 12×8.5×5 cm, estimate € 2,000 - € 3,000.

https://www.catawiki.com/l/38287813-vase-turquoise-dragon-a-carved-turquoise-vase-and-cover-from-the-qing-dynasty-china-18th-century-19th-century

Lot 38227689. A Blue and white Porcelain Large Kraak plate with figures, China, 17th century; 65×350×350 mm. estimate € 1,900 - € 2,100.

https://www.catawiki.com/l/38227689-plate-blue-and-white-porcelain-large-kraak-plate-with-figures-china-17th-century

Lot 35375347. An emerald green and lavender jadeite snuff bottle, Qing dynasty, early 19th century, 53×17×37 mm, estimate € 2,000 - € 2,200.

https://www.catawiki.com/l/35375347-snuff-bottle-green-jadeite-an-emerald-green-jadeite-snuff-bottle-china-qing-dynasty-1644-1911

Lot 38453593. A Chinese export porcelain Grisaille and gilt decoration 'Hercules and the Nemean lion', Qianlong period (1736-1795), 2.8×23×23 cm, estimate € 1,400 - € 1,600. 

https://www.catawiki.com/l/38185051-dish-porcelain-hercules-hercules-and-the-nemean-lion-china-qianlong-1736-1795

Lot 38453819. A blue and white guigong bowl, late Ming dynasty-Transitional period, mounted with fine 18th century Dutch silver handles, 6×11×15.5 cm, estimate € 1,700 - € 1,900.

https://www.catawiki.com/l/38453819-bowl-1-blue-and-white-porcelain-flowers-a-good-blue-and-white-linglong-bowl-china-17th-century

Lot 38318797. A Large 'Longquan Celadon' Carved Dish, China, Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), 6×11×15.5 cm, estimate € 7,000 - € 8,000. 

https://www.catawiki.com/l/38318797-dish-celadon-porcelain-lotus-a-large-longquan-celadon-carved-dish-china-ming-dynasty-1368-1644

Lot 35375347. A light celadon nephriteLemon snuff bottle, Qing dynasty, early 19th century, 75 mm, estimate € 2,700 - € 3,000.

https://www.catawiki.com/l/38194457-snuff-bottle-nephrite-jade-lemon-china-1780-1850

Lot 38122927. A blue and white flask, Ming Dynasty, Wanli period (1572-1623), 27 cm, estimate € 2,800 - € 3,200.

https://www.catawiki.com/l/38122927-vase-porcelain-a-blue-and-white-flask-wanli-1572-1623-china-ming-dynasty-1368-1644

Lot 38317259. A 'Longquan' Celadon Dish, China, Yuan-Ming Dynasty, 14th - 15th century, 5.75×28.5×28.5 cm, estimate € 3,500 - € 4,000.

https://www.catawiki.com/l/38317259-dish-celadon-ceramic-a-longquan-celadon-dish-china-yuan-ming-dynasty-14th-15th-century

From Alfred de Rothschild (1842-1918) at Halton House, Lionel de Rothschild (1882-1942), Edmund de Rothschild (1916-2009) at Exbury House, Hampshire. Lot 39. A very rare façon de Venise carafe or ewer for the Austrian market c.1560-90. Estimate: £2,000 - £3,000. Sold for £14,000. Photo: Courtesy of Woolley & Wallis.

SALISBURY.- Woolley & Wallis have proved that the Rothschild name still holds extraordinary cachet as the first sale of lots from Exbury House smashed estimates to sell for tens of thousands of pounds.

The June 17 auction of Venetian glass and European Ceramics in Salisbury included select items from Exbury, a seat of the Rothschilds since 1919.

Leading the way among the Rothschild lots was a very rare c.1560-90 Italian façon de Venise carafe or ewer that would have been made for the Austrian market. Estimated at £2,000-3,000, it sold for £14,000.

A 17th/18th century façon de Venise winged goblet, from Venice or the Low Countries, had a guide of just £600-800, but sailed to £8,500, while an Italian façon de Venise flacon and cover with matching 17th/18th century tazza pitched at £1,000-2,000 went for £5,500.

From Lionel de Rothschild (1882-1942), Edmund de Rothschild (1916-2009) at Exbury House, Hampshire. Lot 41. A façon de Venise winged goblet, 17th/18th century. Estimate: £600 - £800. Sold for £8,500. Photo: Courtesy of Woolley & Wallis.

From Lionel de Rothschild (1882-1942), Edmund de Rothschild (1916-2009) at Exbury House, Hampshire. Lot 42. A façon de Venise glass flacon and cover and matching tazza, 17th-18th century. Estimate: £1,000 - £2,000. Sold for £5,500. Photo: Courtesy of Woolley & Wallis.

Hitting ten times its top estimate at £3,000 was a 17th century or later Venetian Chalcedony footed bowl. A pair of c.1770 Staffordshire enamel candlesticks that had been expected to sell for £400-600 took £2,200, while a set of four large Royal Worcester figures of the Season, carrying hopes of £600-800, made £1,600. 

From Lionel de Rothschild (1882-1942), Edmund de Rothschild (1916-2009) at Exbury House, Hampshire. Lot 43. A Venetian Chalcedony footed bowl, 17th-18th century. Estimate: £100 - £200. Sold for £3,000. Photo: Courtesy of Woolley & Wallis.

From Edmund de Rothschild (1916-2009) at Exbury House, Hampshire. Lot 44. A pair of Staffordshire enamel candlesticks, c.1770. Estimate: £400 - £600. Sold for £2,200. Photo: Courtesy of Woolley & Wallis.

From Edmund de Rothschild (1916-2009) at Exbury House, Hampshire. Lot 51. A set of four large Royal Worcester figures of the Seasons, c.1968. Estimate: £600 - £800. Sold for £1,600. Photo: Courtesy of Woolley & Wallis.

“Whilst we noticed a general buoyancy in the market throughout the sale, there is no doubt that the Rothschild provenance helped these pieces to achieve such strong results,” said specialist Clare Durham, head of Woolley & Wallis’s European Ceramics department.

“The blue glass ewer is an exceptional piece, with only a few examples known, but the decoration is far from typical for Venetian glass. Yesterday’s auction, our first in three months, provided real reassurance that the market is still there for pieces of quality and distinction, and it gives us great hopes for the forthcoming sales, many of which feature pieces with the same provenance.”

All the pieces had come from Exbury House, a grand property set in acres of exceptional gardens at the south eastern edge of the New Forest in Hampshire.

Previously the estate of the historian William Mitford and then Lord Forster, a one-time Governor-General of Australia, by the time Lionel Nathan de Rothschild (1882-1942) acquired Exbury, the 18th century house was all but derelict, and he had it remodelled in the late 1920s.

It was the gardens that were Lionel’s true passion, as their unique micro-climate rendered them particularly suitable for the planting of rare rhododendrons, camelias and azaleas from Asia. Here he created an inimitable garden, employing 250 men to clear out the woodland so that it could be laid out, while installing an intricate irrigation system involving 22 miles of underground piping.

If the garden was a triumph, the house was more unfortunate. Barely a decade after Lionel had refashioned it to his liking, war broke out. Just over two years later he died and four months after that the Admiralty requisitioned the house, giving the family no more than 48 hours to clear their possessions and themselves out.

Young-Jae Lee, 3 Spinach Bowls, 2010, vitrified clay with manganese, ash feldspar glaze. © Denis Bury, Essen, Germany

COLOGNE.- Galerie Karsten Greve is presenting a second solo exhibition featuring ceramics by Korean artist Young-Jae Lee in Cologne. On display are one hundred and sixty Spinach Bowls – dining and drinking bowls created over a period of almost twenty years. The small, bulbous jars have their special aesthetic appeal due to their diverse glazes.

Born in Seoul in 1951, Young-Jae Lee moved to Germany in 1972. Following her studies of ceramics and design at Wiesbaden University of Applied Sciences from 1973 to 1978, she ran her own workshop in Sandhausen near Heidelberg. Since 1987, Young-Jae Lee has been head of the long-established Margaretenhöhe Ceramics Workshop in Essen. With Bauhaus principles serving as a guide, the ceramic artist is striving for perfection in the formal idiom and color range as used by her workshop in Essen: "I'm not at all interested in reinventing form," says Young-Jae Lee, "but in having absolute command of the existing repertoire." Featured in extensive museum exhibitions, Young-Jae Lee's ceramic pieces have attracted considerable attention: taking as her starting point the simple form of a bowl, a vase, or a mug, widely scattered over the floor in numerous variants, the artist placed 1,111 bowls in the rotunda of Munich's Pinakothek der Moderne in 2006, for instance. In 2008, Young-Jae Lee reenacted such uniqueness in sequence by arranging her so-called spindle vases in the same space. The artist first presented her Spinach Bowls – a series of works that originated from her delving into the history of the tea bowl – at Essen's Museum Folkwang in 2019.

Trends in Korean ceramics influenced the development of Japanese ceramics and porcelain. Examples of classical Korean ceramic wares include the Celadon ceramics from the Goryeo dynasty (918-1392) as well as the white ceramics from the Joseon dynasty (1392-1897). During the Joseon dynasty, Korean ceramic wares were considered to represent the highest quality of achievement from royal, city, and provincial kilns. These products were export articles. In the 16th century, the golden age of Korean ceramics, Korean ceramists produced their own drinking and dining bowls exclusively as tea bowls for the Japanese market, thus supporting the development of an excellent new ceramics culture. Inspired by the masters of the Joseon dynasty, Young-Jae Lee created her own aesthetically pleasing and simple pieces. She adopted the shape of the traditional Korean ceramic bowls and redefined it for her own drinking and dining bowl – the Spinach Bowl.

Lot 839. A Jizhou 'papercut' bowl, Southern Song dynasty (1127-1279). Diameter 4¼ in., 10.8 cm. Estimate: 1,500 - 2,000 USD. Lot sold 12,500 USD. Courtesy Sotheby's.

Lot 840. A purple-splashed 'Jun' bowl, Jin-Yuan dynasty (1115-1368). Diameter 7½ in., 19 cm. Estimate: 4,000 - 6,000 USD. Lot sold 10,000 USD. Courtesy Sotheby's.

Provenance: Collection of Roy Louis Byrnes (1924-2019), and thence by descent. 

Lot 841. A carved 'Yaozhou' celadon 'Lotus' bowl, Northern Song dynasty (960-1127). Diameter 7¾ in., 19.5 cm. Estimate: 3,000 - 5,000 USD. Lot sold 6,000 USD. Courtesy Sotheby's.

Provenance: Collection of Roy Louis Byrnes (1924-2019), and thence by descent. 

Lot 842. A 'Jun' handled jar, Yuan dynasty (1279-1368). Diameter 6⅜ in., 16.2 cm. Estimate: 2,500 - 3,500 USD. Lot sold 3,000 USD. Courtesy Sotheby's.

Provenance: Acquired in Hong Kong, 1986. 

Lot 843. A large purple-splashed 'Jun' bowl, Yuan-Ming dynasty (1279-1644). Diameter 9⅛ in., 23.2 cm. Estimate: 5,000 - 7,000 USD. Lot sold 27,500 USD. Courtesy Sotheby's. 

Lot 844. A black-glazed russet-splashed jar, Jin dynasty (1115-1234). Height 4⅛ in., 10.5 cm. Estimate: 2,000 -3,000 USD. Lot sold 2,500 USD. Courtesy Sotheby's. 

Provenance: Acquired in Hong Kong, 1986. 

Lot 845. A 'Cizhou''peony' box and cover, Song dynasty (960-1279). Diameter 5 in., 12.7 cm. Estimate: 3,000 - 5,000 USD. Lot sold 6,875 USD. Courtesy Sotheby's. 

Provenance: Collection of David Tod Roy (1933-2016), acquired in Taipei 15th September 1955 (label).

Lot 846. A painted and turquoise-glazed 'Cizhou''figure'meiping, Ming dynasty (1368-1644). Height 10⅝ in., 27 cm. Estimate: 2,000 - 3,000 USD. Lot sold 2,500 USD. Courtesy Sotheby's. 

Lot 847. A painted Cizhou polychrome 'Fish' bowl, Jin dynasty (1115-1234). Diameter 6⅞ in., 17.5 cm. Estimate: 8,000 - 12,000 USD. Lot sold 18,750 USD. Courtesy Sotheby's.

Lot 848. A small Guan-type ovoid jar, Yuan-Early Ming dynasty (1279-1644). Height 2¾ in., 7 cm. Estimate: 1,000 - 2,000 USD. Lot sold 12,500 USD. Courtesy Sotheby's.

Lot 849. A black-glazed teabowl, Song dynasty (960-1279). Diameter 3¾ in., 9.5 cm. Estimate: 2,000 - 3,000 USD. Lot sold 2,750 USD. Courtesy Sotheby's.

Lot 850. A 'Longquan' celadon-glazed molded 'floral' dish, early Ming dynasty (1368-1644). Diameter 13⅝ in., 34.6 cm. Estimate: 4,000 - 6,000 USD. Lot sold 3,750 USD. Courtesy Sotheby's.

Lot 851. A 'Longquan' celadon-glazed molded 'lotus' barbed-rim charger, Ming dynasty, 15th-16th century. Diameter 14¾ in., 37.5 cm. Estimate: 5,000 - 7,000 USD. Lot sold 15,000 US. Courtesy Sotheby's.

Lot 852. A large 'Longquan' celadon-glazed ribbed baluster jar, late Yuan-early Ming dynasty (1279-1644). Height 10½ in., 26.7 cm. Estimate: 3,000 - 5,000 USD. Lot sold 10,625 USD. Courtesy Sotheby's.

Lot 854. A 'Longquan' celadon-glazed celadon-glazed tripod censer, late Yuan-early Ming dynasty (1279-1644). Diameter 11 in., 28 cm. Estimate: 3,000 - 5,000 USD. Lot sold 5,000 USD. Courtesy Sotheby's.

the center impressed with a peony medallion.

Lot 856. A straw-glazed pottery amphora, Tang dynasty (618-907). Height 17 in., 43.5 cm. Estimate: 5,000 - 7,000 USD. Lot sold 3,250 USD. Courtesy Sotheby's.

wood stand.

Lot 93. Provenant d'une collection privée allemande. Qi Baishi (1863-1957), Pivoines, Inscrit, signé, et avec un cachet de l’artiste. Rouleau, monté et encadré, encre et couleur sur papier. Dimensions: 51 x 31,5 cm. (20 ⅛ x 12 ⅜ in.). Estimate EUR 30,000 - EUR 50,000 (USD 33,927 - USD 56,545). Price realised: €778,000. © Christie's Image Ltd 2020. 

PARIS - The top lot of the sale was a scroll by Qi Baishi depicting Peonies which sold for €778,000 against a pre-sale estimate of €30,000-50,000. Acquired directly from the artist in 1956 by German photographer Hilmar Pabel, this lot attracted 27 telephone bidders (lot 93).

Tiphaine Nicoul, Director of the Asian Art department, Camille de Foresta, specialist and auctioneer of the sale and Zheng Ma, specialist of the sale: “We are delighted with these remarkable results which are far beyond our expectations in this difficult context. Once again, we saw strong interest for works of art coming from private French and European collections such as a beautiful 15th century cloisonné box previously in the collection of Robert de Semallé, the secretary of the French Embassy in Bejing in the late 19th century before entering Robert Rousset’s collection, and which was sold for €586,000. We can also note the strong price achieved for an important gilt-bronze figure of Marichi from the Qing Dynasty coming from an important French private collection, sold for €514,000 after a long bidding battle between 10 telephones. Even though international collectors were less present in the auction room because of the current situation, we registered 52 % of successful bids on the telephone and 35% on the internet”.

Lot 22. Provenant de la collection de M. Robert Rousset. (1901-1982). Rare et importante boîte couverte en émaux cloisonnés, Chine, Dynastie Ming, XVe siècle. Diamètre: 16,7 cm. (6 ½ in.) ; hauteur: 5 cm. (2 in.). Estimate EUR 50,000 - EUR 70,000 (USD 56,545 - USD 79,163). Price realised EUR 586,000. © Christie's Image Ltd 2020. 

Cf. my post: Les Arts d'Asie à l'honneur le 23 juin 2020 chez Christie's Paris

Lot 43. Provenant d'une collection privée française. Rare et importante statue de Marichi en bronze doré, Chine, Dynastie Qing, Epoque Kangxi (1662-1722). Hauteur: 43 cm. (17 in.) ; Largeur: 29 cm. (11 ½ in.) ; Profondeur: 19 cm. (7 ½ in.). Estimate EUR 200,000 - EUR 400,000 (USD 226,250 - USD 452,500). Price realised EUR 514,000. © Christie's Image Ltd 2020.

Cf. my post: Les Arts d'Asie à l'honneur le 23 juin 2020 chez Christie's Paris

Further highlights included a very rare Falangcai bowl from the Yongzheng period which sold for €382,000 against a pre-sale estimate of €120,000-150,000, a small mother-of-pearl inlaid Huanghuali low table which sold for €150,000, ten times its pre-sale estimate, and a rare blue and white ‘Boys’ jar from the Ming Dynasty bearing a Jiajing six-character mark which sold for an impressive result of €250,000 against a pre-sale estimate of €35,000-60,000.

Lot 150. Provenant d'une collection privée. Rare bol Falangcai à fond rubis, Chine, Dynastie Qing, marque à quatre caractères dans un double carré en bleu sous couverte et époque Yongzheng (1723-1735). Diamètre: 9,2 cm. (3.5/8 in.). Estimate EUR 120,000 - EUR 150,000 (USD 135,708 - USD 169,635). Price realised EUR 382,000. © Christie's Image Ltd 2020.

Cf. my post: Les Arts d'Asie à l'honneur le 23 juin 2020 chez Christie's Paris

Lot 12. Rare petite table basse en huanghuali et incrustations de nacre, kangzhuo, Chine, Dynastie Qing, époque Kangxi (1662-1722). Dimensions:39 cm. x 19,9 cm. x 9,1 cm. (15 3/8 in. x 7 ¾ in. 3 ½ in.). Estimate EUR 15,000 - EUR 20,000 (USD 135,708 - USD 169,635). Price realised EUR 150,000. © Christie's Image Ltd 2020.

De forme rectangulaire, elle repose sur quatre petits pieds joliement sculptés de volutes aux extrémités. Incrustée de nacre, le plateau rectangulaire est à décor d'un couple de dragon et phénix confrontés volant parmi des nuages pourchassant la perle sacrée. La bordure est ornée d'Emblèmes Taoïstes alternant avec des lotus épanouis. La ceinture et les pieds sont également rehaussés de pétales, feuilles et motifs stylisés ; petits manques.

Provenance: Previously from an English family, Somerset.

Note: It is extremely rare to find huanghuali furniture pieces inlaid with mother-of-pearl. Compare to a imperially made mother-of-pearl inlaid huanghuali kang table dated to the middle Qing period in the Palace Museum, Beijing, illustrated in The Palace Museum Collection: A Treasury of Ming & Qing dynasty Palace Furniture, vol. 1, Beijing, pp. 244-245, fig. 279.
See a mother-of-pearl-inlaid huanghuali cabinet depicting flowers, dated late Ming dynasty, 17th century, sold in Christie's Hong Kong, 3 June 2015, lot 2948.

Lot 114. Rare jarre en porcelaine bleu blanc, Guan, Dynastie Ming, Marque à six caractères en bleu sOus couverte et époque Jiajing (1522-1566). Hauteur: 35,5 cm. (14 in.). Diamètre: 38 cm. (15 in.). Estimate EUR 120,000 - EUR 150,000 (USD 35,000 - EUR 60,000). Price realised EUR 250,000. © Christie's Image Ltd 2020.

L'extérieur est peint de couleurs vives en bleu profond d'une scène continue de jeunes garçons rieurs jouant dans un jardin, l'un assis devant un paravent à décor de paysage pour imiter un dignitaire, un autre assis à une table face à un livre ouvert, tandis qu'un troisième s'agenouille devant eux. D'autres enfants tirent des charrettes, tiennent des parasols en feuille de lotus ou jouent à d'autres jeux. L'épaulement est orné de cartouches encadrant des branchages de fruits et de fleurs réservés sur un fond de treillis. La base porte une marque Jiajing à six caractères en bleu sous couverte.

The property of Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas Stanley, Chieveley House, Berkshire.

Provenance: Acquired from Spink & Son Ltd, London, circa 1995, reportedly at the personal recommendation of former Spink Director Roger Keverne.

Note: The subject matter of boys was especially popular during the reign of the Jiajing Emperor. The emperor was particularly concerned with producing male heirs. It was recorded in the Ming Shi, 'Ming History', that he commissioned a Daoist ritual to take place in the Imperial Garden in the eleventh year of this reign (1532) for the intended purpose of praying for the birth of imperial sons. 'Boys jars' were good auguries for the emperor and highly regarded, thus were decorated with superior cobalt blue, as seen on the current jar.
A jar of this design with a cover was excavated in 1980 in Chaoyanqu, Beijing and is now in the Shoudu (Capital) Museum, Beijing. It is illustrated in Shoudu Bowuguan Zangci Xuan, pl. 121. Another such jar is in the collection of the Hong Kong Museum of Art, while a third, formerly in the Charles Russel and in the Mrs. Alfred Clark collections, is in the British Museum, illustrated by D. Lion-Goldschmidt and Moreau-Gobard in Chinese Art, pl. 195. One jar from the Osaka Museum, also without a cover, is illustrated in Ming and Qing Ceramics and Works of Art, p. 20, no. 1.59. Others are in the museum of Decorative Arts, Copenhagen, illustrated by D. Lion-Goldschmidt in La Porcelaine Ming, Office du Livre, 1978, pl. 134, no. 124; the Idemitsu Museum, illustrated in Chinese Ceramics in the Idemitsu Collection, pl. 191; and in the Fengchengxian Museum, Jiangxi province, illustrated in Zhongguo Wenwu Jinghua Da Cidian, p. 393, no. 766.
Other jars of this design include one from the J. M. Hu collection, sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 27 November, 2007, Lot 1738; and another example, originally in the collection of the Manno Museum of Art, Japan, sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 29 May 2019, lot 3104.
Examples with slightly different variations of the 'boys' design include one in the collection of the National Palace Museum, Taipei, is illustrated in Blue and White Ware of the Ming Dynasty, vol. V, pl. 13, pp. 46-47; an example from the Wingfield Digby collection was sold at Sotheby's London, 3 December 1974, lot 284; another in the Freer Gallery of Art, Oriental Ceramics, vol. 9, Kodansha series, 1975, no. 111; and one sold at Sotheby's Hong Kong, 14 November 1989, lot 31.

Finally, we had the great surprise to see a beautiful and very rare blue and white porcelain jar from Vietnam, dated to the 15th century, establishing a new world auction record for a Vietnamese porcelain selling for 406,000 euros.

Lot 113. A rare blue and white glazed stoneware peony' storage jar, Vietnam, 15th century. Hauteur: 33 cm. (13 in.). Estimate EUR 15,000 - EUR 20,000 (USD 16,900 - USD 22,533). Price realised EUR 406,000, new world auction record for a Vietnamese porcelain. © Christie's Images Ltd 2020

Cf. my post: A rare blue and white glazed stoneware peony' storage jar, Vietnam, 15th century

Lot 137. A Rare Famille Rose Figure of a Seated Ksitigarbha, China, Qing Dynasty, Qianlong Period (1736-1795). Hauteur totale: 35 cm. (13 7/8 in.). Estimate EUR 20,000 - EUR 30,000. Price realised EUR 156,250. © Christie's Image Ltd 2020.

Il est assis en vajrasana sur un socle lotiforme séparable. Ses deux mains soutiennent le cintamani, reposant gracieusement sur ses genoux. Il est vêtu de robes monastiques émaillées jaune, rouge et turquoise. Aux yeux mi-clos, son visage est emprunt de sérénité. Sa tête est surmonté d'un diadème à cinq pétales figurant l'Amitabha.

Note: Ceramic Buddhist sculptures of such refined quality are extremely rare, and were probably specifically commissioned for ritual display in temples situated within the imperial palace precincts, either in Beijing or Chengde.

Ksitigarbha, known in China as Dayuan Dizang Pusa and in Japan as Jizo, is a bodhisattva revered for his compassion for all beings, including those who reside in the hell-realms. While in earlier eras, he was depicted as a traditional bodhisattva, by the Song dynasty, he was usually represented as a Buddhist monk. He is often shown holding a wish-fulfilling jewel (cintamani), as he is in the present example.

Compare to an almost identical famille rose figure of Ksitigharba, dated Qianlong period, of very similar size (35.5 cm), from the Yamanaka collection, sold in Sotheby's New York, 14-16th June 1944, lot 651. See a closely related exemple of a pair of famille rose Ksitigharba (34 cm.), sold in Sotheby's New York, 15 March 2017, lot 537. Also see another similar figure sold at Nagel Auctions, Germany, 30 October 2013, lot 48.

Two Extremely Rare Famille-Rose Enameled Porcelain Figures of Ksitigarbha, Qianlong-Jiaqing Period, 34 cm, , from the collection of Joan Oestreich Kend. Sold for 492,500 USD Sotheby's New York, 15 March 2017, lot 537. Photo: Sotheby's. 

Cf. my post: Sotheby's Asia Week New York sales achieve $47.9 million thus far

Compare also with enamelled ceramic Buddhist images modelled as Amitayus: the first included in the Exhibition of Chinese Arts, Messrs C. T. Loo & Co., New York, 1941-1942, no. 750; and the other sold in Christie's Hong Kong, 29 October 2001, lot 606. Smaller versions of famille rose Amitayus figures are known such as the pair illustrated in Qingdai Ciqi Shangjian, Hong Kong, 1994, no. 232 (18 cm. high); and another from the Hellene Terrien Collection, sold in Christie's Hong Kong, 31 October 2000, lot 924 (15.9 cm.).

Christie's. Art d'Asie, Paris, 23 June 2020

Lot 97. Zhang Daqian (1899-1983), Pivoines. Encre et couleur sur robe en soie. Signé par l'artiste avec deux cachets, daté du troisième mois de l'année Renchen (1952). Hauteur: 110 cm ; largeur: 49 cm. (43 3/8 x 19 3/8 in.). Estimate EUR 10,000 - EUR 15,000. Price realised EUR 125,000. © Christie's Image Ltd 2020.

Provenance: Previously in a South-American private collection.

Lot 168. A bronze rectangular censer, China, 17th-18th century. Largeur: 12 cm. (4 ¾ in.) ; hauteur: 6 cm. (2 3/8 in.) Estimate EUR 4,000 - EUR 6,000. Price realised EUR 87,500. © Christie's Image Ltd 2020.

Reposant sur quatre petits pieds droits, la panse rectangulaire est flanquée par deux anses angulaires. La base porte une inscription à trois caractères Qing De Tang.

Provenance: Previously in a European private collection.

Lot 120. A powder-blue-ground rouleau vase, Qing dynasty, Kangxi period (1662-1722). Hauteur: 45,5 cm. (18 in.). Estimate EUR 6,000 - EUR 10,000. Price realised EUR 75,000. © Christie's Image Ltd 2020.

La panse est ornée des trois dieux Fu, Lu et Shou accompagné de jeunes garçons. Shoulao porte un long bâton dans une main et une pêche dans l'autre, une grue à ses côtés..

Provenance: Collection of J. W. Travers, Esq.
Sotheby's London, 27 June 1974, lot 121.

Lot 130. A fine peacock feather-glazed lantern vase, Qianlong incised six-character seal mark and of the period (1736-1795). Hauteur: 23,5 cm. (9 ¼ in.). Estimate EUR 20,000 - EUR 40,000. Price realised EUR 75,000. © Christie's Image Ltd 2020.

Le vase est de forme lanterne, simplement mouléà l'épaulement de brides en forme de vases inversés, entièrement recouvert d'une glaçure turquoise vibrante ponctuée de petites taches dans des tons plus foncés violet-rouge, rappelant la plume de paon.

Provenance: With Orientique, Hong Kong, 30 June 1996.

Note: Several robin’s-egg-glazed vases of this shape are recorded: one in the Musée Guimet, Paris, illustrated in Oriental Ceramics, Kodansha Series, vol. 7, Tokyo, 1982, no. 184; in the Jingdezhen Ceramic Museum, illustrated in Keitokuchin Jiki, 1982, pl. 88; one included in An Exhibition of Important Chinese Ceramics from the Robert Chang Collection, Christie’s London, 1993, illustrated in the Catalogue, no. 49; and another illustrated by A. du Boulay, Christie’s Pictorial History of Chinese Ceramics, London, 1984, p. 220, fig. 3, which was sold at Christie’s Hotel Okura, Tokyo, Part II, 16 and 17 February 1980, lot 838. This vase may be compared with the peacock feather-glazed lantern vase sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 30 May 2018, lot 3005.

Lot 79. Signature de Sun Huang (Chine, XVIIème siècle), Scène du palais. Six panneaux montés en paravent, encre et couleur sur papier. Inscrit et signé Sun Huang dans le style de Qiu Ying avec deux cachets. Dimensions d'un panneau: 242 x 112 cm. (95 ¼ x 44 in.). Estimate EUR 50,000 - EUR 70,000. Price realised EUR 68,750. © Christie's Image Ltd 2020.

Lot 83. Anonyme (Dynastie Yuan- Ming, XIVème-XVème siècle), Pivoines. Eventail, monté et encadré, encre et couleur sur soie. Diamètre: 29,2 cm. (11 ½ in.). Estimate EUR 6,000 - EUR 8,000. Price realised EUR 62,500. © Christie's Image Ltd 2020.