A rare pair of goose tureens and covers, Qianlong period, circa 1760-1780

January 22, 2021, 1:01 pm

≫ Next: A rare ox-head tureen and cover, Qianlong period (1736-1795)

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Lot 50. A rare pair of goose tureens and covers, Qianlong period, circa 1760-1780; 141⁄2 in. (36.8 cm.) long, each. Estimate USD 125,000 - USD 175,000. Price Realised USD 150,000. © Christie's Image Ltd 2021.

Naturalistically formed, swimming, their webbed feet tucked beneath them and their heads held forward, the curving necks forming handles for the tureen covers, the wings folded along their backs and picked out in blue, black and sepia, the neck feathers in sepia brushstrokes with pink crown above the iron-red ringed eyes, the breasts and stomachs with carved plumage detail.

Provenance: The Falk Collection; Christie's, New York, 23 January 2002, lot 125 (one).
The Mottahedeh Collection; Sotheby's, New York, 19 October 2000, lot 377 (one).

Literature: W.R. Sargent, Chinese Porcelain in the Conde Collection, Madrid, 2014, p. 258.

Exhibited: London, The Arts Council Gallery, The Animal in Chinese Art, 19 June-19 July 1968.

Note: Animal tureens such as the present lot were a very popular accompaniment to table services in wealthy households in the 18th and 19th centuries. They were almost certainly derived from European ceramic models, most likely the faience models produced by the Strasbourg factory in the mid-18th century. It has been suggested by scholars William Motley that the shorter neck and more naturalistic coloring of the present model pre-dates the more commonly-found long-neck goose tureens. See M. Cohen and W. Motley, Mandarin and Menagerie Volume I: The James E. Sowell Collection, Cohen & Cohen, London, 2008, p. 258 for a detailed description of the long-necked model.

The Tibor Collection was formed over decades, growing to encompass every category of Chinese export porcelain, from small, charming teawares to massive pairs of important jars. The collector had a deep appreciation for the magnificent porcelains made for New Spain as well as for the lifelike charm and elegance of Chinese porcelain figure and animal models.

Christie's. Chinese Export Art Featuring Property from the Tibor Collection, New York, 7 Jan - 20 Jan 2021

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A rare ox-head tureen and cover, Qianlong period (1736-1795)

January 22, 2021, 1:38 pm

≫ Next: A Pair of Famille Rose Roosters, Qianlong period (1736-1795)

≪ Previous: A rare pair of goose tureens and covers, Qianlong period, circa 1760-1780

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Lot 44. A rare ox-head tureen and cover, Qianlong period (1736-1795); 12 3⁄4 in. (32.2 cm.) long. Estimate USD 125,000 - USD 175,000. Price Realised USD 52,500. © Christie's Image Ltd 2021.

The turned-up head naturalistically modeled with wide-set, bulging eyes and flaring nostrils beneath long, curved, dark gray horns, his mouth open revealing teeth, pink tongue and flesh-toned interior, his hide picked out in soft, mottled tones of grisaille.

Provenance: With The Chinese Porcelain Co., New York.

Literature: W.R. Sargent, Chinese Porcelain in the Conde Collection, Madrid, 2014, p. 266.

Exhibited: London, The Arts Council Gallery, The Animal in Chinese Art, 19 June-19 July 1968.

Note: While many other animal tureens for export mimicked European ceramic models, the ox-head seems to be a Chinese invention, as there are no known ox-head tureens made by European manufacturers. A romantic symbol of exoticism to Europeans, the ox is the second figure in the Chinese Zodiac, respected for its qualities of industriousness and patience and associated with water, agriculture and spring. Only a very small number of ox-head tureens are known in public collections or have appeared on the art market and are considered to be the most dramatic of the Chinese animal-form tureens with their highly sculptural horns and impressive snouts.
For similar examples from the Sowell and Mottahedeh Collections, see M. Cohen and W. MotleyMandarin and Menagerie Volume I: The James E. Sowell Collection, Cohen & Cohen, London, 2008, p. 178-179 (with stand); and from D. Howard and J. Ayers, China for the West, Vol. II, London and New York, 1978, p. 602.
The Tibor Collection was formed over decades, growing to encompass every category of Chinese export porcelain, from small, charming teawares to massive pairs of important jars. The collector had a deep appreciation for the magnificent porcelains made for New Spain as well as for the lifelike charm and elegance of Chinese porcelain figure and animal models.

Christie's. Chinese Export Art Featuring Property from the Tibor Collection, New York, 7 Jan - 20 Jan 2021

A Pair of Famille Rose Roosters, Qianlong period (1736-1795)

January 22, 2021, 2:01 pm

≫ Next: A Massive Pair of Geese, Late 18th century-early 19th century

≪ Previous: A rare ox-head tureen and cover, Qianlong period (1736-1795)

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Lot 71. A Pair of Famille Rose Roosters, Qianlong period (1736-1795); 14 1⁄2 in. (36.8 cm.) high. Estimate USD 20,000 - USD 30,000. Price Realised USD 52,500. © Christie's Image Ltd 2021.

Each colorful bird modeled standing on a pierced rockwork base, its head turned to the side.

Literature: W.R. Sargent, Chinese Porcelain in the Conde Collection, Madrid, 2014, p. 83.

Note: An auspicious bird in China, associated with good luck as well as faithfulness and perseverance, the rooster was also one of the most favored models in Chinese export porcelain. For a full discussion see W.R. Sargent, The Copeland Collection, pp. 141-5.
The Tibor Collection was formed over decades, growing to encompass every category of Chinese export porcelain, from small, charming teawares to massive pairs of important jars. The collector had a deep appreciation for the magnificent porcelains made for New Spain as well as for the lifelike charm and elegance of Chinese porcelain figure and animal models.

Christie's. Chinese Export Art Featuring Property from the Tibor Collection, New York, 7 Jan - 20 Jan 2021

A Massive Pair of Geese, Late 18th century-early 19th century

January 22, 2021, 2:19 pm

≫ Next: Three gilt-bronze and blue-glass-inlaid bear supports, Han dynasty (206 BC-220 AD)

≪ Previous: A Pair of Famille Rose Roosters, Qianlong period (1736-1795)

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Lot 71. A Massive Pair of Geese, Late 18th century-early 19th century; 22 1⁄2 in. (57.2 cm.) high, the taller. Estimate USD 20,000 - USD 30,000. Price Realised USD 50,000. © Christie's Image Ltd 2021.

One standing with head held high on his long, slender neck, the other turned back, preening a wing, the plumage with molded details and the pebbly skin of their broad webbed feet glazed orange.

Provenance: Anonymous sale; Christie's, New York, 21 January 2009, lot 116.

Note: In China geese are considered romantic, symbolizing loyalty and marital happiness. They are said to fly always in pairs and to mate for life, even remaining solitary if a mate dies. Flying geese are also believed to deliver good news, and mean the best of luck.
The heavy legs and feet and the horny knob on these birds' bills are characteristic of Chinese geese; geese are known in Chinese ceramics as early as the Han dynasty. The concept of very large porcelain models, however, may well have been inspired by the porcelain swans produced by Kändler at Meissen in the mid-18th century. On the underside are two circular unglazed patches where supports were applied; their open mouths were the only escape for air during the firing process.
For smaller examples see William R. Sargent, The Copeland Collection, 1991 p. 239; The Ionides Collection, Sotheby's, London, 18 February 1964, lot 273; and the Estate of Nelson A. Rockefeller, Sotheby's, New York, 30 April 1980, lot 538.
Another massive pair was sold Christie's, New York, 21 May 2003, lot 102.
The Tibor Collection was formed over decades, growing to encompass every category of Chinese export porcelain, from small, charming teawares to massive pairs of important jars. The collector had a deep appreciation for the magnificent porcelains made for New Spain as well as for the lifelike charm and elegance of Chinese porcelain figure and animal models.

Christie's. Chinese Export Art Featuring Property from the Tibor Collection, New York, 7 Jan - 20 Jan 2021

Three gilt-bronze and blue-glass-inlaid bear supports, Han dynasty (206 BC-220 AD)

January 23, 2021, 2:11 am

≫ Next: Two small bronze lidded ding, Han dynasty (206 BC-220 AD)

≪ Previous: A Massive Pair of Geese, Late 18th century-early 19th century

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Lot 420. Three gilt-bronze and blue-glass-inlaid bear supports, Han dynasty (206 BC-220 AD); 1 7/16in (3.5 cm) high. Estimate US$ 1,200 - 1,500. Sold for US$ 6,120 (€ 5,033). Courtesy Bonhams.

Each cast seated with left forepaw resting on the folded left hindleg and the right forepaw raised to the side of the head, some incised fur-markings around the heads, the eyes and umbilicus inset with blue glass.

Property from the Estate of Robert P. Youngman.

Note: Other Han dynasty gilt-bronze bears in differing sizes with provision for inlays, are illustrated by Helmut Brinker, Bronzen aus dem alten China, Zurich, 1975, p. 153, no. 125 in the Rietberg Museum and in Ancient Chinese Arts in the Idemitsu Collection, Tokyo, 1989, no. 256

See also a slightly larger example of differing configuration illustrated by J.J.Lally & Co., Ancient Chinese Bronzes, March-April 2011, no. 18.

Bonhams. Fine Chinese and Japanese Works of Art Part II, 14 Dec 2020, Los Angeles

Two small bronze lidded ding, Han dynasty (206 BC-220 AD)

January 23, 2021, 2:32 am

≫ Next: Two teabowls Jizhou type, Song-Jin dynasties, 11th-12th century

≪ Previous: Three gilt-bronze and blue-glass-inlaid bear supports, Han dynasty (206 BC-220 AD)

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Lot 437. Two small bronze lidded ding, Han dynasty (206 BC-220 AD); 3 1/2in (8.8cm) high, each. Estimate US$ 2,000 - 3,000. Sold for US$ 2,550 (€ 2,097). Courtesy Bonhams.

Each of similarly shape, the raised horizontal bands on the lid and body, with two rectangular-shaped handles on the side, and three loops on the lid.

Property from the Estate of Robert P. Youngman.

Note: Other Han dynasty gilt-bronze bears in differing sizes with provision for inlays, are illustrated by Helmut Brinker, Bronzen aus dem alten China, Zurich, 1975, p. 153, no. 125 in the Rietberg Museum and in Ancient Chinese Arts in the Idemitsu Collection, Tokyo, 1989, no. 256

See also a slightly larger example of differing configuration illustrated by J.J.Lally & Co., Ancient Chinese Bronzes, March-April 2011, no. 18.

Bonhams. Fine Chinese and Japanese Works of Art Part II, 14 Dec 2020, Los Angeles

 

Two teabowls Jizhou type, Song-Jin dynasties, 11th-12th century

January 23, 2021, 3:00 am

≫ Next: A pair of hongmu spindle-back armchairs, 20th century

≪ Previous: Two small bronze lidded ding, Han dynasty (206 BC-220 AD)

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Lot 438. Two teabowls Jizhou type, Song-Jin dynasties, 11th-12th century; 4 1/2in (11.4cm), 4 3/8in (11cm) diam. Estimate US$ 2,000 - 3,000. Sold for US$ 3,187 (€ 2,621). Courtesy Bonhams.

Each well potted with steeply sloping sides and covered in and out with a 'tortoise shell' glaze stopping at the buff foot.

Bonhams. Fine Chinese and Japanese Works of Art Part II, 14 Dec 2020, Los Angeles

A pair of hongmu spindle-back armchairs, 20th century

January 23, 2021, 3:13 am

≫ Next: A burlwood-inset hongmu stand, 19th century

≪ Previous: Two teabowls Jizhou type, Song-Jin dynasties, 11th-12th century

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Lot 442. A pair of hongmu spindle-back armchairs, 20th century; 36 7/8 x 20 7/8 x 16 1/2in (93.8 x 53 x 42cm). Estimate US$ 2,000 - 3,000. Sold for US$ 3,187 (€ 2,621). Courtesy Bonhams.

Each with humpback toprail, between slender rear post flanking eight gently curved vertical spindles, the stepped armrest supported by five straight spindles, all emerging from the frame of the hard cane seat, the squared legs joined by a humpback stretchers with two pairs of struts and a foot rest to the front and stretchers to the sides and rear.

Property from the collection of Florence and Herbert Irving.

Bonhams. Fine Chinese and Japanese Works of Art Part II, 14 Dec 2020, Los Angeles

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A burlwood-inset hongmu stand, 19th century

January 23, 2021, 4:24 am

≫ Next: A huanghuali and mixed wood cabinet, 19th century

≪ Previous: A pair of hongmu spindle-back armchairs, 20th century

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Lot 442. A burlwood-inset hongmu stand, 19th century; 25 7/8 x 8 1/2 x 8 1/2in (65.7 x 21x 21cm). Estimate US$ 800 - 1,200. Sold for US$ 573 (€ 471). Courtesy Bonhams.

Of square section, the top inset with an attractively-patterned burlwood panel, surrounded by a beaded edge within the hongmu frame with rounded edges, tennoned into four tall rounded legs joined by humpback stretchers and supported on pad feet.

Property from the collection of Florence and Herbert Irving.

Bonhams. Fine Chinese and Japanese Works of Art Part II, 14 Dec 2020, Los Angeles

A huanghuali and mixed wood cabinet, 19th century

January 23, 2021, 4:24 am

≫ Next: A gilt-decorated blue-ground baluster vase, Kangxi period (1662-1722)

≪ Previous: A burlwood-inset hongmu stand, 19th century

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Lot 444. A huanghuali and mixed wood cabinet, 19th century; 50 1/2 x 17 1/4 x 30in (128.7 x 45 x 76.2cm). Estimate US$ 10,000 - 15,000. Sold for US$ 12,750 (€ 10,486). Courtesy Bonhams.

The two recessed door panels within beaded edges, with a continuous rounded dowel frame, brass fittings and door pulls, fitted with a shelf and two drawers to the interior.

Provenance: Private Collection, Connecticut.

Bonhams. Fine Chinese and Japanese Works of Art Part II, 14 Dec 2020, Los Angeles

A gilt-decorated blue-ground baluster vase, Kangxi period (1662-1722)

January 23, 2021, 5:19 am

≫ Next: Three civil official's rank badges, buzi, 19th-20th century

≪ Previous: A huanghuali and mixed wood cabinet, 19th century

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Lot 58. A gilt-decorated blue-ground baluster vase, Kangxi period (1662-1722); 18 in. (46 cm.) high. Estimate USD 800 - USD 1,200. Price Realised USD 6,250. © Christie's Image Ltd 2021.

The vase is decorated on the body with two four-clawed dragons, each chasing a flaming pearl, and on the interior of the mouth with chrysanthemums on a green gound below a key-fret border.

Provenance: Chait Galleries, Ltd., New York, 1982.
The Irving Collection, New York, no. 720.

Christie's. Art of China. Including Property from the Irving Collection, 18 Nov - 9 Dec 2020

Three civil official's rank badges, buzi, 19th-20th century

January 23, 2021, 6:48 am

≫ Next: A Dehua deep bowl, 17th century

≪ Previous: A gilt-decorated blue-ground baluster vase, Kangxi period (1662-1722)

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Lot 59. Three civil official's rank badges, buzi, 19th-20th century; Largest, 127⁄8 in. (32.7 cm.) square. Estimate USD 2,000 - USD 3,000. Price Realised USD 6,250. © Christie's Image Ltd 2021.

The embroidered badge made for a fifth rank civil official, 20th century, is decorated with a silver pheasant alights on a rock emerging from turbulent waves amidst auspicious emblems. The embroidered badge made for a seventh degree civil official, Daoguang period (1821-1850), is decorated with a mandarin duck alights on a rock emerging from rolling waves amidst auspicious emblems. The badge worked in Peking knot made for a sixth degree civil official, 19th century, is decorated with an egret alights on a rock emerging from waves amidst anbaxian and other auspicious motifs.

Provenance: The Irving Collection, New York.

Christie's. Art of China. Including Property from the Irving Collection, 18 Nov - 9 Dec 2020

A Dehua deep bowl, 17th century

January 23, 2021, 7:13 am

≫ Next: A pair of painted baked mud figures of mythical beasts, Yuan-Ming dynasty (1279-1644)

≪ Previous: Three civil official's rank badges, buzi, 19th-20th century

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Lot 60. A Dehua deep bowl, 17th century; 51⁄8 in. (13 cm.) diam. Estimate USD 1,000 - USD 1,500. Price Realised USD 3,750. © Christie's Image Ltd 2021.

The embroidered badge made for a fifth rank civil official, 20th century, is decorated with a silver pheasant alights on a rock emerging from turbulent waves amidst auspicious emblems. The embroidered badge made for a seventh degree civil official, Daoguang period (1821-1850), is decorated with a mandarin duck alights on a rock emerging from rolling waves amidst auspicious emblems. The badge worked in Peking knot made for a sixth degree civil official, 19th century, is decorated with an egret alights on a rock emerging from waves amidst anbaxian and other auspicious motifs.

Provenance: Alice Boney, New York, 1980.
The Irving Collection, New York.

Christie's. Art of China. Including Property from the Irving Collection, 18 Nov - 9 Dec 2020

A pair of painted baked mud figures of mythical beasts, Yuan-Ming dynasty (1279-1644)

January 23, 2021, 7:58 am

≫ Next: A Longquan celadon 'Twin fish' dish, Song dynasty (AD 960-1279)

≪ Previous: A Dehua deep bowl, 17th century

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Lot 130. A pair of painted baked mud figures of mythical beasts, Yuan-Ming dynasty (1279-1644); 51⁄8 in. (13 cm.) diam. Estimate USD 2,000 - USD 3,000. Price Realised USD 1,250. © Christie's Image Ltd 2021.

Each crouching figure is modeled with a snarling expression, long snout and ridged backbone, with the details picked out in muted colors of yellow, red, brown, green and grey.

Property from the Collection of Frederick A. and Sharon L. Klingenstein

Christie's. Art of China. Including Property from the Irving Collection, 18 Nov - 9 Dec 2020

A Longquan celadon 'Twin fish' dish, Song dynasty (AD 960-1279)

January 23, 2021, 8:42 am

≫ Next: A Longquan celadon bracket-lobed dish, Yuan–Ming dynasty (1279-1644)

≪ Previous: A pair of painted baked mud figures of mythical beasts, Yuan-Ming dynasty (1279-1644)

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Lot 131. A Longquan celadon 'Twin fish' dish, Song dynasty (AD 960-1279); 5 1⁄4 in.(13.2 cm.) diam. Estimate USD 1,500 - USD 2,000. Price Realised USD 4,750. © Christie's Image Ltd 2021.

The rounded sides rise from the tapering foot to the everted rim and are carved on the exterior with a band of upright petals. The center of the interior is relief-decorated with two small fish, all under a glaze of pale sea-green color.

Provenance: Kaikodo, New York, 20 January 2000.

Christie's. Art of China. Including Property from the Irving Collection, 18 Nov - 9 Dec 2020

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A Longquan celadon bracket-lobed dish, Yuan–Ming dynasty (1279-1644)

January 23, 2021, 9:20 am

≫ Next: A Jian tea bowl, Song dynasty (960-1279)

≪ Previous: A Longquan celadon 'Twin fish' dish, Song dynasty (AD 960-1279)

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Lot 132. A Longquan celadon bracket-lobed dish, Yuan–Ming dynasty (1279-1644); 12 3⁄4 in. (33 cm.) diam. Estimate USD 1,000 - USD 1,500. Price Realised USD 2,250. © Christie's Image Ltd 2021.

The dish is potted with sides divided into bracket lobes on the interior and exterior below an everted rim of conforming shape. The center of the interior is molded with a stem of blossoming peony, and covered overall with a glaze of soft sea-green color with the exception of a wide ring on the recessed base.

Christie's. Art of China. Including Property from the Irving Collection, 18 Nov - 9 Dec 2020

A Jian tea bowl, Song dynasty (960-1279)

January 23, 2021, 10:23 am

≫ Next: A Jian tea bowl, Song-Jin dynasty (AD 960-1234)

≪ Previous: A Longquan celadon bracket-lobed dish, Yuan–Ming dynasty (1279-1644)

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Lot 133. A Jian tea bowl, Song dynasty (960-1279); 4 15⁄16 in. (12.5 cm.) diam. Estimate USD 2,000 - USD 3,000. Price Realised USD 15,000. © Christie's Image Ltd 2021.

The bowl is covered inside and out with a lustrous brown glaze flowing from the russet band below the rim and stopping irregularly above the foot exposing the unglazed body. The center of the interior has a black glaze with light 'hare's fur' markings.

Provenance: The Cunliffe Collection, no. T30 (according to label).
Kaikodo, New York, 2005.

Christie's. Art of China. Including Property from the Irving Collection, 18 Nov - 9 Dec 2020

A Jian tea bowl, Song-Jin dynasty (AD 960-1234)

January 23, 2021, 11:41 am

≫ Next: An imitation realgar glazed mallet vase, Qing dynasty (1644-1911)

≪ Previous: A Jian tea bowl, Song dynasty (960-1279)

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Lot 133. A Jian tea bowl, Song-Jin dynasty (AD 960-1234); 4 7⁄8 in. (12.7 cm.) diam. Estimate USD 1,500 - USD 2,500. Price Realised USD 2,125. © Christie's Image Ltd 2021.

The interior and exterior of the bowl are covered with black glaze streaked with brown ‘hare’s fur’ markings, thinning to a russet-brown tone at the rim and pooling irregularly above the foot.

Provenance: J.J. Lally & Co., New York, 2005.

Christie's. Art of China. Including Property from the Irving Collection, 18 Nov - 9 Dec 2020

An imitation realgar glazed mallet vase, Qing dynasty (1644-1911)

January 24, 2021, 1:24 am

≫ Next: A teadust-glazed vase, fanghu, Guangxu incised six-character mark within a rectangle and of the period (1875-1908)

≪ Previous: A Jian tea bowl, Song-Jin dynasty (AD 960-1234)

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Lot 137. An imitation realgar glazed mallet vase, Qing dynasty (1644-1911); 10 3⁄4 in. (27.3 cm.) high. Estimate USD 4,000 - USD 6,000. Price Realised USD 5,625. © Christie's Image Ltd 2021.

The vase with a tapered body rising to a long slender neck that flares slightly at the mouth and is covered overall with an orange-yellow glaze mottled with red and brown speckles.

Christie's. Art of China. Including Property from the Irving Collection, 18 Nov - 9 Dec 2020

A teadust-glazed vase, fanghu, Guangxu incised six-character mark within a rectangle and of the period (1875-1908)

January 24, 2021, 1:48 am

≫ Next: A pale blue-glazed water pot, taibai zun, Late Qing dynasty-Republic period

≪ Previous: An imitation realgar glazed mallet vase, Qing dynasty (1644-1911)

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Lot 138. A teadust-glazed vase, fanghu, Guangxu incised six-character mark within a rectangle and of the period (1875-1908); 11 3⁄4 in. (30 cm.) high. Estimate USD 6,000 - USD 8,000. Price Realised USD 21,250. © Christie's Image Ltd 2021.

The rectangular body is molded on two sides with a slightly raised peach-shape panel, and the neck is flanked by two tubular handles. The vase is covered overall in an opaque glaze of mottled, yellowish-green color that continues into the interior and the base, surrounding the lighter yellowish-green-glazed rectangular mark.

Provenance: Private Collection, Wisconsin.

Christie's. Art of China. Including Property from the Irving Collection, 18 Nov - 9 Dec 2020