Lot 111 A Diamond Necklace, by Harry Winston. Estimate USD 60,000 - USD 80,000. Photo Christie's Images Ltd 2016.
Designed as a line of eighty-two graduated pear-shaped diamonds, ranging from 2.00 to 0.19 carats, 15 1/2 ins., mounted in platinum. Signed H.W. for Harry Winston.
Provenance: Previously sold at Christie's New York, Magnificent Jewels, 19 April 2004, Lot 409.
Christie's. Sale 12182, Important Jewels, 18 October 2016, New York, Rockefeller Plaza
Lot 117. A natural pearl and diamond lariat necklace. Estimate USD 40,000 - USD 60,000. Photo Christie's Images Ltd 2016.
The graduated collet-set circular-cut diamond neckchain with single and baguette-cut diamond ribbon panel, suspending two semi-baroque white and light gray natural pearl drops, measuring approximately 11.78 x 10.80 mm and 11.90 x 10.95 mm, each with rose-cut diamond caps, 14 1/2 ins., mounted in platinum.
Accompanied by report no. 5171692506 dated 13 July 2016 from the GIA Gemological Institute of America stating that the pearls are natural saltwater pearls with no indications of treatment
Provenance: Previously sold at Christie's New York, Fine Jewels, 18 September 1984, Lot 89.
Christie's. Sale 12182, Important Jewels, 18 October 2016, New York, Rockefeller Plaza
Lot 3008. A huanghuali chest with drawers, late Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). Estimate 380,000 — 550,000 HKD. Lot sold 875,000 HKD. Photo: Sothebys.
of rectangular form, constructed with a removable panel door at the front with a baitong circular lock plate and side lock, above a reticulated baitong shaped door pull suspending from a chrysanthemum-shaped plate, all framed by baitong ruyi-shaped protective plates inset to each corner of the panel, the sides of the box flanked by a pair of rectangular handles, each suspended from a pair of rhombus-shaped plates and resting on one further plate, above a metal fitting with an opening to allow the threading through of a band or string for carriage, the edges of the chest reinforced with baitong strips, the interior housing six drawers, each with a pair of metal pulls; 35.5 by 42 by 26.6 cm, 14 by 16 1/2 by 10 1/2 in.
Note: Chests of this design with drawers are quite rare in surviving examples from the classical period.
Sotheby's, Ming Furniture – Portable Treasures, Hong Kong, 05 Oct 2016
Lot 3018. A huanghuali square corner cabinet, Late Ming – Early Qing dynasty. Estimate 380,000 — 550,000 HKD. Lot sold 812,500 HKD. Photo: Sothebys.
the top of mitre, mortise and tenon frame construction with a tongue-and-grooved floating panel supported by two dovetailed transverse stretchers underneath with exposed tenons on the short sides of the frame, resting atop four square uprights pyramid-joined to the top with one tenon exposed, the uprights with huanghuali floating panels tongue-and-grooved on the sides and back, the two doors of standard mitre, mortise and tenon frame construction with a two-board floating panel and two dovetailed transverse stretchers tenoned into the door frame, the interior of the cabinet with a permanent central section constituting a shelf and two drawers with baitong plates and pulls, above a stretcher and beaded-edged curvilinear apron carved with scrolling tendrils, tongue-and-grooved into the legs and butt-joined to the underside of the stretchers, the sides with two similarly shaped beaded-edged aprons, the one on the reverse undecorated, the doors with four rectangular baitong hinges and central plates with lock receptacles and shaped door pulls; 112 by 77.2 by 42.1 cm, 44 by 30 3/8 by 16 1/2 in.
Notes: This well-proportioned small square corner cabinet, fashioned from choice timber, is originally made in huanghuali wood throughout. The apron below is curvilinear-shaped and carved with scrolling tendrils, breaking the monotony of the plain surface of square shape. Surviving examples of square-corner cabinets are usually of large size with small pieces being quite rare.
Square corner cabinets are characterised by their squareness, straight legs joining the top in pyramid joins resulting in neat square corners, hence their name. Together with the sloping stile wood-hinged cabinets, they comprise the two main types of Ming cabinets.
A larger piece in the collection of the Beijing Cultural Relics Bureau is illustrated in Wang Shixiang, Classic Chinese Furniture: Ming and Early Qing Dynasties, Hanshan Tang, London, 1986, p. 215.
Sotheby's, Ming Furniture – Portable Treasures, Hong Kong, 05 Oct 2016
Lot 3648. An inscribed 'Langyao' red-glazed truncated bottle neck vase, Qing dynasty, Kangxi period, inscription dated to the yiwei year (in accordance with 1775). Estimate 1,500,000 — 2,000,000 HKD. Lot sold 1,875,000 HKD. Photo: Sothebys.
stoutly potted, the globular body rising to slanted shoulders surmounted by a columnar neck, applied overall with a deep speckled copper-red glaze draining from the rim in rich crimson and ruby tones to a sumptuous burgundy, neatly trimmed at the foot, the glaze further suffused with a tight network of crazing, the base incised with an imperial poem dated to the yiwei year (in accordance with 1775), followed by the two seals reading lang and run respectively, the mouthrim bound in gilt-bronze; 18.1 cm., 7 1/8 in.
Provenance: Collection of M.F. Arbouin, St. Brice, Cherante, France.
Sotheby's Hong Kong, 2nd May 2005, lot 525.
Exhibited: International Exhibition of Chinese Art, Royal Academy of Arts, London, 1935-6, cat. no. 2312 (label).
Notes: Outstanding for its rich red glaze that drapes over the subtle shouldered form, this vase is an exceptional example of langyao developed in imitation of Xuande wares during the Kangxi period. Its timeless beauty is evidenced in the imperial poem written by the Qianlong Emperor and inscribed on the base of the vase, which praises the rich colour of sacrificial red wares of the Xuande period.
Dated 1775, the poem inscribed on the base of this vase is recorded in the Qing Gaozong yuzhi shiwen quan ji [Anthology of imperial poems] and can be translated as follows:
Its glaze incandesces
like the fiery red sky after the rain.
Once out of the kiln,
it has to return to the flickering flames.
The world's vermillion
simply does not compare,
All the rubies of the West
cannot rival its colour.
Place flowers in it and they blush in shame,
It is impossible to capture
the richness of its glaze in a painting.
The Records state that
sacrificial red wares were
first made in the Xuande period,
Though such wares were first fired
during the Song dynasty.
The same poem is also found on a Kangxi langyao vase of compressed pear shape, in the Qing Court collection and still in Beijing, illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum. Monochrome Porcelain, Hong Kong, 1999, pl. 14, where it notes that the reference to Xuande suggests that the Qianlong Emperor was under the impression that these vases were produced in the Xuande period (see p. 16). A copper-red 'Monk's Cap' ewer, similarly inscribed with a Qianlong poem and dated to 1775, was included in the Special Exhibition of Selected Hsuan-te Imperial Porcelains of the Ming Dynasty, National Palace Museum, Taipei, 1998, cat. no. 29.
Copper-red glazes were revived on a grand scale under the Kangxi Emperor after two centuries of neglect. Monochrome copper-red porcelains were perfected during the Yongle and Xuande reigns, but the large number of discarded sherds at the Jingdezhen kiln sites impressively highlights the difficulties experienced by even the highly accomplished imperial potters of that time to achieve satisfactory results. After the Xuande reign, the copper pigment was therefore almost completely abandoned. Also known as sang-de-boeuf (‘oxblood’), langyao was developed under Lang Tingji (1663-1715), supervisor of the imperial kilns at Jingdezhen from 1705-12, and the term is thought to derive from his name. Under his direction the imperial potters attempted to recreate the lost formula of the early Ming period and perfected the creation of comparable deep and even copper-red glazes such as the present. It was also manipulated to produce the delicate mottled glazes of ‘peach-bloom’ wares.
Related Kangxi langyao vases, with a tall cylindrical neck where the red attractively pulls away to reveal the white rim, include two in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, one of mallet form and with a similar metal-bound rim, but with an apocryphal Xuande reign mark, included in the Museum’s Special Exhibition of Hsuan-te Wares, Taipei, 1980, cat. no. 85, and the other published in Illustrated Catalogue of Ch’ing Dynasty Porcelain in the National Palace Museum. K’ang-hsi Ware and Yung-cheng Ware, vol. 1, Tokyo, 1980, pl. 48; and a bottle vase of compressed globular form, also with a gilt-metal rim, illustrated in John Ayers, The Baur Collection. Chinese Ceramics, vol. 3, Geneva, 1972, pl. A278.
Sotheby's, Important Chinese Art, Hong Kong, 05 Oct 2016
Lot 110. A pair of Burma ruby and diamond ear pendants, by Van Cleef & Arpels. Estimate USD 60,000 - USD 80,000. Photo Christie's Images Ltd 2016.
Each detachable pendant, centering upon an oval-cut ruby, weighing approximately 4.66 and 3.58 carats, within a circular-cut diamond two-tiered surround, suspending a pear-shaped diamond fringe, from a surmount of similar design each centering upon an oval-cut ruby, weighing approximately 1.52 and 1.50 carats, 2 ins., with French assay marks for platinum and 18k gold, in a Van Cleef & Arpels beige box; Signed Van Cleef & Arpels, no. M37513, with maker's marks.
Accompanied by report no. CS 1077720 dated 22 August 2016 from the AGL American Gemological Laboratories stating that it is the opinion of the Laboratory that the origin of the ruby, weighing approximately 4.66 carats, would be classified as Burma (Myanmar). Standard heat enhancement. Minor clarity enhancement, heating residues
With report no. CS 1077721 dated 22 August 2016 from the AGL American Gemological Laboratories stating that it is the opinion of the Laboratory that the origin of the ruby, weighing approximately 3.58 carats, would be classified as Burma (Myanmar). Standard heat enhancement. Insignificant to minor clarity enhancement, heating residues
With report nos. CS 1077722 and CS 1077723 dated 22 August 2016 from the AGL American Gemological Laboratories stating that it is the opinion of the Laboratory that the origin of the rubies, weighing approximately 1.52 and 1.50 carats, would be classified as Burma (Myanmar). No gemological evidence of heat
Provenance: Previously sold at Christie's New York, Magnificent Jewels, 19 April 2004, Lot 417.
Christie's. Sale 12182, Important Jewels, 18 October 2016, New York, Rockefeller Plaza
Lot 3660. A copper-red-glazed vase, Qing dynasty, 18th century, Xuande mark. Estimate 80,000 — 100,000 HKD. Lot sold 225,000 HKD. Photo: Sothebys.
potted with a slender ovoid body surmounted by a tapered neck, the lower neck with rounded steps, applied overall save for the base with a warm copper-red glaze, the countersunk white base inscribed with an apocryphal underglaze-blue six-character Xuande mark within a double-circle, wood stand; 19.8 cm, 7 3/4 in.
Sotheby's, Important Chinese Art, Hong Kong, 05 Oct 2016
Lot 149. An Iznik pottery dish, Ottoman Turkey, circa 1570. Estimate GBP 20,000 - GBP 30,000 (USD 24,380 - USD 36,570). Photo Christie's Images Ltd 2016.
With cusped rim on short foot, the reverse with alternating cobalt-blue paired tulips and cobalt-blue and green rosettes, a plain blue line around the cusped edge, foot and rim drilled, intact; 11 7/8in. (30.8cm.) diam..
Christie's. Sale 12241, Art of the Islamic and Indian Worlds, 20 October 2016, London, King Street
Lot 150. An Iznik pottery dish, Ottoman Turkey, circa 1565. Estimate GBP 20,000 - GBP 30,000 (USD 24,380 - USD 36,570). Photo Christie's Images Ltd 2016.
With cusped sloping rim on short foot, the reverse with alternating paired tulips and flowerheads, both in cobalt blue and black, foot and rim drilled, hair crack, otherwise intact; 11¾in. (29.8cm.) diam.
Christie's. Sale 12241, Art of the Islamic and Indian Worlds, 20 October 2016, London, King Street
Lot 151. An Iznik pottery dish, Ottoman Turkey, circa 1580. Estimate GBP 5,000 - GBP 7,000 (USD 6,095 - USD 8,533). Photo Christie's Images Ltd 2016.
With sloping rim on short foot, the reverse with alternating green and cobalt-blue motifs, foot drilled, areas of restoration; 11¾in. (29.6cm.) diam.
Christie's. Sale 12241, Art of the Islamic and Indian Worlds, 20 October 2016, London, King Street
Lot 152. A large Iznik pottery dish, Ottoman Turkey, circa 1590-1600. Estimate GBP 7,000 - GBP 10,000 (USD 8,533 - USD 12,190). Photo Christie's Images Ltd 2016.
With sloping rim on short foot, the reverse with alternating cobalt-blue trefoil and roundel motifs, foot chipped, remains of old collection labels to base; 13½in. (34cm.) diam..
Christie's. Sale 12241, Art of the Islamic and Indian Worlds, 20 October 2016, London, King Street
Lot 153. An Iznik pottery dish, Ottoman Turkey, circa 1580. Estimate GBP 15,000 - GBP 25,000 (USD 18,285 - USD 30,475). Photo Christie's Images Ltd 2016.
With cusped rim on short foot, the reverse with alternating paired cobalt-blue tulips and green flowerheads, foot and rim drilled, some chips to glaze; 11¾in. (30cm.) diam.
Christie's. Sale 12241, Art of the Islamic and Indian Worlds, 20 October 2016, London, King Street
Lot 154. An Iznik pottery dish, Ottoman Turkey, circa 1610. Estimate GBP 3,000 - GBP 5,000 (USD 3,657 - USD 6,095). Photo Christie's Images Ltd 2016.
With sloping rim on short foot, remains of gilding, the reverse with alternating blue spirals and green floral motifs, foot pierced, later owner's seal and stickers to base, intact; 11 7/8in. (30cm.) diam.
Christie's. Sale 12241, Art of the Islamic and Indian Worlds, 20 October 2016, London, King Street
Lot 155. An Iznik pottery dish, Ottoman Turkey, circa 1640. Estimate GBP 1,000 - GBP 2,000 (USD 1,219 - USD 2,438). Photo Christie's Images Ltd 2016.
With sloping rim on short foot, the reverse with alternating trefoil and circular motifs in green and black, foot drilled and chipped, repaired break to rim; 12¼in. (31cm.) diam.
Christie's. Sale 12241, Art of the Islamic and Indian Worlds, 20 October 2016, London, King Street
Lot 156. A large Iznik pottery dish, Ottoman Turkey, circa 1610. Estimate GBP 3,000 - GBP 5,000 (USD 3,657 - USD 6,095). Photo Christie's Images Ltd 2016.
With sloping sides on short foot, the reverse with alternating cobalt-blue floral sprays and green rosettes bordered by bands of simple black lines, later owner's stickers on the base, foot drilled, intact; 13½in. (34.3cm.) diam.
Christie's. Sale 12241, Art of the Islamic and Indian Worlds, 20 October 2016, London, King Street
Lot 157. An Iznik pottery dish, Ottoman Turkey, circa 1570. Estimate GBP 15,000 - GBP 20,000 (USD 18,285 - USD 24,380). Photo Christie's Images Ltd 2016.
With sloping rim on short foot, the reverse with alternating paired tulips and flowerheads in cobalt-blue and green, foot drilled, later owner's stickers to base, repaired breaks; 11¼in. (28.6cm.) diam.
Christie's. Sale 12241, Art of the Islamic and Indian Worlds, 20 October 2016, London, King Street
Lot 158. An Iznik pottery dish, Ottoman Turkey, circa 1590. Estimate GBP 20,000 - GBP 30,000 (USD 24,380 - USD 36,570). Photo Christie's Images Ltd 2016.
With sloping rim on short foot, the reverse with alternating floral sprays and rosettes in cobalt-blue and green between plain black bands, foot and rim drilled, old catalogue description and photograph on reverse, foot chipped otherwise intact; 12¾in. (32.2cm.) diam.
Christie's. Sale 12241, Art of the Islamic and Indian Worlds, 20 October 2016, London, King Street
Lot 14. A yellow-glazed square bowl, 17th century. Estimate £3,000 - 5,000 (€3,300 - 5,600). Photo: Bonhams.
Well potted of square section with deep sides, covered overall with a pale lemon-yellow glaze, the base left unglazed. 10.1cm (4in) wide
Provenance: Reginald Howard Reed Palmer, MC DL (1898-1970), collection no.254, and thence by descent
Exhibited: The Oriental Ceramic Society, Exhibition of Monochrome Porcelain of the Ming and Manchu Dynasties, London, 27 October - 18 December 1948, Catalogue no.58.
Bonhams. FINE CHINESE ART, 10 november 2016, 10:30 GMT, LONDON, NEW BOND STREET
Lot 26. A small yellow-glazed incised 'dragon' saucer-dish, Daoguang seal mark and of the period (1821-1850). Estimate £3,000 - 5,000 (€3,300 - 5,600). Photo: Bonhams.
Finely incised to the interior with a writhing five-clawed dragon in pursuit of the flaming pearl amidst scrolling flames, the exterior of the gently rounded sides similarly decorated with two striding dragons, all covered under a translucent glaze of lemon-yellow colour. 14.3cm (5 5/8in) diam.
Provenance: Hugh M. Moss Ltd., London (label)
An English private collection, acquired in the 1970-80s, and thence by descent.
Notes: Compare with a similar yellow-glazed dish, Daoguang seal marks and of the period, similarly incised with dragons amidst scrolling clouds, sold at Christie's New York on 13-14 September 2012, lot 1517; another related pair of dishes, Daoguang seal mark and of the period, was sold at Christie's Hong Kong on 28 November 2012, lot 2143.
Lot 1517. A yellow-glazed incised 'dragon' dish, Daoguang seal mark in underglaze blue and of the period (1821-1850). Estimate USD 6,000 - USD 8,000. Price Realised USD 13,750 at Christie's New York on 13-14 September 2012. Photo Christie's Images Ltd 2012
The dish has shallow rounded sides that rise to a slightly everted rim, and is incised in the center with a five-clawed dragon leaping amidst clouds and flames in pursuit of a flaming pearl, and on the exterior with two dragons at a similar pursuit. The interior and exterior are covered with a glaze of rich primrose-yellow tone. 6¾ in. (17 cm.)
Lot 2143. A fine pair of imperial incised yellow glazed 'dragon' dishes, Daoguang marks and of the period (1821-1850). Estimate HKD 220,000 - HKD 280,000 (USD 28,527 - USD 36,307). Price Realised HKD 250,000 USD 32,415 at Christie's Hong Kong on 28 November 2012. Photo Christie's Images Ltd 2012
Each dish is finely incised in the centre with a leaping five-clawed dragon in pursuit of a 'flaming pearl' amid clouds, all within a single incised line border. The exterior is incised with two further dragons striding in pursuit of pearls. The dishes are covered overall with a rich egg-yolk-yellow glaze. 6 3/4 in. (17.2 cm.) diam. (2)
Lot 3252. A pair of incised yellow glazed dragon porcelain saucer dishes, Daoguang marks and of the period (1821-1850). Sold for US$ 11,250 (€10,225) at Bonhams,
The interior well of each dish carved with a coiled five-clawed dragon grasping at a flaming pearl and the exterior with two similar striding dragons, all beneath a rich yellow enamel that stops along the exterior foot, the recessed base displaying the six-character mark in underglaze blue seal script beneath a celadon-tinged glaze (small hairline cracks from rim). 6 3/4in (17cm) diameter
Provenance: from the collection of a U.S. diplomat, posted in several Mainland Chinese cities from 1911-1933, thereafter by descent
Bonhams. FINE CHINESE ART, 10 november 2016, 10:30 GMT, LONDON, NEW BOND STREET
Lot 22. A pair of yellow-glazed incised 'dragon' bowls, Tongzhi six-character marks and of the period (1861-1875). Estimate £3,000 - 5,000 (€3,300 - 5,600). Photo: Bonhams.
The curved sides rising from a short foot to a slightly everted rim, each incised around the exterior each with two dragons chasing flaming pearls amidst wisps and billowing waves, applied overall with a rich egg-yolk-yellow ground, the base glazed white. Each 14.4cm (5 5/8in) diam. (2).
Provenance: Walter Thomas Gaze Cooper (1895-1981) nos.51A and 51B, and thence by descent.
Walter Thomas Gaze Cooper (1895-1981)
Gaze Cooper, as he was known, was a prolific composer and musician, writing his first serious piece, a piano concerto, in 1923. He studied at the Royal College of Music and his many compositions included four piano concertos, eight symphonies, an opera and many piano pieces.
His other great passion in life was collecting Egyptian, Chinese and Greek art and antiquities. Gaze Cooper's collection was most impressive and Sir Mortimer Wheeler, the famed archaeologist, often spoke of a rare artefact saying that 'there are only two of its kind, one in the British museum and the other in the Gaze Cooper collection'. In 1950 he was pictured in the Nottingham Evening News, cradling a Tang figure of Guanyin.
Gaze Cooper was a piano and theory teacher throughout his life, still teaching at the age of 85 a few weeks before he died. He taught at the Midland Conservatoire of Music and later at a studio in Nottingham and in his home in Long Eaton. His pupils were of all ages and he was well known for his charisma, enthusiasm, and quirky ways, which endeared him to many. He was, however, a hard task master expecting nothing less than his own commitment in others.
His pupils sometimes came face to face with his Asian art collection as he often took a piece to place on the piano in his studio to help him to feel at home. Always willing to share his knowledge, he enjoyed giving lectures locally where he would take prized objects with him to talk about.
In 1933 he founded the Midland Conservatoire of Music Symphony Orchestra which become the Nottingham Symphony Orchestra (NSO) in 1942 and is still going strong today.
Compare with a similar yellow-glazed bowl, Tongzhi six-character mark and of the period, sold at Sotheby's London on 15 May 2013, lot 235.
Lot 235. A yellow-glazed 'dragon' bowl, Tongzhi six-character mark and of the period (1861-1875). Estimate 3,000 — 5,000 GBP. Lot sold 10,000 GBP at Sotheby's London on 15 May 2013. Photo Sotheby's.
the curved sides rising from a short foot to a flared rim, incised to the exterior with two dragons pacing over turbulent cresting waters and amidst flaming wisps in pursuit of flaming pearls, the foot encircled with a keyfret band, all reserved on an egg-yolk yellow ground, the interior and base glazed white, inscribed to the base with a six-character mark; 15.3cm., 6in.
Bonhams. FINE CHINESE ART, 10 november 2016, 10:30 GMT, LONDON, NEW BOND STREET