A pair of lime-green ground famille-rose vases, Jiaqing seal marks and period - Sotheby's

each with a globular body rising from a spreading foot to a tall waisted neck, brightly enamelled against a lime-green ground with pairs of confronting butterflies, bats, peaches and endless knots interspersed amongst lotus blooms borne on meandering foliate sprays, all above a lappet band, the rim and foot encircled with ruyi and keyfret bands, glazed turquoise to the interior and base, the base inscribed with a six-character seal mark in iron-red. Quantité: 2 - 35cm., 13 3/4 in. Estimation: 200,000 - 300,000 GBP

PROVENANCE: Emily Gordon, Cluny Castle, circa 1870.
Thence by descent in the family.

NOTE: Exquisitely painted and finely potted, the present pair of vases belongs to a small group of Jiaqing mark and period wares that are favoured for the combination of their form and decoration. The intricate composition of auspicious motifs amongst leafy floral scrolls, seen on pieces in this group, suggest that they were produced as marriage gifts. The two facing butterflies represent a joyful reunion and marital happiness, the bats are a pun for blessings, the endless knot represents continuity, while the peaches symbolize longevity. Gunhild Avitabile in the exhibition catalogue From the Dragon’s Treasure, Museum fur Kunsthandwerk, Berlin, 1987, p. 33, interprets the meaning of this design combination as ‘May good luck (fu), longevity (die represented twice – twice seventy years) continue (lien) without interruption (symbol of the knot)’.

A vase of this type, decorated in famille-rose enamels on a similar lime-green ground, from the collection of George Weishaupt and illustrated Ibid., pl. 23, was sold three times, in our Amsterdam rooms, 16th October 1995, lot 28; in our Hong Kong rooms, 30th April 1996, lot 509; and in these rooms, 10th November 2010, lot 120. See another Jiaqing mark and period vase of this form decorated with two wide bands of lotus scrolls on a green ground, sold in our New York rooms, 4th June 1982, lot 280.

Slightly smaller Jiaqing mark and period bottle vases of this shape with ruyi sceptre handles on the neck, painted with dense flower scroll motif in famille-rose on a lime-green ground, are also known; for example, see two examples sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 12th May 1983, lot 232, and 2nd November 1998, lot 321.

The same auspicious design may be found on Jiaqing green-ground famille-rose jars, such as the piece sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 22nd May 1979, lot 271; and also on a turquoise-ground moonflask, with the butterflies featured prominently in the centre surrounded by bats and peaches, from the Qing Court collection and still in Beijing, illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum. Porcelains with Cloisonne Enamel Decoration and Famille Rose Decoration, Hong Kong, 1999, pl. 174.

For the inspiration of the decoration see a Qianlong covered cup with the motif of bats and peaches amongst a dense floral scroll, although lacking butterflies, on a gold-ground, in the Nanjing Museum, illustrated in The Official Kiln Porcelain of the Chinese Qing Dynasty, Shanghai, 2003, p. 263.

Sotheby's. Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art. London | 15 mai 2013 - www.sothebys.com

An emerald and diamond necklace. Photo Christie's Image Ltd 2013

The pendant designed as a diamond-set hexagonal-shaped frame centering upon a carved emerald, weighing approximately 57.24 carats, suspending a carved emerald weighing approximately 28.04 carats, to the detachable spectacle-set diamond chain, mounted in platinum and gold, emeralds late 18th-early 19th Century, remounted early 20th Century, chain 54.0 cm, pendant 9.1 cm. Estimate:  $302,084 – $517,859

Accompanied by report no. CS 50059 A & B dated 7 June 2012 from the AGL American Gemological Laboratories stating that the two emeralds are of Colombian origin, with faint traditional clarity enhancement

Christie's. MAGNIFICENT JEWELS. 15 May 2013. Geneva. www.christies.com

A blue and white 'dragon' dish, Zhengde mark and period - Sotheby's

well potted with rounded sides and painted in vibrant inky-blue tones with a central medallion enclosing a sinuous five-clawed dragon, surrounded by two striding dragons at the cavetto, with two further dragons around the exterior framed by a ruyi band at the foot, all against a dense lotus scroll and within double-line borders, the base inscribed with a four-character mark within double circles; 21cm diam., 8 1/4 in. Estimation: 80,000 - 120,000 GBP

PROVENANCE: A European Private Collection.

NOTE; The dragon and lotus design was one of the favourite designs of the Zhengde emperor and adorned a variety of vessels, including bowls, stemcups, jars of zhadou shape and dishes. Although this design was popular throughout the Ming period, the dense and even composition rendered in soft cobalt blue seen on the present dish is peculiar to the Zhengde reign.

Closely related examples, all bearing the four-character reign mark that is characteristic of this group of dishes, are found in museums and collections around the world; see one in the Palace Museum, Beijing, illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum. Blue and White Porcelain with Underglazed Red (II), Shanghai, 2000, pl. 63; one in the Capital Museum, Beijing, published in Zhongguo taoci quanji, vol. 12, Shanghai, 2000, pl. 138; another in the Shanghai Museum, included in Wang Qingzheng, Underglaze Blue and Red, Hong Kong, 1993, pl. 116; and a fourth example in the Meiyintang collection, illustrated in Regina Krahl, Chinese Ceramics from the Meiyintang Collection, vol. 4, pt. I, London, 2010, pl. 1679. For the Xuande prototype see one excavated at the waste heaps of the Ming imperial kilns, published in Lu Minghua, Mingdai guanyao ciqi, Shanghai, 2007, pl. 3-119.

A dish of this design is shown on the sixth scroll of the Guwan tu (Imperial Collection of Yongzheng), dated to the sixth year of his reign (1728), which was sold in our London rooms, 19th May 1939, lot 62, and is now in the British Museum, London, from the Sir Percival David collection.

Sotheby's. Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art. London | 15 mai 2013, www.sothebys.com

 A coloured diamond, sapphire and diamond panther brooch, by Cartier. Photo Christie's Image Ltd 2013

Designed as a pavé-set diamond panther in profile, with cabochon sapphire spots, emerald eyes, and holding a yellow kite-shaped diamond collet in its forepaws, 6.0 cm, with French assay marks for platinum and gold. Signed Cartier, no. 600688. Estimate:  $77,679 – $107,887

Christie's. MAGNIFICENT JEWELS. 15 May 2013. Geneva. www.christies.com

A blue and white ‘boys’ ewer, Jiajing mark and period - Sotheby's

 the compressed globular body rising from a straight foot to a waisted neck and galleried rim, set with a loop handle and a curved spout, the front and back face moulded with a peach-shaped panel, one painted with four boys and a ram and the other with four boys holding various attributes including a peony flower and a hobby horse, all surrounded by detached fruiting and flowering branches, the rim encircled by a chevron band, decorated with classic scrolls on the handle and spout, the base with a six-character mark; 22cm., 8 3/4 in. Estimation: 80,000 - 120,000 GBP

PROVENANCE: Marchant, London.
Collection of T.T. Tsui, no. MB 739.

LITTERATURE: Audrey Wang, Chinese Antiquities. An Introduction to the Art Market, London, 2012, pl. 17 and front cover.

NOTE: This ewer is impressive for its size, robust potting and decoration in the deep blue cobalt which is characteristic of ceramic wares made during the height of the Jiajing Emperor’s reign. Blue and white wares of this period are  abundant in artistic vitality in their decoration which is enhanced by the particularly attractive glaze.The design of several boys playing together is rich in symbolism. A popular decorative theme, especially during the Jiajing period,
when it can be found on many types of wares including bowls, boxes and vases. It represents the wish for many sons and descendants, especially distinguished noble sons (guizi) who will pass the civil service examination with high honours. Another meaning of this motif is suggested by Rosemary E. Scott in Percival David Foundation of Chinese Art, London, 1989, p.80, where the author notes that scenes of boys at play may be linked to the Daoist theme of the old regaining their youth. The Jiajing emperor was a devote Daoist, hence, decoration influenced by Daoist iconography was much favoured and used by artists working for the court.

While Jiajing mark and period ewers are rare, a similar example, sold in these rooms, 9th December 1975, lot 153, is now in the Idemitsu Museum of Arts, Tokyo, illustrated in Chinese Ceramics from the Idemitsu Collection, Tokyo, 1987, pl. 704. Another ewer of this form and decoration, with a matching cover painted with branches of fruit and flowers was also sold in these rooms, 6th June 1935, lot 57, from the collection of Charles Russell. This ewer, which is now in the British Museum, London, from the collection of the Percival David Foundation, is illustrated in Rosemary Scott, op.cit., pl. 70. A further pair of closely related ewers with covers painted with lotus leaves is published in Min Shin no bijutsu, Tokyo, 1982, pl. 93, from the Tokugawa Reimeikai Foundation, Tokyo.

Jiajing mark and period ewers of the same shape are also found decorated with two other designs. A ewer painted with ladies in a similar peach shaped panel in the centre surrounded by phoenix and lotus on the sides, was sold in these rooms, 3rd April 1979, lot 152; and another from the collection of Dr. Ip Yee and included in the Min Chiu Society exhibition An Anthology of Chinese Ceramics, Hong Kong Museum of Art, Hong Kong, 1980, cat. no. 85, was
sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 19th November 1984, lot 187. A ewer in the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford, decorated with two dragons in the centre flanked by cranes, peaches and lingzhi fungus, is published in Daisy Lion-Goldschmidt, Ming Ceramics, New York, 1978, p. 142, pl. 122. Another dragon ewer was sold in our New York rooms, 4th November 1978, lot 54; and a third example, from a Japanese private collection, was sold at Christie’s New York, 19th September 2007, lot 272.

Sotheby's. Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art. London | 15 mai 2013, www.sothebys.com

A diamond, onyx and emerald ‘tiger’ bangle, by Cartier. Photo Christie's Image Ltd 2013

The hinged band designed as a pavé-set diamond tiger with onyx stripes and cabochon emerald eyes, mounted in gold, 1967, inner diameter 6.0 cm, in red leather Cartier case. Signed Cartier, nos. N5195 and CG23625. Estimate:  $73,363 – $91,704

Christie's. MAGNIFICENT JEWELS. 15 May 2013. Geneva. www.christies.com

A fine famille-rose enamelled yellow-ground ‘medallion’ bowl, Qianlong mark and period - Sotheby's

the rounded sides rising from a short foot to a flaring rim, the exterior decorated with four circular medallions enclosing various flowers, divided by four peach branches tied with a wan symbol above a band of breaking waves, all reserved on a yellow sgraffiato ground, the interior painted in underglaze blue with a central medallion of lingzhi and bamboo growing from rocks rising from crashing waves beneath two ribbon-tied wan emblems, all encircled by four composite floral sprays in the well, the base inscribed with a six-character reign mark; 14.8cm., 5 7/8 in. Estimation: 80,000 - 120,000 GBP

NOTE: Exquisitely enamelled with flower medallions on an ornately decorated yellow ground, bowls of this design were pioneered by artists of the Qianlong period and grew in popularity, particularly during the reign of Daoguang. The sophistication of bowls of  painting techniques with traditional Chinese motifs. The peaches adorning the yellow ground, masterfully rendered in various tones to create a three-dimensional effect, reveal the influence of Jesuit painters at court. Threedimensionality is reinforced through the sgraffiato technique, another Qianlong innovation, with this complicated and laborious needle-point etching adding a textural and almost brocade-like quality to the piece.

No other Qianlong bowl of this pattern appears to have been published; for a Jiaqing example see one included in Francis van Noten, Chinese Porcelain of the 19th and 20th Centuries, Lochern, 1977, pl. 7; and another sold in these rooms, 7th/9th June 1995, lot 90. See a Daoguang version from the Olmer collection in the Roemer Museum,Hildesheim, illustrated in Ulrich Wiesner, Chinesisches Porzellan, Mainz am Rhein, 1981, pl. 149; and another sold in our New York rooms, 20th March 2007, lot 827

Compare Qianlong medallion bowls of this type, but with varying colour grounds and decorative motifs, such as a pair of blue-ground bowls enamelled with floral medallions separated by floral scrolls, from the collections of Lord Loch of Drylaw, Alfred Morrison, and the Rt. Hon. Lord Margadale of Islay, sold at Christie’s London, 9th November 2004, lot 31, and again in our Hong Kong rooms, 8th October 2010, lot 2606; another pair of blue-ground bowls painted with landscape medallions and leafy scrolls, in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, published in Stunning Decorative Porcelains from the Ch’ien-lung Reign, Taipei, 2008, pl. 13, together with a yellow version, pl. 14; and two further bowls also decorated with landscape medallions, one on a yellow ground and the other on a ruby ground, in the Palace Museum, Beijing, illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum. Porcelains with Cloisonné Enamel Decoration and Famille Rose Decoration, Hong Kong, 1999, pls 103 and 104 respectively. See also two ruby-ground examples, with medallions enclosing antiques, one sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 20th May 1986, lot 146, and the other sold in our New York rooms, 30th March 2006, lot 352.

Sotheby's. Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art. London | 15 mai 2013, www.sothebys.com

A pair of Art Deco diamond ear pendants, by Bulgari. Photo Christie's Image Ltd 2013

Each designed as a geometrical baguette and brilliant-cut diamond top suspending a flexible cascade of marquise-shaped diamonds with a pear-shaped diamond terminal, mounted in platinum, 1920s, 7.2 cm, in green leather Bulgari case. By Bulgari. Estimate:  $64,732 – $86,310

THE PROPERTY OF A NOBLE FAMILY

Literature: Cf. A. Triossi, BVLGARI 125 years of Italian Magnificence, exhibition catalogue, Grand Palais (Paris) 10 December 2010-12 January 2011, Skira, 2010, page 59 for a drawing of a similar pair of earrings.

Christie's. MAGNIFICENT JEWELS. 15 May 2013. Geneva. www.christies.com

A fine pair of Chinese export famille-rose enamelled goose tureens and covers, Qing dynasty, Qianlong period - Sotheby's 

each naturalistically modelled as a seated goose with webbed feet tucked beneath the body, the head decorated in black and pink enamel with large alert eyes and an orangey-red beak, the long curved neck of the bird forming the handle to the cover, the wings neatly folded over the back of the body and the feathers brightly decorated in black, sepia, blue and green enamel. Quantité: 4 - 38cm., 15in. Estimation: 80,000 - 120,000 GBP

NOTE: This pair of goose tureens is notable for their bright enamelling, particularly on the puce-coloured cheeks and crest. Such decorative elements are complemented by the blue and brown feathers and the vivid orange beak that have been naturalistically rendered to result in highly attractive vessels that would have enhanced table services. A closely related example was sold twice at Christie’s London, 25th June 1979, lot 200, and again, 16thNovember 1981, lot 172.

According to David Howard and John Ayers in China for the West, vol. II, London, 1978, p. 591, the most likely originfor Chinese tureens of this type are the faience models produced in the Strasbourg factory under the Director, Adam von Lowenfinck between 1750 and 1754. Jean McClure Mudge in Chinese Export Porcelain for the American Trade 1785-1835, East Brunswick, 1981, p. 160 notes that the Dutch East India Company ordered twenty-five goose tureens in1765 and a pair of white-glazed goose tureens were given to the East India Marine Society of Salem by Captain Ward Blackler, now in the Peabody Essex Museum, Salem, which indicates the wide popularity of such vessels in the West.

Further tureens of this form include one illustrated in Michel Beurdeley, Porcelain of the East India Companies, London, 1962, pl. 102; one from the Mottahedeh collection, published in Howard and Ayers, op. cit., p. 590, and sold in our New York rooms, 19th October 2000, pl. 377; another from the Mr and Mrs Adolph Henry Meyer collection also sold in our New York rooms, 20th January 1996, lot 4; and a fourth example sold at Christie’s London, 10th May 2011, lot 330.

Sotheby's. Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art. London | 15 mai 2013, www.sothebys.com

An Art Deco emerald and diamond bracelet. Photo Christie's Image Ltd 2013

The diamond-set openwork band with geometrical motifs, calibré-cut emerald detail, and centering upon triangular-cut emerald and diamond, mounted in platinum, 1920s, 18.3 cm. Estimate:  $62,575 – $80,915

Christie's. MAGNIFICENT JEWELS. 15 May 2013. Geneva. www.christies.com

A tea-dust glazed vase, Qianlong seal mark and period - Sotheby's

the globular body rising from a spreading foot to a tapering neck and everted rim, covered overall in an olive-coloured glaze flecked with a fine yellow mist, the base incised with a six-character seal mark beneath a brown glaze; 19.3cm., 7 5/8 in. Estimation: 70,000 - 90,000 GBP

NOTE: A bottle of this shape, glaze and date is illustrated in Tianjin Shi Yishu Bowuguan Cang Ci/Porcelains from the Tianjin Municipal Museum, Hong Kong, 1993, pl. 162; another was included in the exhibition Ethereal Elegance. Porcelain Vases of the Imperial Qing. The Huaihaitang Collection, Art Museum, Institute of Chinese Studies, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 2007-8, cat. no. 64; and a similar piece of Jiaqing mark and period in the Palace Museum, Beijing, is published in Zhongguo taoci quanji [Complete series on Chinese ceramics], Shanghai, 1999-2000, vol. 15, pl. 148.

Sotheby's. Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art. London | 15 mai 2013, www.sothebys.com

A pair of diamond ear pendants, by Cartier. Photo Christie's Image Ltd 2013

The pear-shaped and brilliant-cut diamond cluster tops each suspending a brilliant-cut, marquise and pear-shaped diamond pendant centering upon a larger pear-shaped diamond, weighing approximately 2.20 and 1.99 carats, mounted in platinum and gold, 5.4 cm. Signed Cartier London, no. 22264. Estimate:  $51,786 – $73,363

Christie's. MAGNIFICENT JEWELS. 15 May 2013. Geneva. www.christies.com

A fine blue and white ‘dragon’ cup, Kangxi mark and period - Sotheby's

the deep rounded sides rising from a straight foot to a gently flaring rim, the exterior painted with five roundels each formed from a sinuous five-clawed dragon curled around its body, similarly decorated to the interior with a central dragon medallion, the base inscribed with a six-character mark within a double-circle,9.2cm., 3 5/8 in. Estimation: 30,000 - 50,000 GBP

PROVENANCE: Sotheby’s London, 18th November 1998, lot 868.

Sotheby's. Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art. London | 15 mai 2013, www.sothebys.com

Pair of gold and diamond ear clips, Suzanne Belperron, circa 1970 - Sotheby's

Each designed as a stylised drop, set with a circular-cut diamond, surmounted with two pear-shaped diamonds, French assay and maker’s mark for Darde & Fils. Estimate:  11,000 – 17,000 CHF

Accompanied by a certificate from Olivier Baroin.

Sotheby's. Magnificent Jewels and Noble Jewels. Genève | 14 mai 2013 - www.sothebys.com

An incised white-glazed ‘dragon’ dish, Jiajing mark and period - Sotheby's

the rounded sides rising from a tapered foot to a flared rim, incised to the interior with a sinuous five-clawed dragon writhing amongst stylised clouds, the exterior similarly decorated with two dragons pacing amongst clouds in pursuit of flaming pearls, the base inscribed with a six-character mark within a double-circle, 30.5cm., 12in. Estimation: 30,000 - 50,000 GBP

Sotheby's. Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art. London | 15 mai 2013, www.sothebys.com

Sapphire and aquamarine clip and an aquamarine ring, Suzanne Belperron, circa 1970 - Sotheby's

The brooch designed as a spiralling cluster centring on a cushion-shaped aquamarine, surrounded by oval and circular-cut sapphires and aquamarines,French assay and maker’s mark for Darde & Fils; the ring double-claw set with a step-cut aquamarine, size 53^1/2, French assay and maker’s mark for Darde & Cie. Estimate:  11,000 – 17,000 CHF

Accompanied by a certificate from Olivier Baroin.

Sotheby's. Magnificent Jewels and Noble Jewels. Genève | 14 mai 2013 - www.sothebys.com

An incised green-enamelled ‘dragon’ bowl, Zhengde mark and period - Sotheby's

the deep rounded sides rising from a straight foot to a flared rim, decorated to the exterior with two green five-clawed dragons pacing amongst an incised wave ground in pursuit of flaming pearls, the interior with a central medallion enclosing a green dragon writhing amongst clouds, inscribed to the base with a six-character mark within a double-circle, 20.2cm., 8in. Estimation: 30,000 - 50,000 GBP

PROVENANCE; Property of a Hong Kong Collector.
Christie's London, 5th July 1983, lot 293.
The Anthony du Boulay Collection no.P250.
Bonham's London, 10th November 2003, lot 122

EXHIBITED; The London Asian Art Fair, Porcelain for Emperors, London, June 2003, cat. no.16.

NOTE: This green dragon design, which became very popular during the Hongzhi (AD 1488-1505) and Zhengde (AD 1506-21) reigns, originated in the Chenghua period (AD 1465-87), when green dragon bowls were made both with the dragons enamelled on top of the glaze over underglaze-blue outlines, and enamelled on the biscuit as on the presentpiece; examples of both in the National Palace Museum, Taiwan, were included in the Museum’s Special Exhibition of Ch’eng-hua Porcelain Ware, 1465-1487, Taipei, 2003, pls 107-8 and 110-11.

A Zhengde bowl of this type in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, is illustrated in Suzanne G. Valenstein, A Handbook of Chinese Ceramics, New York, 1989, pl. 156; another from the Sir Percival David collection and now in the British Museum, London, is published in Daisy Lion-Goldschmidt, Ming Porcelain, London, 1978, pl. 106; one from the Meiyintang collection, published in Regina Krahl, Chinese Ceramics from the Meiyintang Collection, vol. 2, London, 1994, pl. 695, was sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 9th October 2012, lot 20; and a fourth bowl from the collection of H.R.N. Norton, included in the Mostra d’Arte Cinese, Palazzo Ducale, Venice, 1954, cat. no. 687, was sold in these rooms, 5th November 1963, lot 178, and again in our Hong Kong rooms, 18th May 1982, lot 176.

Sotheby's. Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art. London | 15 mai 2013, www.sothebys.com

Pair of sapphire ear clips, Suzanne Belperron, 1974 - Sotheby's

Each of cluster design, set with carved and cabochon sapphires leaves, French assay and maker’s mark for Darde & Cie.  Estimate:  11,000 – 17,000 CHF

Accompanied by a certificate from Olivier Baroin.

Sotheby's. Magnificent Jewels and Noble Jewels. Genève | 14 mai 2013 - www.sothebys.com

A copper-red decorated ‘fish’ dish, Yongzheng mark and period - Sotheby's

 the shallow rounded sides supported on a tapering foot, the exterior painted in underglaze red with three fishes, the base inscribed in underglaze blue with a six-character reign mark within a double-circle; 15.1cm., 6 in. Estimation: 30,000 - 50,000 GBP

Sotheby's. Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art. London | 15 mai 2013, www.sothebys.com

Pair of rock crystal, ruby, and diamond ear clips, Suzanne Belperron, prior to 1955 - Sotheby's

Each composed of a carved rock crystal of yellow tint of architectural design, accented with a cabochon ruby and circular-cut diamonds, French assay and maker’s mark for Groëné& Darde. Estimate:  10,000 – 14,000 CHF

Accompanied by a certificate from Olivier Baroin.

Sotheby's. Magnificent Jewels and Noble Jewels. Genève | 14 mai 2013 - www.sothebys.com