Ruby and diamond demi-parure, Cartier, circa 1925. Photo Sotheby's
Comprising: a necklace millegrain-set with brilliant-cut and baguette diamonds, accented with carved rubies, length approximately 395mm; and a pair of pendent ear clips similarly set, pendants detachable; each signed Cartier Paris. Estimate: 40,000 – 60,000 CHF
Sotheby's. Magnificent Jewels and Noble Jewels. Genève | 14 mai 2013, www.sothebys.com
A Rare Pair of Nishapur or Samarqand pottery bowls with inscriptions, Eastern Persia or Transoxiana, 10th century - Sothebys
comprising two bowls, each of truncated conical form with flared, straight edges, composed of earthenware painted in manganese-black slip on a white slip ground under a transparent glaze, each with four lines of inscription near the rim, the exterior plain. Quantity: 2. Each: 21cm. diam. 7.4 and 7.3cm. height. Estimate: 15,000 - 25,000 GBP. Unsold
PROPERTY FROM THE HARVEY B. PLOTNICK COLLECTION
Sotheby's. Arts of the Islamic World. London | 03 Oct 2012 www.sothebys.com
Cultured pearl, ruby and diamond bracelet, Bulgari, 1980s. Photo Sotheby's
The front set with three oval cabochon rubies, surrounded with undulating lines of brilliant-cut diamonds, framed at either side with calibré-cut rubies, and embellished with rows of cultured pearls, length approximately 177mm, signed Bulgari, Italian assay and maker’s marks. Estimate: 38,000 – 58,000 CHF
PROPERTY FROM A ROYAL COLLECTION
Sotheby's. Magnificent Jewels and Noble Jewels. Genève | 14 mai 2013, www.sothebys.com
A rare and large cloisonné enamel censer with lotus and the characters shou and wan, China, Ming dynasty, carved hardwood cover. Photo Nagel Auktionen
The heavily cased censer of circular section, enamelled around the sides on the exterior with a scrolling multi-coloured lotus band and the characters Shou and Wan under the mouthrim bound with gilt-metal, flanked by a pair of gilded makara handles, all supported on four evenly spaced stylised ruyi-heads with leaves, each extending to a three-clawed foot, the ruyi feet and handles possibly added in the 17th or 18th ct. - Very minor losses to enamel, fine break lines to undecorated base, one foot with two lost leaves, the cover with damages due to age. B. 46,5 cm. Estimate 30 000 - 50 000 €
Property from an old European private collection. A censer from the Yongle/Xuande period with similar mounts was sold by Christie's Hong Kong, 28.11.2006, Lot 1665
It is rare to find examples of Ming dynasty cloisonné wares of such massive size. The most well-known published example is the Xuande mark and period jar and cover illustrated by H. Brinker and A. Lutz, Chinese Cloisonne from the Pierre Uldry Collection, Zurich, 1989, pl. 5.
A similar censer with a Jingtai mark, raised on similar three-clawed feet, enamelled with figures in landscape, is in the Musée des Arts Decoratifs, Paris, and illustrated in Transactions of the Oriental Ceramic Society, vol. 30, London, 1958, no. 317.
The inspiration of the Indian lotus is probably a direct influence from ceramic production at the Imperial kilns at Jingdezhen where underglaze-blue floral patterns in formal bands of this type continued from the Yuan dynasty into the Ming, proving to be one of the most popular motifs in the 15th century.
Nagel Auktionen. Asian Art, 2013/05/10. http://www.auction.de
Very attractive gem set and diamond necklace, Bulgari, circa 1965 - Sothebys
Designed as a graduated fringe of cluster motifs set with cabochon sapphires, rubies and emeralds highlighted with brilliant-cut diamonds, length approximately 420mm, signed Bulgari, case stamped Bulgari. Estimate: 190,000 – 380,000 CHF
PROPERTY OF A EUROPEAN PRINCELY FAMILY
LITTERATURE: Cf: Amanda Triossi, Bulgari: 125 Years of Italian Magnificence, Grand Palais, Milan, 2010, pages 140 and 141 for a similar example of this necklace.
Sotheby's. Magnificent Jewels and Noble Jewels. Genève | 14 mai 2013, www.sothebys.com
A very large and rare cloisonné enamel Imperial dragon charger, China, Ming dynasty. Photo Nagel Auktionen
Of circular form with a large five-clawed yellow dragon above waves and a further smaller red dragon. The border depicts twelve lotos blossoms amidst scrollwork. Minor losses to enamels, minor wear. D. 63 cm. Estimate 80 000 - 120 000 €
Provenance: Private collection Rhineland, bought in London in the 1980'ies
Cf. for an imperial dish in the Qing Court collection, see 'Metal-bodied Enamel Ware, The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum', Hong Kong, 2002, pl. 47; another is in the British Museum, illustrated by H. Brinker and A. Lutz, Chinese Cloisonne: The Pierre Uldry Collection, 1989, fig. 61, where the authors discuss a similar dish in the National Palace Museum, where the mark has been effaced and replaced by an engraved apocryphal Jingtai mark; an unpublished example is in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London.
An example of a basin in situ in the Chuxiugong, 'Palace of Gathering Excellence', supported on an elaborate rosewood stand inlaid with mother-of-pearl, is illustrated in Life of the Emperors and Empresses in the Forbidden City, p. 81.
Nagel Auktionen. Asian Art, 2013/05/10. http://www.auction.de
Gem set and diamond brooch, circa 1900 - Sothebys
Designed as a butterfly, the head and thorax set with a step-cut sapphire and emerald, and an oval and pear-shaped diamond, the wings set with variously shaped rubies, opals, emeralds and diamonds. Estimate: 29,000 – 49,000 CHF
FORMERLY IN THE COLLECTION OF DON JOSÉ MARÍA DE MARTORELL Y TÉLLEZ GIRÓN, XVIII DUQUE DE PLASENCIA AND HIS WIFE DOÑA MARIA DE LA CONCEPCIÓN
Provenance: The XVIII Duke de Plasencia and Doña María de la Concepción lived during the very turbulent and politically unstable years of the Spanish Civil War. They first met in Madrid, by chance on the terrace of the Hotel Universal in 1931, where it was love at first sight. Yet the political situation separated them; the Duke was forced to take refuge in the Romanian embassy while Doña María de la Concepción left for San Sebastian in the north of Spain. Only twenty years later did they finally marry, in the famous Chapel of Santiago de Compostela.
This brooch was given by the Duke to Doña María de la Concepción during one of their rare encounters in Biarritz, during their time apart. A symbolic gift, the butterfly’s wings represented freedom from the difficult political situation and was a symbol of their oath and commitment to one another.
Literature: Cf: David Bennett and Daniela Mascetti, Celebrating Jewellery: Exceptional Jewels of the Ninteenth and Twentieth Centuries, 2012, pages 19 and 69 for illustrations of this brooch.
Sotheby's. Magnificent Jewels and Noble Jewels. Genève | 14 mai 2013, www.sothebys.com
A very rare cloisonne enamel and gilt-bronze foreigner, China, Kangxi period. Photo Nagel Auktionen
Finely cast, seated on a waisted square pedestal, kneeling on one bended knee with the foot of the other leg flat on the ground, positioned with one muscular arm raised and one hand to the hip, dressed in a sleeveless coat with toggle closures elaborately decorated with dragons above waves and clouds. The figure is depicted with his mouth open in a smile with a thick curly beard - Very minor wear. H. 27,5 cm. Estimate 60 000 - 90 000 €
Property from an old European private collection
A pair of very similar pricket candle holders was sold at Christie's Hongkong 'Masterpieces of the Enameller's Art from the Mandel Collection', 30.5.2012, Lot 3906
Foreigners depicted with large round eyes and noses, thick curly beards and hair have been a popular motif in Chinese art as early as the Tang dynasty (618-906), when the increased presence of foreigners in China brought in new fascination among the Chinese and led to a gradual stylisation of the image of the foreigner in Chinese art.
Compare the present figure with a pair of cloisonne figures of foreigners with similar stance and facial features, dated to the late Ming period, from the Juan Jose Amezaga Collection, sold at Christie's Paris, 7 December 2007, lot 7; and now in the Robert Chang Collection included in the exhibition, Colourful, Elegant, and Exquisite: A Special Exhibition of Imperial Enamel Ware from Mr. Robert Chang's Collection, Suzhou, 2009, p. 90-91.
Another comparable pair of cloisonne enamel and gilt-bronze pricket candlesticks in the form of foreign figures, dated to 18th century, was sold at Christie's London, 8 November 2011, lot 68. Cloisonne enamel figures of foreigners holding up an object are not confined to the form of candlesticks. The two figures are similar to the present figure and are carrying a rectangular censer in the Qing Court Collection, illustrated in Enamels 2: Cloisonne in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), Compendium of Collections in the Palace Museum, Beijing 2011, pl. 67.
A figure of a foreign tribute bearer holding up a gilt orb and with a similarly designed vest and square base was sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 26 April 1999, lot 561
Nagel Auktionen. Asian Art, 2013/05/10. http://www.auction.de
Pair of gem set and diamond pendent ear clips, Bulgari, circa 1965 - Sothebys
Each set with cabochon sapphires, emeralds and rubies, highlighted with brilliant-cut diamonds, signed Bulgari, case stamped Bulgari. Estimation: 19,000 - 29,000 CHF
PROPERTY OF A EUROPEAN PRINCELY FAMILY
Sotheby's. Magnificent Jewels and Noble Jewels. Genève | 14 mai 2013, www.sothebys.com
A very fine carved white jade ruyi scepter, China, 18th century. Photo Nagel Auktionen
The ruyi head is well carved in relief with a bat above two ribbon-tailed cash with bats, with further lingzhi branches carved in high relief atop the arched shaft and an orchid above rocks in very light greenish-white jade - Few tiny chips, the shaft with old glued break. L. 40,6 cm. Estimate 30 000 - 50 000 €
Property from an old European private collection, bought in the 1920 to 1930 with Kleykamp in The Hague
Nagel Auktionen. Asian Art, 2013/05/10. http://www.auction.de
Diamond tiara, circa 1900. Photo Sotheby's
The central fleur-de-lys motif set en tremblant to a tiara composed of foliate and lanceolated motifs, set with cushion-shaped, circular-cut and rose diamonds,inner circumference approximately 170mm, accompanied by a detachable tiara frame, inner circumference approximately 340mm. Estimate: 100,000 – 150,000 CHF
THE PROPERTY OF A MEMBER OF A EUROPEAN ROYAL FAMILY
Provenance: This tiara was originally part of the wedding present from Queen Isabella II of Spain to her daughter Infanta María de la Paz, Princess of Bourbon (b.1862-1946), who married Prince Ludwig Ferdinand of Bavaria (b.1859-1949), in 1883 at the Palacio Real, Madrid.
Note: The fleur-de-lys motif is most notably recognized in the coat of arms of the Royal House of Bourbon, 16th century rulers of Navarre and France. By the 18th century, members of the Bourbon dynasty also held thrones in Spain, Sicily, Naples and Parma. Today, Spain and Luxembourg currently have Bourbon monarchs. Infanta María de la Paz, Princess de Bourbon is wearing a fleur-de-lys brooch in this photograph on the occasion of her engagement to Prince Ludwig Ferdinand.
Sotheby's. Magnificent Jewels and Noble Jewels. Genève | 14 mai 2013, www.sothebys.com
A fine and rare jade twin fish bowl, China, 18th century. Photo Nagel Auktionen
D. 12,7 cm. Estimate 20 000 - 30 000 €
Property from an old German private collection, bought in China around 1900
Nagel Auktionen. Asian Art, 2013/05/10. http://www.auction.de
Diamond demi-parure, Bulgari - Sothebys
Comprising: a necklace set with brilliant-cut diamonds, inner circumference approximately 340mm; a bracelet similarly set, length approximately 175mm;and a pair of earrings en suite, hinged post fittings; each signed Bulgari, French and Italian assay and maker's marks. Estimation: 180,000 - 270,000 CHF
Sotheby's. Magnificent Jewels and Noble Jewels. Genève | 14 mai 2013, www.sothebys.com
A pair of powderblue-glazed porcelain bottle vases, China, Kangxi period. Photo Nagel Auktionen
Both vases with drilled hole to base, one vase with damages to mouth. H. 43,3 cm. Estimate 2500/3000 €
Former collection Erit Macy, N.Y.
Nagel Auktionen. Asian Art, 2013/05/10. http://www.auction.de
A fine and rare powderblue-ground gilt-decorated bottle vase with dragons, China, underglaze blue Qianlong seal mark and period. Photo Nagel Auktionen
Minor wear to gilt painting. H. 46,2 cm. Estimate 20 000/30 000 €
Nagel Auktionen. Asian Art, 2013/05/10. http://www.auction.de
A powderblue-glazed porcelain vase, China, 18th century. Photo Nagel Auktionen
Good condition. H. 25,2 cm. Estimate 600/ 800 €
Property from a Hamburg private collection
Nagel Auktionen. Asian Art, 2013/05/10. http://www.auction.de
An monochrome blue-glazed porcelain bowl, China, underglaze blue six-character mark and period of Yongzheng. Photo Nagel Auktionen
Good condition. D. 18,8 cm. Estimate 6000/ 9000 €
Property from an old North German private collection, purchased in the 1960ies and 1970ies
Nagel Auktionen. Asian Art, 2013/05/10. http://www.auction.de
A fine white glazed stem cup with copper red fishes, China, underglaze blue six-character mark Yongzheng and of the period. Photo Nagel Auktionen
The shallow bowl with flared rim supported on a hollow slightly tapered stem, decorated on the exterior in underglaze-red with three fish - Small chips at the mouth rim. H.11,6/D.16,2cm. Estimate 5000/ 7000 €
Property from an old North German private collection, purchased in the 1960ies and 1970ies.
Nagel Auktionen. Asian Art, 2013/05/10. http://www.auction.de
A white-glazed anhua-decorated porcelain stemcup, China, 18th century. Photo Nagel Auktionen
Tibetan iron box and cover - Short filled hairline crack. D. 13,8 cm. Estimate 2000/ 2500 €
Property from an old European private collection
Nagel Auktionen. Asian Art, 2013/05/10. http://www.auction.de
Zhang Huan, 1/2, 1998. Photo Philips
Chromogenic print, flush-mounted. 127 x 101.6 cm (50 x 40 in) Signed, titled, dated and numbered 14/15 in ink on a label affixed to the reverse of the backing board. Estimate £6,000 - 8,000
PROVENANCE: Barry Friedman Gallery, New York
Private Collection, New York
Sotheby's, London, Contemporary Art Day Sale, 15 October 2007, lot 175
LITERATURE: M. Chiu, ed., Zhang Huan: Altered States, Milan: Edizioni Charta, 2007, p. 125
Philips. PHOTOGRAPHS LONDON 8 MAY 2013 4PM