Lot 172. Grand bassin en porcelaine bleu blanc, Dynastie Qing, époque Kangxi (1662-1722); 42,8 cm, 16 7/8  in. Estimation:  3,000 — 5,000 €. Courtesy Sotheby's.

le centre peint de deux daims couchés sous un pin noueux abritant un couple de pies, la chute à décor de quatre réserves polylobées. 

A large blue and white basin painted with deer, Qing dynasty, Kangxi period (1662-1722)

JMW Turner, The Lake of Lucerne from Brunnen, 1842. Estimate: £1,200,000 - 1,800,000. Courtesy Sotheby's.

LONDON.- This July, Sotheby’s will present at auction one of the greatest and most beautiful watercolours by J.M.W. Turner left in private hands. Commissioned in 1842, The Lake of Lucerne from Brunnen is part of a celebrated group of 25 ‘finished’ Swiss landscapes that Turner made during the final decade of his life - a collection of works widely considered the pinnacle of the artist’s achievements in the medium. Offered with an estimate of £1,200,000 – 1,800,000, the work will be the highlight of the Old Master & British Works on Paper sale in London on 4 July. 

Mark Griffith-Jones, Specialist, British Watercolours, Drawings and Portrait Miniatures at Sotheby’s said, ‘It is such a privilege to get to know this superb work – whose beauty and history are so captivating. Major watercolours from Turner’s late Swiss period are justifiably held in the highest regard and this is the most important work to appear on the market in more than a decade.’ 

Depicting one of the most dramatic landscapes in the Swiss Alps, The Lake of Lucerne from Brunnen captures the view over the picturesque village of Brunnen on the eastern shores of Lake Lucerne with the magnificent vista of the Bay of Uri unfolding before the viewer’s eyes. Inspired by Turner’s travels to the region between 1841 and 1844, the work was commissioned by Turner’s great patron Elhanan Bicknell to hang as a companion piece to the iconic Blue Rigi – one of three views of the Rigi mountains painted by the artist which now hangs in London’s Tate Britain having been sold for a record-breaking £5,832,000 in 2006.

Works from Turner’s ‘late’ Swiss series have come to be seen as the ‘climax of a lifetime devoted to the expression of light and colour’ with only five of the 25 works now remaining outside of museum collections. 

Lake Lucerne from Brunnen has remained in the same distinguished private collection since 1968 and was last seen in public at the seminal Turner - The Great Watercolours exhibition at London’s Royal Academy in 2001. 

The painting 
In this work, Turner has perfectly captured the complex effects of the early morning light and haze. The huge sky is filled with a golden light which floods the mountain uplands with warmth, while the deep blue waters of the lake rise up in weightless mists, giving the impression that the plunging cliffs and lake melt seamlessly together.

As Turner maps out the natural landscape, he carefully connects his scene with its history. On the left bank, far off in the distance, he indicates the position of the 14th century Tell Chapel, where the legendary William Tell reputedly leapt to freedom, escaping his tyrannical Austrian overlords. On the right, high above the lake, Turner gives great prominence to the meadow of Rütli, a site that witnessed the birth of Swiss democracy in 1291. 

Turner in Switzerland 
In the August of 1841, Turner embarked on his first dedicated tour to Switzerland in almost 40 years. Throughout this tour, as was his life-long habit, Turner set about recording the landscapes, the architecture and the local people that caught his attention. His travels were recorded in the form of hastily conceived drawings, bold small-scale watercolours and exquisite sketches in full watercolour heightened with pen and ink - all of which now reside in the Tate Britain. Upon his return to London, Turner submitted up to twenty Swiss ‘sample studies’ and four completed landscapes to his agent, Thomas Griffith. Griffith showed apprehension, remarking that the completed works were ‘a little different’ from Turner’s ‘usual style’ - such was their avant-garde nature. 

In the spring of 1842, Griffith invited four of Turner’s most important collectors to his London showroom in Waterloo Place just off Pall Mall; amongst them were the brilliant young art critic, John Ruskin, and the whaling magnate, Elhanan Bicknell. Four completed works and six subjects to be chosen from sample studies were presented to the group. Ruskin considered this set of ten landscapes to be the defining statements in Turner’s career as a watercolourist. 

Bicknell initially purchased the completed Blue Rigi, one of three watercolours depicting the Rigi mountain in the Swiss Alps, commissioning the current work to hang as a companion. 

Trophy watercolour 
Two year after Bicknell’s death, the work was offered at a sensational auction of the late magnate’s collection. The Turners in the collection were rightly considered to be the jewels in the crown and whereas the Blue Rigi achieved £310.16 on the first day, Lake Lucerne from Brunnen trumped this, selling for £714 to one John Smith of Edinburgh.

The work has since belonged to a number of distinguished collectors, including some the most important collectors of Turner’s work, finally being acquired by the father of the current owner in 1968.

Lot 51. Anglo-Dutch School, late 16th-early 17th Century, Portrait of Sir Francis Drake (circa 1540-1596), three-quarter-length, in half-armour, blackened and gilded, ornately decorated with depictions of trophies of arms, holding a baton in his right hand and a rapier in his left, standing beside a plumed helmet on a table draped with a green cloth, oil on canvas, 104.6 x 79.7cm (41 3/16 x 31 3/8in). Estimate £ 300,000-500,000 (€ 340,000 - 570,000). Photo: Bonhams.

LONDON.- A portrait of Sir Francis Drake (circa 1540-1596), the great Elizabethan seafarer, is among leading works at Bonhams Old Masters Sale in London on Wednesday 4 July. It is estimated at £300,000-500,000. 

The extremely rare work, by an unknown artist from the Anglo-Dutch School, was authenticated by the wart on Sir Francis Drake’s nose. Experts said that genuine portraits include the wart, while others do not. The portrait has recently been on exhibition at Buckland Abbey, Drake's former home and now a National Trust property. It shows Drake in expensive half armour; a man of grandeur, social standing and strength. The portrait is believed possibly to date from the mid-1570s, when Drake’s social drive had made him a wealthy man and just before his famous triumph – as captain of the naval defence against the Spanish Armada in 1588 - that cemented his reputation in British history. 

Other highlights in the sale include: 

Lot 38. George Stubbs ARA (Liverpool 1724-1806 London), Men loading sheaves of corn onto a cart, with two young girls gleaning, signed and dated 'Geo: Stubbs pinxit/1785' (lower right), oil on millboard, 67.8 x 97.7cm (26 11/16 x 38 7/16in). Estimate £ 350,000 - 450,000 (€ 400,000 - 510,000). Photo: Bonhams.

Painted in the early 1780s, the work encapsulates Stubbs lyrical realism. It depicts labourers loading hay onto a cart, with two young girls gleaning the leftover corn. The work is one of only four oil paintings he made on a similar theme; two of which - Reapers and Haymakers - are among the most popular of Tate Britain’s many masterpieces. In many ways this image anticipates a bucolic perception of rural England that Constable later made part of the nation's identity. Estimated at £350,000-450,000. 

Lot 93. Giuseppe Zocchi (Florence 1711-1767), The Flaying of Marsyas; and The Judgment of Midas; a pair, oil on canvas, 59.2 x 47cm (23 5/16 x 18 1/2in). (2). Estimate £ 100,000 - 150,000 (€ 110,000 - 170,000). Photo: Bonhams.

This fine pair of paintings is an important addition to Zocchi’s oeuvre of the late 1740s-50s showcasing his distinctive silvery palette. Estimated at £100,000-150,000.

Lot 111. Lavinia Fontana (Bologna 1552-1614 Rome), Portrait of Gerardo Giavarini, three-quarter-length, standing in an interior beside a table covered with a carpet on which rests a knight's helmet with his right hand showing a chiaroscuro monochrome drawing depicting Venus and Cupid, inscribed 'AETATIS SUAE ANNORUM XXV' (on edge of table, lower left) and bears inscription and date 'GERARDO GIAVARI/ NI CAVALLIERE/ CONTE PALATINO/ E PAGGIO DI PAPA/ CLEMENTE VIII/ MENTRE DIMORO/ IN BOLOGNA L'ANNO/ 1598' (upper right), oil on canvas, 130 x 103.5cm (51 3/16 x 40 3/4in). Estimate £80,000 - 120,000 (€ 91,000 - 140,000). Photo: Bonhams.

Much praised in her lifetime, Fontana is now regarded as the first woman to achieve financial and critical success as a painter in Counter-Reformation Italy. The work depicts Gerardo Giavarini showing a drawing with an amorous subject indicating that this painting was dedicated to his betrothed. Estimated £80,000-120,000. 

Lot 26. From the property of the Duke of Leinster, Maynooth Castle. Arthur Devis (Preston 1712-1787 Brighton), James, 20th Earl of Kildare and his wife Emily Mary in the grounds of Carton, seated at a table in the garden, she holding plans for a new bridge, signed and dated 'Art: Devis fe. 1753' (lower centre), oil on canvas, 63.4 x 76.6cm (24 15/16 x 30 3/16in). Estimate £ 80,000 - 120,000 (€ 91,000 - 140,000). Photo: Bonhams.

The work conceived in 1753 shows the future 1st Duke of Leinster and his wife seated in the grounds of Carton – a garden said to have become the model on which all Irish gardens were later styled. His wife, Emily, holds in her hand designs for a new bridge. The work is estimated at £80,000-120,000. This painting is one of five important works being sold by the Duke of Leinster, including portraits of the Duchesses of Leinster respectively by Sir Joshua Reynolds (estimate £60-80,000) and Hugh Douglas Hamilton (estimate £40-60,000) and a pair of views of the Dukes’ former seat Maynooth Castle by the 18th Century Irish artist, William Ashford (estimate £80-120,000). 

Lot 23. From the property of the Duke of Leinster, Maynooth Castle. Hugh Douglas Hamilton (Dublin 1740-1808), Portrait of Emilia Olivia, Duchess of Leinster, signed 'H.Hamilton Pinx' (lower left), pastel on paper, 82 x 64.2cm (32 5/16 x 25 1/4in). Estimate £ 40,000 - 60,000 (€ 45,000 - 68,000). Photo: Bonhams.

Lot 24. From the property of the Duke of Leinster, Maynooth Castle. Sir Joshua Reynolds P.R.A. (Plympton 1723-1792 London), Portrait of Emily Mary, Duchess of Leinster, bust-length, in a pink dress and ermine shawl, within a painted oval, oil on canvas, 86.2 x 62.6cm (33 15/16 x 24 5/8in). Estimate £ 60,000 - 80,000 (€ 68,000 - 91,000). Photo: Bonhams.

Lot 25. From the property of the Duke of Leinster, Maynooth Castle. William Ashford P.R.H.A. (Birmingham 1746-1824 Dublin), Views of Maynooth Castle, the former signed and dated 'W. Ashford/1779' (lower left); and the latter signed and dated 'W. Ashford/1780' (lower left); a pair, oil on canvas, 61.1 x 83.1cm (24 1/16 x 32 11/16in). (2). Estimate £ 60,000 - 80,000 (€ 68,000 - 91,000). Photo: Bonhams.

Lot 62. Workshop of Jan Brueghel the Younger (Antwerp 1601-1678), An extensive bouquet of mixed spring and summer flowers in a wooden tub beside a squirrel, oil on panel, 106.2 x 75.6cm (41 13/16 x 29 3/4in). Estimate £70,000 - 100,000 (€ 79,000 - 110,000). Photo: Bonhams.

This unusually large and sumptuous oil on panel, estimated at £70,000-100,000, is one of only three known versions. While all the works depict the extensive bouquet, the size along with the incorporation of the squirrel in the lower left sets this piece apart. 

Head of Bonhams Old Masters, Andrew McKenzie, said “In this strong sale, we are very pleased to offer one of only four oil paintings produced by George Stubbs around the theme of Harvesting, a subject that remains among the most celebrated images of Stubbs’s output and indeed of the entire canon of great British art."

Lot 67. A small Junyao globular jar, Jin-Yuan dynasty, 12th-14th century. Diamètre: 15 cm. (6 in.). Estimate EUR 3,000 - EUR 4,000 (USD 3,544 - USD 4,725). © Christie's Images Ltd 2018

Reposant sur un petit pied, la panse globulaire est surmontée de deux petites anses en forme d'anneau. Elle est recouverte d'une belle glaçure bleu pâle virant au beige-brun près de la bordure.

Provenance: Previously in the Collection of Constance Coolidge Crowninshield (1892-1973), wife of the American diplomat Ray Atherton (1883-1960) who worked as the secretary of legation in Beijing between 1917 and 1923, thence by descent to the current owner.

Note: Born into one of the most renowned Boston families, Constance Coolidge Crowninshield Magnus (1892-1973) was a relative to the former US presidents John Adams and Calvin Coolidge. She was also a descendant of General Crowninshield who served in the army of Abraham Lincoln. The family arrived on the Mayflower, and their family name is inscribed on the monument paying tribute to the Pilgrims in Boston.
At a young age she married the American diplomat Ray Atherton and they lived in China for a few years from 1917 to 1923. This present collection was gathered during that period. Passionate about horse racing, she owned a very large stable of horses and she would go to the racetrack every day. She spent most of her life in Paris and loved France. She died in Paris in 1973 and was buried at the Père Lachaise cemetery.

Christie's. Art d'Asie, Paris, 13 June 2018

Lot 70. A Longquan celadon figure of Manjushri seated on a lion, Ming dynasty, 14th-15th century. Hauteur: 22,5 cm. (8 7/8 in.). Estimate EUR 6,000 - EUR 8,000 (USD 7,088 - USD 9,451). © Christie's Images Ltd 2018

Lot 89. A large Longquan celadon dish, Ming dynasty, 15th century. Diamètre: 46 cm. (18 1/8 in.). Estimate EUR 8,000 - EUR 12,000 (USD 9,451 - USD 14,176). © Christie's Images Ltd 2018

De forme circulaire, il est orné en son centre de motifs floraux stylisés incisés. La bordure est rehaussée de fleurs incisées.

Provenance: Private European Collection, acquired prior to 2000.

Lot 90. A Longquan celadon dish, Ming dynasty, 15th century. Diamètre: 37,5 cm. (14 ¾ in.). Estimate EUR 7,000 - EUR 9,000 (USD 8,269 - USD 10,632). © Christie's Images Ltd 2018

De forme circulaire, il est orné en son centre d'une fleur incisée. La bordure est rehaussée d'une frise rinceaux stylisés incisés.

Provenance: Private European Collection, acquired prior to 2000.

Lot 90A. A Longquan celadon pear-shaped vase, yuhuchunping, Yuan-Early Ming dynasty, 13th-15th century. Hauteur: 27,5 cm. (10 ¾ in.). Estimate EUR 7,10,000 - EUR 15,000 (USD 11,813 - USD 17,720). © Christie's Images Ltd 2018

Le vase piriforme est recouvert d'une belle glaçure céladon. Il repose sur un petit pied droit.

Lot 156. Petite coupe à vin en grès émaillée Jun, Dynastie Song (960-1279); 6,2 cm, 2 3/8  in. Estimation 4,000 — 6,000 EUR. Courtesy Sotheby's.

les côtés arrondis recouverts d'une épaisse couche de glaçure bleu ciel s'arrêtant de manière irrégulière au-dessus du pied évasé.

A small 'Jun' wine cup, Song dynasty

Provenance: Formerly in the Collection of Walter Bondy (1880-1940), Berlin. 
Auction Sammlung Walter Bondy, Berlin. Ostasiatische Kunst, 18th and 19th May 1927, lots 75 or 76.

Lot 157. Bol en grès émaillé Jizhou, Dynastie Song, XIIe-XIIIe siècle; 11,7 cm, 4 5/8  in. Estimation 4,000 — 6,000 EUR. Courtesy Sotheby's.

de forme conique légèrement arrondie, la couverte intérieure mouchetée beige et brun et appliquée de trois médaillons quadrilobés abritant chacun des motifs floraux, l'extérieur émaillé brun foncé ponctué de taches aléatoires beiges.

A 'Jizhou' paper-cut resist-decorated tea bowl, Song dynasty, 12th-13th century

Provenance: Formerly in the Collection of Walter Bondy (1880-1940), Berlin. 
Auction Sammlung Walter Bondy, Berlin. Ostasiatische Kunst, 18th and 19th May 1927, lot. 117.

Lot 158. Compte-goutte en grès céladon, Corée, Dynastie Koryo (935-1392); 8,5 cm, 3 3/8  in. Estimation 4,000 — 6,000 EUR. Courtesy Sotheby's.

de forme globulaire aplatie, entièrement couvert d'une glaçure céladon, l'épaulement incisé d'une bande de pétales et d'une frise de feuilles.

A small celadon-glazed waterpot, Korea, Koryo dynasty (935-1392)

Provenance: Formerly in the Collection of Walter Bondy (1880-1940), Berlin. 
Auction Sammlung Walter Bondy, Berlin. Ostasiatische Kunst, 18th and 19th May 1927, lot. 136.

Lot 160. Vase balustre en grès Yingqing, Dynastie Yuan (1279-1368); 28,3 cm, 11 1/8  in. Estimation 6,000 — 8,000 EUR. Courtesy Sotheby's.

Lot 240. Plat en grès Longquan, Début de la dynastie Ming (1368-1644); 39 cm, 15 3/8  in. Estimation 3,000 — 5,000 EUR. Courtesy Sotheby's.

les côtés arrondis, incisé au centre d'une fleur de lotus épanouie, le marli incisé d'une frise végétale ondoyante, entièrement recouvert d'une épaisse glaçure céladon.

Ancienne Collection Pierre Pages, Gouverneur Général de la Cochinchine (1934-1939)

A Longquan celadon charger, Early Ming dynasty

Lot 148. Vase meiping en porcelaine rouge-de-cuivre, Dynastie Qing, XVIIIe siècle, 18,1 cm, 7 1/8  in. Estimate 3,000 — 5,000 EUR. Lot sold 38,750 EUR. Courtesy Sotheby's.

la panse étroite s'élargissant vers un épaulement arrondi et surmonté d'un petit col étranglé aux bords légèrement évasés, l'extérieur couvert d'une belle glaçure rouge s'épaississant vers le pied, le bord laissé blanc, marque apocryphe Xuande à six caractères dans un double cercle à la base.

A fine copper-red glazed vase, meiping, Qing dynasty, 18th century

Provenance: Acquired November 1998 (according to invoice).

Lot 161. Pot à pinceaux en porcelaine Dehua, Dynastie Qing, époque Kangxi (1662-1722); 14,5 cm, 5 3/4  in. Estimate 3,000 — 5,000 EUR. Lot sold 16,250 EUR. Courtesy Sotheby's.

Lot 153. Petit vase en porcelaine bleu blanc, Dynastie Qing, époque Yongzheng (1723-1735); 9,3 cm, 3 5/8  in. Estimate 1,000 — 1,200 EUR. Lot sold 4,375 EUR. Courtesy Sotheby's.

Lot 125. Assiette en porcelaine de la Famille Verte, Dynastie Qing, époque Kangxi (1662-1722); 26,6 cm, 10 1/2  in. Estimate 1,000 — 1,500 EUR. Lot sold 20,000 EUR. Courtesy Sotheby's.

Lot 127. Assiette en porcelaine de la Famille Rose, Dynastie Qing, époque Yongzheng (1723-1735); 28,4 cm, 11 1/8  in. Estimate 800 — 1,200 EUR. Lot sold 4,375 EUR. Courtesy Sotheby's.

Lot 122. Assiette en porcelaine de la Famille Rose, Dynastie Qing, époque Yongzheng (1723-1735); 23,1 cm, 9 1/8  in. Estimate 800 — 1,200 EUR. Lot sold 4,375 EUR. Courtesy Sotheby's.

Lot 120. Assiette en porcelaine de la Famille Rose Dynastie Qing, époque Yongzheng (1723-1735); 22,2 cm, 8 3/4  in. Estimate 800 — 1,200 EUR. Lot sold 2,250 EUR. Courtesy Sotheby's.