Chinese Pottery and Porcelain

Sotheby's
Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 1
PROPERTY OF A LADY
A WHITE JADE DOG
QING DYNASTY, QIANLONG PERIOD
carved recumbent with its legs tucked underneath its body and bushy tail curled behind,
the head with large floppy ears and sharp eyes, the stone of an even white tone
6.7cm., 2 5/8 in.
ESTIMATE 4,000-6,000 GBP
PROVENANCE
Purchased in France, 1984.
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 2
PROPERTY OF A LADY
A WHITE AND RUSSET JADE ‘SQUIRREL AND GRAPE’ GROUP
QING DYNASTY, 18TH/19TH CENTURY
carved recumbent with legs tucked underneath, grasping in its mouth leafy grape vines, the
polished stone of a translucent white tone with russet markings
6.5cm., 2 1/2 in.
PROVENANCE
Purchased in France, 8th February 1991.
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 3
PROPERTY OF A LADY
A SPINACH-GREEN JADE BOX AND COVER
of rectangular form with four protruding rounded corners, the cover carved with radiating
geometric scrolls framed by stylised strapwork, the olive-green stone mottled with black,
all supported on a reticulated grey jade stand
3.0
6.5cm., 2 5/8 in.
PROVENANCE
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 4
PROPERTY OF A LADY
A WHITE AND RUSSET JADE ‘PHOENIX AND BAMBOO’ VASE GROUP
carved with a phoenix standing on pierced rocks issuing lingzhi sprays, its head turned
back towards leafy bamboo shoots behind, the stone of an opaque white tone with russet
markings
10.1cm., 4in.
PROVENANCE
Purchased in France, 29th September 1987.
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 5
PROPERTY OF A LADY
A WHITE JADE ‘DRAGON’ BELTHOOK
17TH/18TH CENTURY
reticulated with a dragon in frontal pose, writhing around a flaming pearl amidst foliate
scrolls, carved with a ruyi scroll below and pierced with a circular aperture between the
dragon horns for attachment, the stone of an even white tone; together with a pale celadon
jade ‘egret and peony’ hairpin
2.0
The largest: 15.2cm., 6in.
PROVENANCE
Purchased in France, 29th April 1991 (belthook).
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 6
PROPERTY OF A LADY
A WHITE JADE ‘CHILONG’ PENDANT
of blade shape, pierced with a central aperture, carved with three chilong clambering
around the sides, the stone of an even white tone; together with a pale celadon jade ‘Magu’
pendant
2.0
12cm., 4 3/4 in.
PROVENANCE
Purchased in France, 20th November 1994 (chilong pendant).
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 7
PROPERTY OF A LADY
TWO WHITE JADE ‘CHILONG’ PENDANTS
QING DYNASTY, 19TH CENTURY
of circular form, one carved with a clambering chilong and the other with a dragon and a
squirrel
2.0
The largest: 4.7cm., 1 3/4 in.
PROVENANCE
Purchased in France, September 1983 (both).
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 8
PROPERTY OF A LADY
A WHITE JADE ‘GRASSHOPPER AND FLOWER’ PENDANT
carved as a leafy floral spray, detailed with a curved stamen and six large petals, the
exterior with a smaller attendant bloom opposite a grasshopper, the stone of an even white
tone
7.5cm., 3in.
PROVENANCE
Purchased in France, 5th December 1989.
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 9
PROPERTY OF A LADY
A WHITE JADE ‘LINGZHI’ GROUP
modelled as two fungus joined with short curved stems, the stone of an even white tone;
together with a celadon and russet jade bixie, wood stand, and a white jade ‘Immortal’
group
4.0
PROVENANCE
Purchased in France, 5th April 1982 (lingzhi group); 1991 (bixie); and 8th February 1991 (immortal group)
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 10
PROPERTY OF A LADY
FOUR SNUFF BOTTLES
comprising: a turquoise matrix snuff bottle, and three jade snuff bottles, one carved with
shuangxi (double happiness) characters; one carved as a double gourd; and another
carved as a lotus pod bundled with scrolls
8.0
PROVENANCE
Purchased in France between 1979 and 1999.
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 11
PROPERTY OF A LADY
A PALE CELADON JADE ‘BOY AND DRAGON’ GROUP
carved as a boy riding on a large dragon carp, carrying lingzhi and a qing on his back, the
stone of an even pale celadon tone, wood stand
2.0
12.3cm., 4 7/8 in.
PROVENANCE
Purchased in France, 26th January 1987.
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 12
PROPERTY OF A LADY
A SMALL WHITE JADE ‘QUAIL AND MILLET’ BOX AND COVER
of oval form, the cover carved with a quail and leafy millet sprays, the stone of an even
white tone; together with a pale celadon jade ‘chilong’ washer
3.0
6.2cm., 2 1/2 in.
PROVENANCE
Purchased in France, 15th May 1991 (box) and 9th February 1994 (washer).
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 13
PROPERTY OF A LADY
A RARE CLOISONNÉ ENAMEL ‘QIN’ WRIST REST
QING DYNASTY
of qin shape, the arched body resting on four bracket feet, brightly enamelled against a
turquoise diaper ground with a bird perched on a gnarled stem issuing leafy magnolia and
crabapple blossoms, the left terminal with a shou medallion, the top nut and tail piece with
stylised floral scrolls against a dark blue ground, encircled by further floral scrolls around
the sides, the base similarly decorated with a four-character Qianlong mark within a
medallion and a mark reading Zhiyuan Tang within a rectangle against a diaper ground
34.2cm., 13 1/2 in.
PROVENANCE
CATALOGUE NOTE
It is unusual to find wrist rests made from cloisonné enamel and this piece is particularly notable for the elegant
depiction of the favoured scholarly motif of the bird and flower. In its form the present wrist rest is modelled after Tang
and Song dynasty qin called fuxi qin. Wrist rests of this form are commonly known carved from wood; for example see
one from the Water, Pine and Stone Retreat collection, with an inscription running down the centre, attributed to Guo
Shangxian (1785-1833), sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 4th April 2012, lot 121; and another included in the Oriental
Ceramic Society of Hong Kong exhibition Arts of the Scholar’s Studio, Fung Ping Shan Museum, Hong Kong, 1986,
cat. no. 86, which also includes a detailed discussion of the fuxi qin, p. 174. Another example of an object for the
scholar’s desk in the form of a qin, but made to be used as a paperweight, is the zitan piece with a small drawer set
into each end, included ibid., pl. 224.
The Zhiyuan Tang is a famous cloisonné enamel workshop of the Qing period; for another vessel with this same mark
see a miniature brushpot decorated with a trompe l’oeil ribbon, in the Palace Museum, Beijing, published on the
Museum’s website http://www.dpm.org.cn/shtml/117/@/8080.html.
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 14
PROPERTY OF A LADY
A WHITE JADE ‘CAT’ GROUP
QING DYNASTY, EARLY 19TH CENTURY
carved recumbent with its young frolicking beside, both detailed with pointed ears, well-
defined eyes, nose and whiskers, the stone of an even white tone; together with a white
jade dog, wood stand
3.0
5.3cm., 2 1/8 in.
PROVENANCE
Purchased in France, 1st December 1991 (cat) and 14th November 1984 (dog).
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 15
PROPERTY OF A LADY
A WHITE JADE-INLAID WOOD ‘LONGEVITY’ BOX AND COVER
of ruyi shape, supported on three bracket feet, the cover inlaid with a domed oval white
jade plaque carved with two immortals carrying large peaches journeying along a rocky
landscape, all encircled with five bats and a shou medallion reserved on a diaper ground,
the side and the box carved with foliate floral motifs among kui dragon scrolls
2.0
22.8cm., 9in.

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 16
PROPERTY OF A LADY
A REPOUSÉE SILVER BOX AND COVER
QING DYNASTY
of circular form, the top of the cover pierced with the Eight Immortals amongst pine trees,
all encircled by a band of water creatures, the sides with a floral scroll, the box with figures
among trees, engraved with a two-character mark to the bottom reading Xiangwei
2.0
15.8cm., 6 1/4 in.

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 17
PROPERTY OF A LADY
AN AGATE ‘CHILONG’ LIBATION CUP
QING DYNASTY
the curved sides flaring gently at the rim, the handle and foot formed from a clambering
chilong with bifurcated tail, opposite a tiger mask loop handle suspending a loose ring
below the spout, the variegated stone of a beige-brown tone with darker inclusions, wood
stand; together with an agate ‘peony and butterfly’ box and cover
4.0
15.2cm., 6in.
PROVENANCE
Purchased in France, 20th June 1990 (libation cup) and 21st February 1991 (box).
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 18
PROPERTY OF A LADY
A CRACKLED OVOID VASE
the curved ovoid body rising from a spreading foot to a wide waisted neck, covered overall
in a beige glaze suffused with a russet-brown crackle
14.5cm., 5 3/4 in.
PROVENANCE
Purchased in France, 18th May 1977.
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 19
PROPERTY OF A LADY
A GREEN CRACKLED MEIPING
the rounded shoulders rising from a slightly spreading foot to a waisted neck, applied with
a green glaze to the exterior, the interior and base glazed white, suffused with a network of
buff-orange crackle
11cm., 4 3/8 in.
PROVENANCE
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 20
PROPERTY OF A LADY
A COPPER-RED GLAZED MEIPING
the rounded shoulders rising from a slightly spreading foot to a narrow waisted neck,
applied to the exterior with a streaked copper-red glaze, the base glazed white with a
raspberry-red band along the footring
13cm., 5 1/8 in.
PROVENANCE
Purchased in France, 16th March 1979.
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 21
PROPERTY OF A LADY
A LARGE DEHUA ‘PEONY’ CHARGER
17TH CENTURY
the shallow rounded sides supported on a short foot, freely carved to the interior with a
leafy peony spray; together with a large Dehua tripod censer
2.0
34cm., 13 3/8 in.
PROVENANCE
Purchased in France, 12th February 1996 (charger) and 1989 (censer).
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 22
PROPERTY OF A LADY
A PAIR OF YELLOW-GLAZED ‘DRAGON’ DISHES
GUANGXU MARKS AND PERIOD
each with rounded sides resting on a tapered foot, incised to the interior with two ferocious
dragons contesting a flaming pearl, the exterior with hanging grape vines, covered overall
in an egg-yolk yellow glaze, the base inscribed with a six-character mark in aubergine
2.0
11.1cm., 4 3/8 in.
PROVENANCE
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 23
PROPERTY OF A LADY
A PAIR OF SANG-DE-BOEUF GLAZED DISHES
DAOGUANG SEAL MARKS AND PERIOD
each with flaring sides rising from a short foot, glazed overall in a greyish liver-red tone,
the white base inscribed with a six-character seal mark
2.0
21cm., 8 1/4 in.
PROVENANCE
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 24
PROPERTY OF A LADY
AN AUBERGINE-GLAZED DISH
QIANLONG MARK AND PERIOD
the curved sides rising from a short foot to a flared rim, applied overall with a brilliant
aubergine glaze, the base incised with a six-character mark in three vertical columns within
a double-circle
21.2cm., 8 3/8 in.
PROVENANCE
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 25
PROPERTY OF A LADY
A SMALL PURPLE-SPLASHED 'JUN' CENSER
MING DYNASTY
the six-lobed body rising from three spreading legs to a ribbed neck with an everted rim,
covered overall in a milky-lavender glaze splashed with reddish purple, ivory stand;
together with a small green-glazed Jun bowl
3.0
6.5cm., 2 5/8 in.
PROVENANCE
Purchased in France, 15th May 1992 (censer) and 1964 (bowl).
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 26
PROPERTY OF A LADY
A 'JUN' DISH
SONG DYNASTY
the shallow rounded sides rising from a short foot to an everted rim, covered overall in a
greyish blue glaze suffused with a network of faint russet crackle, the base with five spur
marks
19.2cm., 7 5/8 in.
PROVENANCE
Purchased in France, 18th April 1988.
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 27
PROPERTY OF A LADY
A SIMULATION LACQUER PORCELAIN BOWL
the curved sides rising from a short foot to a gently flaring rim, the exterior carved with
four shou character roundels against a diaper ground above a lappet band, the rim and foot
encircled with keyfret bands, covered overall in a vermillion-red glaze, the interior and rim
in gilt
11.5cm., 4 1/2 in.
PROVENANCE
Purchased in France, 2nd April 1993.
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 28
PROPERTY OF A LADY
A BLUE AND WHITE CUP
KANGXI MARK AND PERIOD
the conical sides rising from a short foot to a flared rim, painted to the exterior with linked
foliate scrolls above the foot, the base inscribed with a six-character mark within a double-
circle
8.8cm., 3 1/2 in.

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 29
PROPERTY OF A LADY
A RED-GLAZED BOWL
QIANLONG SEAL MARK AND PERIOD
the deep rounded sides supported on a short foot, covered overall in a rich liver-red glaze
thinning to white at the rim, the white base inscribed with a six-character seal mark
13.8cm., 5 1/2 in.
PROVENANCE
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 31
A RARE 'CIZHOU' CARVED VASE
NORTHERN SONG DYNASTY
the well-potted baluster body with a the tall waisted neck flaring widely at the mouth to a
dished rim, deeply carved through the creamy-white slip into the straw-coloured ware with
a wide band of peony blooms borne on undulating leafy stems, all between overlapping
lappets around the shoulder and foot, applied overall with a thin ivory glaze
39.5cm., 15 1/2 in.
ESTIMATE 120,000-180,000 GBP
PROVENANCE
Christie's New York, 5th June 1986, lot 158.
Collection of Walter Hochstadter.
Christie's New York, 19th March 2009, lot 508.
CATALOGUE NOTE
The present magnificent vase belongs to a very small group of Cizhou wares decorated in this high relief sculptural
style of carving, which can be traced to the Quhe kilns in Dengfeng county in Henan province. The group is discussed
in Yutaka Mino, Freedom of Clay and Brush through Seven Centuries in Northern China: Tz’u-chou Type Wares, 960-
1600 A.D., Indianapolis, 1981, p. 42. While very few vases of this type are known, two other of similar shape and
carved decoration may be found, one in the Freer Gallery of Art, Washington D.C., published ibid., p. 42, fig. 14, and
in Sekai toji zenshu, vol. 12, Tokyo, 1977, pp.110-11, pl. 109; and the other in the collection of the Museum of Fine
Arts, Boston, from the Charles B. Hoyt collection, included amongst ‘Four Famous Masterpieces’ in Oriental Ceramics.
The World’s Great Collections, vol. 10, Tokyo, New York and San Francisco, 1980, col. pl. 11. The Freer vase is
possibly the closest in form and decoration to this piece, although the body is slightly more rounded and the mouth
sharply edged as if it is meant to hold a cover. The decoration is executed in a very similar style of carving with the
floral scroll deeply fashioned with delicate incised lines that provide a three-dimensional feel to the petals and leaves.
The Hoyt vase is also decorated with a large peony band around the widest part of the body, however, in a different
style to that seen on this and the Freer vase. Another difference is in the decoration of the shoulder, which is painted
with large clouds rather than a carved motif as seen here. The Hoyt vase also has a slightly longer and wider neck
that ends in a similar funnel-shape mouth.
Belonging to this special group of Cizhou wares are vases decorated in a similar manner but of different shape; the
body of elongated ovoid form rather than the baluster shape. See a vase formerly also in the Museum of Fine Arts,
Boston, sold in these rooms, 12th December 1989, lot 81, from the British Rail Pension Fund, and again in our Hong
Kong rooms, 5th November 1997, lot 1360 (fig. 1). This vase is illustrated in a number of publications, including Mino,
op.cit., fig. 17; and in Margaret Medley, ‘Sgraffiato and painting in Tz’u-chou Wares’, Decorative Techniques and
Styles in Asian Ceramics, Colloquies on Art and Archaeology in Asia, Percival David Foundation of Chinese Art,
London, 1978, p. 66, pl. 2a. A close companion, one of similar ovoid-shape and design, in the Indianapolis Museum of
Art, was included in the Museum’s exhibition Beauty and Tranquility: The Eli Lilly Collection of Chinese Art,
Indianapolis, 1983, pl. 67, and illustrated in colour, p. 28; and a third example, in the Minneapolis Museum of Art,
Minneapolis, is published in Toki zenshu, vol. 13, Tokyo, 1966, pl. 4.
Beside these vases with tall neck and dish-shaped mouth, ewers, small jars and pillows are also known of this type of
ware, all being equally rare. Compare a small jar in the collection of Brian McElney, published in Inaugural Exhibition,
vol. 1, The Museum of East Asian Art, Bath, 1993, cat. no. 56, also illustrated on the title page and dust jacket; and
ewers and pillows included in Mino, op.cit., pp. 44-7 and pp.52-3.
Fig. 1
A 'CIZHOU' CARVED VASE, NORTHERN SONG DYNASTY,

SOTHEBY'S LONDON, 12TH DECEMBER 1989, LOT 81
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 32
PROPERTY FROM AN ITALIAN PRIVATE COLLECTION
A PURPLE-SPLASHED 'JUN' BOWL
SONG/JIN DYNASTY
the rounded sides rising from a short spreading foot to a slightly incurved rim, covered
overall in a rich lavender-blue glaze thinning to a buff tones at the rim, the interior
irregularly splashed in purple, the exterior with a small purple splash
12cm., 4 3/4 in.
PROVENANCE
Purchased in Belgium in the 1970/80s.
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 33
A 'QINGBAI' 'BOYS' BOWL
SONG DYNASTY
the conical sides rising from a tapering foot to a hexalbobed rim, carved to the interior with
three quatrefoil cartouches each enclosing a dancing boy, all divided by foliate floral
sprays, covered overall in a translucent bluish glaze
18.1cm., 7 1/8 in.
PROVENANCE
K.Y. Fine Art, Hong Kong.
R.& V. Tregaskis Oriental Art, Sydney.
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 34
A 'JUN' BOWL
SONG/JIN DYNASTY
the rounded sides rising from a short spreading foot to a slightly incurved rim, covered
overall in a rich lavender-blue glaze thinning to a buff tone at the rim and falling short of the
foot to reveal the reddish-brown body
12cm., 4 3/4 in.
PROVENANCE
Bluett and Sons, London (according to label).
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 35
A BLACK 'DING' BOWL
SONG DYNASTY
the flaring conical sides rising from a short foot to a gently everted rim, covered overall in a
lustrous black glaze thinning to a russet-brown tone to the rim, the footrim unglazed
revealing the white body
14.9cm., 5 7/8 in.
PROVENANCE
A Swedish Private Collection.
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 36
A 'JIAN' 'HARE'S FUR' TEABOWL
SONG DYNASTY
the deep rounded sides rising from a short straight foot to a lipped rim, covered overall in a
black glaze falling short of the foot to reveal the purple-brown body, the interior with 'hare's
fur' streaks
11cm., 4 3/8 in.
PROVENANCE
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 37
A 'JIAN' OIL SPOT BOWL
SONG DYNASTY
the deep rounded sides rising from a short ring foot to a slightly lipped rim, covered overall
with a lustrous black glaze infused to the interior with oil spots
11.7cm., 4 5/8 in.
PROVENANCE
EXHIBITED
Oriental Ceramic Society (according to label).
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 38
A MOULDED DING-TYPE 'MANDARIN DUCK' BOWL
SONG DYNASTY
the shallow conical sides resting on a short foot, the interior moulded with two mandarin
ducks swimming in a lotus pond, encircled at the cavetto by six panels each enclosing a
jardinière of flowers, all below a keyfret band, covered in an ivory-white glaze leaving the
rim unglazed
18.2cm., 7 1/8 in.

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 39
A WHITE-GLAZED CENSER
YUAN DYNASTY
the deep rounded sides rising from three cabriole legs to a lipped rim, flanked by a pair of
upright handles, the body moulded with a raised fillet below the rim, covered in a crackled
white glaze
10.5cm., 4 1/8 in.
PROVENANCE
Bluett & Sons, London (according to label).
Collection of Carl Kempe.
Sotheby’s Paris, 18th December 2008, lot 154 (part lot).
LITERATURE
Bo Gyllensvärd, Chinese Ceramics in the Carl Kempe Collection, Stockholm, 1964, pl. 713.
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 40
A RARE ‘HUOZHOU’ LOBED ‘DRAGON’ CUP
JIN DYNASTY
the gently curved eight-lobed body resting on a short spreading foot, set with a dragon
handle over one side of the rim, covered overall with an opaque white glaze falling short of
the foot to reveal the white body
10.4cm., 4 1/8 in.

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 41
A 'DING' FOLIATE DISH
10TH CENTURY
the wide conical sides rising from a short foot to a five-lobed rim, the cavetto applied with
five vertical ribs radiating from the central medallion, covered overall in an ivory glaze
pooling in characteristic teardrops down the exterior
25cm., 9 7/8 in.

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 42
A PURPLE-SPLASHED 'JUN' BOWL
JIN/YUAN DYNASTY
thickly potted with deep rounded sides supported on a spreading foot, applied overall with
a lavender-blue glaze with two bold purple splashes to the interior, the glaze coagulating
unevenly just short of the foot
19cm., 7 1/2 in.

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 43
A 'JUN' BOWL
SONG DYNASTY
well-potted with deep rounded sides supported on a short foot, applied overall with a
lavender-blue glaze thinning to a mushroom tone at the rim, the glaze coagulating unevenly
just short of the foot
22.5cm., 8 7/8 in.
PROVENANCE
Collection of John Kenny.
Sotheby's Melbourne, 17th May 2004, lot 12.
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 44
A 'LONGQUAN' CELADON 'PEONY' VASE
YUAN DYNASTY
the baluster body rising from a stepped foot to a tall waisted neck flaring at the rim, crisply
moulded to the exterior with undulating peony scrolls above pointed upright lappets, the
neck encircled with rows of horizontal ridges, covered overall in a rich unctuous sea-green
glaze, Japanese wood box and cover
2.0
27.5cm., 10 7/8 in.

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 45
A ‘LONGQUAN’ CELADON-GLAZED CENSER
MING DYNASTY
the compressed globular body rising from three legs issuing from animal masks to a flared
neck and an everted rim, flanked by a pair of upright fish handles, the body freely carved
with lotus blooms below a band of stiff leaves, covered overall in a sea-green glaze running
short of the foot revealing the dark brown body
11.8cm., 4 5/8 in.
PROVENANCE
Collection of Carl Kempe.
LITERATURE
Bo Gyllensvärd, Chinese Ceramics in the Carl Kempe Collection, Stockholm, 1964, pl. 163.
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 46
A 'LONGQUAN' CELADON BOWL
SONG DYNASTY
the curved sides rising from a tapered foot to a gently flaring rim, moulded to the exterior
with overlapping pointed lappets, covered overall in a crackled sea-green glaze, the rim
mounted with gilt-metal, Japanese wood box
3.0
15.1cm., 6in.
PROVENANCE
A Japanese Private Collection.
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 47
A 'LONGQUAN' CELADON ‘FISH’ DISH
SONG DYNASTY
the curved sides rising from a straight foot to an everted rim, applied to the exterior with
pointed lappets and a fish just below the rim, the interior similarly decorated with a fish,
covered overall in a sea-green glaze pooling in the recessed areas, the unglazed footring
burnt to a buff-orange tone
20.8cm., 8 1/4 in.

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 48
A CELADON JADE ‘CRANE AND BIXI’ GROUP
carved with a crane standing on top of a bixi, the crane with its head turned and lowered,
grasping a fruiting branch in between its beak, the stone of celadon tone with minor russet
inclusions, wood stand
2.0
8cm., 3 1/8 in.
PROVENANCE
An English Private Collection.
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 49
A YELLOW JADE PHOENIX
17TH CENTURY
carved recumbent with its crowned head facing forwards, its wings and long tail incised
with feathers, the stone of a pale yellow tone with russet veins
6.3cm., 2 1/2 in.
PROVENANCE
Japanese Private Collection.
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 50
A CELADON JADE CARVING OF ‘MANDARIN FISH AND LOTUS’
the fish detailed with flat fins and tail, swimming with its mouth clutching a bundle of leafy
lotus, the stone of a pale celadon tone with milky-white and pale russet inclusions, wood
stand
2.0
15cm., 5 7/8 in.

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 51
A WHITE JADE DUCK
carved recumbent on a lotus leaf with head turned sharply towards its back, its beak
clutching a leafy spray, the plumage detailed with archaistic scrolls, the stone of an even
white tone with russet inclusions; together with a celadon jade phoenix
2.0

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 52
A YELLOW JADE HORSE
carved recumbent with legs tucked underneath its body and tail curled alongside its rear
haunches, the head lifted upwards and detailed with an incised mane, the translucent stone
of an even greenish-yellow tone
7cm., 2 3/4 in.

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 53
A CELADON JADE RAM
carved recumbent with its right foreleg raised, the head turned sharply towards its back,
detailed with a pair of striated horns and a beard, the stone in a pale celadon tone mottled
with milky-white and russet inclusions, wood stand
2.0
12.3cm., 4 7/8 in.

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 54
A BLACK AND WHITE JADE ‘NEW YEAR’ GROUP
17TH/18TH CENTURY
finely carved with two children wearing a lion-dance costume, to the side clambers a
mythical beast, the top pierced with a vertical hole, the jade of greyish tone with black
surfaces, dark russet inclusions and veining, wood stand
2.0
6.3cm., 2 1/2 in.
PROVENANCE
A Scottish Private Collection.
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 55
A CELADON AND BLACK JADE HORSE
MING DYNASTY
carved recumbent with legs tucked underneath the body and tail curled alongside its rear
haunches, detailed with an incised mane and tail, the stone of a celadon tone with black
inclusions and russet veins
7cm., 2 3/4 in.
PROVENANCE
An American Private Collection.
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 56
A CELADON JADE ‘BOYS AND POMEGRANATE’ VASE GROUP
carved in the form of three boys gathered around a large pomegranate, one holding a ruyi
sceptre and kneeling beside a standing boy, another one holding the pomegranate on the
other side, the fruit hollowed to form a vase and carved with five flying bats to the exterior,
all supported on a rocky ledge, the stone of an even pale celadon tone, wood stand
2.0
20cm., 7 7/8 in.

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 57
PROPERTY OF PRINCESS RAMA MALLA, NEPAL
A WHITE AND RUSSET JADE ‘LONGEVITY’ RUYI SCEPTRE
the large ruyi-shaped terminal carved in low-relief with five bats around a stylised shou
character, the arched shaft with a wan symbol above geometric motifs attached to a
beribboned qing, the end carved with archaistic scrolls around circular bosses, pierced at
the bottom edge for threading a tassel, the smoothly polished stone of an even white tone
with traces of russet stains, with stand
2.0
42.5cm., 16 3/4 in.
ESTIMATE 100,000-150,000 GBP
PROVENANCE
Collection of His Highness Maharaja Sir Padma Shumshere Jung Bahadur Rana, gifted from Chiang Kai-shek (1887-
1975) in 1945.
CATALOGUE NOTE
The present ruyi sceptre is of historical importance and serves as a political document, being a gift from Chiang Kai-
shek (1887-1975) to His Highness Maharaja Sir Padma Shumshere Jung Bahadur Rana of Nepal. Chiang was a
military and political figure who was the head of the Chinese Nationalist Government from 1928 to 1949. The
Emissary from Generalissimo presented the jade ruyi sceptre when his highness became the Maharaja in 1945. The
photo of His Highness (fig. 1) shows him wearing a number of Orders including the Most Exalted Order of the Star of
India.
Ruyi sceptres of this magnificent size are rarely fashioned in jade, given the scarcity of boulders large enough to make
objects of such impressive dimensions. The present sceptre is also exceptional for the fine quality of the jade which is
of even white tone enhanced by minor russet staining providing a naturalistic look to the stone. The high level of
artistry and craftsmanship is evident in the fine quality of the carving and the decoration that has been carefully
chosen for its auspicious connotations.
Ruyi sceptres, by definition, are highly auspicious objects favoured for their shape and ornamentation which represent
the propitious expression ‘as you wish’. Their origin remains a matter of speculation, with the popular belief being that
their shape evolved from back-scratchers commonly made in bamboo or bone. However, their function is likely to
have derived from hu tablets that were items of authority and social rank held in the hands of officials in ancient China.
This theory is supported by the mention of a ruyi sceptre being used as a tool of command in Fang Xuanling’s (579-
648), Jin Shu (The Book of the Jin Dynasty), the official history of the Jin Dynasty (265-420). The earliest excavated
example of a ruyi sceptre is recorded in the Song Dynasty (960-1279) encyclopaedia Shiwu jiyuan (Recordings of the
Origins of Things) compiled by Gao Cheng. Gao mentions a sceptre made of white jade and carved with dragons,
tigers and cicadas found in a copper box excavated from a Warring States period (475-221 BC) tomb site at Moling in
Jiangsu province. While archaeologists have yet to discover the actual piece, if Gao’s listing is to be believed, the
Moling jade sceptre is the earliest known. For more information on the origins of sceptres see Yuan Te-hsing’s article
in Masterpieces of Chinese Ju-I Scepters in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, 1974, pp. 86-90. During the Tang
and Song dynasties, sceptres took on a new role as ritual implements in Buddhist and Daoist ceremonies. However,
with the decline of Buddhism and a renewed interest in Confucian ideology from the Song period, sceptres became
closely associated with Daoism with the head increasingly rendered in the form of the longevity lingzhi fungus. They
also became highly ornamented and were designed in any shape and material that was considered suitable for use as
a secular good-luck charm. By the Ming period sceptres were often presented as gifts among the official-gentry class,
while under the Qing, especially from Yongzheng’s reign, they became imperial objects that were bestowed by the
emperor to his worthy officers and loyal subjects as rewards. Even foreign kings and ambassadors were presented
with ruyi, such as the famous jade example given to King George III and senior members of the first British embassy
to China by the Qianlong emperor in 1793. Both Yongzheng and Qianlong had themselves painted holding sceptres,
but the latter was particularly fond of them and owned an extensive collection, a number of which were included in the
exhibition China. The Three Emperors, 1662-1795, Royal Academy of Arts, London, 2006, cat.nos. 273-282.
The decoration of the five bats and the shou character on the head of the present sceptre, combined with the wan
symbol and the beribboned qing on the handle together form the rebus wan fu qing shou, meaning ‘Long and Happy
Life’. The three circular bosses at the end of the sceptre may represent the Triad (shen), described by Sima Qian
(145 or 135 BC – 86 BC) in Tian guan shu (Book of Celestial Offices) as the heart of the seven western lunar lodges
(the Tuft and Triad), or possibly embody the three stars that form the constellation popularly known as the ‘Oxherd’
with the brightest and largest star (the Aquilae) at its centre. Either way, the stars are celestial markers that epitomize
the most important philosophical concept concerning the legitimacy of any Chinese ruler, the ‘Mandate of Heaven’.
For further reading on the iconography of heaven and its pictorial depictions see Lillian Lan-ying Tseng, Picturing
Heaven in Early China, Cambridge, Mass., 2011, p. 248-277.
While all sceptres are unique and no two identical pieces are recorded, this sceptre is comparable to a white jade
example of similar size, the head carved with a stylized shou character roundel encircled by four beribboned bajixiang
emblems, from the collection of Edward T. Chow, sold in these rooms, 11th April 2008, lot 2835; and another of
related decoration but much smaller in size (38 cm) included in the National Palace Museum exhibition Masterpieces
of Chinese Ju-I Scepters in the National Palace Museum op.cit., cat. no. 4. Another comparable example, from the
De An Tang collection and exhibited at the Yongshougong (Palace of Eternal Longevity) located in the Forbidden City
in 2004, was sold at Christie’s Hong Kong, 29th May 2007, lot 1598, also of smaller size (36 cm); and a further piece
from the collection of the Nabeshima Family, presented by the House of an Imperial Prince in 1921, was sold at
Christie’s Hong Kong, 27th October 2003, lot 829.
Fig. 1
HIS HIGHNESS MAHARAJA SIR PADMA SHUMSHERE JUNG

BAHADUR RANA OF NEPAL
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 58
A PALE CELADON JADE 'POMEGRANATE' WATERPOT
naturalistically carved in the form of a pomegranate and a smaller attendant fruit bursting
with seeds, borne on a gnarled leafy branch bearing a flowering blossom, the stone of an
even pale celadon tone, wood stand
2.0
7.7cm., 3in.
PROVENANCE
A Scottish Private Collection.
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 59
PROPERTY OF A GENTLEMAN
A WHITE JADE MINIATURE STEAMER, YAN
modelled on the archaic bronze shape, the upper section in the form of an ovoid jar rising
to an everted rim, supported on three conjoined legs and a waisted neck with four ringlets,
the jar carved with a band of spiral bosses on a leiwen ground, the legs with taotie masks,
the stone of a white tone flecked with milky-white inclusions
6.1cm., 2 5/8 in.
PROVENANCE
Spink & Son, London, 14th July 1965.
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 60
A WHITE JADE ‘RAM’ GROUP
carved recumbent with its young ram nestled to the front, grasping a sprig of lingzhi
fungus in its mouth, its head slightly lifted, detailed with two trident-shaped horns, the
stone of greyish tone with minor dark inclusions underneath
13cm., 5 1/8 in.

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 61
A LARGE CELADON JADE TABLE SCREEN
QING DYNASTY
of rectangular form, carved to one side in various levels of relief with three equestrian
figures and an acolyte holding a qin beneath a waterfall flowing down to a stream where
two deer shelter on a rocky ledge under gnarled pine, to the right a woodcutter walking
down the steps towards the riverbanks while carrying an axe and a bundle of twigs, all
below a figure standing in front of the city walls nestled amongst pine trees and jagged
rocks, a pair of wild-goose hovering atop amidst misty scrolling clouds, the reverse incised
with stylised jagged mountains, various seals and three poems, the stone of an opaque
pale celadon tone with traces of darker inclusions, mounted as a table screen on a wood
stand
2.0
53.2cm., 20 7/8 in.
PROVENANCE
Christie's London, 16th November 1998, lot 280.
CATALOGUE NOTE
The three poems are: Xiari Nanting huai xin da by Meng Haoran (689–740), Duzuo jing Tingshan by Li Bai (701–762)
and Yuweng by Liu Zongyuan (773–819).
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 62
A CELADON JADE BOX AND COVER
MING DYNASTY
of rectangular form with canted corners, the top of the cover carved with a quatrefoil
cartouche enclosing a pair of birds amongst floral branches in a landscape, all reserved on
a diaper ground, the curved sides of the cover and the box decorated with lingzhi, encircled
by keyfret bands at the rims, the stone of a celadon tone mottled with black inclusions
2.0
9.8cm., 3 7/8 in.
PROVENANCE
Marchant, London.
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 63
A CELADON AND RUSSET JADE ‘FISH AND LOTUS’ LIBATION CUP
17TH CENTURY
carved in the form of a curled lotus leaf with a fish perched on one side, the stone of a pale
celadon tone with brown and russet skin residues
11cm., 4 3/8 in.

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 64
A CELADON JADE 'CHILONG' HANDLED LIBATION CUP AND STAND
the deep rounded sides rising from a short spreading foot, flanked by a pair of high relief
chilong handles, the stone of celadon tone, wood stand
2.0
14.2cm., 5 9/16 in.

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 65
PROPERTY OF A LADY
A PAIR OF HUANGHUALI ROUND-CORNER SQUARE CABINETS,
YUANJIAOGUI
the rectangular top supported on slightly splayed corner posts of rounded square section,
enclosing the rectangular single-panel doors set within narrow frames, all above a blind
rectangular panel and a plain shaped apron, the shorted sides with similar aprons, opening
to reveal a single shelf and lower compartment
145 by 75.4 by 40cm., 57 by 29 3/4 by 15 3/4 in.
PROVENANCE
Sotheby's London, 28th October 1988, lot 87.
CATALOGUE NOTE
Huanghuali is amongst the most valued hardwood in China, appreciated for its vibrant colour, impressive grain pattern
and light sweet fragrance. During the Ming and Qing dynasties it was used for making high quality furniture with
craftsmen taking advantage of the special qualities of the wood to create smooth and plain surfaces that retained
much of the material’s natural beauty. The highest quality huanghuali, also known by its Chinese botanical name
Hainan jiangxiang huangtan, comes from Hainan with a wide range of colouration from light yellow to purplish-red.
This type of timber is also grown in Vietnam, Laos, Burma and Cambodia but with a coarser grain texture and its
colour not as striking as that from Hainan. By the Qing dynasty, huanghuali became especially treasured by the
imperial court and was frequently used for the production of imperial furniture. Hu Desheng in The Palace Museum
Collection. A Treasury of Ming and Qing Dynasty Palace Furniture, vol. 2, Beijing, 2008, p. 578, describes huanghuali
furniture as that which typically combines artistry, technical rationale and functional utility and the embodiment of
China’s rich cultural heritage. Amongst collectors and connoisseurs huaghuali is universally acclaimed as the ‘the
pearl of the Orient’.
Cabinets of this type, with the characteristic round-corner, are known as yuanjiaogui. Amongst classical Chinese
furniture yuanjiaogui are valued for their simple yet elegant form and design. This type of cabinet was widely made
throughout the Ming and Qing periods, although an early Qing period attribution to the present pieces is supported by
the construction and the clean lines of the joinery. For detailed information on the development of Chinese cabinets
see Sarah Handler, ‘Cabinets and Shelves Containing All Things in China’, Journal of the Classical Chinese Furniture
Society, Winter, 1993, pp. 4-29, where Handler illustrates a large yuanjiaogui on p. 13, from the Nelson-Atkins
Museum of Art, Kansas City, and notes that cabinets of this type became more common of domestic furniture from the
15th century.
Compare two related cabinets illustrated in Wang Shixiang, Classic Chinese Furniture, London, 1986, pl. 142, from
the author’s collection, and pl. 145, from the collection of the Beijing Cultural Relics Bureau. Another slightly larger
cabinet of this type, attributed to the Ming dynasty and in the Honolulu Academy of Arts , Honolulu, is published in
Gustav Ecke, ‘Notes on Chinese Furniture’, Chinese Furniture. Selected Articles from Orientations 1984-1999, Hong
Kong, 1999, p. 87; and another in the Minneapolis Institute of Arts, Minneapolis, is included in Robert D. Jacobsen
and Nicholas Grindley, Classical Chinese Furniture in the Minneapolis Institute of Arts, Minneapolis, 1999, pl. 52.
See also a pair of small cabinets sold in our New York rooms, 19/20th October 1988, lot 551; a single large cabinet,
from the collection of Nicholas Grindley, sold at Christie’s New York, 21st March 2013, lot 926; and a further example,
also of larger dimensions, sold at Christie’s New York, 23rd March 2012, lot 1748.
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 66
A RARE AND LARGE ROOTWOOD BRUSHPOT
17TH CENTURY, SIGNED FANG GULIN
the gnarled and knotted root naturalistically carved as a rocky mountain cliff scattered with
pine and other trees, with two figures standing on a ledge at the bottom of a long flight of
steps leading up to a pavilion partly hidden behind a gnarled boulder, signed Fang Gulin,
the wood of a silvery brown tone, fitted wood base
23cm., 9in.

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 67
A RARE CARVED IVORY FIGURE OF DAMO
standing with his hands clasped and concealed beneath the broad sleeves of his flowing
robes, open at the chest to reveal his prominent ribs, the face with short curly hair and
beard, long ears, downcast eyes, and drooping cheeks reflecting an austere expression,
wooden base
11.9cm., 4 3/4 in.

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 68
PROPERTY FROM AN ASIAN PRIVATE COLLECTION
A FINELY CARVED CINNABAR LACQUER FLORAL-FORM BOX AND COVER
the lobed cover carved in high relief with three lychees growing on leafy branches, further
lychee sprays around the sides, all reserved on a leiwen ground, the base incised with a
lychee branch enclosed by a border of ruyi heads
2.0
8cm., 3 1/8 in.
PROVENANCE
Christie’s Hong Kong, 28th October 2002, lot 592.
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 69
A PAINTED SOAPSTONE FIGURE OF GUANYIN AND CHILD
17TH/18TH CENTURY
seated with the right leg raised, the arms extended to support a child carrying a sheng,
wearing long flowing robes draped over with a hood, the piled-up hair falling into two
knotted tassels, the stone of a golden brown tone simulating boxwood with traces of dark
grey and red paint, wood box and cover
3.0
12.6cm., 5in.

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 70
A RARE BRONZE CAMEL
SONG/YUAN DYNASTY
cast recumbent with legs tucked underneath, its head turned backwards towards the two
humps and detailed with a pronounced jaw and mane
5cm., 2in.

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 71
A SMALL IVORY ‘LUOHAN AND TIGER’ GROUP
carved with a luohan wearing loose fitting robes and a monk’s cap, taming a tiger on a
rocky ledge with lingzhi and pine, wood stand
2.0
7.5cm., 3in.

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 72
AN 'IMPERIAL' SILK AND METAL THREAD CARPET
QING DYNASTY, CIRCA 1900
of rectangular form and vertically orientated, finely woven with a central panel of nine five-
clawed dragons contesting flaming pearls amidst scattered cloud scrolls, all framed by
lishui polychrome borders, with a five-character inscription within a rectangular cartouche
at the top, reading Yongren Gong yuyong (For imperial use in the Hall of Eternal
Benevolence)
267 by 184.5cm., 105 1/8 by 72 5/8 in.

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 73
A PAIR OF HUANGHUALI STANDS
the rectangular top supported on four legs linked by stretchers, the apron decorated with
double-lozenge braces
2.0
21.3 by 42.3 by 79cm., 8 3/8 by 16 5/8 by 31 1/8 in.

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 74
A PAIR OF HONGMU SIDE TABLES
each with a plain rectangular top supported on four legs, joined by arched stretchers fitted
with oval braces
2.0
94 by 39.5 by 84cm., 37 by 15 1/2 by 33 1/8 in.
PROVENANCE
Sotheby’s London, 1st November 1985, lot 76.
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 75
A HUANGHUALI BRUSHPOT, BITONG
17TH/18TH CENTURY
of waisted cylindrical form, rising from three short feet to a lipped rim, the wood patinated
to a golden brown tone with attractive graining
18.5cm., 7 1/4 in.

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 76
A CARVED BAMBOO FIGURE OF AN IMMORTAL
reclining on a rocky ledge with a sprig of lingzhi in his right hand and a basket at his feet,
wearing loose fitting robes opening at the chest to reveal his large belly, his bearded face
with a cheerful expression
10.5cm., 4 1/8 in.

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 77
PROPERTY OF A LADY
A BLUE-GROUND EMBROIDERED DRAGON ROBE, JIFU
the blue ground woven with eight dragons in pursuit of flaming pearls amid scrolling
clouds, flowers, bats, Buddhist lions and the bajixiang, all above two carp leaping from
cresting waves and a lishui bordered hem, striped sleeve extenders with matching
embroidered black horse-hoof cuffs and gold edges
132cm., 52in.
PROVENANCE
Acquired by the father of the present owner in the UK between 1920 and 1940.
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 78
A PAIR OF PAINTED SOAPSTONE IMMORTALS
QING DYNASTY, KANGXI PERIOD
the male figure with a long flowing beard, holding a fly whisk in his left hand and carrying a
sword on his back, wearing a loose-fitting robe of green colour engraved with dragon
roundels, ruyi heads, and floral borders, the female figure with her hair tied up above into
two triangular loops, carrying a lingzhi stock, wearing a red dress with incised floral
medallions and flower scrolls, the gilt-bronze stands each of rectangular shape supported
on four feet with ram-head terminals, each set with a drawer at the waist surmounted by a
rectangular wooden base, overall decorated with leafy scrolls, lotus petals, and floral
panels, inlaid with turquoise, glass, and coral
4.0
41cm., 16 1/8 in.

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 79
A RARE TIXI LACQUER ‘BUDDHIST LION’ BOX AND COVER
SONG/YUAN DYNASTY
of circular form, the flat top carved through the black and red layers to the ochre ground
with two Buddhist lions amongst stylised clouds, clasping in their mouths the ends of the
ribbons tied to the brocade ball in the centre, the sides of the cover and the box encircled
with keyfret bands, the interior and base lacquered black
2.0
27cm., 10 5/8 in.
CATALOGUE NOTE
It is rare to find lacquer boxes of this early attribution, and the present piece is especially fine for its detailed carving
and well preserved condition. See a smaller box decorated with the same motif of a pair of Buddhist lions playing with
a brocade ball, but attributed to the early 15th century, illustrated in Masterpieces of Chinese Craved Lacquer Ware in
the National Palace Museum, Taipei, 1971, pl. 2; and another in the British Museum, London, published in Sir Harry
Garner, Chinese Lacquer, London, 1979, pl. 40. The British Museum box is similarly attributed to the Ming dynasty. A
third related box carved with four Buddhist lions, from the Nezu Institute of Fine Arts, Tokyo, was included in the
exhibition Carved Lacquer, The Tokugawa Art Museum, Tokyo, 1984, cat. no. 182.
The motif of Buddhist lions playing with a large brocade beribboned ball may also be found on porcelain of the period;
for example, see a dish in the Linden Museum, Linden, illustrated in Im Zeichen des Drachen, Linden, 2006, p. 138,
pl. 57.
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 80
A CARVED BAMBOO CYLINDRICAL BRUSHPOT
17TH/18TH CENTURY
the exterior carved in low-relief depicting a bearded sage seated with his eyes closed, a
figure behind shielding his face and furtively hauling a sack, all set in a landscape with
gnarled willow trees and misty clouds
13.5cm., 5 3/8 in.

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 81
A CARVED IVORY FIGURE
standing on one foot with the other raised, holding an axe in his hand, wearing a shawl and
a billowing scarf around his shoulders and arms over a loose pair of trousers and an apron
made of leaves, the face with a cheerful smiling expression surmounted by an official’s
cap, the base inscribed with an apocryphal four-character reign mark
24cm., 9 1/2 in.

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 82
AN EMBELLISHED KINGFISHER FEATHER HEADDRESS
the black silk-woven framework ornately adorned with phoenixes, bats, lingzhi, chime
stone and wan symbols en tremblant amongst stylised clouds and foliate borders,
embellished with pearls, coral, jadeite, glass and other semiprecious stones, stabilised with
metal wires
25.8cm., 10 1/8 in.
EXHIBITED
Welsh Treasures Exhibition, Cardiff Castle, Cardiff, 1987, cat. no. 106.
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 83
AN AMBER ‘PHOENIX’ PENDANT
SONG/YUAN DYNASTY
carved recumbent with head resting on its back, its clawed feet tucked underneath and the
wings folded and incised with plumage, the amber of a mottled dark brown colour
lightening to an attractive translucent orange at the extremities
6cm., 2 3/8 in.

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 84
AN INSCRIBED ‘FLORAL’ BAMBOO BRUSHPOT
QING DYNASTY, JIAQING PERIOD, DATED 1804
of cylindrical form, the exterior carved in shallow relief with a large peony bloom, magnolia
and prunus borne on leafy stems, inscribed with a couplet and a dated inscription,
accompanied by two seals
14cm., 5 1/2 in.
PROVENANCE
Christie’s Hong Kong, 30th May 2005, lot 1368.
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 85
A GOLD-SPLASHED BRONZE CENSER
17TH CENTURY
the bombé body rising from a spreading foot, flanked by a pair of loop handles, decorated
overall with small irregular splashes of gold, the base impressed with an apocryphal
Xuande mark within a rectangle
15.5cm., 6 1/8 in.

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 86
A SOAPSTONE FIGURE OF SHOULAO
carved standing on a rocky plinth, his raised right arm clasping a gnarled staff tied with a
double-gourd and lingzhi, the left hand lowered supporting a peach, dressed in long robes
hemmed with scrolling clouds, the bald head with a high forehead, long beard and a
cheerful smile, the stone of a caramel-brown tone with traces of pigment
34.5cm., 13 5/8 in.

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 87
A SOAPSTONE FIGURE OF GUANYIN
carved seated with the right leg raised, dressed in long flowing robes falling into
voluminous folds over her hands on her raised knee, the robes finely incised with scrolling
clouds and hemmed with foliate borders, the benevolent face below a high chignon draped
over by a hood, the opaque stone of a beige tone with darker inclusions and traces of
pigment, all supported on a rocky base
26.8cm., 10 1/2 in.

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 88
A RARE SOAPSTONE ‘PHOENIX’ GROUP
the pebble intricately carved in the form of two phoenix lying recumbent on scrolling
clouds, each with finely incised long tail feathers terminating in delicate curls, the stone of
a rich golden caramel tone mottled with purple-red and vermilion inclusions, stained ivory
stand
2.0
9cm., 3 1/2 in.

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 89
PROPERTY FROM A SWISS PRIVATE COLLECTION
A LARGE CARVED AND POLYCHROME WOOD FIGURE OF GUANYIN
JIN/YUAN DYNASTY
carved seated in rajalilisana with the right arm rested on the raised right knee, wearing a
dhoti open at the chest to reveal an elaborate necklace, the shoulders draped with a shawl,
the face with a benevolent expression beneath the hair piled up into a high chignon, traces
of gesso and pigment
124cm., 48 7/8 in.
PROVENANCE
Purchased from Galerie Beurdeley, Paris in 1976.
CATALOGUE NOTE
Carved in the round, this imposing figure represents the bodhisattva Guanyin, the Goddess of Compassion and
Mercy. The size and ease in pose, together with the traces of pigment, hint at the original visual effect this figure
would have had on visitors to the temple. The carver has skilfully captured the serenity and warmth of Guanyin, who is
usually depicted as a beautiful female figure with a gentle smile and adorned in worldly accessories such as ornate
tiaras and necklaces to emphasise her non-ethereal status, in sharp contrast to the stripped-back images of the
Buddha. As it was believed that anyone who recited Guanyin’s name during times of distress would be rescued by
her, she is the most worshipped deity in Buddhism and has therefore been frequently depicted in sculptural form.
Compare a standing figure of Guanyin with related facial features, such as the pointed nose and broad eyes, in the
Asian Art Museum of San Francisco from the Avery Brundage collection, illustrated in Rene-Yvon d’Argence (ed.),
Chinese, Korean and Japanese Sculpture in the Avery Brundage Collection, San Francisco, 1974, pl. 145. A slightly
earlier but similarly carved figure, sold at Christie’s Hong Kong, 18th March 1991, lot 343, was included in the
exhibition The Art of Contemplation. Religious Sculpture from Private Collections, National Palace Museum, Taipei,
1997, cat. no. 84; and another in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, is published in Hai-wai yi-chen. Chinese
Art in Overseas Collections. Buddhist Sculpture II, Taipei, 1990, pl. 142.
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 90
PROPERTY OF A LADY
A RARE HUANGHUALI RAISED END TABLE, QIAOTOU'AN
EARLY 18TH CENTURY
the long rectangular single-panel top set within a narrow frame with everted flanges at the
ends, all above plain aprons joined to spandrels flanking the tops of the thick, rounded legs
joined by pairs of stretchers
175.1 by 83 by 50.5cm., 69 by 32 3/4 by 19 7/8 in.
ESTIMATE 150,000-250,000 GBP
PROVENANCE
A Belgian Private Collection.
CATALOGUE NOTE
Large tables of this design with a raised flange at the ends of the top are generally called qiaotou'an or ‘raised end
tables’. According to Craig Clunas in Chinese Furniture, London, 1988, p.51, such tables were employed in the
domestic cult of ancestors, supporting flower vases, burners for incense and offerings for food and drink. They were
also used in a secular context, set against walls as surfaces on which to display antiques or art objects. Fine tables of
this type were made of the highest quality wood with a fine grain as craftsmen strove for the pure beauty of the grain
and structural form. A 1616 edition of a woodblock illustration from the novel Jin ping mei (The Golden Lotus) shows a
qiaotou'an of this type placed against a screen and used for displaying a single flower vase and other artefacts. The
woodblock illustration is included ibid., p. 51.
Two related huanghuali tables, in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London, are published ibid., pls. 38-42; another,
from the collection of Wang Shixiang and depicted with an unrolled handscroll, is included in Wang Shixiang, Classic
Chinese Furniture – Ming and Early Qing Dynasties, London, 1986, pl. 8, where the author notes that tables of this
type are ideal for studying a long handscroll. Compare also a table published in The Complete Collection of
Treasures of the Palace Museum. Furniture of the Ming and Qing Dynasties (I), Hong Kong, 2002, pl. 122; another
sold at Christie’s New York, 22nd September 1987, lot 437; and a further example made in huanghuali and nanmu
woods sold at Christie’s New York, 19th September 2007, lot 144.
Compare also a large huanghuali table but with a straight top but similar recessed legs as seen on the present
example, known as ‘recessed leg painting table’ or pingtou'an, sold in our New York rooms, 19/20th March 2013, lot
466; another of similar size, sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 5th October 2011, lot 2107; and a third example with a
floating-panel top also sold in our New york rooms, 19th March 1997, lot 383, and again, 23rd March 2011, lot 671.
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 91
A PAINTED AND GILT-DECORATED RED LACQUER COMPOUND CABINET
MING DYNASTY, 17TH CENTURY
of rectangular form, comprising a tall cabinet and a separate hat chest, each with doors
opening from removable centre stiles, painted against a red ground with birds and flowers
in a rocky landscape, all enclosed by meandering floral scrolls, the sides and shaped apron
similarly decorated, the interior lacquered black and set with two shelves, fitted with metal
hinges, plates and pulls
2.0
218.4 by 110 by 47cm., 86 by 43 1/4 by 18 1/2 in.
PROVENANCE
Sammy Y. Lee & Wangs Co., Hong Kong, 1973.
Collection of Arthur M. Sackler.
LITERATURE
Lee Yu-kuan, Oriental Lacquer Art, New York, 1972, pl. 247.
CATALOGUE NOTE
The present cabinet, called dingxiangligui in Chinese, is described by Lee Yu-kuan in Oriental Lacquer Art, New York
and Tokyo, 1972, p. 322, as ‘used by high officials for storing the clothing and accessories required for their
appearances before the emperor or their superiors. Hats and other headgear were kept in the top section, while the
main part of the cabinet contained court costumes and various accessories, including the important chaohu.’ Apart
from the fine craftsmanship by the lacquer artist, this cabinet is also remarkable for retaining its original lockplate and
mounts.
Large lacquer cabinets of the late Ming and early Qing periods, painted in this ornate style with the much favoured
theme of birds and flowers in gilt are rare although a very similar cabinet, perhaps the pair to the present piece, is
illustrated in Michel Beurdeley, Chinese Furniture, Tokyo, New York and San Francisco, 1979, p. 129, pl. 175. See
another fine lacquer cabinet of different proportions and shelf layout finely painted with a very similar scene of
flowering branches and birds in vivid tones on a brown ground, sold in our New York rooms, 11/12th April 1990, lot
671.
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 92
A PAIR OF INSCRIBED LAC BURGAUTE CUPSTANDS
each with shallow sides rising from a flat well to an everted rim, the centre set with a
domed ring inscribed with a poem in running script, bordered by a ruyi band and
undulating lotus scrolls, all encircled with a landscape depicting figures and pavilions
enclosed in a keyfret border, the rim with florets among interlocking geometric scrolls, the
base lacquered black
2.0
15cm., 5 7/8 in.

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 93
A MOTHER-OF-PEARL-INLAID LACQUER TRAY
of rectangular form, the interior decorated with a vertical panel enclosing officials and
attendants amongst an elaborate pavilion in a garden, all framed by shaped floral
cartouches against a diaper ground, the reverse lacquered brown
40cm., 15 3/4 in.
PROVENANCE
Sotheby’s Hong Kong, 7th May 2002, lot 624.
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 94
A CINNABAR LACQUER BOX AND COVER
of hexalobed section, the domed cover deftly carved in undercut relief with four figures
gathered around a scholar reclining against a table, all set in a fenced garden landscape
with trees and plantain, the sides of the cover and the box decorated with quatrefoil
cartouches each enclosing leafy lotus sprays and reserved against a diaper ground, all
bordered by keyfret bands, the interior and the base lacquered dark brown, inscribed and
gilt with a six-character mark, Japanese wood box
3.0
18.5cm., 7 1/4 in.
PROVENANCE
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 95
A GURI LACQUER DISH
YUAN DYNASTY
the shallow rounded sides rising from a short foot to a thick rolled rim, deeply carved
through thick layers of red and black lacquer with two rows of guri pommels enclosing a
five-pointed star in the centre, the exterior similarly decorated with a foliate scroll, the base
lacquered brown, Japanese wood box
2.0
22.5cm., 8 7/8 in.

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 96
R.L. HOBSON, THE WARES OF THE MING DYNASTY, LONDON, 1923;
CHINESE POTTERY AND PORCELAIN, VOLS I-II, LONDON, 1915; THE LATER
CERAMIC WARES OF CHINA, LONDON, 1925
The Wares of the Ming Dynasty: Benn Brothers, 1925, signed by the author, original pigskin
cover, one of only 6 publisher's copies not for sale out of 256. Chinese Pottery and
Porcelain: Cassell and Company, 1915, two volumes, limited edition number 752 of 1500.
Later Ceramic Wares of China: Ernest Benn, 1925, signed by the author, original pigskin
cover, limited edition number 133 of 250, each with numerous photographic plates, a few in
colour
4.0
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 97
REGINA KRAHL AND JOHN AYERS, CHINESE CERAMICS IN THE TOPKAPI
SARAY MUSEUM ISTANBUL, VOLS I-III VOLS, LONDON, 1986
Sotheby’s publications, 1986, three volumes, dust jackets, slip cases, limited edition
number 740 of 1500 copies, black and white illustrations throughout, many in colour
3.0
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 98
J. AYERS, THE BAUR COLLECTION GENEVA, CHINESE CERAMICS VOLS I-IV,
GENEVA, 1968-74
C.F. Pezotti, 1968-74, four volumes, dust jackets, numerous photographic plates, a few in
colour
4.0
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 99
R.L. HOBSON, A CATALOGUE OF CHINESE POTTERY AND PORCELAIN IN
THE COLLECTION OF SIR PERCIVAL DAVID, LONDON, 1934
The Stourton Press, 1934, original blue Chinese silk binding and original box, limited
edition number 473 of 650 copies, 180 photographic plates, most in colour

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 100
AN ALBUM OF PHOTOGRAPHS
CIRCA 1908
including approximately forty-four rare documentary annotated photographs depicting
French army personnel, allied forces and Chinese troops around Manchuria and other
places of important historical importance, leather-bound
The album: 26.4 by 34cm., 10 3/8 by 13 3/8 in.
Fig. 1
untitled
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 101
A LARGE BLUE AND WHITE ‘MANDARIN DUCKS’ CHARGER
YUAN DYNASTY
the rounded sides rising from a tapered foot to a wide everted rim, painted in rich tones of
cobalt-blue, the interior with a slightly recessed medallion enclosing a pair of mandarin
ducks swimming in a lotus pond, encircled at the cavetto by an undulating lotus scroll, the
rim with a trellis border, similarly decorated to the exterior with a leafy lotus scroll
46cm., 18 1/8 in.
PROVENANCE
CATALOGUE NOTE
A number of impressive large chargers of this type are preserved, but they all vary considerably in their execution and
decoration. The present piece is a particularly fine example amongst wares belonging to this group, with the cobalt of
vivid deep blue tone and the painting of the swimming ducks amongst water plants expertly executed. While no two
Yuan chargers of this type are exactly the same, this example is closely related to one in the Topkapi Museum,
Istanbul, illustrated in Regina Krahl, Chinese Ceramics in the Topkapi Saray Museum, Istanbul, Cat. II, London, 1986,
pl. 569, where on p. 495 another similar charger discovered at the site of a Tughlaq Palace in Delhi is mentioned. See
another impressive charger of this type, from the Ardebil Shrine and now in the Iran Bastan Museum, Teheran,
included in John Pope, Chinese Porcelains from the Ardebil Shrine, London, 1956, pl. 7, with a different design band
around the rim and the back painted with lotus panels instead of a continuous lotus scroll motif as seen on this piece;
and another with a bracket lobed rim, in the Palace Museum, Beijing, published in Zhongguo taoci quanji, vol. 11,
Shanghai, 2000, pl. 161.
A charger of this form and design with an everted rim was sold in these rooms, 6th April 1976, lot 107; and
one, painted with a lotus pond scene with stems of flowers, foliage and pods rising from the water, was sold in our
Hong Kong rooms, 2nd may 2005, lot 638.
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 102
A BLUE AND WHITE ‘DRAGON’ STEMCUP
YUAN DYNASTY
the curved rounded sides rising to a gently flared rim, resting on a hollow stem moulded
with horizontal ridges simulating bamboo, freely painted to the exterior with a single three-
clawed dragon with a slender undulating body and open jaws, pacing amongst flame wisps
and chasing a pearl, the interior with a central medallion enclosing a chrysanthemum
spray, all encircled with a classic scroll at the rim, lacquer stand and Japanese wood box
3.0
9.5cm., 3 3/4 in.
PROVENANCE
Shimojo Art, 1980s.
A Japanese Private Collection, 1988.
Masao Iketani, 2000.
CATALOGUE NOTE
Stemcups with freely executed sketches of dynamic dragons chasing flaming pearls appear to have been in use
throughout China during the Yuan period. Related examples include one in the British Museum, London, published in
Jessica Harrison-Hall, Ming Ceramics in the British Museum, London, 2001, pl. 1:24; two similar stemcups from the
collections of Mrs O. Harriman and Lord Cunliffe, included in the exhibition Chinese Blue and White Porcelain: 14th to
19th Centuries, The Oriental Ceramic Society at the Arts Council Gallery, London, 1953-3, cat. nos. 11 and 12
respectively; and a fourth example from the R.H.R Palmer and Jingguantang collections, sold several times at auction
and most recently in these rooms, 9th October 2012, lot 17, from the Meiyintang collection.
Similar stemcups decorated with dragons and phoenix were excavated from the Yuan city site at Jininglu in Inner
Mongolia; see Chen Yongzhi (ed.), Porcelain Unearthed from Jininglu Ancient City Site in Inner Mongolia, Beijing,
2004, pl. 46 for a dragon stemcup, pls. 42-4 for three stemcups decorated with phoenix, and p. 12 for several pieces
packed together in a jar as found on site. Another example, excavated from the tomb of the eminent Ming official
Wang Xingzu, datable to the fourth year of Hongwu (1371), in the Nanjing Museum, is published in Wang Qingzheng,
Underglaze Blue and Red, Hong Kong, 1993, pl. 33; and a third, in the Art Museum, Chinese University of Hong
Kong, was included in the exhibition Yuan and Ming Blue and White Ware from Jiangxi, Jiangxi Provincial Museum,
Jiangxi, 2002, cat. no. 15. Compare a related stemcup, but with stiff leaves encircling the foot, in the Palace Museum,
Beijing, illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum. Blue and White Porcelain with
Underglazed Red (I), Shanghai, 2000, pl. 12.
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 103
A RARE BLUE AND WHITE CUPSTAND
MING DYNASTY, HONGWU PERIOD
of lobed octafoil form, the shallow rounded sides rising to a barbed everted rim divided into
eight bracket foliations, moulded on the interior with a central raised ring and around the
exterior with crisp radiating ridges dividing the lobes, finely decorated overall in shaded
tones of cobalt accented with 'heaping and piling', the slightly recessed centre medallion
with a leafy lotus spray, surrounded by six peonies wreathed by a foliate stem and eight
sprigs of lotus around the cavetto, each carefully rendered with different blooms and
fanciful curly foliage, the rim detailed with a classic scroll, the central ring picked out with
pendent lappets, the exterior painted with petal lappets on each lobe, the recessed base
and bevelled footring left unglazed
19.5cm., 7 5/8 in.
ESTIMATE 150,000-250,000 GBP
CATALOGUE NOTE
Cupstands of this flat dish shape with a raised ring in the centre were developed in the Yuan dynasty that replaced
earlier, taller and often ring-shaped supports known from lacquer, silver and stoneware of the Song period. For the
origins see a Song example in silver, with six barbed lobes and engraved with flowering branches around a central
floret, illustrated in A Selection of the Treasure of Archaeological Finds of the People’s Republic of China, Beijing,
1987, pl. 320.
Hongwu cupstands are known painted in both cobalt-blue and copper-red. They have a distinct shape that were
crisply formed in twin moulds, creating a beautiful utilitarian object . Unfortunately, it is not known exactly what kind of
cups they were made to hold, although a fragmentary cup together with a stand of this form, both painted in
underglaze-blue, were included in the Chang Foundation exhibition Jingdezhen chutu Ming chu gaunyao ciqi/Imperial
Hongwu and Yongle Porcelain Excavated at Jingdezhen, Taipei, 1996, cat. nos. 17 and 18. However, the small size of
the cup appears ill proportioned compared to the solidly made stand, and furthermore, no other similar cups have
been found extant. This would suggest that porcelain cupstands of this type may have been used together with
drinking vessels of precious material that might not have survived.
It is unusual to find a cupstand of this type centred by a well-drawn lotus plant rather than a stylized sprig, although a
stand of similar design was included in the Oriental Ceramic Society exhibition Jingdezhen Wares. The Yuan
Evolution, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 1984, cat. no. 141. Compare another closely related
stand, from the Charles Harrison McClintick estate, sold at Christie’s Hong Kong, 20th March 1990, lot 516; one sold
in our Hong Kong rooms, 27th April 1993, lot 35; and a further piece also sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 2nd
November 1998, lot 348.
Compare also a blue and white stand painted with a chrysanthemum scroll motif, with the stems encircling the
flowerheads and centred by a peony spray, included in the Kau Chi Society exhibition Ancient Chinese Ceramics,
Hong Kong, 1981, cat. no. 61; and another included in the exhibition Ming Blue and White, Philadelphia Museum of
Art, Philadelphia, 1949, cat. no. 24, together with a third example, cat. no. 25, decorated with a more open
chrysanthemum scroll enclosing a many-petalled floret, both pieces from the collection of John Pope.
See also a stand decorated with scrolling peonies, centred by a peony and enclosed by different flower sprays, from
the collection of Gerald Reitlinger and now in the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford, included in the museum’s exhibition
Eastern Ceramics, Ashmolean Museum, Oxford, 1981, cat. no. 1.
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 104
A BLUE AND WHITE 'DRAGON' DISH
ZHENGDE MARK AND PERIOD
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.
PROVENANCE
A European Private Collection.
CATALOGUE 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.
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 105
A YELLOW-GLAZED DISH
the rounded sides supported on a tapered foot, covered overall with a pale yellow glaze,
the base left white and inscribed with a six-character mark within a double-circle
22.5cm., 8 7/8 in.
PROVENANCE
EXHIBITED
Ming Porcelain, Marchant, London, 2009, cat. no. 12.
CATALOGUE NOTE
This dish is notable for its large size and luminous yellow glaze. A closely related example was included in the
exhibition Handbook of the Mr and Mrs John D. Rockefeller 3rd Collection, The Asia Society, New York, 1979, p. 79
(bottom right); another was sold twice in our Hong Kong rooms, 24th November 1981, lot 136, and 24th November
1987, lot 42; and a third was sold at Christie’s Hong Kong, 29th May 2007, lot 1484. Dishes of slightly smaller size
include one illustrated in Chinese Porcelain. The S.C. Ko Tianminlou Collection, Hong Kong, 1987, pl. 136; one from
the Sir Percival David collection and now in the British Museum, published in the Illustrated Catalogue of Ming and
Qing Monochrome Wares, London, 1989, pl. 597; and another from the Hall Family collection, sold twice in our Hong
Kong rooms, 16th May 1977, lot 65, and again, 2nd May 2000, lot 504.
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 106
A BLUE AND WHITE DISH
the rounded sides rising from a tapering foot, painted to the interior with a central
medallion enclosing figures gathered around an altar issuing streams of smoke in a fenced
garden, all encircled by a band of cranes flying amongst clouds, similarly decorated to the
exterior, the base with a four-character seal reading He Wengzhang zao (Made by He
Wengzhang)
13.8cm., 5 3/8 in.
PROVENANCE
Collection of Colin Lanceley OA, Sydney.
R.& V. Tregaskis Oriental Art, Sydney.
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 107
A LARGE BLUE AND WHITE ‘PEACOCK’ BOWL
the deep rounded sides supported on a straight foot, the exterior painted with six peacocks
in a garden landscape above a ruyi band, all below squirrels clambering amongst grape
vines at the rim, the foot with a classic scroll, the interior with a medallion enclosing a
peacock among flowering branches, encircled at the rim with six peacocks in shaped
cartouches against a diaper band, inscribed to the base with a four-character mark reading
Wanfu youtong (May a myriad blessings be bestowed) within a double-circle
35.9cm., 14 1/8 in.

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 108
A BLUE AND WHITE BOTTLE
MING DYNASTY, WANLI PERIOD
the globular body rising from a short foot to a tapering neck with lipped rim, painted with
shaped cartouches variously enclosing peach, pomegranate, peony and chrysanthemum
on stools wrapped with brocaded textiles, all below ruyi-shaped lappets decorated with
smaller ruyi heads against a diaper ground, the neck similarly decorated, all divided by
trellis, stiff leaf and keyfret bands, Japanese wood box
2.0
28.2cm., 11 1/8 in.
PROVENANCE
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 109
A BLUE AND WHITE ‘BOYS’ EWER
JIAJING MARK AND PERIOD
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.
PROVENANCE
Marchant, London.
Collection of T.T. Tsui, no. MB 739.
LITERATURE
Audrey Wang, Chinese Antiquities. An Introduction to the Art Market, London, 2012, pl. 17 and front cover.
CATALOGUE 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.
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 110
A RARE YELLOW-GLAZED CUP
of bell shape, well potted with deep curved sides elegantly rising from a short foot to a
flared rim, covered overall in a rich egg-yolk yellow glaze leaving the footring unglazed, the
base inscribed in underglaze-blue with a six-character mark within a double-circle,
Japanese wood box
2.0
12cm., 4 3/4 in.
ESTIMATE 100,000-150,000 GBP
CATALOGUE NOTE
The shape of the present rare cup, distinctively deep and of flared form, represents an innovation of the Jiajing period
and was produced almost only in this reign of the Ming dynasty, and mainly covered in yellow and dark blue glazes. A
similar pair of yellow cups, bearing Jiajing reign marks and of the period, from the Meiyintang collection and illustrated
in Regina Krahl, Chinese Ceramics from the Meiyintang Collection, vol. 2, London, 1994, pl. 698, was sold in our
Hong Kong rooms, 7th April 2011, lot 62; another from the collections of B.Z. Seligman and Sir Alfred Ackroyd,
included in the Oriental Ceramic Society exhibition Monochrome Porcelain of the Ming and Manchu Dynasties,
London, 1948, cat. no. 60, was sold in these rooms 11th May 1954, lot 64, 17th May 1966, lot 36, and again at
Christie’s London, 7th June 2004, lot 281; a pair from the collection of Edward T. Chow was sold in our Hong Kong
rooms, 19th May 1981, lot 452; and a cup from the Hall family collection and included in the Oriental Ceramic Society
exhibition Iron in the Fire, Ashmolean Museum, Oxford, 1988, cat. no. 60, and colour plate, p. 23, was sold in these
rooms, 26th July 1966, lot 68, and again in our Hong Kong rooms, 2nd May 2000, lot 506, and is further illustrated in
Sotheby’s Thirty Years in Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 2003, pl. 124.
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 111
AN INCISED WHITE-GLAZED ‘DRAGON’ DISH
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.

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 112
AN INCISED WHITE-GLAZED ‘DRAGON’ DISH
WANLI MARK AND PERIOD
the rounded sides rising from a short 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
17.7cm., 7in.

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 113
A BLUE AND WHITE ‘LOTUS’ JAR
the tapering ovoid body surmounted by a short neck, painted to the exterior with large
lotus blooms borne on meandering leafy stems, the shoulder and the foot encircled by
interlocking ruyi scroll bands, inscribed to the base with a six-character mark within a
double-circle
16cm., 6 3/8 in.

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 114
A BLUE AND WHITE ‘SCHOLAR’ DISH
WANLI MARK AND PERIOD
the rounded sides rising from a tapering foot, painted to the interior with a central
medallion enclosing a scholar seated on a riverbank of a landscape with his attendant
behind, all encircled by dragons and phoenixes in flight amongst ruyi clouds in pursuit of
flaming pearls, the exterior with six detached flowering and fruiting sprays, inscribed to the
base with a six-character mark within a double-circle
17.8cm., 7in.
PROVENANCE
Collection of Captain Charles Oswald Liddell.
Sotheby's London, 29th June 1944, lot 1.
Bluett & Sons, London, 4th July 1944.
Collection of Mrs O. Harriman.
EXHIBITED
Nottingham Castle Museum Loan, HHL217, ca. 1989-2012.
CATALOGUE NOTE
The present piece belongs to a small group of blue and white Wanli mark and period dishes, of different size
and figural scenes on the interior but the rim decorated with the same 'dragon and phoenix' design band. See
two dishes of this size and decoration, one from the collection of the late R.E.R. Luff, sold at Christie's London, 16th
April 1985, lot 256; and the other also sold at Christie's London, 14th December 1987, lot 196.
Compare also two dishes of larger proportions from this group, one from the collection of Christina Loke Balsara, sold
at Christie's Hong Kong, 19th January 1988, lot 257; another, from the Jingguantang collection, sold at Christie's New
York, 16th September 1998, lot 366. Another larger dish of this type, painted with two warriors, one on horseback and
the other standing by a riverbank, from the Beijing Yishu Bowuguan (Beijing Museum of Art), is illustrated in
Zhongguo taoci quanji, vol. 12, Shanghai, 2000, pl. 192.
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 115
A BLUE AND WHITE ‘DRAGON’ JAR
MING DYNASTY, JIAJING PERIOD
the baluster body surmounted by a waisted neck with a flared rim, painted in bright cobalt-
blue tones with two five-clawed dragons pacing amongst stylised clouds in pursuit of
flaming pearls above a lappet band, all below linked ruyi-shaped lappets enclosing a lotus
spray on the shoulder, the neck encircled with a stylised ruyi band
31.5cm., 12 3/8 in.

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 116
A BLUE AND WHITE ‘FISH AND LOTUS’ BOWL
the rounded sides rising from a straight foot, painted to the exterior with fish swimming
amidst a lotus pond with other aquatic plants, the interior similarly painted with a domed
central medallion, inscribed to the base with a six-character mark within a double-circle
13.4cm., 5 1/4 in.
PROVENANCE
Sotheby’s Hong Kong, 7th May 2002, lot 571.
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 117
AN INCISED GREEN-ENAMELLED ‘DRAGON’ BOWL
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.
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.
CATALOGUE 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 present
piece; 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.
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 118
A YELLOW-GROUND GREEN-ENAMELLED ‘DRAGON’ DISH
the shallow rounded sides rising from a short foot, incised and enamelled in green to the
interior with two dragons writhing amongst clouds, the decoration repeated in a frieze on
the exterior, all reserved on an egg-yolk yellow ground, the base with a six-character mark
in aubergine
13.4cm., 5 1/4 in.

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 120
A LARGE FAHUA ‘PEACOCK AND PEONY’ JAR
the rounded shoulder tapering to a gently spreading foot, surmounted by a short neck with
lipped rim, the exterior decorated in yellow, aubergine and turquoise enamel against a dark
blue ground, depicting a pair of peacocks in a garden with blossoming peony branches,
lingzhi and pierced rocks, all below a band of ruyi-shaped cartouches each enclosing a
floral bouquet, the rim with stylised ruyi clouds and the foot with a lappet band, glazed in
green to the interior
38.7cm., 15 1/4 in.
PROVENANCE
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 121
A BLUE AND WHITE ‘DRAGON’ DISH
the rounded sides rising from a slightly tapered foot to a flared rim, painted to the interior
with a central medallion enclosing seven detached floral sprays including lotus,
chrysanthemum, peony and camellia, the exterior with two dragons pacing amongst leafy
lotus scrolls, inscribed to the base with a six-character mark within a double-circle,
Japanese wood box
2.0
20.9cm., 8 1/4 in.

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 122
PROPERTY OF A LADY
A BLUE AND WHITE JAR
robustly potted, with the ovoid body rising to a waisted neck with lipped rim, the exterior
painted in bright tones of cobalt-blue with four oval cartouches enclosing figures amongst
landscapes, all reserved on floral blooms borne on meandering leafy scrolls, the neck and
the foot encircled by stylised floral sprays
40cm., 15 3/4 in.
PROVENANCE
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 123
A BLUE AND WHITE EWER
the compressed globular body rising from a stepped foot to a trumpet neck, set with a
curved spout linked to the neck by a scrolled strut, painted overall with floral and fruiting
sprays interspersed amongst butterflies, fans and wan symbols, all divided by lappet
bands around the shoulder and base
27.5cm., 10 7/8 in.

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 124
A BLUE AND WHITE QUATRELOBED TRIPOD CENSER AND A COVER
the quatrelobed body rising from three legs to a straight rim, flanked by a pair of animal
mask handles, the exterior painted with scholars seated by a fence in a garden with pine
trees and flowers, encircled at the rim by a shan border, the domed cover painted with
floral sprays and surmounted by a recumbent mythical beast
2.0
15cm., 5 7/8 in.

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 125
A BLUE AND WHITE OCTAGONAL VASE
MING DYNASTY, CHONGZHEN PERIOD
the baluster body divided into eight facets and surmounted by a short neck, painted with a
scene from Sanguo Yanyi (Romance of Three Kingdoms) depicting a military official riding
a horse and pointing his halberd at a lady with a basket by the banks, in a distance three
attendants carrying flags and weapons shielding behind rocks, all below pendent lappets
each enclosing a lotus bloom, the foot encircled with stiff leaves and the rim with a trellis
border
31.8cm., 12 1/2 in.

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 126
A PAIR OF BLUE AND WHITE KOSOMETSUKE ‘HORSE’ DISHES
MING DYNASTY, TIANQI PERIOD
each modelled in the form of a recumbent horse with tail curled alongside its rear
haunches, the interior and the underside outlined with details in underglaze-blue, all
supported on four short legs
2.0
17.5cm., 6 7/8 in.

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 127
A BLUE AND WHITE KOSOMETSUKE DISH
TIANQI MARK AND PERIOD
the conical sides supported on a tapering foot, the interior painted with two scholars under
a pine tree in a landscape, all encircled by a geometric floral band, the base with a four-
character mark within a double-circle, Japanese wood box
2.0
20.8cm., 8 1/4 in.
PROVENANCE
LITERATURE
Masahiko Kawahara, Ko-Sometsuke, Kyoto, 1977, pl. 579.
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 128
A BLUE AND WHITE ‘DUCK’ CENSER
MING DYNASTY, TIANQI/CHONGZHEN PERIOD
modelled in the form of a duck swimming in a lotus pond, the head turned to its left and the
mouth pierced, the body defined with detailed plumage, all supported on three feet
2.0
16.8cm., 6 5/8 in.
PROVENANCE
EXHIBITED
Ming Porcelain for the Japanese Market: Ko-sometsuke & Ko-akai, Marchant, London, 2008, cat. no. 20.
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 129
A RARE SILVER-MOUNTED BLUE AND WHITE BOTTLE FOR THE JAPANESE
MARKET
MING DYNASTY, TIANQI/CHONGZHEN PERIOD
the ovoid body supported on a short foot and tapering to a narrow waisted neck, painted
with sampan boats and larger fleets journeying through a riverside landscape with distant
pavilions, all above two birds flying amongst the Three Friends of Winter and a shan
border, encircled at the shoulder with a floral scroll, mounted with a silver rim and cover
2.0
17.7cm., 7in.
PROVENANCE
Collection of the Reverend John Barker.
Sotheby’s London, 11th July 1978, lot 189.
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 130
A WUCAI ‘FLORAL’ MEIPING
LATE MING DYNASTY
robustly potted with high curved shoulders rising from a slightly spreading foot to a
waisted neck, the exterior painted with meandering composite floral scrolls between lappet
and ruyi bands, all below foliate scroll bands, the neck reduced and trimmed
39cm., 15 3/8 in.
PROVENANCE
Collection of Iver Munthe Daae, Norwegian official of the Chinese Maritime Customs Service 1867-1888.
CATALOGUE NOTE
A related vase in the British Museum, London, similarly painted in underglaze-blue and overglaze polychrome
enamels in the wucai palette with a floral scroll motif spaciously arranged across the main body is illustrated in Jessica
Harrison-Hall, Ming Ceramics in the British Museum, London, 2001, pl. 12.133,
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 131
A WUCAI ‘CHILONG AND LOTUS’ BALUSTER JAR AND COVER
QING DYNASTY, SHUNZHI PERIOD
the baluster body rising to a waisted neck, painted to the exterior with chilong clambering
amidst undulating lotus scrolls above a band of flames, the shoulder surrounded by
pendent ruyi lappets against a diaper ground beneath a keyfret band, encircled by
composite floral scrolls at the neck, the domed cover similarly decorated
2.0
36.5cm., 14 3/8 in.

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 132
A RARE PAIR OF WUCAI OPENWORK 'CHILONG' LANTERNS
EARLY 17TH CENTURY
each of hexalobed baluster form, rising from a stepped foot to a waisted neck with galleried
rim, the body pierced to each face with geometric openings, all divided by clambering
chilong and lingzhi sprays against a diaper ground, the shoulder encircled with
overlapping leaves and the foot with a lappet band, the neck similarly decorated, encircled
at the rim with a keyfret border, set with a coup to the interior with a circular aperture
2.0
17.8cm., 7in.

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 133
A MOULDED WUCAI VASE, HU
CIRCA 1630
of square section, the curved sides rising from a straight foot to a waisted neck, flanked by
a pair of lion mask handles suspending mock rings, one face moulded in relief with a figure
holding a bow and an attendant beside, the other face with a foreigner and Buddhist lion,
the two sides each similarly decorated with a basket of auspicious objects, all divided by
vertical classic scroll borders in underglaze-blue, the rim and the foot encircled with keyfret
band, Japanese wood box
2.0
17.5cm., 6 7/8 in.

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 134
PROPERTY OF A LADY
A BLUE AND WHITE BRUSHPOT, BITONG
CIRCA 1640
of cylindrical form, the exterior brightly painted with a grasshopper perched on leafy floral
sprays with other insects in flight above, all between incised chevron borders at the rim
and the foot
17.2cm., 6 3/4 in.
PROVENANCE
Marchant, London (according to label).
EXHIBITED
Transitional Wares and their Forerunners, Hong Kong Museum of Art, Hong Kong, 1981, cat. no. 85.
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 135
A BLUE AND WHITE ‘SEVEN SCHOLARS OF THE BAMBOO GROVE’
BRUSHPOT, BITONG
of cylindrical form, the exterior painted with seven scholars with attendants engaged in
various literati pursuits including painting and playing the qin, all set in a fenced garden
with bamboo
18.4cm., 7 1/4 in.
PROVENANCE
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 136
A BLUE AND WHITE BOTTLE VASE
CIRCA 1640
the compressed globular body rising from a straight foot to a waisted knopped neck,
painted in bright tones of cobalt-blue with eight scholars engaged in conversation and
various literati pursuits, accompanied by attendants in a landscape with plantain, trees and
rocks, all between a floral scroll at the shoulder and a lappet band at the base, the tall neck
with stylised tulip sprays divided by lappet bands at the knop
38.1cm., 15in.
PROVENANCE
Spink & Son, London.
Collection of Ho family.
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 137
A FAMILLE-VERTE BALUSTER JAR AND COVER
the baluster body rising to a short waisted neck, painted around the exterior with three
rows of petal-shaped panels variously enclosing flowers, birds and insects, all below a
composite floral scroll, the domed cover similarly decorated and surmounted by a lotus
bud finial, later gilt-bronze stand
3.0
55.7cm., 22in.

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 138
A BLUE AND WHITE ‘FLORAL’ JAR AND COVER
the baluster body painted with three rows of petal-shaped floral panels, all reserved on
diaper grounds interspersed with small cartouches enclosing the babao (Eight Treasures),
the foot and the shoulder encircled with chevron bands, the neck with flowers issuing from
rocks, mounted with a metal tap, the domed cover similarly decorated
2.0
56.5cm., 22 1/4 in.
PROVENANCE
A Dutch Private Collection.
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 139
A FAMILLE-VERTE BALUSTER JAR AND COVER
the baluster body rising to a short waisted neck, painted around the exterior with three
rows of petal-shaped panels variously enclosing flowers, mythical animals, birds and
insects, all below a diaper band of shaped floral cartouches alternating with butterflies, the
neck with detached composite floral sprays, the domed cover similarly decorated and
surmounted by a lotus bud finial, later gilt-bronze stand
3.0
58cm., 22 7/8 in.

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 140
A BLUE AND WHITE ‘LADIES’ JAR AND COVER
the baluster body rising to a waisted neck with lipped rim, the body moulded and painted
with three rows of petal-shaped panels variously enclosing blossoming flowers and ladies
in a garden, all divided by geometric and floral bands, the cover similarly decorated
2.0
56cm., 22in.
PROVENANCE
A Dutch Private Collection.
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 141
A FAMILLE-VERTE BOTTLE VASE
the globular body rising from a short foot to a tall cylindrical neck, painted with four
budding lotus sprays alternating with lanterns variously decorated with landscape, birds
and horse, all below large ruyi-shaped lappets enclosing butterflies amongst floral blooms
on a stippled ground, the neck encircled by meandering lotus sprays, all divided by lappet,
diaper, keyfret and ruyi bands
41.8cm., 16 1/2 in.

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 142
A RARE FAMILLE-VERTE ‘BIRD AND FLOWERS’ SQUARE VASE
of square section, the tapering body rising to angled shoulders surmounted by a waisted
neck, painted to each face with birds amongst leafy floral blooms issuing from rocks, the
shoulder with lingzhi sprays, similarly decorated with leafy floral branches and rocks on
the neck, the recessed centre on the base inscribed with a six-character mark
51cm., 20 1/8 in.
PROVENANCE
Purchased in London in 1909.
A UK Private Collection.
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 143
A BLUE AND WHITE ‘XIXIANG JI’ JAR
the compressed globular body rising from a tapered foot to a short waisted neck, painted
to the exterior with two rectangular cartouches enclosing scenes from Xixiang Ji (Romance
of the West Chamber), one with Yingying and Hongniang in a garden listening to Zhang
Sheng playing the qin outside the walls, the other with four ladies in a fenced garden,
inscribed at the base with an apocryphal Chenghua mark within a double-circle
22cm., 8 5/8 in.
PROVENANCE
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 144
PROPERTY FROM A FAR EASTERN COLLECTION
A BLUE AND WHITE POT
the flaring sides painted with a fan-shaped panel enclosing figures carrying gold ingots to
buy grain from Ren Quxuan, the reverse with narcissus and rocks, inscribed with a poem,
the base with a qingwan mark
18.5cm., 7 1/8 in.
PROVENANCE
Sotheby's London, 13th November 2002, lot 122.
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 145
A BLUE AND WHITE ‘LONGEVITY’ BALUSTER VASE
the baluster body painted with deer and cranes in a river landscape with pine trees and
mountains, all between two bands of cloud scrolls, the short neck encircled with pendent
ruyi lappets, wood cover and stand
3.0
36cm., 14 1/4 in.

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 146
PROPERTY OF A LADY
A PAIR OF BLUE AND WHITE ‘LANDSCAPE’ VASES AND COVERS
each with an ovoid body rising to a straight neck, painted with a riverside landscape with
rocky mountains, cottages and distant figures, all below a keyfret band at the shoulder, the
neck with leafy floral branches, the domed cover similarly decorated and surmounted by a
knop
4.0
58.7cm., 23 1/8 in.
PROVENANCE
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 147
A STONE FIGURE OF A BODHISATTVA
NORTHERN QI PERIOD
carved standing with the right arm raised to the chest and the left holding an amphora
bottle, dressed in a dhoti with a knotted sash falling to the knees, the shoulders draped
with a pleated shawl falling over the arms and sides, further embellished with beaded
jewels, the benevolent face crowned with an elaborate headdress, all raised on a
rectangular plinth
2.0
52cm., 20 1/2 in.
ESTIMATE 150,000-200,000 GBP
PROVENANCE
A Hong Kong Private Collection, 1970s.
CATALOGUE NOTE
This exceptionally well carved and preserved figure is a classic example of north China’s Buddhist stone sculpture of
the Northern Qi period (550-577), one of the most innovative and iconic periods for the art of stone carving. The small
figure is exquisitely detailed, with fine even features, the body in the classic, slightly swaying pose. Carved fully in the
round, it is conceived as a free-standing figure to be viewed from all sides, the pointed peg underneath the plinth
roughened to slot safely into a lotus pedestal. The artist masterfully handled the stark contrast between the plump
face and fleshy hands and feet on the one hand, and the highly stylized, flat linear garment folds on the other. The
shallow relief of the clothing is particularly effective to highlight the high relief of the complex crown and jewellery, as
well as the crisp knot of the ribbon-like shawl that is tied between the knees.
The figure is reminiscent in material, carving style and finish of some of the magnificent Northern Qi sculptures of the
Xiangtangshan Caves at Hecun near Fengfeng, Hebei province, which are closely related to the Northern Qi court,
although the carvings at that cave temple tend to be rough on most of the reverse and are often attached to the rock
face at least in one area.
Related but much larger figures of Bodhisattvas can be seen in the south cave of Northern Xiangtangshan, where
engraving activity is noted for the period 568-72, although figure carving there is believed to have started earlier.
Compare two Bodhisattva figures with similar garments and jewellery, in situ on the east and south walls of the cave,
see Echoes of the Past. The Buddhist Cave Temples of Xiangtangshan, David and Alfred Smart Museum of Art,
University of Chicago, Chicago, 2010, p. 37, fig. 18 right and 19 right, and p.192 fig. 6 right.
Similar jewellery and bejewelled crowns, and similar garment folds particularly around the feet, which are also
rendered in a similar style and resting on similarly shaped plinths, can again be seen on several massive, over life-
size figures from Southern Xiangtangshan: see, for example, ibid., pp. 202ff, cat. nos 19-23 and 30, for a Bodhisattva
figure from the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Richmond (crown), two Bodhisattvas in the University of Pennsylvania
Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, Philadelphia (feet, jewels and folds), another in the Freer Gallery of Art,
Washington, D.C. (feet and folds), a Pratyekabuddha from the Pennsylvania Museum (folds), as well as a Bodhisattva
head in the Freer Gallery with similar face and ornaments to the crown.
Compare also a fragmentary hand of Maitreya from the North Cave of Northern Xiangtangshan, in the Metropolitan
Museum of Art, New York, illustrated ibid., p. 123, fig. 20.
Stylistically similar are also a Bodhisattva figure and three heads tentatively attributed to these Caves, ibid., pp. 228ff.,
cat. nos 31 and 32, and pp. 251f., nos 89 – 91: the figure in the San Diego Museum of Art, with similar jewellery, the
heads in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Pennsylvania Museum, and the San Diego Museum, all with similarly
bejewelled crowns.
This carving style, which was patronized by the Northern Qi royal court is, however, not only seen at Xiangtangshan,
but appears to have been influential throughout this short dynasty and can also be seen on other figures such as, for
example, the large figure of a Bodhisattva in the Minneapolis Institute of Art, dated in accordance with AD 570,
illustrated in Osvald Sirén, Chinese Sculpture from the Fifth to the Fourteenth Century, London, 1925, pl. 273, which is
also comparable in its full round face; or a Sui dynasty (581-618) figure with a circular halo, from the collection of Miss
Belle da Costa Greene, New York, and now in the Cincinnati Art Museum, illustrated ibid., pl. 308; a Guanyin figure in
the Art Museum, Detroit, standing in a similar pose and similarly holding a bottle, dated to the first year of the Sui
dynasty, AD 581, ibid., pl. 305 A; and the representation of the feet, the highly stylized folds of the robe around them,
and the shape of the plinth can also be very similarly seen on two other bodhisattvas, ibid., pl. 331 A and B; or another
much larger Northern Qi figure from central Shanxi province and now preserved in the Shanxi Provincial Museum,
carved in much lower relief, published in Li Jingjie, Shi fo xuancui/Essence of Buddhistic Statues, Beijing, 1995,
pl.115, where free-standing Buddhist stone sculptures are discussed.
Compare also two figures of related size, a slightly smaller one with a similar pointed base to slot into a stand, sold a
Christie’s London, 11th November 2003, lot 12; and a somewhat larger sculpture offered at Christie’s New York, 20th
September 2005, lot 141.
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 148
A BRONZE FIGURE OF AN APSARAS
6TH CENTURY
from the halo of a Buddhist altarpiece, cast as a hand-drum player, dressed in long flowing
robes with trailing shawls billowing as she descends, the hair piled up to a knotted
chignon, wood stand
2.0
13cm., 5 1/8 in.
PROVENANCE
Collection of Frederick Meyer.
Christie's London, 24th/25th June 1974, lot 139.
Collection of Walter Hochstadter.
EXHIBITED
Small Sculpture Shang through Sung Dynasties, China House, New York, 1954, no. 47.
Mostra d’Arte Cinese, Palazzo Ducale, Venice, 1954, no. 263, pl. 13.
Art in Buddhism, Newark Museum, New Jersey, 1958, no. 14.
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 149
A GILT-BRONZE FIGURE OF GUANYIN
seated with her right hand resting on her raised right knee and left hand raised to her chest
in vitarkamudra, her elbows issuing uptala lotuses supporting a parrot on her left shoulder,
surmounted by an elaborate high crown inset with a figure of Amitabha Buddha seated
beneath a canopy, dressed in elaborate robes hemmed with floral and chevron borders, her
chest enhanced by beaded necklaces and pendent jewels
26.5cm, 10 7/16 in.
CATALOGUE NOTE
The popular bodhisattva has been depicted in one of his myriad Guanyin forms and seated in the posture of royal
ease. He is accompanied by the Kalavinka, a bird of Buddhist paradise whose song is described in the sutras as clear
and melodious and the most beautiful of all birds. Compare two figures of Guanyin accompanied by the Kalavinka and
cast in a similar style, but one with the deity seated in vajraparyankasana, and the other seated in rajalilasana
, published in The Chang Foundation, Buddhist Images in Gilt Metal, Taipei, 1993, cat. nos 32 and 33 respectively.
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 150
A DATED GILT-BRONZE FIGURE OF ZHENWU
TIANSHUN MARK AND PERIOD, DATED 1457
the Daoist deity cast seated with dressed in an armour decorated with dragons, his long
robes falling into voluminous folds around his arms and legs, the hands rested on his
knees with his right hand holding a sword, his austere face with pronounced features and a
beard, the long combed hair falling neatly behind his shoulders, the bottom interior bearing
an inscription dated to the first year of Tianshun (corresponding to 1457), wood stand
2.0
30.5cm., 12in.

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 151
A LARGE GILT AND LACQUERED BRONZE FIGURE OF THE SOVEREIGN OF
THE CLOUDS OF DAWN, BIXIA YUANJUN
LATE MING DYNASTY
cast seated with arms clasped to the front holding a hu tablet, her long robes and tunic top
falling into neat folds with a ruyi-shaped ornament around her chest, the face with a
benevolent expression, wearing an elaborate headdress crowned by three phoenixes, the
bronze covered in gilt with traces of red and green lacquer, wood stand
2.0
81.9cm., 32 1/4 in.

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 152
A GILT-BRONZE FIGURE OF A BODHISATTVA
MING DYNASTY
cast seated in dhyanasana, the left hand supporting a bowl and the right hand raised to the
chest in vitarkamudra, dressed in long robes hemmed with floral borders and open at the
chest to reveal beaded ornaments, the benign face with a gentle smile, downcast eyes,
curled eyebrows and beard, the hair falling into knotted tassels over the shoulders,
crowned by a circlet with a crest to the front, wood stand
2.0
49.2cm., 19 3/8 in.

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 153
A GILT-BRONZE FIGURE OF MAITREYA
TIBET, 14TH/15TH CENTURY
cast seated in dhyanasana on a double-lotus base, the right arm raised in varadamudra to
the chest and the left hand lowered in bhumisparsa, wearing a dhoti further embellished
with hardstone-inlaid beaded jewellery around the neck and uptala lotuses rising from the
left elbow, the benevolent face surmounted by a tiara around a high chignon
22.8cm., 9in.

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 154
A LARGE GILT AND LACQUERED WOOD BODHISATTVA
carved seated in dhyanasana on a double-lotus base, the left arm raised with both hands
held in vitarkamudra, wearing a shawl and dhoti opening to the front to reveal the bare
chest, the face with a benevolent expression surmounted by a circlet around the forehead
3.0
98.2cm., 38 5/8 in.
PROVENANCE
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 155
A GILT-BRONZE FIGURE OF AVALOKITESVARA
cast seated in dhyanasana on a double-lotus base, the principle arms clasped in
namaskaramudra before the chest with two attendant arms raised in vitarkamudra holding
a beaded necklace and foliate spray respectively, dressed in a dhoti further embellished
with ornate jewellery, the hair gathered in a high knotted chignon surmounted by Buddha
Amitabha, crowned with a five-leaf tiara, the base incised with a double vajra
16.5cm., 6 1/2 in.

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 156
PROPERTY OF A LADY
A GILT-BRONZE FIGURE OF AMITAYUS
seated in dhyanasana with the hands folded in dhyanamudra, wearing a dhoti tied over the
left shoulder and embellished with ornate beaded jewellery, the head crowned by a five-leaf
tiara, all supported on a tapering rectangular throne with drapery over the front and foliate
supports at the corners, the rectangular cinnabar lacquer stand carved with leafy floral
scrolls
2.0
18.1cm., 7 1/8 in.
PROVENANCE
A Danish Private Collection.
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 157
A GILT-LACQUERED BRONZE FIGURE OF SAMANTABHADRA
the figure cast seated side saddle on a recumbent elephant, wearing a robe engraved with
scrolling borders, open at the chest to reveal an elaborate beaded necklace
17.9cm., 7 1/16 in.
PROVENANCE
A Dutch Private Collection, acquired in the 1950s-80s.
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 158
A GILT-BRONZE FIGURE OF USHNISHAVIJAYA
the three-headed deity seated in dhyanasana on a double-lotus base, the eight arms held in
various mudras and supporting various attributes, dressed in a dhoti richly festooned with
elaborate jewellery, the hair piled up into a high chignon crowned with a tiara
17cm., 6 5/8 in.
PROVENANCE
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 159
QI BAISHI (1864-1957)
GOURDS WITH DRAGONFLY
ink and colour on paper, mounted as a hand scroll, signed QI HUANG BAISHI, and with a
seal of the artist
34.3 by 102cm., 13 1/2 by 40 1/8 in.
PROVENANCE
Sotheby's London, 17th December 1996, lot 246.
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 160
QI BAISHI (1864-1957)
PRUNUS BRANCHES
ink on paper, mounted as a hand scroll, inscribed with a dedication and signed BAISHI
WENG, and with two seals of the artist
33 by 134cm., 13 by 52 3/4 in.
PROVENANCE
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 161
ZHANG DAQIAN (1899-1983)
BIRD AND PLANTAIN, DATED 1959
signed DAQIAN ZHANG YUAN, dedicated to Yao Sing and with two seals of the artist, ink
and colour on cardboard, framed
34.2 by 48cm., 13 1/2 by 18 7/8 in.

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 162
ZHANG DAQIAN (1899-1983)
FIGURE BENEATH A PINE TREE, DATED 1935
ink and colour on paper, signed ZHANG YUAN, inscribed with a dedication dated yihai year
(corresponding to 1935) and with two seals of the artist
38 by 92cm., 15 by 36 1/4 in.
PROVENANCE
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 163
LIN FENGMIAN (1900-1991)
LADY WITH FAN
ink and colour on paper, signed LIN FENGMIAN, and with one seal of the artist
37 by 32cm., 14 1/2 by 12 5/8 in.
PROVENANCE
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 164
PROPERTY FROM AN ENGLISH PRIVATE COLLECTION
LIN FENGMIAN (1900-1991)
RIVER LANDSCAPE
ink and colour on paper, signed LIN FENGMIAN, and with one seal of the artist
66 by 66.5cm., 26 by 26 1/4 in.
PROVENANCE
Acquired directly from the artist in Shanghai, 1965.
An English Private Collection and thence by descent.
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 165
PROPERTY OF A LADY
A WUCAI ‘DRAGON AND PHOENIX’ BOWL
the rounded sides rising from a straight foot to a gently flaring rim, painted to the exterior
with a green and a red dragon striding in pursuit of flaming pearls, divided by a pair of
swooping phoenix, all below a band of bajixiang interspersed with ruyi emblems, the
interior with a central medallion enclosing a dragon and a flaming pearl, the base with a
six-character mark within a double-circle
13cm., 5 1/8 in.

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 166
PROPERTY OF A LADY
A FINE BLUE AND WHITE ‘DRAGON’ CUP
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
9.2cm., 3 5/8 in.
PROVENANCE
Sotheby’s London, 18th November 1998, lot 868.
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 167
PROPERTY OF A LADY
A FINE AND RARE CORAL-GROUND FAMILLE-VERTE BOWL
KANGXI YUZHI MARK AND PERIOD
finely potted with rounded sides rising from a short foot to a gently flaring rim, the exterior
richly and freely decorated with flowering blooms, including peony, lily, camellia, and
crabapple, the luscious blooms picked out in shaded tones of blue, pale-yellow, lime-green
and lavender, and encompassed by slender stems with a myriad of feathery leaves in two
shades of green interspersed with tight and opening buds, all reserved against a rich coral-
red ground, the interior and base glazed white, inscribed to the base with a four-character
mark in underglaze-blue within a double-square
11cm., 4 3/8 in.
ESTIMATE 150,000-200,000 GBP
PROVENANCE
Christie’s London, 8th June 1987, lot 86.
EXHIBITED
Kostbare Chinesische Keramik, Museum für Ostasiatische Kunst, Köln, 1965, cat. no. 143.
CATALOGUE NOTE
The present bowl belongs to a small but well-known group of vessels that closely follow the design painted in the
characteristic wucai palette of the Kangxi period, known in the West as the famille-verte. Although they bear a Kangxi
yu zhi mark, which suggests a close relationship to the imperial court, they were decorated and enamelled at the
imperial kilns at Jingdezhen in Jiangxi province. Reign marks in overglaze blue or pink enamel with the wording yu zhi
(made for imperial use of …) following the reign name, rather than nian zhi (made in the year of …) are extremely
rare and were enamelled in the imperial workshops, located in the Forbidden City in Beijing.
The design seen on this bowl continued to be popular throughout the Qing dynasty, and similar bowls are known with
Yongzheng, Qianlong and Daoguang reign marks. Another bowl of this shape and Kangxi yu zhi mark, in the
Shanghai Museum, is published in Wang Qingzheng (ed.), Kangxi Porcelain Wares from the Shanghai Museum
Collection, Hong Kong, 1998, pl. 95; one in the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco is illustrated in He Li, Chinese
Ceramics. A New Standard Guide, London, 1996, pl. 653; a pair from the collection of Edward T. Chow and now in the
S.C. Ko Tianminlou collection was included in the exhibition Chinese Porcelain. The S.C. Ko Tianminlou Collection,
Hong Kong Museum of Art, Hong Kong, 1987, cat. no. 89, and sold in these rooms, 25th November 1980, lot 143; and
a pair of closely related bowls, from the collections of Wah Kwong, T.Y. Chao and Meiyintang, was sold in our Hong
Kong rooms, 7th April 2011, lot 4.
Similar bowls with Yongzheng yu zhi , Yongzheng nian zhi , as well as six-character Yongzheng and Qianlong reign
marks are illustrated in The Tsui Museum of Art, Chinese Ceramics IV: Qing Dynasty, Hong Kong, 1995, pls. 158-60
and 166, together with an unusual example of a Kangxi yu zhi mark in pink enamel, pl. 123. A Daoguang example is
published together with another Yongzheng yu zhi piece in Soame Jenyns, Later Chinese Porcelain. The Ch’ing
Dynasty (1644-1911), London, 1951, pl. XLV
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 168
PROPERTY OF A LADY
A BLUE-BACKED INCISED ‘DRAGON’ DISH
YONGZHENG MARK AND PERIOD
the shallow rounded sides rising from a tapered foot, the interior finely incised with a
central medallion enclosing a dragon writhing amongst clouds in pursuit of a flaming pearl,
the exterior covered in a rich blue glaze, inscribed to the base with a six-character mark
within a double-circle
19cm., 7 1/2 in.
PROVENANCE
Sotheby’s Hong Kong, 17th/18th May 1988, lot 226.
Sotheby’s London, 7th June 2000, lot 124.
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 169
PROPERTY OF A LADY
A RARE GILDED DISH
the shallow rounded sides rising from a short foot, covered overall in a bright layer of gilt,
the white base inscribed with a six-character mark in three vertical columns within a
double-circle
18.8cm., 7 3/8 in.
PROVENANCE
Bluett & Sons, London.
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 170
PROPERTY OF A LADY
A FINE DOUCAI BOWL
the deep rounded sides resting on a straight foot, painted to the exterior with five
underglaze-blue shou characters formed from stylised foliate scrolls, all framed by further
foliate scrolls with iron-red bats, the base with a six-character mark within a double-circle
13cm., 5 1/8 in.
PROVENANCE
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 171
PROPERTY OF A LADY
A FINE AND RARE IRON-RED ‘PHOENIX’ WATERPOT
of beehive form, the tall hemispherical sides rising to a short waisted neck, painted to the
exterior with two archaistic phoenix between stylised keyfret bands, the base inscribed
with a six-character mark within a double-circle
6cm., 2 3/8 in.
PROVENANCE
Sotheby’s London, 16th June 1998, lot 260 (part lot).
CATALOGUE NOTE
Waterpots of this form and decoration, bearing a Yongzheng reign mark on the base and of the period, are rare,
although a similar example, from the collection of Edward T. Chow, was sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 25th November
1980, lot 127; and a pair was sold in these rooms, 31st October 1974, lot 291.
See a pair of Yongzheng dishes similarly enamelled with dragons in iron-red, included in the exhibition Splendour of
the Qing Dynasty, Hong Kong Museum of Art, Hong Kong, 1992, cat. no. 168.
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 172
PROPERTY OF A LADY
A YELLOW-GROUND UNDERGLAZE-BLUE HANDLED CUP
the rounded sides rising from a short foot to a lobed rim, flanked by a pair of butterfly
handles, the interior painted with a central floral medallion radiating with two rows of petal
lappets each variously enclosing a lingzhi or floral spray, the exterior similarly decorated,
all reserved on a bight lemon-yellow ground, the white base with a six-character mark
12.3cm., 4 7/8 in.
PROVENANCE
CATALOGUE NOTE
This charming cup is inspired by blue-and-white cups produced in the early Ming period and is notable for the yellow
ground which adds a sense of contemporaneity to the piece. A closely related cup was sold at Christie’s Hong Kong,
30th November 2011, lot 2939; one of slightly smaller dimensions was sold in these rooms, 10th June 1997, lot 100;
and two much smaller examples were sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 27th April 1993, lot 240, and the other, 29th April
1997, lot 703. Compare a blue and white version, also with a Yongzheng reign mark and of the period, is illustrated in
Mayuyama. Seventy Years, vol. I, Tokyo, 1976, pl. 1063.
For a Xuande mark and period prototype, see one included in the exhibition Imperial Porcelain of the Yongle and
Xuande Periods Excavated from the Site of the Ming Imperial Factory at Jingdezhen, Hong Kong Museum of Art,
Hong Kong, 1989, cat. no. 47.
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 173
PROPERTY OF A LADY
A RARE GUAN-TYPE ALTAR VESSEL, FU
YONGZHENG SEAL MARK AND PERIOD
of rectangular section, the wide flaring sides rising from a spreading foot cut with an
arched aperture in the centre of each side, set on one side with a loop handle issuing from
animal mask, covered overall in a crackled greyish-blue glaze, the base inscribed with a
six-character seal mark
16.8cm., 6 5/8 in.
PROVENANCE
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 174
PROPERTY OF A LADY
A WUCAI ‘DRAGON AND PHOENIX’ DISH
the shallow rounded sides rising from a tapered foot to a gilt everted rim, painted to the
interior with a central medallion enclosing a ferocious green dragon writhing amongst
clouds to reach a flaming pearl, the rim encircled by underglaze-blue dragons chasing
pearls, similarly decorated to the exterior with phoenixes in flight amongst clouds,
inscribed to the base with a six-character mark in three vertical columns within a double-
circle
20.2cm., 8in.
PROVENANCE
Sotheby's Hong Kong, 30th April 1991, lot 101.
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 175
PROPERTY OF A LADY
A RARE CLAIR-DE-LUNE GLAZED JARDINIÈRE
of rectangular form with canted corners, the flared sides rising to an everted rim and
supported on four ruyi feet joined by a scrolled apron, covered overall in a pale lavender-
blue glaze, the flat base inscribed with a six-character seal mark between two circular
apertures
13.3cm., 5 1/4 in.
PROVENANCE
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 176
PROPERTY OF A LADY
A FINE AND RARE UNDERGLAZE-BLUE POLYCHROME ENAMEL 'PHOENIX'
VASE, FANGHU
of rectangular section, the pear-shaped body rising from a spreading foot to a waisted
neck, flanked by a pair of elephant handles suspending fixed rings, intricately enamelled to
the front and back face with a pair of phoenix descending in flight, grasping in their beaks
leafy meandering stems bearing large peony blooms, the sides similarly decorated with
further scrolling peonies, all between stylised ruyi lappets, the foot skirted with a pendent
stiff leaf band, inscribed to the base with a six-character seal mark
15.4cm., 6 1/8 in.
PROVENANCE
Christie’s London, 16th June 1986, lot 52.
EXHIBITED
National Museum of History, Taipei.
CATALOGUE NOTE
It is rare to find vases of this form and decoration, although a closely related example, possibly the pair to the present
piece, from the collection of Sir Frederick C. Bruce and now in the City Art Gallery, Bristol, was exhibited at the
Bethnal Green Museum between 1913-1923, at Dartington Hall in 1949, and was included in the Oriental Ceramic
Society exhibition Enamelled Polychrome Porcelain of the Manchu Dynasty, London, 1951, cat. no. 215. The Bruce
vase is also illustrated in Soame Jenyns, Later Chinese Porcelain, London, 1951, pl. LXXXVI, fig. 2a, and was sold in
these rooms, 12th May 1953, lot 129. Jenyns, ibid., pl. LXXXVI, fig. 2b, illustrates another Qianlong mark and period
vase of the this form and phoenix motif but painted in underglaze blue and copper-red enamels. Compare a third
closely related piece, but of slightly different proportions, sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 16thMay 1977, lot 208.
Qianlong vases of this type are better known from copper-red decorated examples; see one illustrated in The
Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum: Blue and White Porcelain with Underglazed Red (III),
Shanghai, 2000, pl. 176; another sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 29th November 1978, lot 281; and one sold in these
rooms, 12th June 2003, lot 183.
The decoration of a pair of flying phoenix confronting a flaming pearl above a peony bloom may be found on Qianlong
mark and period wares of different shape; for example, see a moonflask from the Matsuoka Art Museum, Tokyo,
illustrated in Sekai toji zenshu, vol. 15, Tokyo, 1983, pls. 92-3. Hu form vases of this type were also decorated with
dragons as seen on the vase sold at Christie’s Hong Kong, 30th April 2000, lot 600, painted in puce and underglaze-
blue enamels.
Porcelain vases of this type may have been inspired by contemporary jade examples; see a finely carved white jade
vase of this shape and same design of two phoenixes and flowers, attributed to the Qianlong period and from the
collection of the National Palace Museum, Taipei, included in the exhibition The Refined Taste of the Emperor:
Special Exhibition of Archaic and Pictorial Jades of the Ch'ing Court, National Palace Museum, Taipei, 1996, cat. no.
25.
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 177
PROPERTY OF A LADY
A YELLOW-GROUND GREEN-ENAMELLED ‘DRAGON’ SAUCER
the shallow rounded sides rising from a short foot to a lobed rim, painted to the interior
with a central medallion enclosing a green dragon coiling around a flaming pearl amongst
floral scrolls, encircled at the cavetto by two further dragons pacing amongst floral scrolls
in pursuit of pearls, similarly decorated to the exterior, all reserved on an egg-yolk yellow
ground, the white base inscribed with a six-character seal mark
13.3cm., 5 1/4 in.
PROVENANCE
Sotheby’s London, 20th June 2001, lot 37 (part lot).
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 178
PROPERTY OF A LADY
A SMALL YELLOW-GROUND AUBERGINE AND GREEN-ENAMELLED
‘DRAGON’ DISH
DAOGUANG SEAL MARK AND PERIOD
the shallow rounded sides resting on a short foot, the interior with a central medallion
enclosing an aubergine and a green dragon contesting a flaming pearl, encircled in the well
by leafy floral and fruiting sprays, the exterior similarly decorated with chilong and lingzhi,
all reserved on an egg-yolk yellow ground, the base with a six-character seal mark in
aubergine
10.7cm., 4 1/4 in.
EXHIBITED
Qing Mark and Period Monochromes and Enamelled Wares, Marchant, London, 1981, cat. no. 29.
CATALOGUE NOTE
.
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 179
PROPERTY OF A LADY
A PAIR OF FAMILLE-ROSE ‘DRAGON AND PHOENIX’ BOWLS
JIAQING SEAL MARKS AND PERIOD
each with rounded sides rising from a straight foot to a gently flaring rim, the exterior
painted with a dragon and phoenix in flight amongst clouds chasing a flaming pearl, the
interior with a gnarled leafy branch of fruiting peaches, inscribed with a six-character seal
mark
2.0
14.7cm., 5 3/4 in.
PROVENANCE
Christie’s London, 19th April 1983, lot 373.
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 180
PROPERTY OF A LADY
AN IRON-RED ‘DRAGON’ DISH
the rounded sides rising from a short foot to a flared rim, painted to the interior in rich iron-
red with a dragon writhing amongst flames in pursuit of a pearl, the exterior similarly
decorated with two pacing dragons chasing flaming pearls against a ground of incised
waves, the base with a six-character seal mark
18.1cm., 7 1/8 in.

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 181
PROPERTY OF A LADY
A RARE SILVER LOG RAFT GROUP
intricately cast with Magu holding a lotus pod, padding a raft with a smiling boy and a deer,
all flanked by a gnarled pine tree behind tied with a double-gourd bottle at the bark, wood
stand
2.0
17.7cm., 7in.
PROVENANCE
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 182
PROPERTY OF A LADY
A RARE MUGHAL PALE CELADON JADE POURING VESSEL
INDIA, 18TH CENTURY
the compressed globular body surmounted by a ribbed neck, set with a pair of floral
handles and a long facetted spout, the exterior carved in shallow relief with detached floral
sprays above a lappet band, all below overhanging floral motifs at the shoulder, the base
carved with a floral medallion with curled petals, the polished stone of a pale celadon tone
16.5cm., 6 1/2 in.
PROVENANCE
Christie’s New York, 28th March 1996, lot 41.
A Californian Private Collection.
CATALOGUE NOTE
The thin translucent body and relief floral desgin of the present vessel suggests that it is a product Hindustan jade
carvers working in Mughal India. Hindustan jades were introduced into China during the middle of the reign of the
Qianlong emperor and throughout the rest of his reign large numbers of jades from the Muslim regions were send as
tribute to the Qing court. The emperor's appreciation for them saw Muslim carvers enter the Palace Workshops to
fashion similar wares and by 1764 exact copies of the Indian Jades held at the Palace were reproduced by Chinese
craftsmen working at the court.
A number of related Mughal vessels in the collection of the National Palace Museum, Taipei, were included in the
exhibition Exquisite Beauty. Islamic Jades, National Palace Museum, Taipei, 2007, cat. nos 96-99.
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 183
PROPERTY OF A LADY
A PALE CELADON JADE VASE AND COVER
the flattened pear-shaped body rising from a spreading foot to a waisted neck, flanked by a
pair of phoenix handles, carved in low relief to one side with leafy carnation branches and
lingzhi issuing from rockwork, the other side with gnarled prunus and Rhodea japonica, all
below cicada lappets around the neck, the rim encircled with a keyfret band, the stepped
cover carved with ruyi scrolls and surmounted by a reticulated dragon knop, the stone of
an even pale celadon tone
2.0
23cm., 9in.
PROVENANCE
Collection of Major J.E. de Sales la Terriere.
Sotheby’s London, 3rd November 1953, lot 160.
Collection of Mrs. Ian Beattie.
Sotheby’s London, 21st November 1961, lot 153.
Collection of P.D. Krolik.
Sotheby’s London, 24th February 1970, lot 138.
EXHIBITED
Exhibition of the Arts of the Ch’ing Dynasty, Arts Council Gallery, London, 1964, cat. no. 391.
LITERATURE
J.P. Palmer, Jade, West Sussex, 1968, pl. 29.
CATALOGUE NOTE
The present vase is a good example of the Qianlong emperor’s taste for jade pieces to be modelled after archaic
bronzes and court paintings. In response, craftsmen sought to demonstrate their proficiency in the medium by
capturing a level of naturalism in the stone which was equal to that achieved by painted with ink and brush on paper.
The prunus branch and Rhodea japonica adorning one side of this vase and the carnation with lingzhi fungus on the
other both resemble flower paintings from the Song period and successfully capture the different textures of the flora.
This vase was probably presented on the occasion of a wedding as the combination of these auspicious plants
conveys the wish for ten thousand years of happiness in the new season of marriage.
Compare a vase similarly carved with a painting-inspired scene of quails on a riverbank in the Victoria and Albert
Museum, London, illustrated in Ming Wilson, Chinese Jades, London, 2004, pl. 50; another depicting Shoulao in a
landscape, from the collection of Dr John N. Loomis, sold in our New York rooms, 28th/29th November 1994, lot 26;
and a slightly later vase decorated with prunus branches sold at Christie’s New York, 23rd March 2012, lot 1919.
Fig. 1
THE KROLIK COLLECTION OF CHINESE JADES, CIRCA 1965,

IMAGE COURTESY OF THE BLUETT'S ARCHIVE.
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 184
A WHITE AND RUSSET JADE 'BADGERS' GROUP
carved in the form of two nuzzling badgers with a leafy sprig of lingzhi between them, the
stone of an even white tone with russet-stained patches on the faces
5.7cm., 2 1/4 in.

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 185
A WHITE JADE ‘SANDUO’ GROUP
naturalistically carved in the form of a finger citron, a pomegranate with bursting seeds,
and a peach with a bat, all borne on a gnarled leafy stem, the stone of an opaque white tone
with dark grey veining
8cm., 3 1/8 in.

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 186
A BLACK AND WHITE JADE 'QUAIL AND MILLET' GROUP
17TH CENTURY
carved as two nestling quails clutching a millet spray in their beaks, detailed with plumage
and clawed feet, the stone of an even white tone mottled with grey-black inclusions
6.3cm., 2 1/2 in.

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 187
A FINE PALE CELADON JADE ARCHAISTIC DUCK
the bird paddling on tumultuous waves, its head turned sharply over its back clutching a
lotus sprig in its beak, the wings and tail feathers neatly tucked into the body and finely
incised with keyfret bands, the stone of pale celadon tone with russet inclusions to the
base and side
11cm., 4 3/8 in.

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 188
A WHITE AND RUSSET JADE ‘LOTUS’ GROUP
carved in the form of a lotus pod with a lotus blossom and curled lotus leaf beside, the
stone of an opaque white tone with traces of russet skin and veins
6cm., 2 3/8 in.

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 189
A PALE CELADON JADE BUDDHIST LION
QING DYNASTY
carved recumbent around a beribboned brocade ball, its head turned backwards with its
mouth clutching one end of the ribbon, the bushy eyebrows and mane defined in tight
curls, the polished stone of a translucent pale celadon tone
5.4cm., 2 1/8 in.

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 190
PROPERTY OF AN ENGLISH LADY
A FINE WHITE JADE MARRIAGE BOWL
the deep rounded sides supported on a shallow foot carved as a large floral medallion with
furled petals, the ringed handles formed from two bats with wings outstretched above
lingzhi sprigs decorated with shou medallions at the heads, carved in low relief to the
interior with two catfish encircling a wan symbol, the exterior with stylised taotie masks
below a foliate band at the rim, the stone of an even white tone with a pale celadon
inclusion near the base
21.5cm., 8 1/2 in.
CATALOGUE NOTE
Marriage bowls of this type typically bear symbols relating to marital bliss and blessing. The pair of catfish on this
piece represents the wish, ‘May you have plenty year after year’ (niannian youyu) while the two bats, shou medallion
and ruyi head of the handles signify the wish for blessings, longevity and fulfilment of all wishes (fushou ruyi). The twin
catfish motif was popular throughout the Qing dynasty and was depicted with a combination of similarly auspicious
motifs; see a marriage bowl carved with a pair of fish amongst fruiting peach branches and xi characters on the
handles, sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 30th October 1991, lot 423, and again in our New York rooms, 20th March
2002, lot 142; another decorated with the twin fish amongst lingzhi branches, sold in these rooms, 11th May 1954, lot
148; and a third bowl depicting two catfish swimming around a chrysanthemum bloom and lingzhi fungus, sold at
Christie’s Hong Kong, 27th May 2009, lot 1839.
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 191
A YELLOW AND RUSSET JADE ‘RAM’ GROUP
carved recumbent with its head turned behind to look at its young beside, the stone of an
attractive greenish yellow tone suffused with russet-brown inclusions
5.2cm., 2 1/4 in.
PROVENANCE
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 192
A ‘CHICKEN BONE’ JADE 'MANDARIN DUCK' GROUP
carved swimming side by side on swirling ripples, the smaller bird with its heard turned
sharply towards the larger bird at the rear, each clutching in its beak curved stems of lotus
leaf and flowering lotus blooms, detailed with plumage, the greyish-white stone suffused
with black inclusions
10cm., 3 7/8 in.

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 193
A PALE CELADON JADE ‘LION AND CUB’ GROUP
carved recumbent with its young beside, each depicted with rounded eyes, flaring nostrils,
a squared jaw and floppy ears, the stone of a pale celadon tone
5.7cm., 2 1/4 in.

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 194
A CELADON JADE ‘OX’ ZODIAC FIGURE
seated with legs crossed, its right arm raised holding a flywhisk, dressed in loose fitting
robes falling into voluminous folds, the stone of an even pale celadon tone
4.2cm., 1 5/8 in.
PROVENANCE
English Private Collection.
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 195
A CELADON JADE ‘RAT’ ZODIAC FIGURE
seated with its left leg raised, the right hand holding a scroll to its chest, dressed in loose
fitting robes falling into voluminous folds, the stone of an even pale celadon tone
3.8cm., 1 1/2 in.
PROVENANCE
Collection of a Lady of Title.
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 196
A CELADON JADE ‘DOG’ ZODIAC FIGURE
seated with its left leg raised, the left arm extended forward and its right hand holding a
staff to its chest, dressed in loose fitting robes, the stone of an even pale celadon tone
4.5cm., 1 3/4 in.
PROVENANCE
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 197
A PALE GREEN AND RUSSET JADE MOUNTAIN
the boulder carved to once face with figures on a boat journeying along a river framed by
jagged rocks and gnarled pine, the reverse with scholars and attendants in a landscape,
the stone of a pale green tone suffused with russet-brown inclusions, wood stand
2.0
15.3cm., 6in.

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 198
A WHITE JADE ‘BOY AND ELEPHANT’ GROUP
the animal carved standing foursquare, its head turned back and its trunk curled between
its tusks, caparisoned with a long tasselled saddle rug woven with clouds and a crane, the
back surmounted by two boys holding a brush crouching over a basin with water gushing
down the side, another small boy attending at the front carrying a vase with a halberd and a
qing, the stone of a translucent white tone with russet-brown veining
15.5cm., 6 1/8 in.
PROVENANCE
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 199
AN IMPERIAL EDICT
QING DYNASTY, DAOGUANG PERIOD, DATED 1828
ink and colour on a woven silk brocade decorated with ruyi-cloud patterns, inscribed in
Chinese and Manchu, dated to the eighth year of Daoguang period (corresponding to 1828),
accompanied by imperial seals, mounted as a handscroll
314.2 by 31.7cm., 123 3/4 by 12 1/2 in.

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 200
A MOTHER-OF-PEARL-INLAID LACQUER TABLE
17TH CENTURY
of rectangular form supported on four scrolled cabriole legs, the top decorated with
immortals and ladies with attendants amongst pavilions in a garden by the banks with pine
trees and flying cranes, the sides with floral scrolls and diaper bands, Japanese wood box
2.0
30.5 by 55.5 by 16.2cm., 12 by 21 7/8 by 6 3/8 in.
PROVENANCE
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 201
A BAMBOO FIVE-PEAK BRUSH REST
modelled in the form of a mountain with five peaks, the bamboo patinated to a golden
brown tone, one side naturalistically decorated with concentric rows of uneven knots
12cm., 4 3/4 in.

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 202
A FINE AGATE ‘LOTUS’ WATERPOT
naturalistically carved in the form of a hollowed lotus pod and a smaller attendant pod with
dragonflies resting atop, supported on curved leafy stems issuing millet sprays, arrowhead
and three water chestnuts, an egret crouching beside eating a fish, the translucent
variegated stone of warm beige colour attractively suffused with dark brown, milky-white
and emerald-green inclusions, wood stand
2.0
8cm., 3 1/8 in.
CATALOGUE NOTE
Ingeniously envisaged and exquisitely carved, this charming waterpot reveals the skill of the craftsman particularly in
his incorporation of the coloured layers of the stone to fashion its different components. It is likely to belong to a group
of items produced for the imperial court under the reign of the Qianlong emperor who introduced a taste for curios and
miniature artifacts. An array of objects, including vessels, scholar’s items, sculpture and books, were made in various
media and precious materials. While large objects immediately attract attention for their impressive size, the beauty of
miniature pieces lies in the extraordinary level of craftsmanship and detail achieved by the artist who has applied his
masterly skills onto a small surface.
Smaller objects in the imperial collections, such as the present piece, were managed and housed in treasure boxes (
duobaoge). The contents of these treasure boxes usually cover the entire range of the imperial collections, from jades
and bronzes of all ages to decorative arts and exotica from foreign countries. Thus the treasure box is a microcosm of
the emperor’s collection: reducing the vast imperial collection to a manageable size and format. See two treasure
boxes filled with miniature treasures included in the exhibition Possessing the Past. Treasures from the National
Palace Museum, Taipei, National Palace Museum, Taipei, 1996, cat. nos 352 and 353.
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 203
A SET OF FOUR CHENXIANG MU LIBATION CUPS
one cup carved in the form of a conical shell, the exterior decorated in relief with a shrimp
swimming amongst water plants and lotus leaf, the others of irregular conical form, one
carved with the Three Friends of Winter issuing from rockwork and the two others similarly
decorated with trees in a rocky landscape with distant pavilions, the wood of a rich deep
brown dolour, original wood case with glass cover
6.0
The largest: 7cm., 2 3/4 in.
PROVENANCE
An American Private Collection.
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 204
A CARVED ‘SCHOLARS’ BAMBOO BRUSHPOT, BITONG
17TH CENTURY, SIGNED SANSONG
of cylindrical form, carved and pierced with groups of scholars engaged in various literati
pursuits including chess, calligraphy and painting appreciation, all set in a landscape with
the Three Friends of Winter, signed Sansong (also known as Zhu Zhizheng), the rim and
base bound with wood
14cm., 5 1/2 in.
CATALOGUE NOTE
Zhu Zhizheng, a native of Jiading in Jiangsu province, was the second son of the famous Ming dynasty bamboo
carver Zhu Ying. He was active during the reign of the Tainqi and Chongzhen emperors of the 17th century. It is said
that he carved mainly for his own pleasure, often taking his time, and was especially fond of landscapes. For further
information on Zhu see Ip Yee and Laurence C.S. Tam, Chinese Bamboo Carving, part II, Hong Kong, 1982, pp. 61-2.
An example of Zhu's work, a bamboo brushpot similarly carved and pierced with three scholars enjoying each other's
company in a landscape setting, and signed 'San Song', from the collection of the Hong Kong Museum of Art, Hong
Kong, is published ibid., part I, pl. 37.
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 205
A SILVER-INLAID ZITAN-MOUNTED CARVED CINNABAR LACQUER
BRUSHPOT, BITONG
the exterior deftly carved in undercut relief with scholars engaged in various literati
pursuits within a landscape, one seated in front of a pavilion playing the qin to two other
scholars, another figure holding a staff journeying towards two literati conversing on a
bridge, an attendant holding a pile of books in the distance, the rim and base mounted in
zitan wood inlaid with silver wires
15.2cm., 6in.
PROVENANCE
Spink & Son, London.
CATALOGUE NOTE
The present brushpot belongs to a small group of carved cinnabar lacquer brushpots of related subject and form.
Compare a brushpot of similar size, bearing a Jiaqing four-character mark and carved with the famous scene of
'Carrying a Qing and Visiting a Friend' in the Palace Museum, Beijing, illustrated in Zhongguo qiqi quanji, vol. 6,
Fuzhou, 1993, pl. 382; and an unmarked example depicting the 'Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove' sold in our Hong
Kong rooms, 8th October 2006, lot 105. See also a brushpot attributed to the Qianlong period carved with the scene
of Wang Xizhi exchanging his calligraphy for geese in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, included in the exhibition
Emperor Ch'ien-lung's Grand Cultural Enterprise, Taipei, 2002, cat.no. I-44.
Compare also a larger example carved with scholars gathered in a garden illustrated in James C.Y. Watt and Barbara
Brennan Ford, East Asian Lacquer. The Florence Herbert Irving Collection, New York, 1991, cat.no. 44.
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 206
A CINNABAR LACQUER ‘PHEASANT AND PEONY’ DISH
the shallow flaring sides rising from a flat base, the interior carved with a pheasant perched
on leafy peony branches issuing from pierced rocks, the exterior with meandering scrolling
lotus, all reserved on a diaper ground, the base lacquered black, Japanese wood box and
cover
2.0
13.4cm., 5 1/4 in.
PROVENANCE
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 207
A RARE LARGE DATED CAST IRON TEMPLE BELL
QING DYNASTY, GUANGXU PERIOD, DATED 1891
of domed form with everted rolled rim, surmounted by a ferocious double-headed dragon
loop handle, cast in low relief around the exterior with ferocious scaly dragon and
inscribed Fengtiao yushun. Guotai minan (Seasonable weather. A prosperous and peaceful
kingdom) and Bianen xinshi He Dunyi Tang jingfeng. Guangxu shiqi nian mengxia jidan
(Respectfully presented by the faithful followers from the Hall of Honesty and
Righteousness of the He family from Bianen on an auspicious day on the fourth month in
the 17th year of Guangxu, corresponding to 1891)
62cm., 24 3/8 in.

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 208
A PARCEL-GILT BRONZE ‘STAG AND LINGZHI’ CENSER AND COVER
YUAN/EARLY MING DYNASTY
cast recumbent with its right foreleg extended forward, the head slightly turned to its left
and detailed with pronounced features including pointy ears, long antlers and a narrow jaw,
the back covered with a saddle rug decorated with foliate scrolls on a diaper ground, the
reticulated cover surmounted by a bundle of lingzhi fungus
2.0
21.8cm., 8 1/2 in.

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 209
A CINNABAR LACQUER BOX AND COVER
of circular form, the flat cover deftly carved with farmers and buffalos at work in the fields
in a landscape with cottages and trees, all encircled by a keyfret band, the sides of the box
and the cover decorated with a honeycomb diaper ground each enclosing a floret, the
interior and base lacquered black, carved and gilt to the inside of the cover with a four-
character inscription reading Quangeng baohe (Treasured box of diligent agriculture)
2.0
18.3cm., 7 1/4 in.
CATALOGUE NOTE
The present box belongs to a small group of Imperial Qianlong boxes with a four-character inscription describing the
subject of the decoration. Compare a box carved with the motif 'Releasing the Cranes' illustrated in Carving the Subtle
Radiance of Colors, National Palace Museum, Taipei, 2008, cat. no. 117 and a circular box with the motif 'Playing the
Qin' offered in our Hong Kong rooms on 8th October 2010, lot 2581.
The scene appears to be based on paintings of ploughing and weaving such as Jiao Bingzhen's Gengzhi tu dated to
the Kangxi Period.
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 210
A CINNABAR LACQUER ‘FLORAL’ CUPSTAND
the hollow bowl with rounded sides collared with a wide six-lobed dish with slightly curved
sides, all supported on a hollow spreading foot, carved through the layers of red lacquer on
the exterior with organically arranged leafy floral blooms including chrysanthemum, peony,
camellia and prunus, the interior of the bowl and foot lacquered in black
16.2cm., 6 3/8 in.
PROVENANCE
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 211
A PAIR OF BRONZE ‘OFFICIAL AND DEER’ CENSERS AND COVERS
17TH CENTURY
each cover cast in the form of an official with one arm raised supporting a child, all riding
on a deer caparisoned with a saddled rug engraved with lotus scrolls, its neck tacked up
with a halter and a chained rein
4.0
34cm., 13 3/8 in.

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 212
AN IMPERIAL HUANGHUALI BOX AND COVER
of rectangular form, the top of the cover carved in shallow relief with the beribboned
bajixiang interspersed with leafy lotus blooms, all surrounding a rectangular panel bearing
an inscription reading Yuzhi Bishu Shanzhuang Baiyun (Imperially made for the Summer
Palace: One Hundred Rhyme), the sides and base undecorated
2.0
27.3cm., 10 3/4 in.
PROVENANCE
Christie’s Hong Kong, 29th April 2002, lot 517A.
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 213
A PAIR OF RED LACQUER ‘CHRYSANTHEMUM’ BOXES AND COVERS
each with a domed cover delicately moulded in the form of a four-layered chrysanthemum
flower with fifty-six petals forming a lobed rim, the rounded sides and spreading foot
similarly decorated, covered overall in bright red lacquer, the base lacquered black
4.0
26cm., 10 1/4 in.

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 214
A BLUE AND WHITE ‘THREE FRIENDS’ DISH
TONGZHI MARK AND PERIOD
the rounded sides rising from a slightly tapered foot to a flared rim, the interior with a
medallion enclosing the Three Friends of Winter encircled at the rim by a double line, the
exterior depicted with a seated lady and two playing children in a garden complex, the base
inscribed with a six-character reign mark
17.2cm., 6 3/4 in.

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 215
A BLUE AND WHITE ‘OFFERING’ DISH
the shallow rounded sides rising from a straight foot, the interior painted with a central
medallion enclosing a butterfly in flight amongst chrysanthemum and bamboo issuing from
rocks, the base with a six-character mark within a double-circle
15.7cm., 6 1/4 in.
PROVENANCE
A West Coast Private Collection.
Christie’s London, 26th March 2010, lot 1360.
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 216
PROPERTY OF A LADY
A BLUE AND WHITE ‘SANDUO’ JAR
the compressed globular body surmounted by a waisted neck, painted to the exterior with
the sanduo (Three Abundances) borne on detached leafy branches, all between upright
lappets at the foot and bands of swirls at the shoulder
22.8cm., 9in.
PROVENANCE
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 217
A PAIR OF BLUE AND WHITE 'THREE FRIENDS OF WINTER' DISHES
each with rounded sides rising from a short tapering foot, the interior painted in rich
cobalt-blue tones with a medallion enclosing a rectangular jardiniere issuing pine, bamboo
and prunus, the exterior with pine, bamboo and prunus sprays, the base with apocryphal
Chenghua six-character mark
2.0
20cm., 7 7/8 in.

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 218
A BLUE AND WHITE ‘FLORAL’ DISH
sturdily potted with rounded sides rising from a tapered foot to a lipped rim, the central
medallion enclosing a meandering composite floral scroll repeated at the well, all divided
by a band of swirls, the rim encircled by a keyfret band, similarly decorated to the exterior
with a composite floral scroll between bands of swirls
35.3cm., 13 7/8 in.

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 219
A BLUE AND WHITE ‘LADIES’ BOWL
the rounded sides supported on a short foot, painted to the exterior with ladies outside a
pavilion in a fenced garden with willow trees, shrubs, jardinières and pierced rocks below
misty clouds, the foot encircled with a classic scroll band, the base with a six-character
mark within a double-circle
23.1cm., 9 1/8 in.
PROVENANCE
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 220
A POLYCHROME-ENAMELLED ‘CARP’ DISH
the rounded sides resting on a tapering foot, painted to the exterior with five iron-red carp
leaping from turbulent green waves, the interior painted in underglaze-blue with a central
medallion enclosing a large lotus bloom with radiating trefoil leaves, inscribed to the base
with an apocryphal Zhengde mark within a double-circle
20.2cm., 8in.

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 221
A COPPER-RED AND UNDERGLAZE-BLUE ‘LANDSCAPE’ DISH
the shallow rounded sides rising from a tapered foot to a wide everted rim, painted to the
interior with a riverside landscape depicting a pavilion nestled amongst jagged rocks and
copper-red trees, all encircled by six copper-red chilong and a wan diaper band at the rim,
the exterior with bamboo, inscribed with a three-character mark reading Tinghua zhi within
a double-circle and drilled with a collector’s mark reading Huruxianban
32.5cm., 12 5/8 in.
PROVENANCE
Christie’s New York, 16th/17th September 2010, lot 1422.
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 222
PROPERTY OF A EUROPEAN NOBLEMAN
A RARE PAIR OF BLUE AND WHITE ‘BAJIXIANG’ MOONFLASKS
QIANLONG SEAL MARKS AND PERIOD
each of flattened form with gently domed sides rising from a spreading foot to a ribbed
cylindrical neck, set with a pair of scroll handles, brilliantly painted in vivid tones of cobalt-
blue with the ‘heaped and piled’ effect, the domed sides decorated with eight radiating
lappet panels each enclosing the beribboned bajixiang around a raised central boss with a
double vajra, all encircled by a keyfret band, the foot and neck with lingzhi scrolls and the
narrow sides with meandering lotus, all below a keyfret border at the rim, the base
inscribed with a six-character seal mark
2.0
49.2cm., 19 3/8 in.
ESTIMATE 1,000,000-1,500,000 GBP
CATALOGUE NOTE
In their decoration these two impressive Qianlong mark and period moon flasks closely follow the motif found on the
interior of an early fifteenth century basin, from the Avery Brundage collection in the Asian Art Museum of San
Francisco, with eight petal panels radiating from a double vajra with each panel containing one of the eight auspicious
Buddhist emblems (bajixiang). The Brundage basin was included in the exhibition Blue and White, University of
Chicago, Chicago, 1985, cat. no. 28, where John Carswell mentions fourteenth century designs with auspicious
objects in radiating lotus panels of varying numbers. Interestingly, on early Ming dynasty wares, such as the covered
bowl from the T.Y. Chao collection and sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 19th May 1987, lot 231, the fish emblem follows
the lotus emblem while the knot emblem follows the vase emblem in the order of the bajixiang. However, on Qing
period wares, such as the present two flasks, the artist has reversed the order of the fish and the vase emblems,
showing a degree of flexibility the Qing artisan enjoyed when copying earlier designs. The shape of these flasks is
also based on Ming period vessels with a decorated convex side and a smooth flat unglazed back such as the piece,
formerly sold in these rooms, 29th October 1957, lot 166, and now in the Freer Art Gallery, Washington D.C.,
illustrated in Oriental Ceramics. The World’s Great Collections, vol. 9, Tokyo, 1981, pl. 94. Fifteenth century blue and
white porcelain flasks, in turn, took their form from earlier, 13th century, Mesopotamian bronze cooling vessels, such
as the example from the Eumorfopoulos collection, sold in these rooms, 5th June 1940, lot 72, and now also in the
Freer Art Gallery. Interestingly, early metal flasks were also copied and made in silver during the Qianlong period; see
a silver moon flask sold in these rooms, 11thJune 1996, lot 139.
Similar Qianlong blue and white moon flasks may be found in a number of museums and private collections. For
example, see one included in the Illustrated Catalogue of Ch’ing Dynasty Porcelain in the National Palace Museum,
vol. II, Tokyo, 1981, cat. no. 5; two published in Chinese Ceramics in the Idemitsu Collection, Tokyo, 1987, pls. 949
and 950, the latter unmarked ; one in the Nanjing Museum illustrated in Zhongguo lidai Jingdezhen ciqi, Beijing, 1998,
p. 169; another, from the collection of Edward T. Chow, was sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 19th May 1981, lot 544; a
further piece, from the collections of C.G. Sloan and Greenwald, was sold at Christie’s Hong Kong, 1st December
2010, lot 2826; and one sold three times at auction, last in our Hong Kong rooms, 8th April 2011, lot 3123.
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 223
A PAIR OF BLUE AND WHITE ‘LOTUS’ BOWLS
KANGXI MARKS AND PERIOD
each with deep rounded sides rising from a straight foot to a gently flaring rim, painted to
the exterior with undulating lotus scrolls above a lappet band, the interior with a medallion
enclosing a lotus spray, inscribed to the base with a six-character mark within a double-
circle
2.0
16cm., 6 1/4 in.

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 224
A MOULDED BLUE AND WHITE 'DRAGON' VASE
the cylindrical body rising from a spreading foot to a short waisted neck with lipped rim,
the exterior moulded and applied with a pale celadon glaze with two ferocious scaly
dragons contesting a flaming pearl, all reserved on a ground of tumultuous cresting waves
in underglaze-blue, the foot and rim encircled with a spear-head border
24.5cm., 9 5/8 in.

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 225
A LARGE BLUE AND WHITE VASE
of rectangular section, the baluster body rising from a stepped foot to a waisted neck and
lipped rim, flanked by a pair of archaistic kui dragon handles, the exterior painted with the
beribboned bajixiang (Eight Buddhist Treasures) and an baxian (attributes of the Eight
Immortals) interspersed amongst meandering floral scrolls, all between stylised floral
scrolls divided by keyfret bands, the rim encircled by keyfret and ruyi bands and the foot
with upright plantain leaves
57cm., 22 3/8 in.
PROVENANCE
Collection of T.T. Tsui.
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 226
A BLUE AND WHITE VASE, YUHUCHUNPING
elegantly potted, the pear-shaped body rising from a spreading foot to a waisted neck
flaring at the rim, painted to the exterior with bamboo and plantain in a fenced garden
above a lappet band, the neck encircled with stiff leaves, floral scroll and ruyi bands, the
foot with demi florets, inscribed with a six-character seal mark
28.5cm., 11 1/4 in.
ESTIMATE 250,000-350,000 GBP
PROVENANCE
A Philadelphia Private Collection, circa 1940s-50s (by repute).
An Irish Private Collection.
CATALOGUE NOTE
The landscape design seen on this magnificent vase originated in the early Ming dynasty when this combination of
motifs became popular amongst the literati for its auspicious connotation. Bamboo represents longevity, endurance
and loyalty as it remains green in winter and does not break easily in the wind; while the plantain tree is the symbol of
education. Classical legends tell the tale of a scholar who wrote on plantain leaves as he was too poor to afford any
paper. Rocks stand for durability and steadfastness, and are generally associated with reliability and friendship.
For the prototype of this vase see one attributed to the Yongle period, in the Palace Museum, Beijing, illustrated in
The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum. Blue and White Porcelain with Underglazed Red (I),
Hong Kong, 2000, pl. 33; and another attributed to the Xuande period, also in the Palace Museum published in Yeh
Peilan, Appraising Ancient Chinese Ceramics, Taipei, 1994, pl. 83. While in shape and decoration Qing examples are
undoubtedly inspired by Ming dynasty pieces, the brushwork and painting style in these later examples are much
more detailed and fine, with the cobalt blue also of brighter tone. The neck has also become wider and the body of
more bulbous profile in the Qing period.
Compare a similar Qianlong vase in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, published in Porcelain of the National
Palace Museum. Blue and White Wares of the Ch’ing Dynasty, Book II, Hong Kong, 1968, pl. 12; another in the
Palace Museum, Beijing, illustrated in Zhongguo taoci quanji, vol. 11, Shanghai, 2000, pl. 12; and a third example,
sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 8th October 2010, lot 2773.
For earlier Qing examples see a yuhuchunping in the Palace Museum and illustrated in Ming chu qinghua ci, Beijing,
2002, p. 328, no. 175, where it is attributed to the Kangxi period; and another Kangxi vase sold at Christie’s New York,
16th September 2011, lot 1515. Similar vessels were also made during Yongzheng’s reign; see one published in
Gugong Bowuyuan cang Ming chu qinghua ci, vol. 2, Beijing, 2000, pp. 354-5, pl. 190; and another offered at
Christie’s Hong Kong, 30th November 2011, lot 2937.
Late 18th and 19th century versions of this vase include a Jiaqing mark and period piece sold in our Hong Kong
rooms, 5th November 1997, lot 1471; a Daoguang example sold in these rooms, 6th June 1995, lot 235; a Xianfeng
vase, from the Weishaupt collection, sold in our Amsterdam rooms, 30th October 1995, lot 4; and a Tongzhi vase
included in the exhibition Imperial Porcelain of Late Qing from the Kwan Collection, Hong Kong Museum of Art, Hong
Kong, 1983, cat. no. 91, and sold at Christie’s Singapore, 30th March 1997, lot 245. However, the painting style and
the spacing of the design on these later pieces is noticeably different from the Yongzheng and Qianlong versions.
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 227
A RED-GLAZED BOWL
the deep rounded sides rising from a tall spreading foot, applied to the exterior with a rich
liver-red glaze stopping neatly at the foot, the interior and the base glazed white, inscribed
to the base with a six-character mark within a double-circle
15.2cm., 6in.

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 228
A COPPER-RED DISH
the rounded sides supported on a tapering foot, the exterior covered with a copper-red
glaze, the interior and the base glazed white, the base inscribed in underglaze blue with a
six-character reign mark within a double-circle
16.4cm., 6 1/2 in.

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 229
A RARE GUAN-TYPE VASE
QING DYNASTY, YONGZHENG PERIOD
the hemispherical body rising from a spreading foot to a waisted neck flaring gently at the
rim, flanked by a pair of ringed taotie mask handles, the neck moulded with two raised
fillets, covered overall with a greyish blue glaze suffused with a network of faint russet
crackle, the base left unglazed revealing the dark brown body
19.5cm., 7 1/8 in.
CATALOGUE NOTE
The present vase is an extremely rare example of vessels of this unusual but distinct form with only four other closely
related pieces known, all in the collection of the National Palace Museum, Taipei, included on the Museum’s official
website. The four vases in Taipei are of the same shape and size as the present piece, with similar moulded handles
on the main body but covered in a Ru-type glaze. They also each bear a six-character Yongzheng reign mark in seal
script on the base. The form is unique to the Yongzheng period and reflects the remarkable development in artistic
creativity and enamelling technique created to meet the specific predilections of the Yongzheng emperor, among
which imitation of the antique and innovation featured prominently. From the first year of his reign, Yongzheng
commissioned items that were simple in form and generally left plain to highlight shape and glaze over any decoration.
This became the stylistic trend throughout his rule at the imperial kilns at Jingdezhen, Jiangxi province, where Tang
Ying (1682-1756) acted as Superintendent. Under Tang, research into the celebrated Song imperial glazes such as
Guan, Ge and Ru saw an emergence, and monochrome porcelain covered in luminous pale glazes simulating Song
examples were designed on contemporary and unique forms as may be seen from the present vase.
A line drawing of this form is included among Yongzheng shapes in Geng Baochang, Ming Qing ciqi jianding, Hong
Kong, 1993, p. 236, fig. 403:4, where it is called shouer zun or ‘beast ear zun form vessel’, referring to the kind of
animals used in ritual offerings. In form, this vase is an amalgamation of earthenware and bronze vessels of the Han
dynasty. See a Han bronze vessel illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum. Bronze
Articles for Daily Use, Hong Kong, 2006, pl. 54, with ring handles; and another archaic bronze piece of the Western
Han period, excavated from the tomb of the King of Nanyue, published in Zhongguo qingtongqi quanji, vol. 12, Beijing,
1998, pl. 60. Two earthenware vessel of compressed zun shape, attributed to the Western Han period, are is included
in Zhongguo taoci quanji, vol. 3, Shanghai, 2000, pls. 29 and 30, the former in the Shaanxi Historical Museum, and
the latter in the Henan Provincial Museum.
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 230
A COPPER-RED GLAZED BOWL
the deep rounded sides rising from a spreading foot to a flared rim, the exterior covered in
a rich copper-red glaze leaving the interior and base white, inscribed to the base with a six-
character seal mark
19.6cm., 7 3/4 in.
PROVENANCE
Bluett & Sons, London (according to label).
Collection of F.O.S. & M. M. Dobell, no. 38 (according to label).
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 231
PROPERTY FROM A BELGIAN PRIVATE COLLECTION
A SANG-DE-BOEUF GLAZED DISH
the rounded sides rising from a short foot to a flared rim, covered overall in a liver-red
glaze, the white base inscribed with a six-character seal mark
18.6cm., 7 1/4 in.
PROVENANCE
Sotheby's Amsterdam, 14th May 1997, lot 423.
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 232
A COPPER-RED DECORATED ‘FISH’ DISH
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
15.1cm., 6 in.

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 233
A LARGE YELLOW-GLAZED DISH
robustly potted with rounded sides supported on a short foot, covered overall in an pale
egg-yolk yellow glaze
39.5cm., 15 1/2 in.
PROVENANCE
Vanderven & Vanderven, The Netherlands.
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 234
A YELLOW-GLAZED ‘FLORAL SCROLL’ DISH
the rounded sides supported on a straight foot, incised to the exterior with an undulating
composite floral scroll, covered overall in a rich egg-yolk yellow glaze, the white base
15.8cm., 6 1/4 in.

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 235
A YELLOW-GLAZED ‘DRAGON’ BOWL
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.

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 236
PROPERTY FROM A EUROPEAN PRIVATE COLLECTION
A GREEN-GLAZED SAUCER DISH
the rounded sides supporting on a straight foot, covered overall with a bright emerald-
green glaze displaying an iridescent sheen and satin texture, the white base inscribed with
a six-character seal mark
14.1cm., 5 1/2 in.
PROVENANCE
Collection of Anthony du Boulay.
Marchant, London, 9th June 2004.
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 237
A PAIR OF YELLOW-GLAZED ‘DRAGON AND PHOENIX’ CUPS
TONGZHI MARKS AND PERIOD
each with curved sides rising from a short foot to a flared rim, the exterior incised with a
dragon and phoenix in pursuit of flaming pearls above cresting waves, covered overall in
an egg-yolk yellow glaze, the base inscribed with a six-character mark in aubergine
2.0
9cm., 3 1/2 in.

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 238
A PAIR OF YELLOW-GROUND GREEN-ENAMELLED ‘DRAGON’ BOWLS
QING DYNASTY, GUANGXU PERIOD
each with deep rounded sides rising from a straight foot to a flared rim, the exterior incised
and painted in green enamels with two striding dragons in pursuit of flaming pearls
amongst flame wisps and above turbulent waves, all reserved on an egg-yolk yellow
ground, the interior glazed yellow, inscribed to the base with a four-character mark reading
Qinghua zhenpin (Precious object of pure splendour)
2.0
16.7cm., 6 5/8 in.
PROVENANCE
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 239
A BLUE-GLAZED ANHUA-DECORATED ‘DRAGON’ DISH
the rounded sides rising from a tapering foot to a flared rim, incised to the interior with a
central medallion enclosing three stylised ruyi clouds, the cavetto decorated in anhua with
two dragons pacing amongst further ruyi clouds, covered overall in a blue glaze, the white
base inscribed with an apocryphal Xuande mark within a double-circle
21cm., 8 1/4 in.
PROVENANCE
John Sparks, London (according to label).
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 240
PROPERTY OF A LADY
A PAIR OF BROWN-GLAZED BOWLS
KANGXI MARKS AND PERIOD
each with rounded sides rising from a straight foot, covered overall with a lustrous brown
glaze displaying an iridescent sheen and satin texture, the white base inscribed with a six-
character mark within a double-circle
2.0
12.5cm., 5in.
PROVENANCE
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 241
A BLUE-GLAZED BOWL
JIAQING SEAL MARK AND PERIOD
the deep rounded sides rising from a straight foot to a gently flaring rim, covered overall in
a rich blue glaze stopping neatly at the foot, the white base inscribed with a six-character
seal mark
17.8cm., 7in.

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 242
A POWDER-BLUE GLAZED VASE, YUHUCHUNPING
elegantly potted, the pear-shaped body rising from a spreading foot to a waisted neck
flaring at the rim, the exterior covered in an attractive mottled blue glaze, the interior and
the base glazed white, inscribed to the base with a six-character mark
27.8cm., 11 3/4 in.

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 243
A BLUE-GLAZED BOTTLE VASE
the pear-shaped body rising from a spreading foot to a cylindrical neck, applied to the
exterior with a rich blue glaze, the interior and the base glazed white
39.7cm., 15 5/8 in.

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 244
A TEA-DUST GLAZED VASE
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.
CATALOGUE 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.
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 245
A RARE ‘LAZURITE’-SPLASHED VASE
the ovoid body rising to a waisted neck gently flaring at the rim, covered overall with a
splashed lazurite-blue glaze in imitation of lapis lazuli, wood stand and Japanese box
3.0
46.5cm., 18 3/8 in.
PROVENANCE
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 246
A ‘ROBIN’S EGG’-GLAZED VASE, HU
the pear-shaped body rising from a gently spreading foot to a waisted neck, the shoulder
encircled with a raised fillet, flanked by a pair of elephant handles, covered overall in a
cascading turquoise-blue glaze mottled with lavender, wood stand and Japanese box
3.0
32.5cm., 12 3/4 in.
PROVENANCE
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 247
A FLAMBÉ-GLAZED GARLIC-MOUTH VASE
the pear-shaped body rising from a straight foot to a garlic mouth with a straight lip, the
exterior covered with a rich raspberry-red glaze with milky-lavender streaks drizzling down
from the cream-coloured rim, the base with a mottled mushroom-brown wash, wood stand
2.0
37.3cm., 14 5/8 in.

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 248
A GE-TYPE WRISTREST
of arched rectangular form, covered overall in an unctuous glossy pale powder-blue glaze,
suffused with irregular crackle, the underside with fifteen small spur-marks
22.3cm., 8 7/8 in.
PROVENANCE
Sotheby’s Hong Kong, 25th April 2004, lot 75.
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 249
A DEHUA FIGURE OF GUANYIN
seated with arms resting on the raised right knee, holding a scroll in one hand, dressed in
loose fitting robes open at the chest to reveal a beaded lotus necklace, the head tilted
slightly forward with a benevolent face and hair piled up into an elaborate chignon
26cm., 10 1/4 in.

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 250
A DEHUA ‘HEHE TWINS’ GROUP
modelled as two standing boys dressed in loose fitting robes opening at the chest to reveal
beaded necklaces, one carrying a large leaf, the other holding a box and cover, all
supported on a lotus leaf floating on turbulent swirling waves
23.7cm., 9 3/8 in.

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 251
A DEHUA FIGURE OF GUANYIN
seated with the right arm resting on the raised right leg, dressed in loose fitting robes
falling into elegant folds and opening at the chest to reveal a beaded ruyi necklace, the face
with a benevolent expression, the neatly combed chignon half covered with a veil,
impressed with a double-gourd seal to the reverse reading He Chaozong
19cm., 7 1/2 in.
PROVENANCE
Ralph M. Chait Galleries, New York.
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 252
PROPERTY OF A LADY
A CELADON-GLAZED DOUBLE-GOURD VASE
elegantly potted with a globular lower bulb rising to a waisted neck and a smaller upper
bulb tapering to a narrow mouth, covered overall with a pale sea-green glaze draining to a
white rim, the base probably originally with a six-character seal mark which has now been
drilled
31.8cm., 12 1/2 in.
PROVENANCE
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 253
PROPERTY OF A LADY
A CELADON-GLAZED DOUBLE-GOURD VASE
elegantly potted with a globular lower bulb rising to a waisted neck and a smaller upper
bulb tapering to a narrow mouth, covered overall with a pale sea-green glaze draining to a
white rim, the base probably originally with a six-character seal mark which has now been
drilled
32.5cm., 12 3/4 in.
PROVENANCE
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 254
A PALE CELADON-GLAZED ‘LOTUS’ DISH
of ogee-form rising from a short foot, delicately moulded to the interior with curved petal
lappets radiating from a lotus pod with sixteen seeds, the flared sides similarly decorated
in the form of eighteen petals curving upwards to a lobed rim, covered overall in a pale sea-
green glaze, the white base inscribed with a six-character mark within a double-circle
18.7cm., 7 3/8 in.

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 255
AN UNDERGLAZE BLUE AND RED CELADON GROUND BOTTLE VASE
the elongated pear-shaped body rising from a short spreading foot to a long slender neck,
the exterior painted in underglaze blue and red with prunus growing from rockwork, the
reverse with bamboo canes, all reserved on a celadon ground, the base inscribed with a
six-character reign mark
53cm., 20 7/8 in.

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 256
A CELADON-GLAZED ‘DRAGON’ FISHBOWL
the deep curved sides rising from three globular feet to an incurved rim, the exterior
moulded and carved with two dragons writhing amongst clouds contesting a flaming pearl,
covered overall in a pale sea-green glaze running short of the base revealing the buff body,
French Baroque style bronze stand, cast with dolphins
2.0
39cm., 15 3/8 in.

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 257
A CELADON-GLAZED ‘MELON’ WALL VASE
modelled in the form of a large lobed melon with an adjacent smaller melon, borne on
curling tendrils issuing vine leaves, decorated in low-relief with a butterfly near the bottom,
covered overall in a pale celadon glaze pooling at the recessed areas, the reverse with a
four-character seal mark
15.5cm., 6 1/8 in.

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 258
A MOULDED CELADON-GLAZED GARLIC-MOUTH MOONFLASK
the flattened circular body rising from a short spreading foot to a garlic-shaped neck and
mouth flanked by a pair of ruyi-shaped handles, moulded to both faces with a deer and
lingzhi spray sheltered beneath a gnarled pine tree, the neck with a shou character
medallion beneath a chevron border at the rim, encircled with a keyfret band at the foot,
covered overall in a pale celadon glaze thinning at the rims
38.5cm., 15 1/8 in.

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 259
A FINE CLOISONNÉ ENAMEL TRIPOD CENSER
the cylindrical body rising from three ruyi-shaped feet to an everted rim, flanked by a pair
of upright scrolled handles, the exterior brightly decorated against a turquoise ground with
leafy scrolling lotus, the base and the rim gilt
33.3cm., 13 1/8 in.
PROVENANCE
Bluett & Sons, London, 4th June 1985.
Collection of Juan Jose Amezaga.
Christie's Paris, 13th June 2007, lot 1.
CATALOGUE NOTE
The present censer is striking and unusual for its large size which is uncommon for early-Ming cloisonné enamel
wares. Its robust form and clarity of decoration, achieved through the use of primary colours and a simple, regulated
composition, are characteristic of the finest 15th century wares. The possible pair to this censer is on permanent
display at the Bristol City Art Gallery no. Or N8195 and has a two-character inscription lou shang (upper floor) to the
inside of one leg which may relate to its location within the palace.
A closely related vessel, in the Palace Museum, Beijing, is illustrated in Zhongguo jin yin boli falang qi quanji, vol. 5,
Shijiazhuang, 2002, pl. 20, together with a similar censer, but with side gilt-bronze handles cast in the form of dragons
and with a cover, pl. 19. See also a censer of this type, but with later added gilt-metal handles in the form of stylised
birds, from the Charles Rochard collection and now in the Musée des Arts Decoratifs, Paris, included in the Oriental
Ceramic Society exhibition The Arts of the Ming Dynasty, London, 1957, cat. no. 317, and the exhibition Cloisonné.
Chinese Enamels from the Yuan, Ming and Qing Dynasties, Bard Graduate Centre, New York, 2011, cat. no. 22.
The scrolling lotus design on this piece has been inspired by Tibetan Buddhist motifs which gained much popularity
amongst the court from the reign of the Yongle emperor. The swooping C-shaped leafy branches and large lotus
blooms closely resemble that found on contemporary blue-and-white ware and indicates the close relationship
between porcelain production and vessels made from other media for the court.
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 260
A SMALL CLOISONNÉ ENAMEL HEXAGONAL DISH
MING DYNASTY
of hexagonal form, the shallow sides rising from a straight foot to a wide everted rim,
brightly decorated against a turquoise ground with a flowerhead surrounded by undulating
lotus scrolls, encircled by leafy floret and scroll bands, the rim with S-scrolls against a dark
blue ground, gilt to the underside
14cm., 5 1/2 in.
PROVENANCE
A North American Private Collection.
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 261
A CLOISONNÉ ENAMEL VASE, HU
the pear-shaped body rising from a spreading foot to a waisted neck, flanked by a pair of
animal mask handles suspending loose rings, brightly enamelled against a turquoise
ground with birds and flowers, all between various lotus and floral bands, the foot bordered
by leafy lingzhi heads
26.3cm., 10 3/8 in.

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 262
A CLOISONNÉ ENAMEL ‘LOTUS’ CUPSTAND
the interior cast with a domed ring to the centre with a flat well and everted rim, brightly
enamelled against a turquoise ground with a lança character enclosed by a lappet band, all
encircled by undulating lotus scrolls, the rim with leafy lingzhi bands
16.5cm., 6 1/2 in.

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 263
A SMALL CLOISONNÉ ENAMEL WATERPOT
17TH CENTURY
the hemispherical body gently rising to a gilt lipped rim, the exterior decorated with four
lotus heads of different colours, each divided by formalised leafy scrolls, all below a band
of pendent ruyi heads and reserved on a blue ground
6.6cm., 2 5/8 in.
PROVENANCE
Sotheby’s Hong Kong, 29th October 2001, lot 726.
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 264
A GILT-BRONZE AND CLOISONNÉ ENAMEL 'LOTUS' CENSER
of circular form rising to a wide everted hexalobed rim, supported on three gilt-bronze
elephant mask legs, the exterior brightly decorated with undulating lotus scrolls against a
turquoise ground, the rim encircled by pairs of dragons confronting stylised shou
characters
44.8cm., 17 5/8 in.

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 265
A GILT-BRONZE AND CLOISONNÉ ENAMEL CENSER AND COVER
of rectangular section, the body rising to a waisted neck with an everted rim, flanked by a
pair of gilt-bronze winged dragon handles, all supported on four splayed legs issuing from
dragon masks, the body brightly decorated against a turquoise ground with bands of
stylised taotie masks, encircled at the rim with a keyfret border, the domed cover similarly
decorated and surmounted by a pierced gilt-bronze 'peony' knop
3.0
25.5cm., 10in.

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 266
A CLOISONNÉ ENAMEL 'DRAGON' BOX AND COVER
of ring shape, brightly enamelled to the exterior with three cartouches each enclosing a
pair of dragons variously flanking a fu, lu and shou character, the rims and lock plate gilt
bronze
17.1cm., 6 3/4 in.
PROVENANCE
Sotheby's Hong Kong, 10th April 2006, lot 1819.
CATALOGUE NOTE
A closely related box, in the Pierre Uldry collection, is illustrated in Helmut Brinker and Albert Lutz, Chinesisches
Cloisonne, Zurich, 1985, pl. 166; and another, from the Clague collection was included in the exhibition Chinese
Cloisonne. The Clague Collection, Phoenix Art Museum, Phoenix, 1980, cat.no. 31.
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 267
A CLOISONNÉ ENAMEL BOX AND COVER
of circular form, the domed cover brightly enamelled with eight floral sprays encircling a
central lotus medallion, the box similarly decorated with floral sprays above a ruyi band, all
reserved on a turquoise ground, the gilt base incised with a six-character mark and a single
character reading tang
2.0
7.2cm., 2 7/8 in.

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 268
A PAIR OF CLOISONNÉ ENAMEL SMALL BOWLS AND COVERS
each with rounded sides rising to a six-lobed everted rim, brightly enamelled against a
turquoise ground, the curved sides with six upright ruyi heads alternating with detached
lotus sprays, the rim decorated with floral sprays among geometric scrollwork on the top
and linked lotus sprays on the underside, the base with florets reserved on an ice-crackle
ground, similarly decorated on the domed cover with ruyi motifs and lotus sprays, the
interiors inset with gilt-metal liners
6.0
15.2cm., 6in.

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 269
A GILT-BRONZE AND CLOISONNÉ ENAMEL CENSER AND COVER
the globular body flanked by a pair of gilt-bronze dragon handles, all supported on three
splayed legs issuing from gilt-bronze dragon masks, brightly decorated against a turquoise
ground with lotus and floral sprays amongst foliate scrollwork below a lappet band, the
domed cover similarly decorated and surmounted by a pierced knop, wood stand
3.0
43.2cm., 17in.

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 270
A LARGE CLOISONNÉ ENAMEL CENSER AND COVER
the globular body rising from three legs issuing from animal mask to a detachable waisted
neck, flanked by a pair of upright scroll handles, brightly enamelled against a turquoise
ground with the beribboned bajixiang interspersed amongst stylised lotus strapwork, all
below a ruyi band, the neck, handles and cover similarly decorated, surmounted by a gilt-
bronze ‘dragon’ knop
3.0
57.5cm., 22 5/8 in.

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 271
A LARGE CLOISONNÉ ENAMEL 'SANDUO' VASE
the globular body rising from a spreading foot to a tall waisted neck flaring at the rim,
brightly decorated with bats in flight amongst fruiting branches of the sanduo, all reserved
on a turquoise T-diaper ground, framed by ruyi heads above and a lappet band below, the
foot with a floral scroll, wood stand
2.0
64.8cm., 25 1/2 in.

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 272
A PAIR OF CHAMPLEVÉ ENAMEL ‘FINGER CITRON’ VASES
each naturalistically modelled and enamelled in the form of a finger citron with
characteristic curled tendrils growing from one of three gnarled branches, the other two
bearing leaves in relief around the body of the citron, all issuing from a severed stem,
enamelled in rich yellow with the leaves picked out in green, the interior turquoise
2.0
11.5cm., 4 5/8 in.

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 273
A CLOISONNÉ ENAMEL SCABBARD AND JADE HANDLED KNIFE
the scabbard decorated on both sides with a landscape scene in a lobed cartouche,
between two sections of bats flying amongst polychrome scrolling clouds, all reserved on
a blue enamel ground, bound by gilt-bronze bands cast with flowers and foliate scrolls, the
upper border with a suspension loop attached with a strap, the knife with a greyish jade
handle above a further gilt-metal band of matching design
2.0
27cm., 10 5/8 in.

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 274
A CLOISONNÉ ENAMEL ‘PUDDINGSTONE’ VASE
the elongated pear-shaped body rising from a spreading foot to a tapering neck, brightly
decorated with irregular patches against a mottled beige ground to simulate pudding stone,
the rim and the foot gilt
16.5cm., 6 1/2 in.

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 275
A LARGE PAIR OF CLOISONNÉ ENAMEL CRANES
each modelled with tall gilt-bronze legs and claws standing on simulated rockwork atop a
pedestal base, holding a large lingzhi fungus spray in their beaks forming the pricket
candlestick and drip pan, the plumage brightly enamelled with feathery scrolls in green, red
and shades of blue reserved on a turquoise ground, the detachable wings and tail feathers
similarly enamelled and naturalistically detailed with finely worked cloisons
2.0
150cm., 59in.
PROVENANCE
Sotheby's London, 13th July 2005, lot 225.
CATALOGUE NOTE
Cloisonné enamel cranes of this magnificent large size are rare, although a comparable slightly larger pair was sold in
our New York rooms, 17th April 1985, lot 318. See also a smaller pair sold in these rooms, 12th November 2003, lot
183.
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 276
AN EXTREMELY RARE IMPERIAL PARCEL-GILT IRON HELMET
thinly cast in iron in a dome shape, the exterior decorated in gilt with a frieze of Sanskrit
characters written with raised beaded edges, interrupted by interlinked ferocious animal
masks in low relief suspending beaded jewels, all between two bands of further Sanskrit
characters, and evenly divided by two vertical flanges detailed with stylised parcel-gilt
dragons, attached around the base with three flaps of silk cloth lined with steel plates, the
front securing a lobed brim inlaid with further pairs of confronting dragons, surmounted by
a tapered finial adorned inlaid with upright lappets once securing a tall finial (now missing),
the iron surface oxidised to dark brown
base to cap height 25cm., 9 7/8 in.
CATALOGUE NOTE
A closely related example, but inlaid with pearls and the finial suspending strips of black fur, in the Palace Museum,
Beijing, is illustrated together with the complete imperial ceremonial armour in Qingdai gongting shenghuo, Hong
Kong, 1985, pl. 115; another in the Musée de l'Armée, inventory no. G 749, and possibly the same robe worn by
Qianlong in the painting by Giuseppe Castiglione (1688-1766), The Qianlong Emperor in Ceremonial Armour on
Horseback, 1739 or 1758, was included in the exhibition China. The Three Emperors 1662-1795, Royal Academy of
Arts, London, 2005, cat. no. 65 (fig. 1); and two in the Field Museum, Chicago, were included in the exhibition
Splendors of China's Forbidden City. The Glorious Reign of Emperor Qianlong, The Field Museum, Chicago, 2004,
cat. no. 133 and 134, the latter of which forms part of a blue-ground suit of ceremonial armour. Valery M. Garrett in
Chinese Clothing. A Illustrated Guide, Oxford, 1994, p. 122, notes that ceremonial suits of armour were made in the
Imperial workshops and stored at the Western Gate of the Forbidden City when not in use.
This helmet was made for ceremonial use rather than battle, however the side and neck, lined with protective metal
plates are found also on battle armour. The Qianlong emperor customarily wore this helmet together with elaborate
matching armour on his great inspections of the military. Unlike his grandfather, the Kangxi emperor (1662-1722),
Qianlong never personally embarked on military conquests but the ceremonial armour retained traditions formed
during Kangxi's reign such as the rows of Tibetan script on the helmet. This script, which reads xinzhou zunian
Guanshiyin pusa ('uttering mantra to the Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva'), originally may have had a protective function on
the wearer and draws attention to the devotion of the Qing emperors to Tibetan Buddhism.
Fig. 1
THE QIANLONG EMPEROR IN CEREMONIAL ARMOUR ON

HORSEBACK (DETAIL), GIUSEPPE CASTLIGIONE, QING
DYNASTY, QIANLONG PERIOD, DATED TO 1739 OR 1758.
COURTESY OF THE PALACE MUSEUM, BEIJING
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 277
A PAIR OF GILT-DECORATED BLUE ENAMEL BOWLS
QIANLONG MARKS AND PERIOD
each with rounded sides rising from a slightly waisted foot to a flared rim, the exterior gilt
decorated with feathery scrolling foliage centred with stylised flower heads, between a
border of small detached scrolls around the rim and a border of petal lappets around the
base, all reserved on a lapis-blue ground, the interior enamelled sky blue, the base with a
four-character reign mark in blue enamel
2.0
13.3cm., 5 1/4 in.

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 278
A PAIR OF ENAMEL ‘EUROPEAN SUBJECT’ SAUCERS
each of square form with canted corners, the shallow sides rising from four feet to a wide
everted rim, brightly painted to the interior with European figures and attendants in a
landscape, all encircled by floral and foliate bands, the base with five bats against a pink
ground
2.0
10.8cm., 4 1/4 in.
PROVENANCE
Douglas J.K. Wright, London.
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 279
A PAINTED ENAMEL WATERPOT
the domed hemispherical body set with a gilt-metal kui dragon handle, brightly decorated
with two butterflies in flight amidst scattered floral sprays below a keyfret band, the liner
similarly decorated with three bats, mounted with metal rims
2.0
8.9cm., 3 1/2 in.
PROVENANCE
CATALOGUE NOTE
Enamelled waterpots of this type, with a handle and cover, are rare and no other similar example appears to be
recorded. The liberal use of white enamel and the fencai palette for the flowers and butterflies, which are depicted in a
delicate painterly style are reminiscent of that seen on a pair of enamelled cups painted with flowers and butterflies
and inscribed with a five-line poem dated to 1721 or 1781, sold in our New York rooms, 23rd march 2004, lot 549. An
early Qing period attribution is supported by the relatively heavy metal body and the free painting style, two
characteristics of early enamel-painted wares listed in Yang Boda’s study published in the Palace Museum Journal,
1980, no. 4, p. 43. Yang illustrates three examples of small covered boxes, a bowl and cover and an incense burner,
ibid., p. 44, fig. 1-3 and pl. 1 top, from this group.
See a covered bowl painted in a similar manner with figures in landscape and the cover with flowers and butterflies, all
on a white enamel ground, in the collection of the National Palace Museum, Taipei, illustrated in Enamel Ware in the
Ming and Ch’ing Dynasties, Taipei, 1999, pl. 131.
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 280
A FINE AND RARE BEIJING ENAMEL WATERPOT
the tapering ovoid body painted to the exterior with insects interspersed amongst millet
and leafy floral sprays including peony, magnolia, lotus, camellia and orchid, encircled with
a ruyi band above and a lappet band below, all reserved on a rich yellow ground, the
interior enamelled turquoise, bound with gilt-metal at the rim and foot, the white base
inscribed with a four-character seal mark, Japanese wood box
2.0
10.5cm., 4 1/8 in.
ESTIMATE 150,000-250,000 GBP
PROVENANCE
CATALOGUE NOTE
The present waterpot is exceptional for the quality of the workmanship and exquisite painting, and is amongst the
finest vessels produced by court artists employed in the Imperial Workshop during the reign of the Qianlong emperor.
The flowers and insects are naturalistically rendered, with careful attention paid to the smallest detail. This type of
decoration represents the emperor's fascination with nature, as well as his penchant for traditional flower and insect
paintings.
For related butterflies and flowers see a ewer in the collection of the National Palace Museum, Taipei, illustrated in
Enamel Ware of the Ming and Ch'ing Dynasties, Taipei, 1999, pl. 114. Compare also the butterflies, floral sprays and
insects rendered on a cover included ibid., pl. 131; and on an enamelled box, from the Qing Court collection and still
in Beijing, published in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum. Metal-bodied Enamel Ware,
Hong Kong, 2002, pl. 210.
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 281
FIVE CELADON JADE ‘DRAGON’ BELTHOOKS
comprising: four dragon-head belthooks each carved with a chilong clambering on the
shaft, the reverse with a circular knob, and one belthook terminating in a dragon head
5.0

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 282
AN ARCHAISTIC CELADON JADE AXE BLADE
of flared form, carved to each side in shallow relief with archaistic scrolls and geometric
motifs, flanked by a pair of archaistic beasts, pierced with a circular aperture, the well-
polished stone of a pale celadon tone flecked with light russet inclusions
10.6cm., 4 1/8 in.
PROVENANCE
Douglas Wright, London, 1974.
Thence by descent.
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 283
FIVE CELADON JADE ‘DRAGON’ BELTHOOKS
each terminating in a dragon head, the shaft carved with a clambering chilong, the reverse
with a circular knob
5.0
The largest: 9cm., 3 1/2 in.

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 284
A WHITE JADE ‘QUAIL AND MILLET’ BI DISC
of flattened circular form, the centre with a circular aperture, one side carved with two
quails playing besides a lingzhi branch, the reverse carved with two millet branches, the
stone of even white tone
5.3cm., 2 1/16 in.

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 285
A WHITE JADE ‘HERO’ PLAQUE
of rectangular form, carved to one face with a military hero carrying a bow and arrows, the
reverse with an inscription and two seals, all framed by confronted kui dragon scrolls, the
stone of an even white tone
5.2cm., 2in.

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 286
A WHITE JADE DRAGON BELTHOOK
QING DYNASTY, LATE 18TH/EARLY 19TH CENTURY
the terminal in the form of a dragon-head with bulging eyes and baring teeth, the shaft
carved in high relief with a clambering chilong grasping a sprig of scrolling leaf between its
jaws, the reverse with a round knop in the form of a flower-head, the stone of an even white
tone
12cm., 4 3/4 in.

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 287
A WHITE JADE PLAQUE
carved in the form of a shaped rectangular cartouche decorated to one face with a
shepherd and three rams, the reverse with a four-character seal reading Jixiang ruyi
(Auspicious as you wish), all below a beribboned qing with foliate scrolls extending to the
sides, the stone of an even white tone
6cm., 2 3/8 in.

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 288
A PALE CELADON JADE PLAQUE
of rectangular form, carved to one face with a scholar in a pavilion by a lotus pond and his
attendant standing by the banks, the reverse with an inscription and signed Zigang, all
framed by confronted kui dragon scrolls, the stone of a pale celadon tone
6.7cm., 2 5/8 in.

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 289
A JADEITE ‘DRAGON’ BELTHOOK
the terminal in the form of an angular dragon head with bulging eyes and baring teeth, the
shaft carved in high relief with a clambering chilong grasping a sprig of lingzhi between its
jaws, the reverse with a circular knop for attachment, the stone of an apple-green tone
mottled with emerald inclusions
12.7cm., 5in.

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 290
A WHITE JADE ‘SUN BOFU’ PLAQUE
QING DYNASTY
carved to the front with the Han dynasty military general Sun Bofu (or Sun Ce), the reverse
with an inscription and signed Zigang, all surmounted by a pair of addorsed dragons, the
stone of an opaque white tone
6.8cm., 2 5/8 in.
PROVENANCE
Danish Private Collection.
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 291
A CELADON AND RUSSET JADE ‘CHILONG’ SCABBARD SLIDE
17TH CENTURY
carved through the russet skin with a chilong with bifurcated tail, writhing amongst stylised
cloud scrolls, the stone of a greyish celadon tone, wood stand
2.0
13.8cm., 5 3/8 in.
PROVENANCE
Collection of Philip Wood, San Francisco.
Collection of E.& J. Frankel, New York (according to label).
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 292
A PALE CELADON JADE WASHER
QING DYNASTY, LATE QIANLONG PERIOD
carved as two bats sheltering amongst a curled bark of a tree, the curved edges extended
to form leafy prunus and peach branches, the stone of a pale celadon tone with russet
markings, wood stand
2.0
14.9cm., 5 7/8 in.

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 293
A WHITE JADE ‘CHILONG’ HAIRPIN
17TH/18TH CENTURY
of tapering cylindrical form, gently curving at its upper end towards a hemispherical knob,
carved in low relief with a chilong amongst stylised clouds, its elongated body writhing
around the stem from a bifurcated tail to a ferocious face coiffed with a free flowing mane,
the finial with a leafy sprig of lingzhi, inscribed Zigang
13cm., 5 1/8 in.

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 294
A PALE CELADON JADE 'SANDUO' RUYI SCEPTRE
the curved shaft carved with three shaped panels enclosing bats in flight amongst fruiting
peaches, Buddhist citron and pomegranate forming the sanduo (Three Abundances), the
stone of a pale greyish celadon tone, wood stand
2.0
39.3cm., 15 1/2 in.
PROVENANCE
Collection of P.F. Given-Wilson, England.
CATALOGUE NOTE
This ruyi sceptre is endowed with auspicious meaning through the depiction of the sanduo together with bats. The
sanduo is comprised of the peach, finger citron and pomegranate, and symbolise longevity, blessings and many sons
respectively. When portrayed with bats the motif represents the wish, ‘May you be blessed with the Three
Abundances’.
Sceptres of related form and decoration include one sold in our New York rooms, 6th June 1992, lot 348; another sold
at Christie’s London, 12th May 2009, lot 104; and a third, but the shaft ornately carved as a branch with lingzhi and
leafy stems, sold at Christie’s Hong Kong, 28th April 1996, lot 8. See also a similarly composed spinach-green jade
sceptre inlaid with white jade plaques containing the sanduo, with a Jiaqing reign mark and of the period, sold in our
Hong Kong rooms, 9th October 2007, lot 1311.
The wood stand is inlaid with a silver plaque reading ‘To P.F. Given-Wilson with the best wishes of the staff agents
and friends of the General Accident in the Far East, 21st July 1958’.
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 295
A WHITE JADE ‘DOUBLE GOURD’ PENDANT
carved in the form of a double gourd borne on gnarled leafy vines, a bat perched on the
bottom of the fruit, the stone of an even white tone, attached to jadeite and hardstone
beads with a brown tassel
6.3cm., 2 1/2 in.

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 296
A WHITE JADE 'SANYANG' GROUP
carved in the form of three rams cuddling in the round, the two larger rams grasping lingzhi
and millet sprigs in their mouths, the stone of an opaque white tone suffused with russet
veining
6.3cm., 2 1/2 in.

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 297
A CELADON AND BROWN JADE MYTHICAL BEAST
MING DYNASTY OR EARLIER
carved recumbent with its legs tucked underneath the body and tail curled alongside its
rear haunches, grasping a leafy sprig of lingzhi in its mouth, the stone of a pale celadon
tone with russet veining
6.3cm., 2 1/2 in.

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 298
A PALE CELADON JADE FIGURE
carved standing with two hands clasped and concealed beneath her long robes, the robes
open at the chest to reveal a beaded necklace, the face with a benevolent expression and
downcast eyes, surmounted by an official cap decorated with a ruyi head, the stone of a
pale celadon tone with russet veining
31.6cm., 12 1/2 in.

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 299
A BLACK, WHITE AND RUSSET JADE ‘BOY AND LOTUS’ GROUP
the cheerful boy clutching a leafy sprig over his back, reclining on a water caltrop above a
veined lotus leaf with curled edges
7.3cm., 2 7/8 in.

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 300
A PALE CELADON JADE ‘BOY AND GOOSE’ GROUP
the boy dressed in loose fitting robes, detailed with a cheerful face and hair tied into three
topknots, crouching over to reach a recumbent goose grasping a leafy millet spray in its
beak, the stone of a pale celadon tone with russet inclusions
5cm., 2in.
PROVENANCE
A Swiss Private Collection, acquired in the 1950s.
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 301
A WHITE JADE ‘CAT AND BUTTERFLY’ SNUFF BOTTLE
of flattened globular form, the front face carved with a cat crouching beside pierced rocks,
looking at a butterfly hovering above, the stone of an even white tone with a faint caramel
inclusion to the front
5.3cm., 2 1/8 in.

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 302
A CELADON JADE SNUFF BOTTLE
the ovoid body flanked by a pair of animal mask handles suspending fixed rings, fitted
jadeite stopper; together with a celadon and russet jade figure of Kuixing and a celadon
and russet jade ‘horse and monkey’ group, wood stand
4.0
PROVENANCE
Snuff bottle: John Sparks, London (according to label).
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 303
A WHITE JADE SNUFF BOTTLE
the flattened body rising from a short foot to a cylindrical neck, the polished stone of an
even white tone stained with russet at the base, fitted coral stopper
2.0
7.2cm., 2 7/8 in.

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 304
A YELLOW AND RUSSET JADE ‘BUTTERFLY AND MELON’ SNUFF BOTTLE
naturalistically carved in melon form, the exterior carved with curling leafy tendrils and a
butterfly, the stone of a greenish yellow tone with traces of russet skin, coral stopper
2.0
7.2cm., 2 7/8 in.
PROVENANCE
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 305
A RARE FAMILLE-VERTE ‘BIRTHDAY’ DISH
the shallow sides rising from a tapering foot to an everted rim, delicately enamelled to the
interior with a goose gliding over a small gaggle of three geese feeding and squawking
among bamboo and waterweeds beside a pond, encircled at the rim in iron-red with lotus
florets and roundels enclosing the characters Wanshou wujiang (Limitless longevity) on a
honeycomb diaper ground, the base with a six-character mark within a double-circle,
Japanese wood box
3.0
25.3cm., 10in.
ESTIMATE 120,000-180,000 GBP
PROVENANCE
Christie’s London, 12th December 1977, lot 203.
The Jingguantang Collection.
Christie’s Hong Kong, 3rd November 1996, lot 587.
EXHIBITED
Splendour of the Qing Dynasty, Hong Kong Museum of Art, Hong Kong, 1995, cat. no. 162.
In Pursuit of Antiquities. Min Chiu Society Thirty-fifth Anniversary Exhibition, Hong Kong, 1995, cat. no. 134.
LITERATURE
Anthony du Boulay, Christie’s Pictorial History of Chinese Ceramics, London, 1984, p. 227, pl. 2.
The Tsui Museum of Art, The Tsui Museum of Art. Chinese Ceramics, vol. IV, Hong Kong, 1995, pl. 100.
CATALOGUE NOTE
Dishes of this finely painted type and inscribed with a wish for long life in the rim border are believed to have been
created for the Kangxi emperor’s sixtieth birthday in 1713. They are known with a great variety of designs, often
depicting ladies, insects or nature scenes with birds. Peter Lam, in ‘Lang Tingji (1663-1715) and the Porcelain of the
Late Kangxi Period’, Transactions of the Oriental Ceramic Society, vol. 68, London, 2003, p. 40, argues that dishes of
this type continued to be made during Lang Tingji’s time as supervisor.
Further designs belonging to this group of dishes include a bird on a fruiting branch, such as one in the Musee
Guimet, Paris, illustrated in Xavier Besse, La Chine des Porcelaines, Paris, 2004, pl. 35; insects amongst branches,
seen on a dish from the Meiyintang collection, sold several times at auction and most recently in our Hong Kong
rooms, 4th April 2012, lot 19; and the goddess Magu with an attendant, as depicted on a dish in the Palace Museum,
Beijing, published in Kangxi. Yongzheng. Qianlong, Hong Kong, 1989, p. 69, pl. 52. ‘Birthday’ dishes with four
different motifs from the Sir Percival David collection are in the British Museum, London, published in Illustrated
Catalogue of Qing Enamelled Wares in the Percival David Foundation of Chinese Art, London, 1991, pls 812, 890,
891 and A836.
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 306
A DOUCAI ‘CARP’ BOWL
the rounded sides rising from a straight foot, painted to the exterior with two carp leaping
amongst turbulent waves below the radiating sun, the waves cresting against rocks issuing
flowering crabapple, the interior with a medallion enclosing a crabapple blossom floating
on waters, the base inscribed with an apocryphal Chenghua mark within a double circle,
Japanese wood box
2.0
19.5cm., 7 3/4 in.
PROVENANCE
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 307
A DOUCAI ‘DRAGON AND PHOENIX’ MEIPING
the well-potted tapering body rising from a recessed base to broad rounded shoulders and
a narrow short waisted neck, brightly enamelled within an underglaze-blue outline,
depicting a dragon and phoenix amongst large floral blooms borne on meandering leafy
stems, all below a keyfret band, the neck encircled with linked ruyi heads
37cm., 14 1/2 in.
CATALOGUE NOTE
A closely related example from the collection of Sir John Buchanan-Jardine was included in the International
Exhibition of Chinese Art, Royal Academy of Arts, London, 1935, cat. no. 2177; two vases were sold in these rooms, 2
nd December 1997, lot 271, the other, 12th July 2006, lot 128; and a fourth vase was sold in our Hong Kong rooms,
31st October 1995, lot 512. For a vase of this type, but with broader shoulders and decorated with a lappet border
around the foot, see one from the Qing Court collection and still in Beijing, illustrated in The Complete Collection of
Treasures of the Palace Museum. Porcelains in Polychrome and Contrasting Colours, Hong Kong, 1999, pl. 237; and
another published in Collection of Chinese and Other Far Eastern Art, New York, 1943, pl. 1221, sold at Christie’s
New York, 22ndMarch 2007, lot 345.
Doucai decoration, where the motif is outlined under the glaze in blue and coloured over the glaze in enamels, is
derived from the cloisonné technique that was introduced in the Ming period. The method of creating doucai wares
was developed in the Chenghua period (1426-35) and continued to be appreciated for their understated elegance and
for their association with Chenghua porcelain during the Qing dynasty, particularly by the Yongzheng and Qianlong
emperors.
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 308
A FINE FAMILLE-ROSE ENAMELLED YELLOW-GROUND ‘MEDALLION’ BOWL
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.
CATALOGUE 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 this type is achieved through the intricate sgraffiato ground and the fusion of Western
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. Three-
dimensionality 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.
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 309
A FAMILLE-ROSE ‘BALSAM PEAR’ BOWL
the deep rounded sides rising from a short foot to a flared rim, brightly enamelled to the
exterior with a butterfly in flight amongst overhanging flowering and fruiting balsam pears
and bamboo, the interior similarly decorated, inscribed to the base with a six-character seal
mark
11.1cm., 4 3/8 in.
PROVENANCE
A European Private Collection, purchased ca. 1980.
Christie’s New York, 21st March 2000, lot 389 (part lot).
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 310
A FAMILLE-ROSE BOWL
the deep rounded sides divided into eight lobes, rising from a straight foot to a flared gilt
rim, the exterior painted with foreigners riding or accompanied by mythical beasts and
carrying various precious objects, the interior and base glazed turquoise, inscribed with an
iron-red seal mark
18.4cm., 7 1/4 in.

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 311
A FAMILLE-ROSE BONELESS ‘EGRET AND LOTUS’ DISH
the rounded sides rising from a short foot, painted to the interior in the boneless style with
three egrets amongst flowering and leafing lotus, the base inscribed with a six-character
mark in three vertical columns within a double-circle
20.3cm., 8in.

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 312
PROPERTY OF A LADY
AN UNDERGLAZE-RED ‘PHOENIX MEDALLION’ BOWL
the rounded sides rising from a straight foot to a flared rim, decorated to the exterior with
five phoenix roundels with wings outstretched and their tails curled underneath, the
interior with one further roundel in the centre, inscribed at the base with a six-character
seal mark in underglaze blue
14.7cm., 5 3/4 in.
PROVENANCE
Guest & Gray, London.
An Austrian Private Collection.
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 313
AN IRON-RED AND UNDERGLAZE-BLUE ‘DRAGON’ DISH
the shallow rounded sides rising from a short foot to a flared rim, painted to the interior
with a central medallion enclosing an iron-red dragon writhing amongst turbulent waves,
the exterior similarly decorated with nine dragons swimming amongst cresting waves,
encircled at the rim with a band of demi-florets, the base with a six-character seal mark
17.6cm., 7in.

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 314
A PAIR OF COPPER-RED AND UNDERGLAZE- BLUE BOWLS
QIANLONG SEAL MARKS AND PERIOD
each with deep rounded sides rising from a straight foot to a flared rim, the exterior painted
with two deer sheltering below pine trees in a garden with bats in flight, inscribed to the
base with a six-character seal mark
2.0
20cm., 7 7/8 in.
PROVENANCE
Christie’s New York, 19th March 2009, lot 732.
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 315
PROPERTY OF A LADY
A WUCAI ‘DRAGON AND PHOENIX’ BOWL
the rounded sides rising from a straight foot to a gently flaring rim, painted to the exterior
with a green and a red dragon striding in pursuit of flaming pearls, divided by a pair of
swooping phoenix, all below a band of bajixiang interspersed with ruyi emblems, the
interior with a medallion enclosing five iron-red bats, inscribed to the base with a six-
character seal mark
15.6cm., 6 1/8 in.
PROVENANCE
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 316
PROPERTY OF A LADY
A CORAL-GROUND RESERVE-DECORATED ‘LOTUS’ BOWL
the deep rounded sides rising from a short foot to a flared rim, the exterior covered in
brilliant coral-red enamel, decorated in reserve with stylised meandering lotus scrolls, the
outlines of the leaves and petals pencilled in iron-red, the interior glazed white, inscribed to
the base with a six-character seal mark in underglaze-blue
12.8cm., 5in.
PROVENANCE
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 317
PROPERTY OF A LADY
A CORAL-GROUND RESERVE-DECORATED ‘LOTUS’ BOWL
the deep rounded sides rising from a short foot to a flared rim, the exterior covered in
brilliant coral-red enamel, decorated in reserve with stylised meandering lotus scrolls, the
outlines of the leaves and petals pencilled in iron-red, the interior glazed white, inscribed to
the base with a six-character seal mark in underglaze-blue
12.7cm., 5in.
PROVENANCE
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 318
A PAIR OF LIME-GREEN GROUND FAMILLE-ROSE VASES
JIAQING SEAL MARKS AND PERIOD
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
2.0
35cm., 13 3/4 in.
ESTIMATE 200,000-300,000 GBP
PROVENANCE
Emily Gordon, Cluny Castle, circa 1870.
Thence by descent in the family.
CATALOGUE 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.
Fig. 1
CLUNY CASTLE, ABERDEENSHIRE, SCOTLAND
Fig. 2
EMILY GORDON
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 319
AN INSCRIBED AND DATED LIME-GREEN GROUND FAMILLE-ROSE TEA
TRAY
JIAQING SEAL MARK AND PERIOD, DATED 1797
of quatrefoil form supported on four ridged feet picked out in gilt, the centre inscribed in
iron-red with an imperial poem dated to dingsi year of Jiaqing’s reign (corresponding to
1797), all within a gilt border and enclosed by a meander of lotus sprays and florets in
bright enamels, the decoration repeated in the well and the exterior, all reserved on a lime-
green ground continuing over the base save for a six-character seal mark in iron-red
16cm., 6 1/4 in.

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 320
PROPERTY OF A LADY
A YELLOW-GROUND FAMILLE-ROSE 'MEDALLION' BOWL
the rounded sides rising from a straight foot to a slightly flared rim, the exterior with four
gilt-edged medallions brightly enamelled with flowering branches, divided by stylised lotus
and lingzhi sprays, all reserved on a bright lemon-yellow ground heightened with iron-red
feathery scrollwork, the interior painted in underglaze-blue with a central floral medallion
surrounded by four detached beribboned floral sprays, the base with a six-character seal
mark
14.6cm., 5 3/4 in.
PROVENANCE
Guest & Gray, London.
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 321
A GREEN ENAMELLED 'DRAGON' JAR
the tapering ovoid body rising from a recessed base to a rounded shoulder and narrow
short neck, decorated around the exterior in underglaze-blue and green enamel with two
five-clawed dragons in pursuit of a flaming pearl, all between a bajixiang band encircling
the neck and a lotus-lappet band at the base, the seal mark in underglaze-blue
20cm., 8in.

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 322
PROPERTY OF A LADY
A FAMILLE-ROSE CUP
DAOGUANG MARK AND PERIOD
the deep sides rising from a slightly tapering foot to a flaring rim, the exterior painted with
four circular panels enclosing various auspicious objects, divided by formalised lotus
scrolls, the base with an iron red six-character reign mark
11.2cm., 4 7/16 in.
PROVENANCE
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 323
A FAMILLE-ROSE ‘MEDALLION’ BOWL
DAOGUANG MARK AND PERIOD
with rounded sides supported on a slightly tapering foot rising to a flaring rim, the exterior
painted in bright famille-rose enamels with four circular panels enclosing various trees,
flowers, and rockworks, all reserved on a pink sgraffiato ground decorated with feathery
foliate scrolls, the interior painted in unglazed blue with a medallion enclosing a rabbit in a
landscape, with four composite floral sprays in the well, the base with an underglaze blue
six-character reign mark
14.9cm., 5 7/8 in.
PROVENANCE
Marchant, London, 4th September 1969.
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 324
A YELLOW-GROUND FAMILLE-ROSE 'MEDALLION' BOWL
the rounded sides rising from a short foot to a gently flared rim, painted to the exterior with
four gilt-edged medallions brightly enamelled with flowering branches, divided by stylised
lotus and lingzhi strapwork, all reserved on a bright lemon-yellow ground heightened with
iron-red feathery scrollwork, the interior painted in underglaze-blue with a central floral
medallion surrounded by four detached beribboned floral sprays, the base inscribed with a
six-character seal mark
15cm., 5 7/8 in.

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 325
A SET OF TEN FAMILLE-ROSE PLAQUES
QING DYNASTY
each of rectangular form, variously painted with figural scenes with officials, ladies and
sages among landscapes and interiors, gilt and lacquered frames
10.0
Each 24 by 16.5cm., 9 1/2 by 6 1/2 in.
PROVENANCE
Collection of Mr and Mrs Frederick McCarthy.
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 326
A PAIR OF FAMILLE-ROSE ‘BARAGON TUMED’ SMALL BOWLS
QING DYNASTY, DAOGUANG PERIOD
each with rounded sides rising from a straight foot, the exterior painted in bright enamels
and gilt with qizheng (Seven Royal Treasures) set on floral supports and leaf-shaped
mandorla above cresting waves, the rim and foot encircled with a band of babao (Eight
Auspicious Treasures) alternating with stylised shou characters, painted to the interior with
a lotus medallion enclosing a double vajra, the base inscribed in iron-red with a two-
character mark in Mongolian script within a double-square, reading West Wing of the
Tumed Banner
2.0
9.5cm., 3 3/4 in.

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 327
A MOULDED FAMILLE-ROSE ‘HUNDRED ANTIQUES’ VASE
the cylindrical body rising from a spreading foot to angled shoulders, surmounted by a
straight neck with galleried rim, the exterior moulded and brightly enamelled with precious
archaic objects, jardinières, flowers and fruits, the neck encircled by lingzhi issuing from
rocks, all reserved on a white ground
42.2cm., 16 5/8 in.

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 328
A SET OF TEN FAMILLE-ROSE CUPS
QING DYNASTY, DAOGUANG PERIOD
of graduated size, each variously enamelled with elaborately dressed figures and
attendants in a fenced garden, the rims gilt, the smallest decorated to the interior with a
boy holding a scroll reading Hehe
10.0
PROVENANCE
Sotheby’s Hong Kong, 29th April 1997, lot 685.
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 329
A POLYCHROME FIGURE OF A MONKEY
REPUBLICAN PERIOD
modelled seated with its legs crossed, its right hand holding a peach fruit and its left arm
raised to scratch its head, depicted with large rounded eyes, pronounced jaw and incised
fur, the base inscribed with two seal marks reading Jiangxi Jingzhen and Jinghua Guan zao
respectively, wood stand
2.0
19.5cm., 7 3/4 in.
PROVENANCE
Collection of J. Flieger, Amsterdam.
LITERATURE
H.A. van Oort, Chinese Porcelain of the 19th and 20th centuries, Lochem, 1977, pl. 123.
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 330
A FAMILLE-ROSE PLAQUE
QING DYNASTY
of rectangular form, intricately painted with floral blooms borne on leafy stems issuing
from jagged rocks in a garden, all encircled by a band of scrolling lotus against a lime-
green ground, the wood frame reticulated with scrolling gourd vines
31.2 by 21cm., 12 1/4 by 8 1/4 in.

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 331
TWO IRON-RED 'BAT AND CLOUD' DOUBLE-GOURD VASES
XUANTONG MARKS AND PERIOD
each of double-gourd form, the exterior painted in iron-red with bats in flight amongst
stylised cloud scrolls, inscribed to the base with a six-character mark in underglaze-blue
2.0
13cm., 5 1/8 in.

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 332
A PINK-GLAZED BOWL
GUANGXU MARK AND PERIOD
the deep rounded sides rising from a short foot to a gilt-painted flared rim, applied to the
exterior with a rich pink glaze stopping neatly at the foot, the interior and the base glazed
white, inscribed with a six-character mark in iron-red
18.3cm., 7 1/2 in.
PROVENANCE
The Weishaupt Collection.
Sotheby’s Amsterdam, 16th October 1995, lot 32.
EXHIBITED
Vom Schatz der Drachen, Museum für Kunsthandwek, Berlin, 1987, cat. no. 140.
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 333
A PAIR OF POLYCHROME ‘GRASSHOPPER AND MILLET’ VASES
20TH CENTURY
each of baluster form surmounted by a waisted neck with lipped rim, painted in mirror
image depicting three grasshoppers perched on ears of corn and leafy millet sprays, the
base inscribed with a four-character mark in iron-red reading Hongxian yuzhi (Imperially
made in the Hongxian period)
2.0
19cm., 7 1/2 in.
PROVENANCE
The Weishaupt Collection.
Sotheby’s Amsterdam, 16th October 1995, lot 48.
EXHIBITED
Vom Schatz der Drachen, Museum für Kunsthandwek, Berlin, 1987, cat. no. 181.
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 334
A CANTON CARVED IVORY BOX AND COVER
of rectangular form, densely carved and undercut with a scene of figures engaged in
leisurely pursuits in terraced gardens and pavilions by the banks
19.2cm., 7 1/2 in.

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 335
A PAIR OF CANTON IVORY BASKETS AND COVERS
each elaborately carved and pierced with figures and animals in a bustling city with
pavilions and trees, the domed cover surmounted by a finial in the form of a seated lady
holding a lotus spray; together with a similar pair of small ivory baskets and covers and a
pair of ivory vases
11.0
PROVENANCE
English Private Collection.
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 336
A CARVED IVORY MIRROR
the front face carved with a band of scrolling clouds framing a circular mirror, the reverse
with leafy floral branches encircled with a similar cloud border, attached to the tubular
handle with a bat-form support, the handle carved with butterflies and floral sprays against
a reticulated diaper ground, gilt-metal mounts
25.7cm., 10 1/8 in.

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 337
A PAIR OF HARDSTONE-INLAID GILT-LACQUER CABINETS
each of rectangular form, the doors finely embellished with soapstone, mother-of-pearl,
bone, jadeite, agate and other hardstones to depict numerous boys at play and groups of
ladies playing weiqi and musical instruments, all within a garden setting with a tiered
pavilion and over-hanging pine and wutong trees, all framed by a mother-of-pearl lozenge
border and shaped cartouches enclosing various floral sprays against a lozenge diaper
ground, the sides similarly embellished with chrysanthemum, peony and prunus blossoms,
with metal lockplate and hinges
2.0
157.4 by 97.4 by 41cm., 62 by 38 3/8 by 16 1/8 in.

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 338
PROPERTY OF A LADY
A HORNBILL-INLAID FILIGREE BRACELET
delicately decorated in filigree work with twisted gold threads depicting phoenixes and
snakes, alternating with three oval cartouches set with hornbill panels ornately carved in
high relief with peony and chrysanthemum sprays, fitted ivory box carved with quatrefoil
cartouches depicting figures amongst pavilions
2.0
The bracelet: 18.1cm., 7 1/8 in.
PROVENANCE
Gifted to the great-grandmother of the present owner in China circa 1850.
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 339
A CANTON PAINTED AND CARVED IVORY FAN
QING DYNASTY, CIRCA 1860-1880
the guards and sticks decorated with figures amongst buildings in a landscape, the fan leaf
painted on both sides with figures within elaborate terraced pavilions, the figures detailed
with ivory faces and textile clothing, fitted in a lacquer box decorated with gilt-painted
figures in a garden and floral sprays
2.0
51.7cm., 20 3/8 in.

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 340
A TWELVE-LEAF COROMANDEL LACQUER SCREEN
the principal side decorated with boys engaged in various activities gathering in front of
elaborate pavilions with ladies and a seated dignitary in a garden landscape with trees and
rocks, the reverse depicting birds sheltering amongst blossoming trees in a rocky
landscape, all encircled by mythical beasts, flowers and precious objects
12.0
Each panel: 128 by 21.4cm., 50 3/8 by 8 3/8 in.

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 341
PROPERTY FROM A EUROPEAN FAMILY COLLECTION
A RARE PAINTED CLAY FIGURE OF A EUROPEAN GENTLEMAN
ATTRIBUTED TO AMOY CHINQUA, EARLY 18TH CENTURY
well modelled, standing with his right leg slightly forward, with a tricorn hat clasped to his
body under his left elbow, with his left hand tucked into the opening of his red and gilt
knee-length coat, wearing black buckled boots and a long curled wig, all supported on a
raised stone-effect base.
35.1cm., 13 3/4 in.
CATALOGUE NOTE
The present figure belongs to a small group of standing figures made in Canton between 1700 and 1800. Three
related signed and dated figures appear to be recorded; one of Joseph Collet (1673-1725), dated 1716, in the
National Portrait Gallery, London; an unidentified figure of a gentleman, dated to 1720, in the collection of the
Peabody Museum, Salem, included in the exhibition A Tale of Three Cities, Canton, Shanghai and Hong Kong,
Sotheby’s London, 1997, pl. 187; and the third figure of a European merchant, dated to 1719, in a private collection.
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 342
THE PROPERTY OF A GENTLEMAN
A TWELVE-PANEL COROMANDEL LACQUER SCREEN
QING DYNASTY, KANGXI PERIOD, DATED GENGCHEN YEAR,
CORRESPONDING TO 1700
the front face carved and painted with the Daoist Paradise, depicting groups of male and
female Immortals within a mountainous landscape, all gathering to greet Shoulao,framed
by a border of auspicious objects, the reverse with a lengthy inscription which may be
translated as the Hanlin Academy official Zheng Kaiji (1639-1717) presenting the screen to
Yuweng Chi on celebration of his and his wife Zhang's eightieth birthday, Kangxi cyclical
date
12.0
280 by 540cm., 212 1/2 by 110 1/4 in.
PROVENANCE
Ariane Dandois Gallery, Paris, circa 1980.
CATALOGUE NOTE
The reverse of the screen is inscribed with a dedication celebrating the birthday of Yuweng Chi, who is particularly
well known for his filial piety towards his ill and weak mother, using his own liver to brew as medicine. Without taking
the medicine, his mother miraculously recovered, which was seen as the heavens being moved by his filial act. The
incident spread and Chi received many titles of honour.
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 343
A RELIEF-DECORATED FAMILLE-ROSE ‘SANDUO’ STOOL
the hexagonal body rising from a spreading foot to a stepped everted rim, each face
painted with gnarled flowering branches of the sanduo, all framed by leafy floral scrolls
applied in relief, the rim and the foot encircled in gilt iron-red lozenge and swirl bands,
fitted with a velvet cushion
40cm., 15 3/4 in.

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 344
A FAMILLE-ROSE ‘FLORAL’ DISH
the shallow rounded sides rising from a tapered foot to a wide everted rim, painted to the
interior with large chrysanthemum and peony blooms borne on leafy stems, all encircled by
detached floral branches including lotus, camellia and magnolia, inscribed to the base with
an apocryphal Chenghua mark within a double-circle
42.6cm., 16 3/4 in.

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 345
A PAIR OF ‘LADIES’ PAINTINGS
STUDIO OF LAMQUA, CIRCA 1830-40
gouache on paper, each painted with a riverside garden scene with elaborate pavilions and
tall trees, one depicting lady musicians and two attendants at the court, the other with
ladies and a child, mirrored gilt-wood frame
2.0
39.5 by 65cm., 15 3/8 by 23 3/4 in.

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 346
A THREE-PIECE FAMILLE-ROSE GARNITURE
comprising: a beaker vase and a pair of baluster vases and covers, each brightly decorated
with a butterfly in flight and birds sheltering amongst large blooming peony branches
issuing from pierced rocks, all between lappet, ruyi and floral diaper bands
5.0

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 347
AN EXPORT REVERSE GLASS PAINTING OF A COURT LADY
of oval shape, inspired by an engraving by Henry Moorland, delicately painted with a
portrait of a lady with her left arm raised holding a mask, wearing an ornate dress
embellished with jewels, her face half shielded by a translucent black veil, glazed with a gilt
and lacquered frame
30cm., 11 3/4 in.

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 348
A CHINA TRADE PORTRAIT
FOLLOWER OF SPOILUM, EARLY 19TH CENTURY
oil on canvas, depicting a seated Chinese merchant, wearing a brown fur coat over a blue
silk robe, with a snuff bottle clasped in his right hand and with a spinach jade archer's ring
on his left thumb, beside a marble-topped table, with a famille-verte porcelain vessel
supporting his mandarin hat, framed
182 by 114cm., 71 by 45in.

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 349
THE PROPERTY OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE 10TH LORD MONSON'S RESIDUARY TRUST
A SET OF FOUR WATERCOLOURS
CHINESE SCHOOL, EARLY 19TH CENTURY
variously depicting the bunds at Shanghai, Hong Kong, Canton and Macao, framed
4.0
9.5 by 8.5cm., 3 3/4 by 3 3/8 in.
Fig. 1
edmund larken (1766-1831), private collection

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 350
A SET OF FOUR ‘MERCHANT’ PAINTINGS
CHINESE SCHOOL, EARLY 19TH CENTURY
gouache on ivory, each variously depicting a Chinese merchant dressed in official attire
and seated within a terraced garden or elaborate interior, set within original glazed brocade
boxes
8.0
13 by 17.7cm., 5 1/8 by 7in.

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 351
AN IVORY MODEL OF A PLEASURE BOAT
carved as a double-decked boat detailed with small fenced balconies, tall masts and an
anchor, the two ends of the boat variously decorated in shallow relief with an eagle, figures
in a landscape and taotie masks, the bow and stern with figures at leisure near a terraced
gallery decorated with jardinières and lanterns, wood stand and glass box
4.0
45cm., 17 3/4 in.
PROVENANCE
Edmund Larken, his deceased sale Christie's London, 17th June 1831, lot 103, bought by William John Monson, later
6th Lord Monson.
Thence by descent.
Fig. 1
untitled
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 352
PROPERTY FROM A EUROPEAN FAMILY COLLECTION
A FAMILLE-ROSE EWER AND COVER
the eight-lobed body rising from a spreading foot to a short neck, set with a gilt and iron-
red painted dragon handle and spout, the body enamelled with panels variously enclosing
flowering branches, landscapes and precious objects, all between scrolling cloud bands
decorated with florets, the foot encircled with a geometric band, the domed cover similarly
decorated and surmounted by a Buddhist lion finial
2.0
28.2cm., 11 1/8 in.
EXHIBITED
Nicole de Bisscop, Séductions Chinoises. Art Chinois d’Exportation du XVI au XIX siècle, Belgium, 2009, cat. no.
4.60.
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 353
A CHINESE IMARI CONDIMENT SET
comprising: a pair of hexagonal ewers with covers and a matching tray, each painted with
leafy floral sprays
5.0

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 354
A CHINESE IMARI SHELL-SHAPED EWER AND BASIN
the ewer of nautilus shell shape, supported on a knopped stepped foot, set with a large
scroll handle, the fluted exterior painted with bérainesque and foliate motifs, the scallop-
shaped basin raised on three spiral feet and similarly decorated
2.0
PROVENANCE
Sotheby’s London, 7th November 2007, lot 345.
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 355
A PAIR OF BLUE AND WHITE ‘KRAAK’ KENDI
each with a lobed globular body surmounted by a tall neck flaring to a six-petalled foliate
mouth, set with a curved spout moulded with branch-like extensions, the body painted with
floral panels below a keyfret band, the neck with birds and flowers
2.0
16.2cm., 6 5/8 in.
PROVENANCE
Sotheby’s Amsterdam, 21st November 2007, lot 121.
London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 356
A PAIR OF BLUE AND WHITE EWERS AND COVERS
each of rectangular section, the ovoid body set with a curved spout and an upright handle,
painted with shaped floral cartouches interspersed with foliate scrolls, the neck encircled
with a band of swirls, the spout and handle with stylised clouds, the cover similarly
decorated
4.0
10.5cm., 4 1/8 in.

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 357
A PAIR OF BLUE AND WHITE ‘LADIES’ EWERS AND COVERS
each of compressed globular form set with a loop handle and a curved spout, the exterior
moulded and painted with petal lappets variously enclosing ladies in a garden and
jardinières of flowers, all below leafy floral sprays, inscribed to the base with a yu character
(jade) within a double circle, the domed cover similarly decorated with boys and flowers
4.0
8cm., 3 1/8 in.

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 358
A PAIR OF BLUE AND WHITE EWERS AND COVERS
each of ovoid form set with a curved spout and an upright handle, painted to the exterior
with leafy sprays bearing large floral blooms, the cover similarly decorated
4.0
12.7cm., 5in.

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 359
A RARE SILVER-MOUNTED BLUE AND WHITE BOTTLE VASE FOR THE
PORTUGUESE MARKET
QING DYNASTY, KANGXI PERIOD, CIRCA 1700
the pear-shaped body rising from a spreading foot to a cylindrical neck, painted to the
exterior with four foliate cartouches enclosing the arms of St. Francis between lappet
bands, the neck encircled with a stylised foliate band, mounted with a silver rim and cover
2.0
18cm., 11in.

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 360
A LARGE IRON-RED CARP TUREEN AND COVER
realistically potted in the form of a carp lying on its side, its head and tail upturned, the fish
depicted in great detail with an open mouth, protruding eyes, raised scales and fins, the
head and the back painted in sepia, and the under body decorated with iron-red, the cover
surmounted by an iron-red carp forming the handle
2.0
49cm., 19 5/16 in.

London | 15 May 2013, 10:00 AM | L13210
LOT 361
A FINE PAIR OF CHINESE EXPORT FAMILLE-ROSE ENAMELLED GOOSE
TUREENS AND COVERS
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
4.0
38cm., 15in.
CATALOGUE 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 origin
for 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.

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Sotheby's

Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art

ESTIMATE 4,000-6,000 GBP

ESTIMATE 3,000-5,000 GBP

ESTIMATE 5,000-8,000 GBP

ESTIMATE 5,000-8,000 GBP

ESTIMATE 5,000-8,000 GBP

ESTIMATE 4,000-6,000 GBP

ESTIMATE 5,000-8,000 GBP

ESTIMATE 3,000-5,000 GBP

ESTIMATE 4,000-6,000 GBP

ESTIMATE 4,000-6,000 GBP

ESTIMATE 4,000-6,000 GBP

ESTIMATE 3,000-5,000 GBP

ESTIMATE 10,000-15,000 GBP

ESTIMATE 4,000-6,000 GBP

ESTIMATE 3,000-5,000 GBP

ESTIMATE 3,000-5,000 GBP

ESTIMATE 3,000-5,000 GBP

ESTIMATE 3,000-5,000 GBP

ESTIMATE 4,000-6,000 GBP

ESTIMATE 4,000-6,000 GBP

ESTIMATE 3,000-5,000 GBP

ESTIMATE 3,000-5,000 GBP

ESTIMATE 3,000-5,000 GBP

ESTIMATE 4,000-6,000 GBP

ESTIMATE 5,000-8,000 GBP

ESTIMATE 3,000-5,000 GBP

ESTIMATE 6,000-8,000 GBP

ESTIMATE 6,000-8,000 GBP

ESTIMATE 3,000-5,000 GBP

ESTIMATE 120,000-180,000 GBP

A 'CIZHOU' CARVED VASE, NORTHERN SONG DYNASTY,

ESTIMATE 6,000-8,000 GBP

ESTIMATE 4,000-6,000 GBP

ESTIMATE 4,000-6,000 GBP

ESTIMATE 4,000-6,000 GBP

ESTIMATE 3,000-5,000 GBP

ESTIMATE 8,000-12,000 GBP

ESTIMATE 4,000-6,000 GBP

ESTIMATE 3,000-5,000 GBP

ESTIMATE 3,000-5,000 GBP

ESTIMATE 20,000-30,000 GBP

ESTIMATE 15,000-20,000 GBP

ESTIMATE 20,000-30,000 GBP

ESTIMATE 15,000-20,000 GBP

ESTIMATE 3,000-5,000 GBP

ESTIMATE 5,000-7,000 GBP

ESTIMATE 15,000-25,000 GBP

ESTIMATE 6,000-8,000 GBP

ESTIMATE 8,000-12,000 GBP

ESTIMATE 6,000-8,000 GBP

ESTIMATE 5,000-7,000 GBP

ESTIMATE 10,000-15,000 GBP