New York- On March 25 and 26, Christie's New York will present three sales showcasing a diverse range of outstanding Chinese works of art. The first day of sales begins with For the Enjoyment of Scholars: Selections from the Robert H. Blumenfield Collection highlighted by an impressive selection of Chinese cholar’s objects carved from rhinoceros horn, ivory and other exotic materials.
Immediately following will be Property from the Arthur M. Sackler Collections, which includes rare archaic jades, bronzes, sculpture and furniture. The second day of sales continues with Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, which comprises over 300 objects across a myriad categories and tastes, from xceptional ceramics and striking furniture to rare jade carvings.
For the Enjoyment of Scholars: Selections from the Robert H. Blumenfield Collection, March 25 at 10am
On March 25, Christie’s New York is pleased to present For the Enjoyment of Scholars: Selections from the Robert H. Blumenfield Collection, a single-owner sale of exceptional Chinese carvings and works of art. Meticulously acquired over the past thirty years, the Blumenfield Collection is one of the premier collections of Chinese scholar’s objects ever assembled. This extraordinary group of 158 objects includes rare and important examples from the 15th to the 19th centuries, and comprises an impressive range of rhinoceros horn and ivory carvings as well as an assortment of other works of art including ceramics and paintings that were appreciated and treasured by China’s scholarly elite.
Property from the Arthur M. Sackler Collections, March 25 at 2:30 pm
Following the enormous successes of Fine Chinese Art from the Arthur M. Sackler Collections in March and September 2009, Christie’s is privileged to offer an additional 83 outstanding works from this renowned collection on March 25 at 2:30pm. Highlights from the sale include a very rare large limestone figure of a kneeling Bodhisattva, 10th/12th century (illustrated left, estimate: $300,000-500,000); a copper- inlaid bronze ritual wine jar, hu, Late Warring States period, 4th- 3rd century BC (estimate: $15,000-20,000); an extremely rare blackish-brown lacquered eight-legged table, 12th/15th century (estimate: $60,000-80,000); and a rare small yellowish-green jade bangle, Warring States period, 5th century BC (estimate: $7,000-9,000).
Fine Chinese Ceramics & Works of Art, March 26 at 10 am & 2 pm
Ceramics
The centerpiece of the ceramics section is a fine and very rare teadust-glazed compressed globular vase, Yongzheng six-character impressed seal mark and of the period (1723-1735) (estimate: $400,000-600,000). This vase is a testament to the renowned imperial ceramic wares of the Yongzheng Period. The striking broad shape would have been a particular challenge to the potter and beautifully showcases the matte texture and subdued color of its glaze. A very rare small Guanyao vase dated Southern Song/Yuan dynasty, 13th century, is just the kind of small ceramic gem that would have appealed to the Qianlong Emperor, as it bears one of his personal poems inscribed on its base (estimate: $120,000-200,000). Of charmingly small size, the vase is notable for the thickness, translucency, and pleasing color of its glaze. The sale also features a very rare slip-decorated white-glazed jar, Ming dynasty, 16th century (estimate: $300,000-500,000), which is decorated with melon vines, squirrels, and dragons amidst clouds combing auspicious wishes and aesthetic appeal.
Works of Art
Leading the sale is an important and very rare gold ‘winged’ cup, Western Han dynasty, 3rd-2nd century BC from the collection of Robert Hatfield Ellsworth(estimate: $800,0001,200,000). The handles of this rare cup are engraved with designs inspired by textiles and would undoubtedly have been a treasured vessel of an aristocrat. Although some gold vessels have been found in tombs dating to the 5th century BC, no other gold cups of this type appear to have been found.
Also included in the sale is an impressive selection of furniture carved from zitan, the mostly highly prized wood in China, acclaimed for its rarity, density, fine tight grain and deep purplish-brown patina. Among the zitan highlights is a rare imperial gilt-decorated throne chair, 18th/19th century (estimate: $200,000-300,000). Deeply carved with a writhing five-clawed dragon amidst clouds, these throne shares similarities to another zitan throne in the Palace Museum in Beijing. Equally distinctive is a rare and very finely carved zitan table mirror, 18th century (estimate: $100,000-150,000). This mirror was elaborately carved in a rococo manner with dense floral scroll, which was quite popular at the Chinese court during the 18th century.
The sale will also offer a rare and important large gilded silver basin, Tang dynasty (618-907) (estimate: $300,000-500,000), with only one other example of this rare type and decoration appearing to have been published; a rare inscribed gilt-bronze figure of Avalokitesvara, Sui dynasty,(581-618) (estimate: $150,000-250,000); and a rare bronze ritual food vessel, gui, Early Western Zhou dynasty, late 11th-early 10th century BC (estimate: $100,000-150,000).
Jades
The auction will also feature a selection of fine jades from an important private West Coast collection including a rare large white and russet jade archaistic fitting, 18th/19th century (illustrated right on page 1, estimate: $60,000-80,000), carved with two confronted dragons, which showcases the high skill level of the carver in utilizing the natural color of the stone. Further jade highlights include a rare large white jade figure of Buddha, 18th/19th century (estimate: $150,000-200,000), from the renowned collection of Stephen Junkunc III; a semi-translucent blue-green jadeite tripod incense burner and cover (estimate: $150,000250,000); and a magnificent and very rare white jade peach-form brush washer, Qianlong period (1736-1795) (estimate: $250,000350,000). In addition to the superb carving of a bat and peach symbolizing happiness and longevity, the brush washer is exceptional for its impressive size and the bright white tone of the stone and is a testament to the skill of the master jade carvers working during the reign of the Qianlong emperor.
Paintings
Leading the selection of thirteen Chinese classical paintings and calligraphy is Fisherman in Autumn Landscape by Li Yin (17th century) (estimate: $25,000-35,000), who was well regarded for his landscapes, bird-and-flower paintings, and praised for his coloring of his compositions. Another highlight is calligraphy on a hanging scroll by Emperor Guangxu (1875-1908) (estimate: $10,00012,000), who made this scroll for the Manchu government official Enming.
Auctions: Fine Chinese Ceramics & Works of Art including Property from the Arthur M. Sackler Collections March 25-26, 2010
Viewing: Christie's Rockefeller Center Galleries March 19-25, 2010
|
|
Date:04/Mar/2010
