Chinese
Ceramics and Works of Art
Part I
Christie's New York
September 15, 2011 (Lots 1101-1267)
September 16, 2011 (Lots 1268-1439)
Sale 2463
Lot 1118, Archaic bronze ritual wine vessel, Middle Western Zhou dynasty, China, circa 9th Century B.C., 21 1/2 inches high
By Carter B. Horsley
This auction of Chinese works of art at Christie's New York September 15 and 16, 2011 is highlighted by a nice selection of archaic bronzes, some excellent large screens, and some good ceramics.Lot 1347, 12-panel screen, 17th Century, each panel 85 2/3 by 23 1/2 inches
The most spectacular work in the auction is Lot 1347, a "rare and magnificent" 12-panel 17th Century screen. Each panel measures 85 2/3 by 23 1/2 inches.
Detail of Lot 1347
Alan Priest, a former head of the Chinese Art Department at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York acquired it in Beijing in 1919 and it was formerly in the Robert Hatfield Ellsworth Collection in New York. It has an estimate of $500,000 to $700,000. It failed to sell.
Lot 1359, five-panel, jade-inlaid, hardwood throne screen, 94 3/4 by 120 1/2 inches
Lot 1359 is a "massive" and impressive five-panel, jade-inlaid, hardwood throne screen. It measures 94 3/4 by 120 1/2 inches and has an estimate of $120,000 to $150,000. It failed to sell.
Lot 1364, head of an official, grey stone, Liao Dynasty, 907-1125, 31 inches high
Lot 1364 is a large and impressive grey stone head of an official from the Liao dynasty (907-1125). It is 31 inches high and has an estimate of $150,000 to $250,000. It sold for $182,500.
Lot 1383, gilt bronze figure of Vairocana, Ming Dynasty, 16th Century, 20 1/4 inches high
The cover illustration of the catalogue is Lot 1383, a "very rare large finely cast bronze figure of Vairocana," Ming Dynasty, 16th Century. It is 20 1/4 inches high and has an estimate of $600,000 to $800,000. It sold for $722,500.
The catalogue entry notes that "Vairocana is considered to be the Great Solar Buddha of Light and Truth, and is the Bliss Body of the hisotrical Buddha in Buddhist Law. Vairocana is also considered one of the Five Dhyani Buddhas, also known as the Five Wisdom Tathagatas, which are representatives of the five qualities of the Buddha."
Lot 1657, gilt and enameled porcelain figure of a Bodhisattva, 15 3/4 inches high, 18th-19th Century
Lot 1657 is a "rare" gilt and enameled porcelain figure of a Bodhisattva from the18th to 19th Century. It is 15 3/4 inches high and has an estimate of $60,000 to $80,000.
Lot 1652, enameled famille rose teapot, Jiaqing seal mark in iron red and of thepierod (1796-1820), 7 7/8 inches high
Lot 1652 is a "rare and finely enameled teapot, Jiaqing seal mark in iron red and of the period (1796-1820)." It is 7 7/8 inches high and has an estimate of $500,000 to $700,000.
Lot 1585, reverse-decorated blue and white bowl and cover, Yongzheng six-character marks in underglaze blue and of the period (1723-1735), 6 7/8 inches wide bowl, cover 7 1/2 inches wide
Lot 1585 is a "very rare" reverse-decorated blue and white bowl and cover with Yongzheng six-character marks in underglaze blue and of the period (1723-1735). It has an estimate of $200,000 to $300,000. It sold for $386,500.
Lot 1600, flambe-glazed vase, Qianlong incised seal mark and of the period (1736-1795), 8 1/4 inches high
Lot 1600 is a stunning and "very rare and unusual" flambe-glazed vase, Qianlong incised seal mark and of the period (1736-1795). It is 8 1/4 inches high and has an estimate of $150,000 to $200,000. It sold for $542,500.
Lot 1455, massive turquoise and sancai-glazed pottery figure of an earth spirit, Tang Dynasty, (618-907), 47 1/4 inches high
Lot 1455 is a very large turquoise and sancai-glazed pottery figure of an earth spirit from the Tang Dynasty (618-907). It is 47 1/4 inches high and has an estimate of $120,000 to $150,000. It failed to sell.
Lot 1464, Cizhou-type, black glazed ribbed baluster vase, Northern Sung/Jin Dynasty, 12th-13th Century, 6 inches high
Lot 1464 is a lovely and unusual small Cizhou-type black glazed ribbed baluster vase from the Northern Sung/Jin Dynasty (12th-13th Century). It is 6 inches high and is similar to one in the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. It has an estimate of $15,000 to $20,000. It failed to sell.
Lot 1549, Doucai hexagonal jardiniere, Kangxi six-character mark in underglaze blue in a line and of the period (1662-1722), 22 inches long
Lot 1549 is a rare Doucai hexagonal jardiniere with a Kangxi six-character mark in underglaze blue in a line and of the period (1662-1722). It is 22 inches long and has an estimate of $200,000 to $300,000. It sold for $242,500.
Lot 1486, group of processional figures, furniture and tribute, Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), largest 15 1/2 inches high
Lot 1486 is a group of five figures on horseback and 21 attendants and musicians and a larg shrine and an altar, Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). The largest figure is 15 1/2 inches high. The lot has a modest estimate of $25,000 to $35,000. It sold for $18,750.
Lot 1482, pair of massive sancai-glazed roof ridge terminal tiles, 51 inches high
Lot 1483 is an impressive pair of sancai-glazed roof ridge terminal tiles, Ming Dynasty. They are 51 inches high and have an estimate of $80,000 to $100,000. The lot failed to sell.
Lot 1481, pair of large glazed tilework panels, Ming Dynasty, 17 1/2 by 65 inches, each
Lot 1481 is a pair of Ming Dynasty large glaze tilework panels depicting dragons. They are 17 1/2 by 65 inches each. The lot has estimate of $20,000 to $30,000. It sold for $47,500.