PRESS RELEASE | HONG KONG | 12 May 2016

   THE IMPERIAL SALE

IMPORTANT CHINESE CERAMICS AND WORKS OF ART

Hong Kong – Christie’s is proud to present The Imperial Sale and Important Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art Sale to be held on Wednesday, 1 June 2016 at the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Center, presenting over 180 rare and exquisite Chinese Imperial pieces. This season offers an impressive range of Qing and Ming porcelain, Song ceramics, Buddhist works of art, jades, bronzes and more. The selection offers global collectors unique breadth and depth, and the perfect opportunity for connoisseurs to acquire the rarest and most exceptional pieces in a wide range of categories.  

Chi Fan Tsang, Senior Vice President, Specialist Head of Department, commented, “The selection to be presented to collectors this season showcases the rarest treasures across numerous peaks of refinement in Chinese history. The works have exceptional provenance, which we anticipate will generate a lot of interest and be much sought after by collectors around the world.”

A superb highlight this season is a fine and extremely rare faux-bois and grisaille-decorated “landscape” brush pot. This masterpiece was created at the imperial kilns during the reign of the Yongzheng Emperor and reflects the exquisite craftsmanship of this time. Known for his discerning taste, the arts made for the Yongzheng Emperor have always been highly regarded by connoisseurs, with the current brush pot the culmination of technological advances, artistic inspiration, and passionate imperial patronage.

The brush pot is delicately painted in grisaille enamels with a continuous landscape scene resembling a hand scroll, depicting scholars in leisurely pursuits. The four scholars are depicted in various activities along a river landscape, and are framed between superbly enamelled faux bois borders extending to the interior and base, reserving the countersunk mark inscribed with the reign mark in three columns.

Appearing for the first time at auction, a re-discovered treasure of the pivotal historical figure Prince Kung Yixin will be offered at Christie’s this spring.

The pair of tianhuang seals, each weighing over 200 grams, is likely the largest tianhuang seals ever to be on offer at auction market. Carved during the Kangxi period, these seals bear the signatures of the renowned contemporaneous seal carver Dong Cangmen and scholar Lin Ji. The seal faces are carved with two different inscriptions which can be translated as “The sixth imperial son, The Peaceful and Eminent Prince Kung” and “Guardian vassal of the state”, indicating that this pair of seals was very likely to be bestowed upon Prince Kung by his brother the Xianfeng Emperor.  They are very well preserved, have an illustrious provenance and are unquestionably important in terms of their academic, artistic and historic value.

A top highlight to be offered from the selection of Buddhist works of art is a large gilt-bronze figure of Buddha Sakayamuni which is modelled serenely seating in dhyanasana, on a double-lotus base with beaded rims. This figure beautifully reflects the detailed work of Newari artists, which also exhibits features from the Khasa Malla Kingdom that reinforces its uniqueness.

Wearing a tightly fitted monastic robe neatly gathered around the ankles with meandering folds and fine beaded hemlines, the figure’s face is detailed with eyes downcast and long pendent ears, each below a florette. The benevolent expression and the delicate contours of the limbs soften the overall appearance, demonstrating a balance between muscularity and gracefulness.

Also featured in the sale is the exceptional large blue and white ‘sanduo’ hexagonal vase. The vase is not only superbly potted amongst vases of this type, but it is also well painted on the facetted sides of the body in delicate shades of blue with sprays of pomegranate, peach and persimmon, alternating with branches of peony, chrysanthemum and lotus.

The trumpet neck of conforming shape, further painted with six detached composite floral sprays, are all bordered by bands of keyfret and trefoil. A comparable pair is displayed in the Chuxiu Gong, ‘Palace of Assembled Elegance’, in the Forbidden City.Vases of this shape and decoration were first made in the Yongzheng reign, indicating this type were made as display objects for the Imperial palace.

Also of note is an elegant teadust-glazed gu-shaped vase from the Qianlong period. Of well-proportioned form and covered with an even satiny glaze, this very fine vase came from the esteemed collection of Baron Fujita Family Collection, which is one of the most prominent and highly regarded art collections in Japan.  

Notes to Editors:

THE IMPERIAL SALE

IMPORTANT CHINESE CERAMICS AND WORKS OF ART Auction: 1 June 2016

Venue : Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, No. 1 Expo Drive, Wanchai

Preview : 26 May – 28 May - 10:30am – 6:00pm

                29-31 May 10:30am – 6:30pm          

PRESS CONTACT: Lee Bingle | +852 2978 9966| lbingle@christies.com