IMPERIAL CHINESE TREASURES FROM A DISTINGUISHED AMERICAN COLLECTION

CHRISTIE’S HONG KONG PRESENTS 18 IMPERIAL WORKS FOR THE 2014 SPRING AUCTIONS

Hong Kong – Following the success of Imperial Chinese Porcelain- Treasures from a Distinguished American Collection in 2013, Christie’s is privileged to offer Imperial Chinese Treasures from a Distinguished American Collection, an addition of 18 works from this renowned collection on Wednesday, May 28. This group of works represents some of the finest and rarest Ming and Qing dynasty Imperial porcelain and glass wares. 

Leading the sale is a fine and extremely rare copper-red decorated pear-shaped vase, yuhuchunping, Hongwu period (1368-1398) (Illustrated top left, Lot 2908, Estimate: HK$15,000,000-20,000,000/US$1,875,000-2,500,000). The generous proportions of this Hongwu pear-shaped vase provided the ceramic decorator with a broad expanse of porcelain on which to paint the well-balanced peony scroll that dominates its decorative scheme. This scheme is enhanced by the richness of color seen in the copper red pigment, and the artistic confidence of the decorator’s brush. This vase is also very rare for its well-preserved color and in being undamaged, since so many other examples of this form have damage to their fragile mouth rims. 

A very rare imperial yellow-ground falangcai ‘floral’ bowl, Kangxi pink-enamelled four-character yuzhi mark within double squares and of the period (1662-1722) (Illustrated top middle, Lot 2913, Estimate: HK$12,000,000-18,000,000/US$1,500,000-2,500,000) is another notable piece in the collection. This bowl is one of the finest porcelain vessels made for the Kangxi Emperor, decorated with floral designs against an egg-yolk yellow ground, and four-character yuzhi marks written in rouge enamel.  This is a superb example of enamel painting from the first quarter of the 18^th century with depictions of auspicious flowers including a myriad of blooming roses, chrysanthemums, as well as daylilies.

Another highlight is a magnificent and rare famille rose vase, tianqiuping, Yongzheng six-character seal mark and of the period (1723-1735) (Illustrated top right, Lot 2914, Estimate: HK$12,000,000-15,000,000/US$1,600,000-1,900,000). This impressive vase is gracefully composed of two fluttering butterflies with a cluster of luxuriant flora including peony plants in shades of pastel pink, yellow, and white.  The big blossoms dominate the larger part of the porcelain surface while deliberately leaving smaller areas of undecorated surface to achieve a harmonizing balance and pleasing visual effect.  Its well-proportioned construction and exquisite enameling truly attest to the consummate skills of the artisans at the imperial kilns during the Yongzheng period.

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CHRISTIE’S HONG KONG

CHINESE CERAMICS & WORKS OF ART SPRING AUCTIONS 2014

Venue: Convention Hall, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, 1 Harbour Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong