The Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art sale offers 160 lots with an estimate of HK$20 to 30 million. The auction includes a number of private collections of works of art featuring jades and scholars objects.
“Many new collectors have emerged in China this year. Bonhams is pleased to be able to offer them a diverse range of jade carving and scholars items, ranging in price from HK$20,000 to HK$1,500,000,” says Julian King, Head of Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art in Hong Kong.
Highlights among the porcelain, the most mature category, is a magnificent Yongle (1403-24) blue and white barbed dish painted with peony flowers (lot 318). In size and style, it is influenced by the Mongol court in the Yuan dynasty’s preference for eating on large style dishes, but its delicacy of painting reflects the Ming aesthetic. Estimate is HK$2 million – $3 million.
An extremely fine and rare celadon-glazed ‘chrysanthemum’ vase Qianlong seal mark and of the period (lot 303). Estimate is HK$1 million – $1.5 million. This vase is by repute, a gift from John D. Rockefeller, Jr. in Peking, 1921, and thence by descent.
It is extremely rare to find a chrysanthemum vase of this form, and no other example from the Qianlong reign appears to be published in any museum or private collection.
The original owner of this vase was an extraordinary individual who played an important role in the development of modern medical education in early 20th century China. One of the first recommendations of the Rockefeller Foundation, the major philanthropic organisation established in New York in 1913, was the establishment of foundations for international public health activities. The China Medical Board, set up in 1914, subsequently founded the Peking Union Medical College in 1921, the first public health university in China. According to family tradition, it was at this point in time that the original owner, who was instrumental in its establishment, was given the vase by his close friend John D. Rockefeller, Jr (1874-1960).
Auction:
28 November at 10am
Level 3, J.W. Marriott Hotel, Hong Kong
Public Preview:
25 November from 3pm to 10pm
26 and 27 November from 10am to 10pm
www.bonhams.com/hk
Image: An extremely fine and rare celadon-glazed ‘chrysanthemum’ vase
Qianlong seal mark and of the period
Gracefully potted of elegant ovoid form, gently rising at the shoulders, curving gracefully at the neck and flaring to a trumpet mouth, finely carved in low relief at the foot with a band of fifteen vertical chrysanthemum petals, covered all over in an exquisite even pale green glaze, the countersunk base inscribed with the seal mark in underglaze-blue.
30cm (11¾in) high.
Estimate: HK$1,000,000 – 1,500,000, $130,000 – 190,000