Important Chinese Ceramics & Works of Art Spring 2013

PRESS RELEASE | HONG KONG | 10 M a y 2 0 1 3 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

IMPORTANT CHINESE CERAMICS & WORKS OF ART SPRING 2013 SALES HIGHLIGHTS

James Christie Room (May 29) | In Pursuit of Refinement – A Legacy of the YC Chen Collection, 10:30am, Sale 3216 | | The Yiqingge Collection of Chinese Ceramics, 12noon, Sale 3220 | |Reverence and Perfection – Magnificent Imperial Cloisonné Enamels from a Private European Collection, 2:30pm, Sale 3217| | The Imperial Sale and Important Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, 3:15pm, Sale 3213 |

Hong Kong – On May 29, 2013, Christie’s Hong Kong will hold four sales of Chinese Ceramics & Works of Art during its Hong Kong 2013 Spring Auctions. With a total of 388 lots, the sales are estimated to realise in excess of HK$400 million/US$51 million. Three important private collections will be presented, including the YC Chen Collection, the Yiqingge Collection of Chinese Ceramics, and important Imperial cloisonné enamels from a European collection, followed by the Imperial Sale and the Important Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art sale.

Click here for the link to the press release for the sale of ‘Reverence and Perfection – Magnificent Imperial Cloisonné Enamels from a private European Collection’

REVERENCE AND PERFECTION – MAGNIFICENT IMPERIAL CLOISONNÉ ENAMELS FROM A PRIVATE EUROPEAN COLLECTION

Comprising 26 pieces and estimated to realise in excess of HK$41 million/US$5.3 million, this sale features one of the finest groups of 18th century Imperial cloisonné enamel wares to have come up for sale at auction. Cloisonné production demands extensive amounts of time and high levels of craftsmanship, and at the time they were made, cloisonné enamels would have been reserved for the Imperial Court. Thoughtfully selected by a European collector with a focus on quality, the pieces in this collection are of intrinsic historic and aesthetic value. Cloisonné enamels produced in the Qing Dynasty, which combine both Chinese and Western decorative elements, have been widely used throughout the 19th and 20th centuries by designers and tastemakers worldwide to match a wide array of interior settings. More recently collectors have started to appreciate them for their importance within the context of Chinese art.

The highlight of the collection is a masterpiece: an 18th century cloisonné enamel incense burner (Sale 3217, Lot 2064, Estimate: HK$ 12,000,000-18,000,000 / US$ 1,600,000-2,300,000). The imposing incense burner stands nearly 80cm. high and is one of the largest censers of its kind. The gilt metal handles, feet and finial are highly detailed and paired with the intricate floral designs adorning the body. It also has a fascinating history, having been acquired in the early 19th century by William Jardine, the founder of the Hong Kong trading house, Jardine Matheson.

A LEGACY OF MR Y.C. CHEN

One of the most iconic connoisseurs of Chinese art of our times, Mr. Y.C. Chen (Yu Chieh Chen) was also one of the last of a generation of Chinese antique dealers from Shanghai who came to Hong Kong in the early 1950s. Mr. Chen became an apprentice at the age of 15 to a prominent antique dealer in Shanghai, where he learned the trade. He found his life-long passion in the world of Chinese antiques and went on to become a ceramic collector whose vast knowledge was matched by his immense generosity. For a few privileged individuals, Mr. Chen was unstinting in sharing his experience and expertise in the field of Chinese ceramics.

This single owner sale comprises 67 carefully selected lots from Mr. Chen’s collection and a total value in excess of HK$50 million / US$6.4 million. Items range from vases, works of art to zitan furniture, dating from Jin to Qing dynasties. From the collection, the most surprising part is the zitan furniture on offer which has been kept in exceptionally good condition, particularly the pair of zitan altar tables (Sale 3216, Lot 1952, Estimate: HK$8,000,000-10,000,000 / US$1,000,000- 1,300,000). These tables have remained largely untouched for more than 40 years. It is their impressively large size - each almost three metres long – and the superb quality of the carving that make them so exceptional.

Among Mr. Chen’s ceramic collection is a group of 11 ‘month’ cups. During the Kangxi period, finely potted wine cups were produced at the imperial kilns. The cups were painted and enamelled with individual flowers that designated each of the 12 months of the year, and from which the name ‘month’ cup was derived. These Kangxi period cups embodied the essence of classical Chinese scholarship with its display of poetry, calligraphy and painting, and this schematic design inspired imperial ceramics of the later Yongzheng and Qianlong reigns. The most interesting among Mr. Chen’s ceramics is a rare pair of Qianlong-marked ruby-ground famille rose vases (Sale 3216, Lot 1922, Estimate: HK$ 8,000,000-12,000,000 / US$ 1,100,000- 1,500,000). The survival of vases in pairs is rare and Mr. Chen’s pair of vases, both in pristine condition, will undoubtedly attract much interest from collectors of imperial ceramics.

THE YIQINGGE COLLECTION ASSEMBLED BY A JAPANESE PRIVATE COLLECTOR

Carefully assembled by a Japanese connoisseur of Chinese ceramics, the Yiqingge Collection comprises 36 lots featuring important Chinese ceramics from the Song Dynasty to the Republic period, as well as a set of important art publications, altogether estimated to realise in excess of HK$31 million / US$4 million.

Among the highlights is a rare pair of well painted famille rose ‘flowers and peaches’ jars and covers (Sale 3220, Lot 2025, Estimate: HK$5,000,000-8,000,000 / US$650,000-1,000,000). No other identical examples appear to have been published to date. The jars also have remarkable provenance. They were previously in the collection of Asano Souichiro (1848-1930), an influential entrepreneur at the turn of the 19th/20th centuries in Japan and an avid collector of Chinese art, in particular Qing Imperial porcelains.

Another important piece is a very rare pair of porcelain-inlaid calligraphic panels bearing the signature and seals of Tang Ying (1683-1756) (Sale 3220, Lot 2012, Estimate: HK$1,800,000-2,500,000 / US$240,000-320,000), the pre-eminent Superintendent of the Imperial kilns during the Yongzheng and Qianlong periods, whose works are highly valued and sought after. Porcelain- inlaid panels with Tang Ying’s calligraphy are rare, and only one other example appears to be known, which is in the collection of Eisei Bunko Museum, Tokyo.

THE IMPERIAL SALE AND IMPORTANT CHINESE CERAMICS AND WORKS OF ART

Imperial Sales have been a feature of every spring auction season at Christie’s Hong Kong since 1996. This year, the Imperial Sale and Important Chinese ceramics and works of art categories range from archaic bronzes, Song ceramics and Longquan celadon ceramics, to Qing doucai ceramics and jades. The sale was put together with emphasis on reasonable and realistic estimates, with pieces carefully selected in direct response to what is of interest to the market and reflecting the increasingly sophisticated and discerning tastes of collectors worldwide. There are 259 lots on offer, estimated to achieve in excess of HK$279 million / US$35.8 million.

Qing famille rose, doucai-decorated and monochrome ceramics continue to be the most prominent category and a particularly fine selection in the Imperial sale embodies the key attributes of provenance, rarity and fine condition.

A number of very important jade carvings in the sale include a rare imperial inscribed Mughal-style white jade cup from the Qianlong period (Sale 3213, Lot 2133, Estimate: HK$ 12,000,000-18,000,000 / US$ 1,600,000-2,300,000), a superb carving aimed at recreating the jade carvings from the Mughal Empire that were so admired by the Qianlong Emperor. Satisfied that its superb quality befits his ideal of Mughal jades, the Qianlong Emperor inscribed his own poem of appreciation on it, and used it as a brush washer on his writing desk.

A pair of imperial Canton tribute bejewelled and jadeite-inlaid silver-gilt boxes (Sale 3213, Lot 2163, Estimate: HK$5,000,000- 8,000,000 / US$600,000-1,000,000) is a highlight of a section of the Imperial sale, dedicated to a group of very fine and ornately decorated pieces produced in Canton for the Imperial Court. These objects were made using the expertise of some of the country’s finest artisans and assimilating the prevailing influences and taste for Western works of art.

The sale also includes a fine selection of Buddhist bronze figures led by a very rare and important gilt-bronze figure of Bodhisattva Padmapani (Sale 3213, Lot 2138, Estimate: HK$4,000,000-6,000,000 / US$520,000-770,000), which is the largest example among the few recorded gilt-bronze figures that bear a Zhengtong (1436-1449) reign mark, the sixth emperor of the Ming Dynasty.

IMAGES of select highlights are available here

About Christie’s Christie’s, the world's leading art business, had global auction and private sales in 2012 that totaled £3.92 billion/$6.27 billion. Christie’s is a name and place that speaks of extraordinary art, unparalleled service and expertise, as well as international glamour. Founded in 1766 by James Christie, Christie's has since conducted the greatest and most celebrated auctions through the centuries providing a popular showcase for the unique and the beautiful. Christie’s offers over 450 auctions annually in over 80 categories, including all areas of fine and decorative arts, jewellery, photographs, collectibles, wine, and more. Prices range from $200 to over $100 million. Christie's also has a long and successful history conducting private sales for its clients in all categories, with emphasis on Post-War and Contemporary, Impressionist and Modern, Old Masters and Jewellery. Private sales totaled £631.3 million/$1 billion in 2012, an increase of 26% on the same period last year.

Christie’s has a global presence with 53 offices in 32 countries and 10 salerooms around the world including in London, New York, Paris, Geneva, Milan, Amsterdam, Dubai, Zürich, and Hong Kong. More recently, Christie’s has led in growth markets such as Russia, China, India and the Middle East, with successful sales, exhibitions and initiatives in Moscow, Baku, Beijing, Mumbai, Delhi, Jeddah, Abu Dhabi, Doha and Dubai.

*Estimates do not include buyer’s premium. Sales totals are hammer price plus buyer’s premium and do not reflect costs, financing fees or application of buyer’s or seller’s credits.

# # #

Visit Christie’s Website at www.christies.com Complete catalogue available online at www.christies.com or via the Christie’s iPhone app

FOLLOW CHRISTIE’S ON:

FACTSHEET

CHINESE CERAMICS & WORKS OF ART

Reverence and Perfection – Magnificent Imperial Cloisonné Enamels from a Private European Collection( Sale 3217 ) Lot 2061 A RARE AND IMPORTANT PAIR OF IMPERIAL CLOISONNÉ ENAMEL 'DRAGON' VASES, FANGGU QIANLONG INCISED FOUR-CHARACTER MARKS AND OF THE PERIOD (1736-1795) 12 ½ in. (32 cm.) high

Estimate: HK$ 5,000,000-7,000,000 US$ 650,000-900,000 This pair of vases is exceedingly rare in terms of their form and decoration, and no other example appears to have been published to date. They are very likely to have been part of a five-piece altar set used during rituals in the palace. The unusual shape of the current vases is inspired by archaic bronze vessels from the Zhou dynasty, while the design was crisply rendered in vibrant colours characteristic of 18th century imperial cloisonné enamel wares. Hence the present pair of vases is a particularly attractive example with innovative melding of archaic and contemporaneous decorative schemes. Lot 2064 A MAGNIFICENT IMPERIAL CLOISONNÉ ENAMEL 'PHOENIX' TRIPOD CENSER AND COVER QIANLONG PERIOD (1736-1795) 31 ¾ in. (80.6 cm.) high

Estimate:: HK$ 12,000,000-18,000,000 US$ 1,600,000-2,300,000

Provenance: Jardine Matheson (1784-1843) This impressive censer of impeccable beauty, was made for imperial use and is representative of the best Chinese imperial cloisonné enamels produced during the Qing dynasty. Its considerable size suggests that it would have been used for burning incense as well as an ornate decorative feature in one of the large Imperial palace halls. Of particular note are the extremely well cast gilt-bronze handles in the form of a pair of elegant phoenixes, which are of unprecedented quality and reminiscent of the rococo style in vogue in contemporaneous Europe. This censer also has remarkable provenance. It was previously in the collection of William Jardine, the founder of Jardine Matheson.

In Pursuit of Refinement - A Legacy of the YC Chen Collection ( Sale 3216 ) Lot 1922 AN EXCEPTIONALLY FINE AND RARE PAIR OF RUBY- GROUND FAMILLE ROSE VASES QIANLONG SIX-CHARACTER SEAL MARKS AND OF THE PERIOD (1736-1795) 12 in. (30.5 cm.) high

Estimate: HK$ 8,000,000-12,000,000 US$ 1,100,000-1,500,000 This pair of vases is extremely rare due to the highly unusual and complex design executed with a myriad of colours from the famille rose palette. It is exceedingly rare to find a pair of Qianlong imperial porcelains preserved in such remarkably pristine condition. They are exemplary of the best Qing imperial porcelains produced during the 18th century. Being carefully kept and treasured by Mr. Chen, these vases well reflect his sophisticated connoisseurship as well as exhaustive collecting manner. Lot 1952 . A MAGNIFICENT AND VERY RARE PAIR OF LARGE IMPERIAL ZITAN CORNER-LEG ALTAR TABLES, TIAOZHUO QIANLONG/JIAQING PERIOD (1736-1820) 35 1/2 in. (90.2 cm.) high, 106 3/8 in. (270 cm.) wide, 21 1/4 in. (54 cm.) deep

Estimate: HK$ 8,000,000-10,000,000 US$ 1,000,000-1,300,000 While Mr. Chen was known for his expansive knowledge on Chinese ceramics, it came as a pleasant surprise when this very rare pair of tables was discovered at his home in exceptional condition. This pair of long tables appears to be part of a group of imperial zitan tables elaborately carved with kui dragon at the spandrels and the tables stand out as the longest among other comparable examples published. It is very rare to find massive furniture made of zitan wood and as such the production cost would have been considerable. This type of long table was usually placed against a wall in a palace room to display decorative objects as depicted in court paintings.

The Yiqingge Collection of Chinese Ceramics ( Sale 3220 ) Lot 2012 A VERY RARE PAIR OF PORCELAIN-INLAID CALLIGRAPHIC PANELS QING DYNASTY, 18TH CENTURY, SIGNED TANG YING

The couplet can be translated: Speckles of prunus flowers add to my leisurely mood; A smattering of bird songs relieves my laboured heart.

The seals are: Yuci yujin jicui: Imperial gift; Deep Gold and Dense Green Tang Ying zhiyin: Seal of Tang Ying Jun Gong (a sobriquet of Tang Ying)

Each plaque 63 ¼ x 17 ¼ in. (161 x 44 cm.)

Estimate: HK$ 1,800,000-2,500,000 US$ 240,000-320,000 This pair of panels is one of the two known examples of porcelain-inlaid lacquer panels bearing the calligraphy, signature and seals of Tang Ying (1683-1756), who was not only one of the most efficient and innovative supervisors in the history of Chinese porcelain production, but also an accomplished calligrapher and poet. The panels represent a fine example combining Tang Ying’s three favourite subjects: porcelain, calligraphy and poetry. They show the consummate skills of the Jingdezhen potters to convey calligraphic brush strokes in clay. The characters are so masterfully rendered that on first glance they look as if indeed written by a brush. The fluidity of the strokes, the composition of the characters and the way the dry brush drags across the surface of the paper are all faithfully replicated in porcelain. Lot 2025 A RARE PAIR OF FAMILLE ROSE 'FLOWERS AND PEACHES' JARS AND COVERS DAOGUANG SIX-CHARACTER SEAL MARK AND OF THE PERIOD (1821-1850) 11 1/8 in. (28.2 cm.) high, zitan stands, Japanese wood box

Estimate: HK$ 5,000,000-8,000,000 US$ 650,000-1,000,000 This pair of jars was previously in the collection of Asano Souichiro (1848-1930), and privately published in the catalogue of the collection dated 1922. Asano Souichiro was an influential entrepreneur as well as avid collector of Chinese art in the late 19th and early 20th century. These jars are exceedingly rare not only because they come in pairs together with the original covers, but are also exceptionally well painted. The combination of Chinese amaranth painted overall in iron-red, and various fruiting and flowering branches executed in the pastel-like famille rose palette, creates an interesting contrast as well as a very pleasant visual effect.

The Imperial Sale Important Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art（Sale 3213） Lot 2123 A FINE AND VERY RARE FAMILLE ROSE AND UNDERGLAZE-BLUE DECORATED 'POMEGRANATE' MEIPING QIANLONG SIX-CHARACTER SEAL MARK AND OF THE PERIOD (1736-1795) 6 1/8 in. (15.5 cm.) high

Estimates: HK$ 4,000,000-6,000,000

US$ 520,000-770,000 The decorative scheme on this vase is highly unusual. The combination of famille rose enamels, iron red and cobalt blue on the present vase creates a striking visual effect. The motif of a pomegranate split open to expose its seeds provides the rebus for liukai baize, ‘Pomegranate revealing one hundred sons’, or qianzi tongmo, ‘One thousand sons within the same womb’, conveying the auspicious wish for numerous progeny. Lot 2133 AN IMPORTANT IMPERIAL INSCRIBED MUGHAL-STYLE WHITE JADE CUP, SHUIYU QIANLONG PERIOD (1736-1795), CIRCA 1783 5 9/16 in. (14 cm.) wide

Estimate: HK$ 12,000,000-18,000,000 US$ 1,600,000-2,300,000 This beautiful white jade cup was inspired by 17th century Mughal jade carvings that were already in the collection of the Qianlong Emperor who admired them greatly. The Emperor considered Mughal lapidaries as superior craftsmen in their abilities to produce thinly carved jades with a high polish. This imperial jade cup on offer represents one of the best carvings produced by the Imperial workshops rendered in the Mughal style. The original cups were made as drinking vessels but from the inscription it was clear that the Qianlong Emperor used it as a washer for his brushes. The adaptation of the goose-head also reminded the Emperor of his favourite 4th century calligrapher Wang Xizhi whose calligraphic strokes were said to have been inspired by watching geese swim. Lot 2163 A MAGNIFICENT AND RARE PAIR OF CANTON TRIBUTE BEJEWELLED AND JADEITE-INLAID SILVER- GILT BOXES QIANLONG PERIOD (1736-1795) 3 ¼ in. (8.3 cm.) wide

Estimate: HK$ 5,000,000-8,000,000 US$ 650,000-1,000,000

Provenence: Brooke Astor (1902-2007) This pair of exquisite boxes were made in Canton, or Guangzhou, as tribute pieces that were sent to the Qing Court. Canton was the only port that was allowed to engage in business with foreign traders. In both material and style these pieces were revolutionary. Bright green jadeite is offset with the red paste glass, and inlaid seed pearls popularly found on magnificently embellished European clocks that were much in demand at the Palace. These boxes were in the collection of renowned New York philanthropist and socialite Brooke Astor (1902-2007), who once lived in China during her childhood, where she developed a lifelong passion for Chinese art and culture.

Lot 2172 AN IMPORTANT AND VERY RAREARCHAIC BRONZE WINE VESSEL, YOU LATE SHANG DYNASTY, 12th-11th CENTURY BC 12 ¾ in. (32.3 cm.) high

Estimate: HK$ 9,000,000-12,000,000 US$ 1,200,000-1,500,000

Provenence: The Idemitsu Museum, Tokyo This important early bronze vessel dating to the Shang dynasty, known as a you, was used as a wine vessel during ritual ceremonies. It was previously in the collection of the Idemitsu Museum, Tokyo, and was first published in 1981. The casting is of superb quality and remarkably it is in very good condition. This you would have been a rare luxury reserved only for the most powerful elite in the Shang dynasty. Today, it is an equally rare art piece owing to its superb quality, pristine condition and outstanding provenance. *Estimates do not include buyer’s premium. Sales totals are hammer price plus buyer’s premium and do not reflect costs, financing fees or application of buyer’s or seller’s credits.

PLEASE CREDIT TO © Christie’s Images Limited 2013 Please note this may only be reproduced in connection with a preview or review of the relevant Christie's sale. Please refer to our Terms & Conditions of use. Use and reproduction of the images may also involve additional copyright which you will need to clear directly with the relevant copyright holder.