From historic ceramics to modern ink paintings: Five pieces of Asian art at Sworders’ specialist sale

Among the specialist auctions being held is Sworders’ sale in Stansted Mountfitchet on November 6 which will offer a range of Chinese, Export, Indian, Japanese, Korean and South East Asian works across a variety of periods and price bands. Here we pick out five highlights.

1. Kangxi blue and white ewers

A pair of Kangxi (1662-1722) pear form blue and white ewers that bear labels for the Pierpont Morgan collection, pictured above, is among the most interesting lots at Sworders’ Asian art sale.

They come for sale from the family of Jay Gould (1836-92), one of the famous US ‘Industrial Robber Barons’ whose sometimes sharp business practices made him one of the wealthiest men of the late 19th century.

His son George (1864-1923), also a financier and railroad executive, was an important client of the dealer Joseph Duveen.

The 7in (17cm) high ewers are guided at £1500-2000.

View the catalogue entry for these Kangxi blue and white ewers on thesaleroom.com

2. Tongzhi famille rose dish

A Tongzhi famille rose dish, estimated at £300-500 at Sworders.

A Chinese famille rose dish from the Tongzhi (1862-1874) is also among the lots on offer at Sworders.

It is painted with magpies among blossoming prunus branches against a yellow ground and features a four-character Tongzhi mark to the base.

A similar example was previously in the collection of US President Ronald Reagan.

The dish is estimated at £300-500.

View the catalogue entry for these Tongzhi famille rose dish on thesaleroom.com.

3. Jiaqing bowl

The lot with the highest estimate at the Sworders sale is a large Chinese famille rose bowl.

It recently arrived at Sworders after being used for many years as a flowerpot in a family home. To the base is a red six-character Jiaqing (1796-1820) mark.

It is decorated with eight Buddhist Emblems and archaic characters reading ‘Wan Shou Wu Jiang’ – the wish for great longevity.

Most bowls of this style and period are smaller, usually measuring between 10cm and 18cm across, whereas this bowl measures 20cm in diameter.

There is an almost identical example from the Jiaqing period in the Palace Museum in Beijing that measures 18cm.

It is estimated at £12,000-18,000.

View the catalogue entry for this Jiaqing bowl on thesaleroom.com.

4. Japanese Satsuma plate

A Japanese Satsuma ware plate, estimated at £1200-1500 at Sworders.

A Satsuma ware plate dating from the Meiji period (1868-1912) features among the Japanese works on offer at Sworder.

Of circular form, it is painted with figures in the yard of the Kiyomizu-dera temple, together with the famous maple and pine trees of Kyoto.

To the base is a Kinkozan mark. The Kinkozan family were longstanding producers of pottery dating back to 1645 and were the largest producer of Satsuma ware from the end of the 19th century until 1927 when the factory closed.

This plate is estimated at £1200-1500.

View the catalogue entry for this Japanese Satsuma ware plate on thesaleroom.com.

5. Modern Chinese ink painting

‘And There Was Light’ by Liu Kuo-Sung, estimated at £6000-8000 at Sworders.

Among the modern Chinese pictures at the Sworders sale is a signed work by Liu Kuo-Sung (b.1932) – an artist also known as Liu Guosong.

And There Was Light is a mixed media circular work on paper measuring 46cm in diameter. It dates from 1968 and has the seal of the artist.

The picture is an example of his expressionist works that are partially abstract in style but were created by following the artistic practices of the Song Dynasty. His ink studies often reflect themes such as the light from traditional Chinese lanterns but also more present-days subjects including views of the moon, earth and outer space.

This picture is estimated at £6000-8000.

View the catalogue entry for this Liu Kuo-Sung work on paper on thesaleroom.com.