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Lot 57

A YELLOW JADE ‘FISH’ PENDANT, WESTERN ZHOU DYNASTY 西周魚形玉佩Please note this Lot is to be sold at No Reserve. 本拍品不設底價China, 11th-9th century BC. Of slender rectangular form with a single aperture in the mouth. The mouth and tail flattened with carved gills and fins. Translucent stone of a yellow hue with shades of green, brown patches, icy and cloudy inclusions, and areas of opaque calcification. Provenance: Collection of Robert and Isabelle de Strycker, and thence by descent in the same family. Robert de Strycker (1903-1968) was a French engineer who specialized in metallurgy. He was a Stanford graduate, a professor at the University of Leuven, a director of the Institute of Metallurgy at the Université Catholique de Louvain, and one of the most influential members of the faculty of applied sciences. After World War II, he made large contributions to France’s post-war recovery. Robert and his wife Isabelle (1915-2010) first encountered Chinese art at the British Museum during a stay in London in the 1930s. Enamored with the style and beauty, they both decided to study and collect Chinese works of art. In 1938, they eventually began to build their collection, buying from Belgian, Parisian, and English dealers. They kept close contact with the famous English collector Sir Harry Garner (1891-1977) and noted Czech collector and expert Fritz Low-Beer (1906-1976).Condition: Good condition, commensurate with age. Extensive wear, losses, signs of weathering and erosion, nicks, calcification, minor nibbling.Weight: 8 gDimensions: Length 10.3 cmLiterature comparison:Compare a related jade fish silhouette, 8 cm long, dated 11th-10th century BC, in the Harvard Art Museum, object number 1943.50.409.A.Auction result comparison: Type: RelatedAuction: Christie’s New York, 13 September 2019, lot 818Price: USD 12,500 or approx. EUR 14,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writingDescription: A greyish-green, jade fish-form pendant, Western Zhou Dynasty, 10th-9th century BCExpert remark: Note the slightly larger size (12 cm), the losses to the fins, and the additional detail to the carving. 西周魚形玉佩中國,西元前十一至九世紀。玉魚成平直狀,吻部斜伸向前下方、分尾斜向後下方,以陰刻線飾眼、尾、鱗片。略帶半透明的黃色石料,帶有青色斑紋和絮狀物,白色鈣化區域。 來源:Robert與Isabelle de Strycker收藏,在同一家族保存至今。Robert de Strycker (1903-1968) 是一位法國冶金工程師。他畢業於史丹佛大學,曾是魯汶大學教授,同時也是魯汶天主教大學冶金研究所所長,是應用科學學院最有影響力的成員之一。二戰後,他為法國的戰後復興做出了巨大貢獻。Robert與他的妻子Isabelle (1915-2010)於 上世紀三十年代在大英博物館首次接觸到中國藝術。因爲其風格和美感所吸引,他們決定研究和收藏中國藝術品。1938 年,他們開始建立自己的收藏,從比利時、巴黎和英國經銷商處購買。他們與英國著名收藏家Harry Garner爵士(1891-1977)和捷克著名收藏家兼專家Fritz Low-Beer (1906-1976)保持著密切聯繫。 品相:狀態良好,大面積磨損,有缺損、風化、侵蝕、刻痕、鈣化和輕微的磕損。 重量:8 克 尺寸:長 10.3 厘米 文獻比較: 比較一件相近的約西元前十一至十世紀魚形玉佩,長8 厘米,收藏於哈佛藝術博物館,館藏編號1943.50.409.A。 拍賣結果比較: 形制:相近 拍賣:紐約佳士得,2019年9月13日,lot 818 價格:USD 12,500(相當於今日EUR 14,000) 描述:A greyish-green jade fish-form pendant,Western Zhou Dynasty,10th-9th century BC 專家評論:請注意尺寸較大 (12 厘米),鰭的部分缺損,雕刻精細。

Lot 61

A SMALL PALE CELADON JADE ‘HUMAN FIGURE’ ORNAMENT, HUANG, WESTERN ZHOU DYNASTY 西周青白玉人面紋璜Please note this Lot is to be sold at No Reserve. 本拍品不設底價China, 1100-771 BC. The arched ornament is neatly carved in relief depicting two human faces on both ends, with intertwining dragon bodies. The translucent stone is of a pale celadon tone with one larger area of creamy-white calcification as well as cloudy white inclusions and dark specks.Provenance: From the estate of Ivar Björnberg. One side with an old label, ‘76’. The low collector’s number on the present lot indicates a rather early acquisition date of the present lot, given the commonly known size of Björnberg’s complete collection, probably around 1980/90 or even earlier. Ivar Björnberg (1934-2021) was a noted art director from Stockholm, Sweden. He was friends with Victoria Lindström, a reputed dealer and collector of Chinese art, also based in Stockholm at the time. Björnberg worked at her gallery at a young age and when he eventually started his own collection, she mentored him. His collection was an academic one and it showed his keen eye, discerning taste and great passion for the aesthetics of Chinese art. Condition: Very good condition with ancient wear, tiny chips and nibbles which have smoothened over the centuries, signs of weathering and erosion. The surface of this jade feels remarkably soft and unctuous, a result of centuries of handling and appreciation, indicating an excavation that took place a long time ago.Weight: 23.3 g Dimensions: Length 8.8 cmExpert’s note: The unusual motif on this ornament, depicting two human faces with intertwining dragon bodies, can be found on a small number of Western Zhou jades. The closest example is a jade huang with similar human-dragon motifs in the Palace Museum Collection, illustrated in Zhongguo yuqi quanji 2, Shang & Western Zhou, Shijiazhuang, 1993, plate 292. A rectangular jade ornament, in the Palace Museum Collection, bears a related single human-dragon motif and is illustrated ibidem, plate 280. Also compare a closely related but significantly more calcified jade huang from the Yangdetang collection, illustrated in Teng Shu-p’ing, Collectors’ Exhibition of Archaic Chinese Jades, National Palace Museum, Taipei, 1999, plate 129, and a related jade huang depicting two intertwining dragons with similarly combed hair, dating to the early Western Zhou period, excavated in Tengxian in Shandong province, and illustrated in Zhongguo meishu quanji 9, yuqi, Beijing, 1986, plate 83.Auction result comparison: Type: Closely related Auction: Christie’s Hong Kong, 29 November 2017, lot 2746 Price: HKD 7,060,000 or approx. EUR 903,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing Description: A very rare white jade ‘human figure’ ornament, huang, Western Zhou dynasty Expert remark: Compare the closely related form and decoration with similar human faces and intertwining dragon bodies. Note the larger size (11.1 cm). Also note the remarkably well-preserved condition of this example, with significantly less calcification than the present lot.

Lot 104

A WHITE JADE 'BUDDHIST LION' BELT BUCKLE, CHINA, 18TH CENTURY 中國十八世紀白玉佛獅帶鈎Please note this Lot is to be sold at No Reserve. 本拍品不設底價The pierced plaque carved as a lion with neatly incised fur and bushy tail swept upwards, clutching a brocade ball between its forelegs. The face with round bulging eyes, a broad flat snout, and floppy ears with scroll at the top echoed by two swirling clouds, the reverse with two circular knobs. The translucent stone is of a pure ivory-white tone with pale beige shadings and icy inclusions.Provenance: French trade.Condition: Very good condition with minor old wear and few minuscule nicks to edges.Weight: 90.1 gDimensions: Length 7.1 cm Auction result comparison: Type: Closely relatedAuction: Bonhams London, 7 June 2021, lot 701Price: GBP 4,845 or approx. EUR 6,900 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writingDescription: A white jade ‘Buddhist lion and cub’ belt buckleExpert remark: Compare the closely related subject, manner of carving, and color. Note the lion cub and the size (8.4 cm). 中國十八世紀白玉佛獅帶鈎帶鈎一面雕刻著一隻獅子,臉上有大眼圓睜,寬闊扁平的鼻子,下垂的耳朵,尾巴濃密,向上掃動。前腿間夾著一個錦球。兩朵祥雲。背面有兩個圓形的旋鈕。半透明玉石呈純象牙白色,帶有淺米色陰影和絮狀内沁。 來源:法國古玩交易。 品相:狀況極好,有輕微磨損,邊緣有一些微小的劃痕。 重量:90.1 克 尺寸:長 7.1 厘米 拍賣結果比較: 形制:非常相近 拍賣:倫敦邦翰斯,2021年6月7日,lot 701 價格:GBP 4,845(相當於今日EUR 6,900) 描述:十八世紀白玉雕太獅少獅帶鉤 專家評論:比較非常相近的主題、雕刻風格和顏色。請注意有幼獅和尺寸 (8.4厘米)。

Lot 63

A JADE ‘DEER’ PENDANT, WESTERN ZHOU DYNASTY 西周玉鹿佩飾Please note this Lot is to be sold at No Reserve. 本拍品不設底價China, 11th-8th century BC. Thick flat pendant finely carved as a reclining stag with its head turned back, the animal well detailed with round eyes, pointed ears and tall antlers, the body subtly incised, the pendant pierced through the deer’s long neck and the front hooves. The opaque stone of a greenish-beige tone with dark and russet veins and black specks.Provenance: Collection of Harry Geoffrey Beasley (1881-1939) and thence by descent to his widow Irene Beasley. Collection of Alfred William Cowperthwaite (1890-1964), acquired from the above c. 1939 and thence by descent in the same family. Harry Geoffrey Beasley (1881-1939) was a British anthropologist and museum curator who developed an important ethnographic collection during the early 20th century that is now held in various British museums. With his wife Irene, Beasley set up the Cranmore Ethnographical Museum which eventually held more than 6,000 objects of ethnographical interest. The Beasleys collected objects from across Europe, buying from auction houses and local museums to expand the collection, which contained material from the Pacific, Asia, Africa, and Northwestern America. Beasley wrote numerous articles for anthropological journals and was considered an expert in his field. He died in 1939 and his collection was stored with the British Museum collections during the war, which was fortunate, as the Cranmore Museum was destroyed by bombing. After the war, substantial portions of the collection were passed to the British Museum, the Royal Museum in Edinburgh, the Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, the University of Cambridge, the Pitt Rivers Museum, and the Merseyside County Museum. Other pieces, such as the present lot, were sold by his widow and, after her death in 1974, by their daughters. Alfred William Cowperthwaite (1890-1964) was a contributor to the Cranmore Museum and became good friends with Harry Beasley. Shortly after Harry Beasley’s death, he acquired a number of objects from Irene Beasley, including the present lot. Condition: Very good condition with expected old wear, minuscule nibbling, a tiny loss to the front hooves, minor signs of weathering and erosion. The stone with natural fissures, some of which have developed into small hairline cracks.Weight: 9.3 g Dimensions: Length 3.6 cm Literature comparison: Compare a related jade pendant in the form of a stag, also dated to the Western Zhou dynasty, dated ca. 1050-950 BC, 5.4 cm high, in the National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution, accession number S1987.873. Compare a pair of related jade deer, also dated to the Western Zhou dynasty, 11th-8th century BC, 4.2 cm high, in the British Museum, registration number 2022,3034.125. Compare a related jade deer, also dated to the Western Zhou dynasty, 11th-9th century BC, 4.1 cm high, in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, accession number 24.51.14.Auction result comparison: Type: Related Auction: Christie’s Hong Kong, 29 November 2017, lot 2737 Price: HKD 525,000 or approx. EUR 69,500 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing Description: A jade deer-form pendant, mid-Western Zhou dynasty, circa mid-10th to mid-9th century BC Expert remark: Compare the reclining pose and similar dark veins. Note the size (4.6 cm). to mid

Lot 25

AN AGATE BOWL, SONG DYNASTY, CHINA, 960-1279 宋代瑪瑙碗Please note this Lot is to be sold at No Reserve. 本拍品不設底價Finely carved, the shallow rounded sides raised on a thick foot and rising to an everted rim, the luminous translucent stone is superbly polished and shows natural swirls and ripples of pale grey to deep honey tones with scattered dark inclusions. With a magnificent surface polish, rendering an unctuous feel to the surface overall.Provenance: From the personal collection of J. J. Lally, New York, USA. With two labels from J. J. Lally, each inscribed with the number ‘4154’. James J. Lally is a renowned antique dealer and expert, recognized as one of the greatest scholar-dealers of Chinese art, who has been a leader in the field for more than 40 years. After graduating from Harvard College and Columbia University, Lally joined Sotheby’s where he held many positions within the Chinese art department. In 1970 he served as the director of Chinese works of art at Sotheby’s in New York and Hong Kong, and by 1983 was named president of Sotheby’s in North America. In 1986 he founded his namesake gallery, J. J. Lally & Co., at 41 East 57th Street in New York – just a few blocks away from the MoMA, to provide advisory services for keen collectors. Lally fondly recalls the moment, not long after he opened his gallery, when a young man walked through the door with a Shang Dynasty gong—a bronze vessel shaped like a gravy boat—decorated with a dragon and tiger and in beautiful condition. It was, Lally described, “one of the most important objects I ever had in my hands.” The young man said he had inherited it from his father and was not really interested in Chinese art himself. He wanted to buy a sailboat and wondered if the gong was valuable enough to pay for that. “I was very happy to tell him that it was valuable enough to buy two sailboats,” Lally noted. The gallery helped to establish New York as a major center of commerce for Chinese art and allowed Lally to concentrate on his own specific interests, particularly early ceramics, ritual bronze vessels, archaic jade carvings and sculpture. Lally brought a learned approach to his work, publishing detailed, scholarly catalogs that have remained important reference guides within the field. This meticulous approach continued when he produced his own exhibitions and catalogs. Giuseppe Eskenazi, dubbed the “Godfather of Chinese Antiques,” and one of the world’s most esteemed Chinese art dealers, also spoke highly of Lally for his achievements in the industry, alongside William Chak from Hong Kong, and the Marchant family from London. In the spring of 2023, Christie’s and Bonhams conducted single owner sales of Lally’s collection which broke several auction records.Condition: Superb condition with expected old wear, few small areas with inclusions along the foot and rim which have been slightly smoothened.Weight: 127.3 gDimensions: Diameter 9.8 cm With a padded silk box and cover. (2)Literature comparison:Compare a closely related bowl of similar color, dated to the Southern Song period, 9.5 cm diameter, in the collection of the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco, object number B60J6. Compare a related bowl of similar form, dated to the Song dynasty (960-1279), 17.8 cm diameter, in the collection of the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco, object number B60J159.Auction result comparison: Type: Closely relatedAuction: Christie’s New York, 19 March 2015, lot 597Price: GBP 13,750 or approx. EUR 15,500 adjusted for inflation at the time of writing Description: A Pale Grey Agate Flower-Form Bowl, China, Possibly Southern Song DynastyExpert remark: Note the size (12 cm diameter).Auction result comparison:Type: Closely relatedAuction: Christie’s Hong Kong, 31 May 2017, lot 3141Price: HKD 150,000 or approx. EUR 21,000 adjusted for inflation at the time of writing Description: An Agate Oval Stem Dish, Song Dynasty (960-1279) Expert remark: Note the size (15.7 cm).

Lot 89

A CELADON JADE ‘TURTLE’ SEAL, 17TH CENTURY 十七世紀青玉龜鈕印Please note this Lot is to be sold at No Reserve. 本拍品不設底價China. The square seal surmounted by a turtle standing foursquare, its minuscule head almost entirely retreated into the large shell with neatly incised carapace, the tail trailing to the ground, the seal face left plain. The translucent stone of a celadon tone with russet veins, dark specks, and cloudy white inclusions.Provenance: Adrian M. Joseph, c. 2003. British private collection, acquired from the above. Adrian Malcolm Joseph started studying and collecting Chinese ceramics during the late 1950s. He published various important papers and books including Ming Porcelains: Their Origins and Development (1971) and Chinese and Annamese Ceramics found in the Philippines and Indonesia (1973). He and his wife Phyllis began collecting Japanese art in the late 1960s, initially acquiring ceramics from important dealers such as Shimojo in Tokyo. Joseph became a Director of Hugh Moss Ltd. in the 1970s.Condition: Very good condition with minor wear, minuscule nicks, natural weathering.Weight: 42.7 gDimensions: Size 2.8 x 2.8 x 2.6 cmAuction result comparison: Compare a related black and gray jade seal of a tortoise, 3 cm high, dated Ming dynasty or earlier, at Christie’s New York in The Collection of Robert Hatfield Ellsworth Part IV on 20 March 2015, lot 739, sold for USD 6,000 (part lot, together with a brown jade seal depicting a mythical beast). Compare a white jade seal depicting a bixi, 4 cm wide, dated to the late Ming dynasty, at Christie’s Hong Kong in The Pavilion Sale on 6 October 2015, lot 47, sold for HKD 68,750.十七世紀青玉龜鈕印中國。方形印上雕刻龜形鈕,小小的腦袋幾乎完全縮進了龜殼裡,甲殼整齊切割,尾巴垂在地上。印面光滑,青色半透明玉石,帶有赤褐色的脈紋和白色絮狀物。 來源: Adrian M. Joseph, 約2003年;英國私人收藏,購於上述收藏;Adrian Malcolm Joseph 在 1950 年代後期開始研究和收集中國陶瓷。 他發表了多篇重要論文和著作,包括《Ming Porcelains: Their Origins and Development》(1971)和《Chinese and Annamese Ceramics found in the Philippines and Indonesia》(1973)。 他和他的妻子Phyllis在 1960 年代後期開始收集日本藝術品,最初是從東京的 Shimojo 等重要經銷商處購買陶瓷。 Joseph 在 1970 年代成為 Hugh Moss Ltd. 的董事。 品相: 狀況極好,輕微磨損,小劃痕,自然風化。 重量: 42.7 克 尺寸: 2.8 x 2.8 x 2.6 厘米 拍賣結果比較: 比較一件相近的明代或更早的灰白玉雕龜鈕印,高3 厘米 ,見紐約佳士得 The Collection of Robert Hatfield Ellsworth Part IV 2015年3月20日 lot 739, 售價USD 6,000 (與另一件褐色瑞獸鈕玉印一起);比較一件明末白玉雕瑞獸,寬 4 厘米,見香港佳士得The Pavilion Sale 2015年10月 6日 lot 47, 售價HKD 68,750。

Lot 103

A PALE CELADON FIGURE OF A BOY WITH A HOBBY HORSE, 18TH CENTURY 十八世紀青白玉騎馬上任童子珮Please note this Lot is to be sold at No Reserve. 本拍品不設底價China. Carved as a striding boy holding the reins of the hobby horse with one hand, the other holding a leafy lotus stem. The translucent stone of a pale celadon color with faint russet patches and veins, and cloudy white inclusions.Provenance: From the collection of the late Michael Sherrard CBE, QC, acquired before 2000 and thence by descent. Michael Sherrard (1928-2012) was an English barrister in fraud and company law who was considered one of the great recent influences on the legal profession. He was involved in numerous high-profile cases in both English and East Asian courts, particularly Hong Kong and Singapore. Together with Linda Goldman, he wrote a memoir titled “Wigs and Wherefores: A Biography of Michael Sherrard QC”. Sherrard was an enthusiastic collector of Chinese art, especially jade carvings.Condition: Very good condition with minor wear, minuscule nibbling to the base, the lotus flower with a small chip. The stone with natural imperfections and fissures, some of which may have developed into small hairline cracks over time.Weight: 74.0 g Dimensions: Height 65 cmExquisitely modeled in the round to depict a boy astride a hobby horse, the reins of which he lovingly clutches whilst slinging stems of lotus over his shoulder, this carving captures the playful ease and charm of the subject. Images of boys playing with a hobby horse form part of the popular 'boys at play' and 'Hundred Boys' subjects that emerged during the Song dynasty. This theme is symbolic of the Confucian ideal for the education and advancement of many sons, a wish further emphasized by the lotus he carries which is a homophone of 'continuous' and creates the rebus 'May you continuously give birth to sons'. As the boy is depicted riding a hobby horse, this conveys the further wish for it to come quickly as 'to be on top of a horse' means 'immediately'.Literature comparison:Compare a related carved jade figure of a boy, but holding a rattle instead of a lotus stem, in the collection of the Museum of East Asian Art, Bath, collection number BATEA 1218. Compare also a related jade figure of a boy holding a lantern on a pole, in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, accession number 2015.500.5.14.Auction result comparison:Type: Closely relatedAuction: Sotheby’s Hong Kong, 30 November 2016, lot 158Price: HKD 525,500 or approx. EUR 72,500 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writingDescription: A superb pale celadon jade ‘boy and hobby horse’ carving, Qing dynasty, 18th century十八世紀青白玉騎馬上任童子珮中國。圓雕一童子騎於玩具馬上,圓頭圓腦,頭頂髮髻,雙眼細瞇喜笑顏開。上衣及長褲衣紋褶皺自然,右手拿著一朵蓮花。馬顯得溫順可愛。青白玉細膩瑩潤。 來源:Michael Sherrard CBE,QC 收藏,於 2000 年之前購買,保存至今。Michael Sherrard (1928-2012年) 是一名英國大律師,被認為是近期對法律界產生重大影響的人物之一。 他在英國和東亞法院,尤其是香港和新加坡,參與了多起著名案件。 他與Linda Goldman一起寫了一本回憶錄,題為《Wigs and Wherefores: A Biography of Michael Sherrard QC》。 Sherrard 是一位熱心的中國藝術品收藏家,尤其喜愛玉雕。 品相:品相極好,有輕微磨損,底部有輕微的磕損,蓮花帶有小磕損。玉料具有天然缺陷和裂縫,其中一些可能隨著時間的推移發展成細小的裂縫。 重量:74.0 克 尺寸:高65 厘米 通體琢刻細膩,匠心獨運,人物栩栩如生。男孩玩木馬是宋代流行的“嬰戲圖”和“百子圖”中的一部分。男童玩馬也取意即將出官入仕,平步青雲,玩趣十足。 文獻比較: 比較一件相近的騎馬上任童子玉珮,男童手上拿著蓮花,收藏於巴斯東亞藝術博物館,收藏編號BATEA 1218。比較一件相近的騎馬上任童子玉珮,男童手上拿著燈籠,收藏於大都會藝術博物館,編號2015.500.5.14。 拍賣結果比較: 形制:非常相近 拍賣:香港蘇富比,2016年11月30日,lot 158 價格:HKD 525,500(相當於今日EUR 72,500) 描述:清十八世紀青白玉雕連生貴子把件

Lot 84

A FINE CELADON AND RUSSET JADE ‘GOOSE’ CARVING, LATE SONG TO MING DYNASTYPlease note this Lot is to be sold at No Reserve. 本拍品不設底價Jade. China, 13th-14th centuryCarved as a recumbent goose, with its head turned back and preening its feathers, its webbed feet tucked neatly under its body, and the wings folded in and well detailed with incised markings. The smoothly polished and almost white celadon jade with some russet and dark grey inclusions as well mottled creamy white speckles throughout.LENGTH 5.6 cmProvenance: Private collection of Irene and Wolfgang Zacke (1942-2022).

Lot 41

AN ARCHAIC CEREMONIAL JADE BLADE, YUE, NEOLITHIC PERIOD TO SHANG DYNASTY 新石器時代至商代玉鉞 Please note this Lot is to be sold at No Reserve. 本拍品不設底價Published:Henry Trubner and Tsugio Mikami, Ancient Chinese Arts in the Idemitsu Collection, Tokyo, 1989, no. 108.Roger Keverne Ltd., Winter Exhibition, London, 2004, no. 86.China, c. 3500-1500 BC. The slender slab tapers toward the back where there is a small hole drilled from one side. One long edge and the cutting edge are beveled, and now slightly worn. A longitudinal rib made by the saw runs along one face. The translucent stone is a deep olive-green tone.Provenance: Idemitsu Museum, Tokyo, Japan, prior to 1989. Roger Keverne, London, United Kingdom, 2004. Private English collection, acquired from the above. The Idemitsu Museum of Arts was opened in 1966 as an exhibition hall for the private collection of Idemitsu Sazo. Idemitsu Sazo (1885-1981) was a Japanese businessman, founder of Idemitsu Kosan, a petroleum company, and an important art collector. He acquired his first work of art at the age of 20, which was a painting of the Chinese monk Putai by Sengai Gibon. In later years, his collection grew, culminating in a large number of Chinese ceramics, paintings, jades, and other works of art. Roger Keverne served as the Chairman of Asian Art in London and as the President of BADA. He began his 50-year career with Spink & Son, rising to head the Asian department by the age of only 28. He left Spink in 1992 to start his own gallery together with Miranda Clarke, his wife and business partner, in Mayfair, London, which eventually closed its doors in June 2020.Condition: Excellent condition, commensurate with age. Ancient wear, minor signs of weathering and erosion, tiny nibbles. Minute chips to edges, one at the top has been smoothened probably millennia ago. The jade with natural fissures, some of which may have developed into small hairline cracks.Weight: 68.1 g Dimensions: Length 16.7 cm Literature comparison:Compare a related jade blade in The Hubei Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology, The Panlongcheng Site: Report of Archaeological Excavation from 1963-1994, pl. CXVII, fig. 6. Compare a related jade blade illustrated in Liu and Capon’s book Masks of Mystery: Ancient Chinese Bronzes from Sanxingdui, no. 36, p. 104. Compare a related jade blade excavated by the Institute of Archaeology, CASS, illustrated in Tomb of Lady Hao at Yinxu in Anyang, pl. 20, fig, 1. Compare a closely related jade blade, 19.5 cm long, dated to the Neolithic period, in the collection of the Harvard Art Museums, accession number 1943.50.113, illustrated in Ancient Chinese Jades from the Greenville L. Winthrop Collection in the Fogg Art Museum, Harvard University, no. 1, pp. 4-5. Compare a related jade blade illustrated ibid., no. 202, pp. 159.Auction result comparison: Type: Closely related Auction: Christie’s Hong Kong, 27 November 2019, lot 2717 Price: HKD 81,250 or approx. EUR 10,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing Description: A dark green jade axe, Neolithic period, circa 3500 BC Expert remark: Compare the closely related form and color as well as the similar wear. Note the larger size (28.8 cm).Auction result comparison: Type: Related Auction: Christie’s New York, 19 March 2015, lot 545 Price: USD 16,250 or approx. EUR 19,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing Description: A mottled, blackish-green opaque jade axe, late Neolithic period, 3rd-early 2nd millennium BC Expert remark: Compare the related form. Note the darker color and the larger size (23.8 cm).

Lot 256

A FINE WHITE GLAZED BEEHIVE WATER POT, TAIBAIZUN, LATE QING DYNASTY 清末白釉太白尊Please note this Lot is to be sold at No Reserve. 本拍品不設底價China, 19th century. Well potted with rounded sides rising to a short flaring rim, molded with three archaistic dragon roundels on the body, and covered with a translucent white glaze.Provenance: From the collection of the late Michael Sherrard CBE, QC, acquired before 2000 and thence by descent. Michael Sherrard (1928-2012) was an English barrister in fraud and company law who was considered one of the great recent influences on the legal profession. He was involved in numerous high-profile cases in both English and East Asian courts, particularly Hong Kong and Singapore. Together with Linda Goldman, he wrote a memoir titled “Wigs and Wherefores: A Biography of Michael Sherrard QC”. Sherrard was an enthusiastic collector of Chinese art, especially jade carvings.Condition: Very good condition with minor wear and firing irregularities.Weight: 412.2 g Dimensions: Height 9.4 cm, Diameter 12.6 cmThe recessed base with an apocryphal six-character mark da Qing Kangxi nianzhi.Literature comparison:Compare a related waterpot illustrated by J. Ayers, Chinese Ceramics: The Koger Collection, p. 167, pl. 139, where the glaze is described as “moon-white” and the medallions are of “a dragon biting another creature, and a bat”.清末白釉太白尊中國,十九世紀。太白尊小口微撇,短頸,圓肩,豐底內凹。通體施白釉。外壁三組團螭紋。 來源:已故Michael Sherrard CBE,QC 收藏,於 2000 年之前購買,保存至今。Michael Sherrard (1928-2012年) 是一名英國大律師,被認為是近期對法律界產生重大影響的人物之一。 他在英國和東亞法院,尤其是香港和新加坡,參與了多起著名案件。他與Linda Goldman一起寫了一本回憶錄,題為《Wigs and Wherefores: A Biography of Michael Sherrard QC》。Sherrard 是一位熱心的中國藝術品收藏家,尤其喜愛玉雕。 品相:品相極好,有輕微磨損和燒製不規則。 重量:412.2 克 尺寸:高 9.4 厘米,直徑 12.6 厘米 圈足内有“大清康熙年製”款。 文獻比較: 比較一件相近的太白尊,見J. Ayers,《Chinese Ceramics: The Koger Collection》,頁167,圖139。此件太白尊得釉色被描述為「月白色」,飾有「龍和蝙蝠紋」。

Lot 124

A WHITE AND RUSSET JADE ‘GOURD AND BUTTERFLY’ SNUFF BOTTLE, CHINA, 18TH CENTURY 十八世紀白玉瓜瓞綿綿鼻烟壺 Please note this Lot is to be sold at No Reserve. 本拍品不設底價Exquisitely carved from a pebble in the shape of a gourd, decorated in high relief with leafy branches encircling butterflies and melons. The translucent stone is of a fine white hue with distinct russet veining and clouding, and scattered icy inclusions.Provenance: Spink & Son, London, United Kingdom, 1989. Collection of Joseph (1938-2005) and Bella Shapiro (1941-2011), acquired from the above and thence by descent in the same family. A copy of a signed invoice from Spink & Son Ltd., addressed to J. Shapiro, dated 27 February 1989, and dating the present lot to the 18th century, accompanies this lot.Condition: Very good condition with minor wear, light nibbling, and a microscopic nick to the mouth. The jade has natural inclusions and fissures, some of which may have developed into minuscule hairline cracks.Stopper: Glass with a bronze collar and metal spoonWeight: 66.1 gDimensions: Height incl. stopper 70 mm, Diameter neck 12 mm and mouth 4.4 mm The butterfly (die) and gourd (gua) form the pun ‘guadie’, a rebus for ‘ceaseless generations of descendants’. In addition, because the gourd has a long stem bearing fruits of all sizes, each containing many seeds, it is itself an apt symbol for fertility. The subject matter of gourds was popular at the Imperial court and appears on a wide range of imperial enamels on glass, metal, and porcelain.Auction result comparison: Type: Related Auction: Sotheby’s Hong Kong, 28 November 2019, lot 502 Price: HKD 118,750 or approx. EUR 15,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing Description: A carved white and russet jade ‘gourds’ snuff bottle, Qing dynasty, 18th-19th century Expert remark: Compare the related form with a butterfly and scrolling vines and the similarly colored pebble. Note the different stopper and the smaller size (63 mm). 十八世紀白玉瓜瓞綿綿鼻烟壺白玉質,溫潤厚實,局部帶有金黃沁色。雕琢為飽滿瓜果形,頂部開口,掏膛精細。外壁藤蔓攀延纏繞,連綿不絕,大小瓜葉錯落掩映,葉脈清晰細膩。金黃沁色處雕蝴蝶。一派生機勃勃之感,寓有「瓜瓞綿綿、子孫滿堂、福康永享」吉祥之意。整體質地細膩,表現出枝葉繁茂,瓜果鮮嫩的光澤品相,且大小適中,渾圓飽滿,適於掌中把玩。 來源:英國倫敦Spink & Son, 1989年;Joseph (1938-2005) 與 Bella Shapiro (1941-2011) 收藏,購於上述一浪,保持存在同一家族至今。隨附一份Spink & Son Ltd出具給J. Shapiro的發票副本,時間為1989年2月27 日,並斷代為十八世紀。 品相:狀況極好,有輕微磨損、磕損,口部有微小的刻痕。玉石有天然的紋理和内沁,其中一些可能發展成細裂紋。 壺蓋:銅托片和金屬勺子的玻璃 重量:66.1 克 尺寸:含蓋高 70 毫米,頸部直徑12 毫米與壺口直徑4.4毫米拍賣結果比較: 形制:相近 拍賣:香港蘇富比,2019年11月28日,lot 502 價格:HKD 118,750(相當於今日EUR 15,000) 描述:清十八至十九世紀白玉瓜形鼻煙壺 專家評論:比較相近的外形 ,以及有蝴蝶、捲曲的藤蔓和類似顏色的卵石。請注意不同的壺蓋和尺寸較小 (63 mm)。

Lot 238

A ‘NINE DRAGONS’ PLAQUE, PROBABLY IMPERIAL, MID-QING DYNASTY 清代中期青花礬紅九龍紋屏,或爲御用Please note this Lot is to be sold at No Reserve. 本拍品不設底價China, 1750-1850. Of rectangular form, meticulously decorated in underglaze-blue with ‘heaping and piling’, featuring nine dragons painted in iron-red amid scrolling vines issuing lingzhi fungi and lily flowers. Each dragon is shown in a different pose and with individual features: The central dragon with a bifurcated tail and biting a lingzhi fungus, flanked by two dragons, one with two horns, the other front facing. The lower row featuring a winged dragon, a dragon with a flaming tail, and another dragon with a bifurcated tail. The upper row depicting two dragons with bifurcated tails centered by a two horned dragon. All within a delicately painted key-fret border. Provenance: British trade. Condition: Very good condition with minor wear to the iron-red and manufacturing flaws including pitting, firing flaws, dark spots, and light surface scratches. The hardwood frame with expected minor age cracks and nicks.Weight: 5,1 kg Dimensions: Size 50.4 x 49.8 cmWith a matching hardwood frame. (2)The number nine is considered auspicious in Chinese astrology and folk beliefs. Representing the fullest expression of yang, nine is closely associated with heaven in that it evokes infinity, partly because it was the product of three times three, the most basic unit of three being heaven, earth, and man, and partly because the number nine was homophone with the word ‘jiu’ meaning eternity.The most prestigious decorative motif for the Chinese imperial court in the Qing dynasty is the Imperial dragon - the symbol of the Son of Heaven, the Emperor himself. In this case there are nine dragons, an association for the nine sons of the Dragon King. This use of the sacred number nine reinforces the imperial connection and suggests that the piece was intended for use within the Imperial household.Literature comparison:Compare a related iron-red and underglaze-blue ‘nine dragon’ charger, Yongzheng period, sold at Sotheby’s Hong Kong, 8 October 2012, lot 125. Compare further a large cinnabar lacquer ‘nine dragon’ screen, Qianlong period, sold at Sotheby’s Hong Kong, 10 April 2008, lot 2827. Compare also a yellow-ground silk embroidered ‘nine dragons’ Kang cushion cover, circa 1800, sold at Christie’s London, 15 May 2008, lot 100. Compare a large archaistic rhinoceros’ horn ‘nine dragon’ libation cup, 17th century, sold at Christie’s London, 10 May 2011, lot 13. Compare also a pale greenish-white jade ‘nine-dragon’ brush washer, 18th century, Christie’s New York, 23 March 2012, lot 1962.清代中期青花礬紅九龍紋屏,或爲御用中國,1750-1850年。長方形,青花釉下彩,礬紅彩九條龍,四周纏枝花紋地。每條龍姿勢各不同,中央的龍尾巴分叉,口啣靈芝;兩側的兩條龍,一條有兩個角,另一條面向前方;下排有一條帶翅膀的龍,一條帶火焰尾巴的龍和另一條帶分叉尾巴的龍;上排描繪了兩條尾巴分叉的龍,中央是一條雙角龍。布局疏密得宜,氣势逼人。 來源:英國古玩交易。 品相:狀況非常好,鐵紅色有輕微磨損和製造缺陷,包括點蝕、燒製缺陷、黑點和輕微的表面劃痕。硬木框架與預期的輕微年齡裂縫和刻痕。 重量:5,1 公斤 尺寸:50.4 x 49.8 厘米 硬木框裝裱。(2) 數字“九”在中國占星術和民間信仰中是吉祥數字。九代表至陽,與天密切相關,它有寓意無限,也因為它是三乘三的結果,三代表天、地、人。同時,數字九 與“久”諧音,意為永恆。清代中國宮廷最負盛名的裝飾圖案是龍——天子的象徵,即皇帝。九條龍,代表龍之九子。 神聖數字九的使用加強了與皇室的聯繫,並表明這件作品是為皇室內部使用而設計的。 文獻比較: 比較相近的清雍正青花礬紅「水波雲龍」圖折沿大盤 《大清雍正年製》款,售於香港蘇富比,2012年10月8日,lot 125。比較一件乾隆剔紅九龍屏,售於香港蘇富比,2008年4月10日,lot 2827。比較清約1800年 黃地緞繡九龍紋炕墊,售於倫敦佳士得, 2008年5月15日,lot 100。比較一件十七世紀大型九龍犀角杯,售於倫敦佳士得,2011年5月10日,lot 13。比較一件清十八世紀青白玉雕九龍紋洗,紐約佳士得,2012年3月23日,lot 1962。

Lot 110

A YELLOW JADE CARVING OF A BASKET WITH MOVABLE HANDLE, CHINA, 18TH CENTURY 十八世紀玉雕花籃Please note this Lot is to be sold at No Reserve. 本拍品不設底價Carved as a woven basket, neatly incised with cross-hatched and rope-twist designs, the rim set with a pair of cloud-form rings connected with a 'U'-shaped moving handle. The semi-translucent stone of a fine yellow tone with icy inclusions.Provenance: From an old private collection in New England, USA, acquired during the 1940s and 1950s, and thence by descent to the last owner.Condition: Very good condition with minor wear and few tiny nicks.Weight: 43.5 gDimensions: Length 6.2 cm Auction result comparison:Type: Closely related Auction: Christie’s Hong Kong, 2 December 2015, lot 3169 Price: HKD 100,000 or approx. EUR 13,500 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing Description: A white jade carving of a basket and coverExpert remark: Compare the closely related form with similar handle connected with a pair of cloud-form rings. Note the white color, cover, and the smaller size (5.2 cm). 十八世紀玉雕花籃玉雕編織竹籃,刻劃工整,線條清晰,有交叉紋和捻繩紋,邊緣鑲有一對雲形環,與“U”形活動手柄相連。 半透明的玉石,呈細膩的淡黃色,内有絮狀物。 來源:來自美國新英格蘭的一個私人舊藏,於二十世紀四十年代和五十年代之間購得,傳承至現在最後一位所有者。品相:狀況極好,有輕微磨損和一些小劃痕。 重量:43.5 克 尺寸:長6.2 厘米 拍賣結果比較: 形制:非常相近 拍賣:香港佳士得,2015年12月2日,lot 3169 價格:HKD 100,000(相當於今日EUR 13,500) 描述:清白玉雕蓋籃 專家評論:比較非常相近的外形,具有類似的手柄,連接有一對雲形環。請注意白色玉石、蓋和尺寸較小(5.2 厘米)。

Lot 21

AN ‘IMITATION JADE’ WHITE GLASS BOWL, MID-QING DYNASTY 清代中期仿白玉玻璃碗Please note this Lot is to be sold at No Reserve. 本拍品不設底價Expert’s note: Glass copies of white jade bowls were quite popular among Beijing craftsmen because in the medium of glass, it was substantially easier to conform to Imperial ideals – masterfully equilibrated proportions and distinct yet deceptively simple features such as the slanted lip – which required painstaking effort from jade carvers.China, Beijing, late 18th to early 19th century. The bowl carved with deep rounded sides rising to a gently flared rim with a neatly slanted lip, all supported on a slightly splayed, massive foot. The translucent glass of an even white tone.Provenance: London trade.Condition: Very good condition with minor wear and manufacturing irregularities, minuscule chips to the foot rim.Weight: 178.5 gDimensions: Diameter 9.8 cm Auction result comparison: Type: RelatedAuction: Christie’s Hong Kong, 30 October 2001, lot 658Price: HKD 94,000 or approx. EUR 16,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writingDescription: A fine opaque white glass bowl, incised Jiaqing four-character mark within a double square and of the periodExpert remark: Compare the related form and white color in imitation of jade. Note the Jiaqing reign mark and the much larger size (17.1 cm).Auction result comparison: Type: Related Auction: Sotheby’s Hong Kong, 28 November 2018, lot 546 Estimate: HKD 40,000 or approx. EUR 5,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing Description: A white glass bowl, Qing dynasty, 18th-19th century Expert remark: Compare the related form and white color in imitation of jade. Note the slightly larger size (14.3 cm). 清代中期仿白玉玻璃碗中國,北京,十八世紀末至十九世紀初。 侈口,深弧腹,圈足。半透明玻璃呈現均勻白色調。 來源:倫敦古玩交易。 品相:狀況非常好,有輕微磨損和製造不規則,足緣有微小缺口。 重量:178.5 克 尺寸:直徑9.8 厘米拍賣結果比較: 形制:相近 拍賣:香港佳士得,2001年10月30日,lot 658 價格:HKD 94,000(相當於今日EUR 16,000) 描述:嘉慶款及年代白釉碗 專家評論:比較相近的外形,仿玉石顏色的白色。請注意嘉慶款和尺寸較大 (17.1厘米)。 拍賣結果比較: 形制:相近 拍賣:香港蘇富比,2018年11月28日,lot 546 估價:HKD 40,000(相當於今日EUR 5,000) 描述:清十八至十九世紀涅白料盌 專家評論:比較相近的外形 ,仿玉石顏色的白色。請注意尺寸較大 (14.3厘米)。

Lot 67

A GREEN JADE ‘DRAGON’ SILHOUETTE PENDANT, MID-EASTERN ZHOU DYNASTY 東周中期龍形玉佩Please note this Lot is to be sold at No Reserve. 本拍品不設底價China, 5th-4th century BC. Finely carved in the form of a dragon in profile with neatly incised circular eyes, curling horns, and a prominent pierced snout, the beast arching its body forward and curling its tail in an S-shape. Each side of the body and tail is decorated with raised comma spirals and pierced with two apertures. The translucent stone of a deep green color with pale brown shadings, dark specks, and russet inclusions.Provenance: Collection of Harry Geoffrey Beasley (1881-1939) and thence by descent to his widow Irene Beasley. Collection of Alfred William Cowperthwaite (1890-1964), acquired from the above c. 1939 and thence by descent in the same family. Harry Geoffrey Beasley (1881-1939) was a British anthropologist and museum curator who developed an important ethnographic collection during the early 20th century that is now held in various British museums. With his wife Irene, Beasley set up the Cranmore Ethnographical Museum which eventually held more than 6,000 objects of ethnographical interest. The Beasleys collected objects from across Europe, buying from auction houses and local museums to expand the collection, which contained material from the Pacific, Asia, Africa, and Northwestern America. Beasley wrote numerous articles for anthropological journals and was considered an expert in his field. He died in 1939 and his collection was stored with the British Museum collections during the war, which was fortunate, as the Cranmore Museum was destroyed by bombing. After the war, substantial portions of the collection were passed to the British Museum, the Royal Museum in Edinburgh, the Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, the University of Cambridge, the Pitt Rivers Museum, and the Merseyside County Museum. Other pieces, such as the present lot, were sold by his widow and, after her death in 1974, by their daughters. Alfred William Cowperthwaite (1890-1964) was a contributor to the Cranmore Museum and became good friends with Harry Beasley. Shortly after Harry Beasley’s death, he acquired several objects from Irene Beasley, including the present lot.Condition: Excellent condition, commensurate with age. Old wear, signs of weathering and erosion, remnants of soil, encrustations, minor chips, minuscule nibbling to edges. The stone with natural fissures, some of which may have developed into hairline cracks.Weight: 21.8 g (excl. stand)Dimensions: Length 10.8 cm With an associated metal stand. (2)Literature comparison: Compare a related jade figure of a dragon dated to the Zhou dynasty, 9 cm long, in the British Museum, registration number OA+.36. Compare a related dragon pendant dated to the Warring States period, 9 cm long, in the British Museum, registration numbers 2022,3034.147. Compare with a closely related jade dragon silhouette pendant dated to the Eastern Zhou dynasty, 10.8 cm long, in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, accession number 2009.94.Auction result comparison: Type: RelatedAuction: Christie’s Hong Kong, 28 November 2018, lot 2761Price: HKD 475,000 or approx. EUR 62,000, converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writingDescription: A celadon jade silhouette ‘dragon and phoenix’ pendant, Warring States period, 475-221 BCExpert remark: Note the similar size (11.5 cm).Auction result comparison: Type: RelatedAuction: Sotheby’s New York, 10 September 2019, lot 39Price: USD 18,750 or approx. EUR 20,500, converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writingDescription: A black and beige jade ‘dragon’ pendant, Eastern Zhou dynastyExpert remark: Note the similar size (11.2 cm).Auction result comparison: Type: RelatedAuction: Bonhams New York, 15 March 2021, lot 15Price: USD 56,562 or approx. EUR 60,500, converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writingDescription: Two pale celadon green and gray jade dragon-shaped pendants, Eastern Zhou dynasty, 5th-4th century BCExpert remark: Note this lot comprises a pair of jade dragons. Note the size (16 cm).

Lot 50

A JADE ‘BIRD’ PENDANT, SHANG TO WESTERN ZHOU DYNASTY 商至西周鳥形玉飾Please note this Lot is to be sold at No Reserve. 本拍品不設底價China, 12th-11th century BC. Of flattened shape, finely carved in the form of a bird in profile with a short sharp beak, large round eyes, subtly incised wings, and a long curved tail. The translucent stone shows a fine polish and is of a pale green tone with creamy-white and dark-brown patches as well as icy veins and small areas of calcification. One minuscule hole for suspension.Provenance: Collection of Harry Geoffrey Beasley (1881-1939) and thence by descent to his widow Irene Beasley. Collection of Alfred William Cowperthwaite (1890-1964), acquired from the above c. 1939 and thence by descent in the same family. Harry Geoffrey Beasley (1881-1939) was a British anthropologist and museum curator who developed an important ethnographic collection during the early 20th century that is now held in various British museums. With his wife Irene, Beasley set up the Cranmore Ethnographical Museum which eventually held more than 6,000 objects of ethnographical interest. The Beasleys collected objects from across Europe, buying from auction houses and local museums to expand the collection, which contained material from the Pacific, Asia, Africa, and Northwestern America. Beasley wrote numerous articles for anthropological journals and was considered an expert in his field. He died in 1939 and his collection was stored with the British Museum collections during the war, which was fortunate, as the Cranmore Museum was destroyed by bombing. After the war, substantial portions of the collection were passed to the British Museum, the Royal Museum in Edinburgh, the Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, the University of Cambridge, the Pitt Rivers Museum, and the Merseyside County Museum. Other pieces, such as the present lot, were sold by his widow and, after her death in 1974, by their daughters. Alfred William Cowperthwaite (1890-1964) was a contributor to the Cranmore Museum and became good friends with Harry Beasley. Shortly after Harry Beasley’s death, he acquired a number of objects from Irene Beasley, including the present lot. Condition: Very good condition with expected old wear, some weathering, soil residue, minuscule nibbles. The stone with natural fissures, some of which have developed into small hairline cracks. Weight: 11.7 gDimensions: Length 6.7 cm Literature comparison: Compare a related jade pendant in the form of a bird, dated ca. 1050-950 BC, 5.2 cm long, in the National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution, accession number S1987.547.Auction result comparison: Type: Closely related Auction: Sotheby’s Hong Kong, 22 April 2021, lot 44 Price: HKD 441,000 or approx. EUR 54,500, converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing Description: A white jade ‘bird’ pendant, Late Shang - Western Zhou dynasty Expert remark: Compare the closely related form and subtle manner of carving with relatively few incisions. Note that the jade is of a slightly purer color with less fissures and inclusions. Note the size (5.6 cm).

Lot 83

A SET OF TWELVE JADE AND GILT-BRONZE ‘AUSPICIOUS BEASTS’ BELT PLAQUES, LIAO DYNASTY 遼代一組十二件鎏金銅神獸紋玉腰帶牌Please note this Lot is to be sold at No Reserve. 本拍品不設底價China, c. 10th-12th century. Each jade belt plaque is carved in high relief with an animal or mythical beast, depicting a dragon, qilin, phoenixes, lion, tiger, bear, and cranes, and set within a bronze fitting. Each jade plaque and bronze fitting is pierced with a slit. The smoothly polished jades are of a celadon tone with russet inclusions. The bronze fittings are covered in a fine, naturally grown patina with malachite and cuprite encrustations.Provenance: From an old private collection in Vienna, Austria. Condition: Good condition, commensurate with age. Wear, traces of use, small losses, minor nicks here and there, signs of weathering and erosion, encrustations.Scientific Analysis Report: An examination of the bronze components of the present lot was conducted by the Curt-Engelhorn-Zentrum für Archäometrie using energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence analysis, micro energy dispersive X-Ray fluorescence analysis, and lead test analysis. These tests found that the bronze fitting of the largest belt plaque was made from a tin-lead-bronze alloy in which no modern components of any kind could be detected. Conversely, it was also found that the sample contains trace elements that are typical of ancient metal alloys. The report concludes that the tests found absolutely no evidence of modern manufacture of the present lot. A copy of the examination report, no. 16-024, dated 25 February 2016, accompanies this lot.Weight: 747 g (total) Dimensions: Size 8.5 x 4.2 cm (the largest) and 4 x 3 cm (the smallest) With a silk storage box. (13)Khotan in the Tarim basin had rich jade stores during the Tang dynasty. The jade was fashioned into ornaments such as women’s comb tops and decorative plaques for belts worn by senior officials. The use of such plaques had its origin in the Tang dynasty, when the emperor presented jade-decorated belts to the nobility and senior members of the government as part of their official costume. The jade plaques in this set are carved in high relief with images of animals and mythical beasts.Literature comparison: Compare a related set of ten decorative belt plaques, dated to the Tang dynasty, in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, accession number 1992.165.22a–j. Compare a related group of three gilt-bronze mounted jade belt fittings, two with similar slits as found on the present lot, dated to the Liao dynasty, in the Museum of East Asian Art, Bath, record number BATEA : 451. Compare a related celadon jade plaque carved with a crane, dated to the Western Liao dynasty (of the Qara Khitai based in Central Asia who were originally refugees from the Liao dynasty), circa 12th-13th century, in the British Museum, registration number 1880.3611.Auction result comparison: Type: Related Auction: Sotheby’s Hong Kong, 1 June 2023, lot 319 Estimate: HKD 600,000 or approx. EUR 69,000 converted at the time of writing Description: A set of eleven white jade ‘musicians and dancers’ belt plaques, Tang dynasty Expert remark: Compare the related forms and manner of carving with similar high relief. Note that the lot comprises eleven white jade belt plaques (the largest 5.2 cm long), dated to the Tang dynasty.

Lot 96

A SMALL WHITE JADE MINIATURE WATER POT, 18TH CENTURY 十八世紀白玉小水丞Please note this Lot is to be sold at No Reserve. 本拍品不設底價China. Of compressed globular form, supported on a thick circular foot, and surmounted by a short straight lip. The translucent stone of an even pale celadon tone with cloudy white inclusions.Provenance: French trade. Previously in an old private estate. Condition: Very good condition with minor wear, the foot ring with little nibbling. The interior with remnants of black ink indicating the vessel has been used as an inkwell for quite some time.Weight: 77.7 gDimensions: Diameter 6 cmThe style and quality of the present lot embody much of the celebrated 18th-century production of jade. The stone was admired by the master carver who chose to highlight its quality by retaining plain undecorated sides.Auction result comparison:Type: Closely relatedAuction: Christie's New York, 23 March 2018, lot 995Price: USD 6,250 or approx. EUR 7,400 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writingDescription: A Small White Jade Water PotExpert remark: Compare the plain design and note the related size (4 cm)十八世紀白玉小水丞中國,短直頸,鼓腹,短圈足。素面,青白色玉石帶有絮狀物。 來源:法國古玩交易,來自私人老收藏。 品相:品相非常好,輕微磨損,圈足有輕微點蝕。內部有黑色墨水殘留,說明該容器曾被使用過。 重量:77.7 克 尺寸:直徑 6 厘米 本拍品的風格和品質充分體現了十八世紀的玉器風格。玉石匠人選擇通過素面來突出其玉石品質。 拍賣結果比較: 形制:非常相近 拍賣:紐約佳士得,2018年3月23日,lot 995 價格:USD 6,250(相當於今日EUR 7,400 ) 描述:十八至十九世紀白玉小水丞 專家評論:比較樸實的設計,以及請注意相近尺寸 (4 厘米)。

Lot 46

A PAIR OF CYLINDRICAL ‘TAOTIE MASK’ JADE BEADS, SHANG DYNASTY 商代一對饕餮紋玉珠Please note this Lot is to be sold at No Reserve. 本拍品不設底價China, 1600-1046 BC. Of tapering form, both are carved with a finely detailed taotie mask. Each has a small piercing drilled through the front, joining the main vertical tunnel, and the is back flattened. The opaque stone is covered extensively with milk-white calcification and some faint russet inclusions. (2)Provenance: Collection of Harry Geoffrey Beasley and thence by descent to his widow Irene Beasley. Collection of Alfred William Cowperthwaite, acquired from the above c. 1939 and thence by descent in the same family. Harry Geoffrey Beasley (1881-1939) was a British anthropologist and museum curator who developed an important ethnographic collection during the early 20th century that is now held in various British museums. With his wife Irene, Beasley set up the Cranmore Ethnographical Museum which eventually held more than 6,000 objects of ethnographical interest. The Beasleys collected objects from across Europe, buying from auction houses and local museums to expand the collection, which contained material from the Pacific, Asia, Africa, and Northwestern America. Beasley wrote numerous articles for anthropological journals and was considered an expert in his field. He died in 1939 and his collection was stored with the British Museum collections during the war, which was fortunate, as the Cranmore Museum was destroyed by bombing. After the war, substantial portions of the collection were passed to the British Museum, the Royal Museum in Edinburgh, the Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, the University of Cambridge, the Pitt Rivers Museum, and the Merseyside County Museum. Other pieces, such as the present lot, were sold by his widow and, after her death in 1974, by their daughters. Alfred William Cowperthwaite (1890-1964) was a contributor to the Cranmore Museum and became good friends with Harry Beasley. Shortly after Harry Beasley’s death, he acquired a number of objects from Irene Beasley, including the present lot.Condition: Very good condition, commensurate with age, with expected old wear and minuscule, mostly smoothened nicks. The stone with natural inclusions and fissures which have developed into small hairline cracks over time.Weight: 2.7 g and 2.6 g Dimensions: Length 1.4 cm and 1.4 cmLiterature comparison:Compare a related tubular bead with taotie, 4 cm high, dated to the Shang dynasty, in the National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution, accession number S2012.9.428.Auction result comparison: Type: Related Auction: Sotheby’s London, 8 December 2022, lot 154 Price: GBP 88,200 or approx. EUR 106,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing Description: A mottled, pale-gray jade bead, Shang/Western Zhou dynasty Expert remark: Compare the similar form with a flattened reverse. Note the larger size (2.5 cm). 商代一對饕餮紋玉珠中國,西元前1600-1046年。玉珠呈錐形,雕刻饕餮面具。每個都在前面鑽有一個小穿孔,背面是平。不透明玉石大面積覆蓋著乳白色的鈣化物和黃褐色內沁。 (2) 來源:Harry Geoffrey Beasley (1881-1939)收藏,他逝世後由其遺孀Irene Beasley保存。重量:分別為2.7與 2.6克 尺寸:各長 1.4 厘米 文獻比較: 比較一件相近的商代饕餮紋玉珠,高4 厘米,收藏於史密森學會國立亞洲藝術博物館,館藏編號S2012.9.428。 拍賣結果比較: 形制:相近 拍賣:倫敦蘇富比,2022年12月8日,lot 154 價格:GBP 88,200(相當於今日EUR 106,000) 描述:商/西周玉珠 專家評論:比較相似的形式但背面扁平。請注意尺寸較大 (2.5 厘米)。

Lot 42

A MOTTLED JADE CONG, LATE NEOLITHIC TO SHANG DYNASTY 新石器時代末至商代玉琮Please note this Lot is to be sold at No Reserve. 本拍品不設底價China, 2nd-1st millennium BC. With plain sides and narrow collars encircling the central aperture, the completely opaque stone of mottled gray, brown, and buff tones with dark veins.Provenance: Italian trade. Acquired from a private estate in northern Italy.Condition: Very good condition, commensurate with age, with several smoothened areas to the edges. The stone with natural inclusions and fissures, some of which have developed into larger cracks. Significant wear overall, mostly from centuries of worship within the culture, as well as distinct areas of weathering and erosion.Weight: 582.8 gDimensions: Width 9.3 cm The cong is one of the most enigmatic of all Chinese jade artifacts, used as a ritual utensil during sacrificial and burial ceremonies.Literature comparison: Compare a closely related mottled jade cong, dated to the late Neolithic period, circa 2250-1900 BC, in the collection of the Freer Gallery of Art in the National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution, accession number F1917.4.Auction result comparison: Type: Closely relatedAuction: Christie’s New York, 16 March 2017, lot 801Price: USD 40,000 or approx. EUR 45,500 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writingDescription: A grayish-green and buff jade cong, 2nd-1st millennium BCExpert remark: Compare the closely related form and mottled color. Note the size (6.3 cm). 新石器時代末至商代玉琮中國,公元前2000年至1000年。完全不透明的玉琮,内圓外方。玉琮有著斑駁的灰色、棕色和淺黃色色調,帶有深色紋理。 來源:義大利古玩交易,據説購於義大利北部私人收藏。 品相:狀況極好,邊緣有幾個平滑的區域。玉石帶有天然内沁和裂隙,有的已發展成較大的裂紋。整體有明顯的磨損,以及風化和侵蝕區域。 重量:582.8 克 尺寸:寬 9.3 厘米 文獻比較: 比較一件非常相近的約西元前2250-1900年新石器時期末期玉琮,收藏於史密森學會國立藝術博物館,館藏編號F1917.4。 拍賣結果比較: 形制:非常相近 拍賣:紐約佳士得,2017年3月16日,lot 801 價格:USD 40,000(相當於今日EUR 45,500) 描述:公元前二千至一千年玉琮 專家評論:比較非常相近外形和斑駁顏色。請注意尺寸 (6.3厘米)。

Lot 87

A WHITE JADE ‘LYCHEE’ BOX AND COVER, LATE MING DYNASTY 明末白玉荔枝紋小蓋盒Please note this Lot is to be sold at No Reserve. 本拍品不設底價China, 16th-17th century. The shallow box of oval form, carved and incised to the top with two lychees borne on a leafy branch, one lychee with a lozenge pattern, the other with double lined hexagons, all encircled by a line border. The sides carved with bands of stylized phoenixes and key-fret borders. The translucent stone is of a fine white color with a russet and dark gray vein. Note the broad foot rim.Provenance: West Berkshire, United Kingdom, local trade. By repute acquired from a private estate. Condition: Very good condition with expected old wear, little nibbling, a minuscule hairline and loss. The stone with natural inclusions and fissures.Weight: 70.8 g Dimensions: Length 6.6 cmLiterature comparison:Compare a closely related celadon jade box and cover with lychee motif, Ming dynasty, in the National Palace Museum of Taiwan, image numbers K1C000839N000000000PAC and K1C000839N000000000PAB. Also compare a pale celadon jade ‘lychee’ box and cover of related form and decoration, 6.3 cm, Ming dynasty, in the Victoria and Albert Museum, accession number FE.154-1988.Auction result comparison:Type: RelatedAuction: Christie’s Hong Kong, 30 November 2016, lot 3446Price: HKD 625,000 or approx. EUR 85,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writingDescription: A carved white jade 'lychee' box and cover, Qing dynasty, 17th-18th centuryExpert remark: Compare the similar color of the jade, the patterns of the lychees, and the size (7 cm). Note the slightly later dating of the piece.明末白玉荔枝紋小蓋盒中國,十六至十七世紀。橢圓形淺盒,盒蓋開光雕刻枝頭兩顆荔枝,紋理不同。蓋盒側面刻有卷葉紋。半透明白玉,帶有赤褐色和深灰色的紋理。橢圓形圈足。 來源:英國伯克郡西部古玩交易,據説購於私人收藏。 品相:狀況良好,有磨損、小刻痕和小缺損。玉料有天然內沁和裂隙 重量:70.8 克 尺寸:長6.6 厘米 文獻比較: 比較一件非常相近的明早中期玉荔枝紋盒,收藏於臺北故宮博物院,館藏編號K1C000839N000000000PAC和K1C000839N000000000PAB。比較一件明代青白玉荔枝紋蓋盒和相近的外形和裝飾,6.3 厘米,收藏於維多利亞與亞伯特博物館,館藏編號FE.154-1988. 拍賣結果比較: 形制:相近 拍賣:香港佳士得,2016年11月30日,lot 3446 價格:HKD 625,000(相當於今日EUR 85,000) 描述:清十七/十八世紀白玉荔枝紋圓蓋盒 專家評論:比較相近的玉石顏色、荔枝紋和尺寸(7 厘米)。請注意年代較晚。

Lot 32

A CAMEO AGATE OPENWORK 'LINGZHI' FINIAL, CHINA, 17th-18th CENTURY 十七至十八世紀瑪瑙雕靈芝Please note this Lot is to be sold at No Reserve. 本拍品不設底價The translucent stone of variegated brown-black and blue-grey tones cleverly incorporated by the lapidary into a deeply carved depiction of two mushrooms with neatly incised scrolling elements to the fungus heads. The base with a distinct cylindric protuberance for attachment as a finial. Possibly Suzhou School.Provenance: From a Swedish private collection. Condition: Very good condition with minor wear, traces of usage, tiny nicks, minuscule nibbles.Weight: 27.2 gDimensions: Height 4.8 cmAuction result comparison: Type: Related Auction: Sotheby’s Hong Kong, 28 November 2019, lot 605 Price: HKD 250,000 or approx. EUR 31,500 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing Description: A white and brown jade ‘butterfly, lingzhi and nuts’ group, Qing dynasty, 19th century Expert remark: Compare the related subject and manner of carving. Note the different material and smaller size (2.5 cm).Auction result comparison: Type: Related Auction: Bonhams London, 5 November 2018, lot 305 Price: GBP 1,375 or approx. EUR 2,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing Description: A carnelian agate ‘lingzhi’ finial carving, 18th/19th centuryExpert remark: Compare the related subject, manner of carving, and agate stone. Note the larger size (11.5 cm). 十七至十八世紀瑪瑙雕靈芝半透明的棕黑色和藍灰色瑪瑙被巧妙地雕刻成靈芝,線條流暢。底座有明顯的圓柱形,可能曾經被作為某一器具的蓋鈕。 來源:瑞典私人收藏。 品相:狀況極好,有輕微磨損、使用痕跡、微小刻痕和磕損。 重量:27.2 克 尺寸:高 4.8 釐米 拍賣結果比較: 形制:相近 拍賣:香港蘇富比,2019年11月28日,lot 605 價格:HKD 250,000(相當於今日EUR 31,500) 描述:清十九世紀白玉靈芝把件 專家評論:比較相近的主題和雕刻風格。請注意不同的材質和尺寸較小 (2.5 釐米)。 拍賣結果比較: 形制:相近 拍賣:倫敦邦瀚斯,2018年11月5日,lot 305 價格:GBP 1,375(相當於今日EUR 2,000) 描述:十八至十九世紀紅玉髓瑪瑙把件 專家評論:比較相近的主題、雕刻風格和瑪瑙。請注意尺寸較大 (11.5 釐米)。

Lot 79

A PALE CELADON JADE SWORD POMMEL, WESTERN HAN DYNASTY 西漢青白玉劍首Please note this Lot is to be sold at No Reserve. 本拍品不設底價China, 206 BC-8 AD. Of circular form, finely carved in low relief with a central spiral design encircled by lappet motifs, all interspersed by neatly incised cross-hatched designs and curved lines. The back with a central circular aperture flanked by two small pierced holes. The stone of a pale celadon tone with dark gray and cloudy inclusions as well as areas of white calcification. Good polish and elegant luster.Provenance: Collection of Harry Geoffrey Beasley (1881-1939) and thence by descent to his widow Irene Beasley. Collection of Alfred William Cowperthwaite (1890-1964), acquired from the above c. 1939 and thence by descent in the same family. Harry Geoffrey Beasley (1881-1939) was a British anthropologist and museum curator who developed an important ethnographic collection during the early 20th century that is now held in various British museums. With his wife Irene, Beasley set up the Cranmore Ethnographical Museum which eventually held more than 6,000 objects of ethnographical interest. The Beasleys collected objects from across Europe, buying from auction houses and local museums to expand the collection, which contained material from the Pacific, Asia, Africa, and Northwestern America. Beasley wrote numerous articles for anthropological journals and was considered an expert in his field. He died in 1939 and his collection was stored with the British Museum collections during the war, which was fortunate as the Cranmore Museum was destroyed by bombing. After the war substantial portions of the collection were passed to the British Museum, the Royal Museum in Edinburgh, the Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, the University of Cambridge, the Pitt Rivers Museum, and the Merseyside County Museum. Other pieces, such as the present lot, were sold by his widow and, after her death in 1974, by their daughters. Alfred William Cowperthwaite (1890-1964) was a contributor to the Cranmore Museum and became good friends with Harry Beasley. Shortly after Harry Beasley’s death, he acquired a number of objects from Irene Beasley, including the present lot.Condition: Good condition with minor old wear, minuscule nibbling, minor signs of weathering and erosion, and iron rust encrustations. The stone with natural fissures, some of which have developed into small hairline cracks over time.Weight: 21.3 gDimensions: Diameter 3.8 cm Literature comparison: Compare a related jade pommel, dated ca. 3rd-1st century BC, 4.6 cm diameter, in the National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution, accession number S1987.599. Compare various other pommels excavated from the tomb of the King of Nanyue and illustrated in Jades from the Tomb of the King of Nanyue, pls. 204, 210, 211, and 212.Auction result comparison: Type: Related Auction: Sotheby’s Hong Kong, 30 November 2021, lot 461 Price: HKD 176,400 or approx. EUR 21,000 converted at the time of writing Description: A jade sword pommel, Han dynasty Expert remark: Compare the related form and design. Note the size (5.7 cm).

Lot 102

A FINE PALE CELADON AND CHESTNUT BROWN JADE ‘MONKEYS AND PEACH’ GROUP, 18TH CENTURY 十八世紀青白玉雙猴擺件Please note this Lot is to be sold at No Reserve. 本拍品不設底價China. Intricately and imaginatively depicted with an adult monkey gently embracing a young in its right arm, both holding a peach, the young further with a ruyi scepter in his left raised hand, the scepter suspending a long band with a jade chime, all naturalistically carved with wrinkled foreheads and the adult monkey with protruding spines finely detailed with incised hairs. The translucent stone of a pale celadon tone with areas of chestnut-brown and grayish white, interspersed with few dark speckles.Provenance: From the private collection of Anthony Gustav de Rothschild. Gifted to his daughter Renée Robeson. Thence by descent within the same family. Anthony Gustav de Rothschild (1887-1961) was born in London as the third youngest of three sons of the banker Leopold de Rothschild. He studied at the University of Cambridge and became the managing partner of the N M Rothschild & Sons banking house after the death of his father. De Rothschild inherited his father’s passion for collecting, starting to collect Chinese jade and works of art after a trip to China in 1911. Most of his objects were assembled during the 1920s and 1930s. The present lot belongs to a group of important jades which Rothschild gifted to his eldest daughter Renée Louise Robeson (1927-2015) before he eventually donated the family home to charity. Condition: Good condition with expected old wear, the feet with a few small nicks, the stone with natural inclusions and fissures, some of which may have developed into hairline cracks. The wood stand with minor wear.Weight: 428.0 g (excl. base), 464.4 g (incl. base) Dimensions: Height 11.9 cm (excl. stand), 13.4 cm (incl. stand)With a fitted, carved, and lacquered wood stand dating from the late Qing dynasty to the Republic period. (2)This jade carving of monkeys exemplifies the masterful craftsmanship achieved in the jade ateliers during the 18th century. The craftsman would have assessed the unusual jade stone composed of the rare contrasting pale celadon and chestnut-brown tones, utilizing the fine natural material to create the exceptionally skillful carving.Homophones for monkey, hou, include the Chinese words for 'nobleman', 'high official', and 'descendants'. The monkey therefore represents the wish for the success of one's descendants. The representation of monkey and peach also relates to the legendary figure of Sun Wukong, also known as the Monkey King, who became notorious for stealing the peaches of immortality. Auction result comparison:Type: RelatedAuction: Sotheby’s Hong Kong, 7 April 2013, lot 3209Price: HKD 475,000 or approx. EUR 72,500 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writingDescription: A pale celadon and brown jade 'monkey' group carving, Qing dynasty, 18th centuryExpert remark: Compare the related motif, color of the jade, and fine carving. Note the slightly smaller size (9.2 cm).Auction result comparison:Type: RelatedAuction: Christie’s Hong Kong, 27 November 2007, lot 1557Price: HKD 2,287,500 or approx. EUR 420,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writingDescription: A fine brown and white jade group of two monkeysExpert remark: Compare the related motif and color of the jade. Note the slightly larger size (15 cm).Auction result comparison:Type: RelatedAuction: Bonhams Hong Kong, 29 November 2016, lot 14Price: HKD 1,250,000 or approx. EUR 170,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writingDescription: A very fine white and brown jade carving of four monkeys, 18th centuryExpert remark: Compare the related motif and color of the jade. Note the slightly smaller size (8.8 cm).

Lot 221

A MONUMENTAL GILT FAMILLE ROSE ‘LADIES OF THE HAN PALACE’ VASE, LATE QIANLONG - EARLY JIAQING 乾隆末期至嘉慶朝初年粉彩描金《漢宮春曉》瓶Please note this Lot is to be sold at No Reserve. 本拍品不設底價China, 1780-1820. The baluster sides rising from a short spreading foot to a waisted neck flanked by a pair of imitation-cloisonné chilong-form handles to flared mouth. The body vibrantly painted in bright enamels with gilt highlights to depict a lively scene of elegantly dressed ladies on a palace terrace indulging in leisurely pursuits, set against a monumental landscape with gnarled pines, towering mountains, and swirling clouds. Each side with a central dancer surrounded by musicians playing string, flute, and percussion instruments, with further ladies holding lanterns and jade chimes, carrying scrolls and auspicious fruits, or simply looking on.Provenance: Mme Safia Sassi, Paris, France. Formerly in a noted French private collection, by repute acquired from the above. A private collector in Austria, acquired from the above via the London trade.Condition: Natural wear, mostly to gilt. Expected manufacturing irregularities, including a circumferential firing crack around the foot. Minuscule chips and shallow surface scratches. One handle with a small section re-attached. Displaying exceptionally well!Weight: 12,812 kgDimensions: Height 64.5 cm The scenes painted to the body are framed by lime-green and pink-ground bands of ruyi-heads dotted with floral designs. The shoulder with a band of floral scroll below plantain leaves enclosing stylized flowerheads. The neck painted to each side with a bat above a stylized shou character and linked cash-coins suspended from a beaded tassel, surrounded by lotus blossoms borne on leafy scrolling vines, all against a lime-green ground. The mouth with a turquoise-ground band of ruyi-heads below the gilt rim.The foot with a band of key-fret below lotus scroll. The interior glazed turquoise, while the base is left unglazed, revealing the white ware, which has a remarkably unctuous, silky feel overall.This fine and meticulously painted depiction of ladies is reminiscent of a scroll painting, with the colorful decorations around the mouth, neck, and foot serving as the mounting. The scene depicts ladies of the Han Palace, a subject that rose in popularity in the mid-Qing dynasty when the Han dynasty became a subject of nostalgia. Elegant and beautifully dressed women occupy a romanticized world, engaged in exemplary behavior such as modesty and encouraging the transmission of culture as seen on this vase where they play music and dance. This theme also reflects the antiquarian interest characteristic of the Qing period.Literature comparison: Compare a Qianlong-marked lantern vase from the Qing court collection, now in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, similarly painted with ladies playing music surrounding a central dancer in an elaborate robe, no. Gu Ci 007371. It is suggested that the figures are modeled after the ladies in the painting Court Version of ‘Spring Dawn in the Han Palace’, completed by Sun Hu, Zhou Kun, and Ding Guanpeng in the 6th year of the Qianlong period (1741), included in the exhibition The All Complete Qianlong: The Aesthetic Tastes of the Qing Emperor Gaozong, National Palace Museum, Taipei, 2013, cat. no. II-3.54, after the famous and much-copied handscroll Spring Morning in the Han Palace by Qiu Ying (ca. 1494-1552), in the National Palace Museum, Taipei.Auction result comparison: Type: Near identicalAuction: Christie’s London, 3 November 2020, lot 182Price: GBP 100,000 or approx. EUR 149,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writingDescription: A large famille rose lime-green-ground ‘Hundred Boys’ vaseExpert remark: Note the slightly larger size (73 cm).

Lot 75

A WHITE JADE FIGURE OF A PIG, HAN DYNASTY 漢代白玉豬Please note this Lot is to be sold at No Reserve. 本拍品不設底價China, 206 BC to 220 AD. Of elongated form, finely carved, detailing the recumbent pig with ears tucked back, a prominent snout, incised brows, and incised eyes outlined in red pigment. The opaque jade once of superb and pure color, now covered almost entirely in calcification, with several distinct areas of erosion.Expert’s note: Studying a well-documented ancient jade figure, with a bulletproof provenance such as the present lot, can be quite fascinating, especially when it exhibits distinct regions of natural erosion while also retaining some parts of the original jade in pristine condition, all within the same artifact. In the past, esteemed Chinese collectors of archaic jades used to keep multiple such study pieces as references.Provenance: The personal collection of Robert Rousset, acquired before 1935. Thence by descent to Jean-Pierre Rousset. Robert Rousset was a former French radio officer in the merchant navy, who became one of the most prominent pioneers of the Chinese art market in Paris. As a child, his father, an insurance agent, would take him to Hôtel Drouot where he started to buy at a very young age. His true passion for Asian art started in the 1920s, when he was sent on a mission to Beijing after the decline of the Qing empire, along with Osvald Sirén, the famous Swedish Asian art historian and connoisseur. He then became one of the main contributors of Chinese antiques for the Compagnie de la Chine et des Indes, founded in Paris in the early 20th century by the Blazy brothers. After the 1929 stock market crash, he had the opportunity to acquire the company. With his sister Suzanne in charge of the porcelain, they developed the business and became one of the most important dealers in France, selling pieces to the greatest museums, including the Musée Guimet and the Metropolitan Museum of Art.Condition: Some old wear, signs of weathering and erosion with associated losses, encrustations, few minor chips, all as can be expected from a jade with 2,000 years of age.Weight: 102.8 gDimensions: Length 11.5 cm The present jade carving, with its curved bodyline and shaped snout and tail, is more realistically represented than most jade pigs from the Han dynasty. A very similar jade pig dating to the late Eastern Han dynasty was unearthed from Tomb no. 1 in Dongyuancun in Haoxian, Anhui province, illustrated in Zhongguo meishu quanji, vol. 9, Jade, Beijing, 1986, pl. 195 (fig. 1). It was believed that jade pigs were placed for protection of the dead. This practice is connected with the Daoist belief, as stated in the 4th century text Baopuzi by Ge Hong, 'when gold and jade plug the nine orifices, man dies but his body does not decay'. Pairs of jade pigs were placed in the hands of the deceased. Funerary jade pigs from this period are often carved with a few deep calculated cuts, known as the Eight Cuts of Han.Literature comparison:Compare similarly carved jade pigs, Han dynasty, illustrated in the Compendium of Collections in the Palace Museum: Jade 4, Beijing, 2011, p.130, nos.152-153.Auction result comparison: Type: Closely relatedAuction: Sotheby’s Hong Kong, 8 April 2023, lot 3842Price: HKD 609,600 or approx. EUR 70,500 converted at the time of writingDescription: A calcified jade recumbent pig, Western Han dynastyExpert remark: Compare the closely related manner of carving, calcification, and size (11.9 cm).

Lot 108

A SPINACH-GREEN JADE MARRIAGE BOWL, CHINA, 18TH CENTURY 十八世紀龍首活環菠菜綠玉洗Please note this Lot is to be sold at No Reserve. 本拍品不設底價The deep, gently rounded sides rise from a tall, flared foot, flanked by two openwork dragon-head handles suspending thick loose rings. Finely carved with a raised band of archaistic kuilong centered by a gankyil symbol, the foot with a band of neatly detailed lappets. The translucent stone of a deep spinach-green hue with dark veining and specks as well as icy inclusions. The overall depth and detail of the carving is remarkable.Provenance: From a reputable gallery in London, United Kingdom. The base with an old label, ‘30’.Condition: Very good condition with minor wear and minuscule nibbling. The jade with natural inclusions and fissures, some of which have developed into small hairline cracks.Weight: 416.9 gDimensions: Width 21.2 cm Auction result comparison: Type: RelatedAuction: Sotheby’s London, 18 May 2018, lot 273Price: GBP 22,500 or approx. EUR 36,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writingDescription: A spinach-green jade marriage bowl, Qing dynastyExpert remark: Compare the similar purpose, color, and form including handles suspending loose rings and bands of archaistic decoration. Note the size (28.9 cm) and the apocryphal Qianlong mark. 十八世紀龍首活環菠菜綠玉洗敞口,斜腹,高底足外撇,兩側是龍首活環。外壁浮雕仿古夔龍紋飾帶;足部有一周芭蕉葉紋飾。半透明的玉石呈深菠菜綠色,帶有深色紋理和斑點以及内沁。細節精美,玉料瑩潤。 來源:英國倫敦的一家著名藝廊,底座上有舊標籤“30”。 品相:狀況極其好,有輕微磨損、刻痕,玉石具有天然内沁和裂隙,有的已發展成細小的裂紋。 重量:416.克 尺寸:寬 21.2 厘米拍賣結果比較: 形制:相近 拍賣:倫敦蘇富比,2018年5月18日,lot 273 價格:GBP 22,500(相當於今日EUR 36,000) 描述:清碧玉饕餮紋活環耳洗 專家評論:比較相近的作用、顏色,以及外形包括活環和仿古裝飾帶雙耳。請注意尺寸(28.9厘米)和乾隆仿款。

Lot 74

A SUPERB CELADON AND BROWN JADE ‘DRAGON’ PENDANT, WESTERN HAN DYNASTY 西漢青玉龍紋佩Please note this Lot is to be sold at No Reserve. 本拍品不設底價China, 206 BC-AD 8. Of flattened form, the S-shaped dragon is finely carved in openwork with subtle incision work detailing the eyes, ears, and mane of the dragon, and neatly decorated with spiral and cross-hatched designs. The fierce dragon bares its teeth, the horn is pierced with a small aperture for suspension. The translucent stone is of a celadon hue with a dark brown patch at the head, the horn and ear of a paler beige tone, the shadings of the stone skillfully incorporated by the lapidary.Provenance: From an old private collection in southern Germany, assembled via inheritance in the 1950s and acquisitions from the 1960s to the 1980s, and thence by descent within the family. With an old label, ‘Jade Hanzeit. C. OTV. Drache.’ (Jade, Han period, Dragon) Condition: Good condition with expected old wear, weathering and erosion, minor nibbling, few tiny nicks, natural inclusions and fissures, some of which may have developed into small hairline cracks.Weight: 25.8 g Dimensions: Length 9 cm Auction result comparison: Type: Related Auction: Christie’s Hong Kong, 29 November 2022, lot 2727 Price: HKD 2,520,000 or approx. EUR 294,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing Description: A jade dragon-form pendant, Western Han dynasty Expert remark: Compare the related flattened form, modeling with similar head and curling mane and tail, and manner of carving with similar spiral decorations. Note the size (7.7 cm).Auction result comparison: Type: Related Auction: Christie’s Hong Kong, 29 November 2022, lot 2730 Price: HKD 945,000 or approx. EUR 110,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing Description: A pair of jade reticulated ‘dragon’ pendants, Western Han dynasty Expert remark: Compare the related flattened form, modeling with similar head and curling mane and tail, and manner of carving with similar spiral decorations. Note the size (11.5 cm) and that the lot comprises a pair. 西漢青玉龍紋佩中國,西元前206年至西元八世紀。龍紋玉佩呈扁平狀,鏤空工藝精美雕刻並結合紋理顔色,龍眼、耳朵和鬃毛上都有精緻雕刻表現,並飾有雲紋。龍齜牙呈咆哮狀,角上穿有小孔,可供懸掛。半透明的玉石頭呈青色,龍頭有深棕色斑點,角和耳朵呈淺米色。 來源:德國南部私人舊藏,二十世紀五十年代被繼承,1960 年代至八十年代被收購,在同一家族保存。舊標籤上注明“Jade Hanzeit. C. OTV. Drache” (漢代玉器,龍)。 品相:狀況良好,有磨損、風化和侵蝕、輕微磕損、少量小刻痕、天然內沁和裂縫,其中一些可能已發展成細小的裂紋。 重量:25.8 克 尺寸:長 9 厘米 拍賣結果比較: 形制:相近 拍賣:香港佳士得,2022年11月29日,lot 2727 價格:HKD 2,520,000(相當於今日EUR 294,000) 描述:西漢玉龍形珮 專家評論:比較相近形態扁平,頭部造型相似,鬃尾捲曲,雕刻方式相似螺旋紋飾。請注意尺寸 (7.7 厘米)。 拍賣結果比較: 形制:相近 拍賣:香港佳士得,2022年11月29日,lot 2730 價格:HKD 945,000(相當於今日EUR 110,000) 描述:西漢玉鏤雕龍紋觿一對 專家評論:比較相近形態扁平,頭部造型相似,鬃尾捲曲,雕刻方式相似螺旋紋飾。請注意尺寸 (11.5 厘米) ,以及此為一對。

Lot 100

AN IMPERIAL CELADON AND RUSSET JADE ‘CHILONG’ RHYTON, QIANLONG MARK AND PERIOD 乾隆款與年代御製青玉留皮螭龍角杯Please note this Lot is to be sold at No Reserve. 本拍品不設底價China, 1736-1795. Of baluster form with a handle in the form of a clambering chilong and a sloping lip. Carved with sparse C-shaped scrolls to the upper register, dense scrolls and two roundels with scroll designs to the middle register, and stiff leaves and key-fret to the lower register. The translucent stone of a pale celadon tone with russet veins and cloudy white inclusions. The concave base neatly incised with a four-character mark Qianlong nianzhi and of the period.Provenance: A private collector in the United Kingdom.Condition: Very good condition with minor old wear, microscopic nicks, the stone with natural fissures, some of which have developed into small hairline cracks over time.Weight: 225.9 gDimensions: Height 12.7 cmExpert’s note: The Qianlong Emperor’s great love of jade combined with his passion for antiques resulted in his commissioning significant numbers of archaistic jade items for his court. The present lot belongs to an important group of such objects, all carved from ‘impure’ jade with prominent fissures and inclusions, erroneously believed by some to be anathema to the Emperor. On the contrary, jades carved from this specific material were one of his greatest passions. During the 44th year of the Qianlong reign (1779), the Suzhou Manufactory was ordered to create a jade vase from a piece of shanliao (nephrite) raw jade. Because of cracks in the jade, the intended size was not possible, and the manufactory sought further instruction from the Emperor. Qianlong responded that if by reducing the size of the finished vase the cracks could be avoided, that would be a good solution, but if even then the cracks could not be avoided, then it would be better to maintain the intended size, as such cracks were a natural characteristic of jade after all. In fact, the Qianlong Emperor believed that defects such as spots and cracks added to the archaic feeling of a work.This aesthetic use of material defects can also be seen in other archaistic jade objects created during the Qianlong reign (see Auction result comparison), indicating that the Emperor considered the craft and decorative program of a jade object more important than the quality of the raw material. Although Qianlong had always had a love of the past, he only promoted the production of archaistic jades in society at large during the middle and late periods of his reign, due to the appearance of certain new kinds of jade that he detested. In the 39th year of his reign (1774), Qianlong criticized the “wretched new forms of jade” in his writing, and later proceeded to lodge repeated criticisms against other new-fangled forms that he considered unacceptably vulgar for being overwrought, excessively ornate, or slavish towards raw materiality. He regarded the popularity of such forms as a “catastrophe for jade”. Whether these forms strike us today as indeed catastrophic or rather innovative, it is clear that the Emperor found them unbearable.Auction result comparison:Type: RelatedAuction: Sotheby’s Hong Kong, 26 May 2013, lot 131Price: HKD 475,000 or approx. EUR 75,500 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writingDescription: An imperial archaistic jade 'phoenix' snuff bottle attributed to the palace workshops, mark and period of QianlongExpert remark: Compare the closely related color of the stone, and fine incision work.Auction result comparison:Type: Related Auction: Sotheby’s Hong Kong, 3 April 2018, lot 3638Price: HKD 21,720,000 or approx. EUR 2,963,500 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writingDescription: An imperial, highly important and magnificent Khotan-green jade archaistic vase, Fanggu mark and period of QianlongExpert remark: Compare the closely related color of the stone, and fine incision work. Note the size (41.5 cm)Auction result comparison:Type: RelatedAuction: Christie’s Hong Kong, 28 May 2014, lot 3370Price: HKD 2,920,000 or approx. EUR 445,500 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writingDescription: A rare large imperial jade archaistic vase, Qianlong four-character, Fanggu mark inscribed in a line and of the period (1736-1795)Expert remark: Compare the closely related color of the stone, and fine incision work. Note the size (33 cm)

Lot 115

AN ARCHAISTIC WHITE JADE ‘BEAR’ GARMENT HOOK, QING DYNASTY 清代仿古白玉熊衣飾掛扣Please note this Lot is to be sold at No Reserve. 本拍品不設底價China, 1644-1912. The bear's right foreleg, intricately carved, stretches above its head to build the hook, showcasing its daunting clawed paws. The head is crafted in the style of the Han dynasty, and the impressive creature is seated on its haunches. The smooth, translucent stone has a fine white color, exhibits icy inclusions and creamy-russet patches along the base and side, adding to its overall appeal.Provenance: Swedish trade.Condition: Very good condition with expected old wear, some signs of erosion along the russet edges, and small nicks here and there, smoothened over time. The jade has natural fissures, some of which may have developed into small hairline cracks.Weight: 62.2 g Dimensions: Length 8.8 cm The bear has been a popular totemic emblem in China since ancient times. China's foundation myths hold that the legendary Yellow Emperor, Huang Di, early on lived with his tribe in the northwest, where he became a farmer and tamed six different types of ferocious beasts, including the bear, or xiong, with which the Yellow Emperor ever since has been linked.Literature comparison:Compare a related white jade toggle of a bear, 5.2 cm long, dated to the 10th to 11th century, in the British Museum, registration number 1945,1017.56. Compare a prototype white jade pinhead in the form of a bear, 3.3 cm high, dated to the Han dynasty, in the British Museum, registration number 1945,1017.24. Compare a related white jade bear toggle and its closely related style, 4.2 cm high, dated to the Han dynasty, in the British Museum, registration number 2022,3034.249.Auction result comparison: Type: Related Auction: Bonhams San Francisco, 24 June 2014, lot 8011 Price: USD 6,875 or approx. EUR 8,100 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing Description: An unusual white jade garment hook, 18th century Expert remark: Note the similar shape of the hook and the related archaistic style of the mythical creature. Note the size (10.5 cm).Auction result comparison: Type: Related Auction: Galerie Zacke, Vienna, 15 October 2021, lot 77 Price: EUR 27,808 or approx. EUR 33,000 adjusted for inflation at the time of writing Description: A pale celadon jade figure of a bear, eastern Han dynasty Expert remark: Note the size (4.4 cm) and that this is an archaic carving, dating from the Han dynasty. 清代仿古白玉熊衣飾掛扣中國,1644-1912 年。 熊的右前腿伸展到頭頂上方形成鉤子,整體動感十足。頭部採用漢代風格。光滑、半透明玉石呈現出細膩的白色,底部和側面有内沁和黃褐色斑塊。 來源:瑞典古玩交易。 品相:狀況極好,有磨損,黃褐色邊緣有一些侵蝕,大面積小刻痕,隨著時間的推移變得平滑。玉石有天然裂隙,有的可能發展成細小裂紋。 重量:62.2 克 尺寸:長8.8 厘米 文獻比較: 比較一件相近的十至十一世紀白玉熊指,5長.2 厘米,收藏於大英博物館,館藏編號1945,1017.56。比較一件漢代白玉熊指,高3.3 厘米,收藏於大英博物館,館藏編號1945,1017.24。比較一件非常相近的漢代白玉熊指,高4.2 厘米,收藏於大英博物館,館藏編號2022,3034.249。 拍賣結果比較: 形制:相近 拍賣:舊金山邦翰斯,2014年6月24日, lot 8011 價格:USD 6,875(相當於今日EUR 8,100) 描述:十八世紀白玉帶鉤 專家評論:請注意相似的鉤形,以及相近的仿古神獸。請注意尺寸(10.5 厘米)。 拍賣結果比較: 形制:相近 拍賣:Galerie Zacke,維也納,2021年10月15日,lot 77 價格:EUR 27,808(相當於今日EUR 33,000) 描述:東漢灰白玉雕熊 專家評論:請注意尺寸(4.4 厘米),以及此玉為漢代。

Lot 66

AN IMPORTANT YELLOW JADE ‘DOUBLE-BEAR’ ORNAMENTAL SEAL AND RITUAL PLAQUE, SPRING AND AUTUMN PERIOD, CHINA, CIRCA 770 TO 481 BCPlease note this Lot is to be sold at No Reserve. 本拍品不設底價Expert’s note: This exceptional jade plaque, distinguished by its remarkable preservation and rarity, encompasses the craftsmanship styles of both the Shang and Zhou dynasties, as aptly noted by Harry Geoffrey Beasley in his commentary on this artwork a century ago (refer to provenance section below). It stands as an extraordinary testament to the legacy of the Spring and Autumn era. With a prestigious history, it was initially held in the esteemed collection of Henry Dyer, a renowned engineer and collector from Glasgow, Scotland, who was awarded the Order of the Rising Sun by Emperor Meiji. Subsequently, it found its place in the museum of Harry Geoffrey Beasley before eventually becoming part of the family collection of Alfred William Cowperthwaite in 1939. In terms of quality and condition, this jade plaque ranks alongside the finest surviving archaic jades in the rich history of ancient China.The accompanying written note by Harry Geoffrey Beasley describes the present jade as a "Display Plaque" that combines designs from “the Shang and Zhou” dynasties. He emphasizes its uniqueness and significance by stating, "Unique and of extreme importance. Ex: Dyer Collection." A copy of this note, along with the presentation box in which it was discovered, is included with this lot. Please refer to the provenance section below for more details.The plaque is entirely flat and exhibits meticulous carvings on both sides, portraying two crouching bears positioned back to back. These bears are intricately rendered with emphasized facial features and paws, all finely incised in deep and high relief. Additionally, the plaque is adorned with two stylized dragons on the back of each bear, accompanied by skillfully executed geometric designs. These designs are masterfully crafted using adjacent double- and single-line grooves, enhancing the overall aesthetic appeal of the piece.The absence of any drilled holes or natural openings that would allow suspension leaves no doubt that this plaque was not intended to be worn merely as a piece of jewelry or an ornamental item, neither during one's lifetime nor in the afterlife. Instead, it was specifically crafted as a ceremonial centerpiece, likely revered and utilized in rituals spanning generations. It probably also served as a seal plaque and was ultimately interred alongside a significant noble leader. The substantial size of 12.8 cm further supports this evaluation.The translucent stone is of a beautiful pale yellow tone with faint green hues and a few distinct russet spots. Calcification throughout.Provenance: -Henry Dyer (1848-1918), according to a copy of a handwritten note written by Harry Geoffrey Beasley found inside a presentation box, which was custom made for the present lot by the orders of Alfred William Cowperthwaite. Most likely acquired by Henry Dyer during his stay in Japan from 1873 to 1882, where he was awarded the Order of the Rising Sun, the highest Japanese honor available to foreigners, by the Emperor Meiji.-Harry Geoffrey Beasley (1881-1939), acquired from the above, probably after Dyer’s death in 1918. -Irene Beasley, widow of Harry Geoffrey Beasley, by descent in 1939. -Alfred William Cowperthwaite (1890-1964), acquired from the above in 1939 or shortly thereafter.-Thence by descent within the Cowperthwaite family to the last owner.Condition: Very good condition, commensurate with age. Wear, minuscule nibbling, signs of weathering and erosion, encrustations, all consistent with an extensive time of burial. Calcification throughout.Weight: 54.9 gDimensions: Length 12.1 cm With an old presentation box and glass cover. (2) Due to length restriction on the platform, this entry is shortened. For full description please visit www.zacke.at.由于Drouot平台拍品叙述的长度限制,我们移除了中文叙述,完整中文叙述请至www.zacke.at查看

Lot 101

AN EXCEPTIONAL PAIR OF WHITE JADE ‘QUAIL’ BOXES AND COVERS, QIANLONG PERIOD, 1736-1795 乾隆時期一對白玉鵪鶉蓋盒Please note this Lot is to be sold at No Reserve. 本拍品不設底價Expert’s note: The artist paid meticulous attention to the differences between male and female quails while creating the original concept for these boxes during the earlier Qianlong period. Notably, the female quail is depicted as larger than the male, their eyes are portrayed differently, and the sizes of their beaks diverge. Although white jade obviously cannot display colors, the design of the present boxes aims to symbolize the great variety found in male and female quail plumage through neatly incised patterns and textures. An almost identical pair from this group, showcasing the same characteristics of sexual dimorphism, was previously sold at Christie's Hong Kong on November 30, 2011, as lot 3029 (refer to auction result comparison below). Although other examples within the group do exhibit these characteristics to some degree, they appear to be less intricate overall. Therefore, it is believed that only the earliest group, likely crafted between 1740 and 1750, displays the remarkable level of detail found in the current lot.Both quails are shown with their taloned feet tucked under their bodies. The upper half of each box serves as a perfectly fitting cover, precisely aligning with the scalloped edges. The plumage is incised with remarkable detail, while the head is gently turned to one side and adorned with several layers of feathering. The beak and eyes exhibit finely carved lines, adding to the overall intricacy.The semi-translucent white jade displays an even tone with subtle hints of pale celadon and tiny russet inclusions. The polish of the stone is of magnificent quality, enhancing the overall aesthetic appeal of the pair. (4)Provenance: From a private collection in Paris, France, and thence by descent.Condition: Pristine condition with old wear and few microscopic nicks, inherent to the stone, which have smoothened over time. Expected natural inclusions and fissures.Weight: 263.8 g and 221.7 gDimensions: Length 11.4 cm and 10.6 cmThe quail is an emblem of courage in Chinese art, due to its fierce nature and fighting prowess. Curiously, however, because the Chinese word for quail (an) is a homophone for ‘peace’, it is often recognized as a symbol of harmonious existence. Two quails can be read as shuang an, or 'double peace', and thus, these birds appear as a pair on paintings, porcelains and textiles from as early as the Song dynasty.Auction result comparison:Type: Near-identicalAuction: Christie’s Hong Kong, 30 November 2011, lot 3029Price: HKD 2,660,000 or approx. EUR 435,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writingDescription: An exquisite pair of white jade quail-form boxes and covers, Qianlong period (1736-1795)Expert remark: Another example from the earliest group. Compare the marked difference in the eyes, feathers, and beaks of the male and female quail. Note the identical length (11.5 cm) of the larger bird.Auction result comparison:Type: Closely relatedAuction: Christie’s Hong Kong, 28 November 2012, lot 2182Price: HKD 2,540,000 or approx. EUR 395,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writingDescription: An pair of white jade quail-form boxes and covers, Qianlong period (1736-1795)Expert remark: A later example, where the difference in the eyes, beaks, and feathers are less prominent. Note the slightly larger size (11.8 cm).Auction result comparison:Type: Closely relatedAuction: Christie’s Hong Kong, 30 May 2012, lot 4110Price: HKD 2,180,000 or approx. EUR 339,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writingDescription: A fine pair of white jade quail-form boxes and covers, Qianlong period (1736-1795)Expert remark: A later example, where the difference in the eyes, beaks, and feathers are less prominent. Note the slightly smaller size (10.5 cm).

Lot 117

A CARVED CELADON JADE BOX AND COVER IN THE FORM OF A RAM, QING DYNASTY 清代青玉臥羊形蓋盒 Please note this Lot is to be sold at No Reserve. 本拍品不設底價China, 18th – 19th century. Naturalistically carved, the recumbent ram with its legs tucked underneath, looking straight ahead with almond-shaped eyes, further detailed with grooved horns curving down the back of its neck towards its jaw, an accentuated back bone finishes at the tail which is slightly twisted to one side. The translucent stone of deep celadon tone with a faint yellow hue and cloudy inclusions as well as icy and russet veins.Provenance: Boston trade.Condition: Very good condition with minor wear and few minuscule nicks to the cover’s rim. The stone with natural fissures, some of which have developed into small hairline cracks, particularly around the right eye.Weight: 348.3 gDimensions: Length 10.3 cm Expert’s note: It is remarkable to see how cleverly the lapidary integrated a circular russet vein running around the proper right eye, which has developed into a natural fissure over the centuries, to simulate a differently colored fur patch which is often found on real rams.Auction result comparison: Type: Closely relatedAuction: Christie’s Hong Kong, 30 May 2018, lot 3143Price: HKD 275,000 or approx. EUR 36,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writingDescription: A carved yellow jade rabbit-form box and coverExpert remark: Note the size (8.3 cm). 清代青玉臥羊形蓋盒中國,十八至十九世紀。立體雕刻蓋盒,呈臥羊狀,大眼平視前方,有角,前後肢斂收於身下,背脊明顯。深青色半透明玉料,帶有淡淡的黃色絮狀物與赤褐色的紋理。 來源:波士頓古玩貿易。 品相:狀況極好,有輕微磨損,蓋子邊緣有一些微小的劃痕。具有天然裂隙的石頭,其中一些已發展成細小的細裂紋,尤其是在右眼周圍。 重量:348.3 克 尺寸:長10.3 釐米 專家注釋:令人驚奇的是,寶石工匠巧妙地將右眼周圍的赤褐色圓形紋理融入雕刻中,該紋理在幾個世紀以來已發展成天然裂隙,如真羊身上的不同顏色的毛。 拍賣結果比較: 形制:非常相近 拍賣:香港佳士得,2018年5月30日,lot 3143 價格:HKD 275,000(相當於今日EUR 36,000) 描述:黃玉臥兔形蓋盒 專家評論:請注意尺寸(8.3 厘米)。

Lot 139

AN INSCRIBED SAPPHIRE-BLUE OVERLAY GLASS SNUFF BOTTLE, YANGZHOU SCHOOL, CHINA, 1800-1880Please note this Lot is to be sold at No Reserve. 本拍品不設底價Published: Wang & Co., One Man’s Choice II, Beijing, 2009, page 24-25, number 22. The publication confirms the attribution and dating above.Exhibited: The International Chinese Snuff Bottle Society Convention, Dublin, Ireland, 20-24 October 2009Inscriptions: To one side, above the boy, ‘chu wu ni er bu ran’ (untainted though having grown from mud) one seal, ‘chen xin ru shui’ (the heart of your humble servant is as pure as water). To the other side, ‘tong xin zhi yan’ (language of the same hearts), one seal, ‘bing hu’ (icy bottle).Of flattened spherical form with a flat lip and sapphire-blue oval foot rim surrounding a flat recessed base. Exquisitely carved through the outer sapphire-blue layer to the translucent milky-white body with a boy holding up a lotus bud in a sampan floating along a lotus pond. Above the boy is the inscription in Xiao Zhuan (Qin-dynasty seal script). The other side is similarly decorated with a Taihu rock and flowering orchids above a miniature grass planter on its stand as well as a Yixing pottery teapot and a teacup, all below butterflies hovering above and another inscription. The sides are carved with animal masks suspending mock ring handles.Provenance: A private collection in France. Wang & Co., Beijing, October 2009. A private collection in the United Kingdom, acquired from the above for USD $12,000 or c. EUR 16,000 (converted and adjusted for inflation) according to a short note by the previous owner, of which a copy accompanies this lot. Wang & Co. is a noted gallery for Chinese antiques and works of art based in Beijing, run by Dick Wang, who had previously worked as an expert for Chinese art at Sotheby’s in New York and London.Condition: Good condition with minor wear and manufacturing irregularities, occasional light scratches, the foot rim with a minute old fill (1 x 3 mm), possibly inherent to manufacture.Stopper: Glass in imitation of coralWeight: 34.7 g Dimensions: Height incl. stopper 61 mm, Diameter neck 15 mm and mouth 5 mm Expert’s note: This bottle belongs to a group of similarly made and carved overlay bottles that may have been ordered by patrons of the scholar-official class. The composition is painterly as well as scholastic, and the execution is demonstrative of complete mastery of the glass carving skills. The first inscription is a line from Ai Lion Shuo (Ode to the Lotus) by Zhou Dunyi (1017-1073). It compares the beauty of the lotus flower that grows unblemished from mud on the bottom of a pond to virtues men ought to possess. The seal ‘chen xin ru shui’ comes from the Biography of Zheng Chong in the Book of Han. Zheng was head of chancery in the court of Liu Xin who enjoyed the confidence of the Emperor until he began having problems with the Empress Dowager Fu and her court favorite Dong Xian. Zheng was in high demand as an official, but after falling from favor, the Emperor accused Zheng of embezzlement because of his fame. Zheng replied, ‘chen men ru shi, chen xin ru shui’ (It is like a bazaar outside my door, but my heart is as pure as water). The seal ‘bing hu’ is an abbreviation of the last line of the famous four-line poem by Wang Changling (690-756): ‘yi pian bing xin zai yu hu’ (my heart is as bright as crystal ice in a jar of jade).Auction result comparison: Type: Closely related Auction: Bonhams New York, 17 March 2014, lot 8003 Price: USD 25,000 or approx. EUR 29,500 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing Description: A blue overlay white glass snuff bottle, Yangzhou school, 1800-1840 Expert remark: Compare the closely related form, sapphire-blue overlay with similar boating scene, and animal masks with mock handles. Note the size (57 mm).Auction result comparison: Type: Closely related Auction: Bonhams Hong Kong, 28 November 2011, lot 127 Price: HKD 275,000 or approx. EUR 44,500 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing Description: An inscribed sapphire-blue glass overlay ‘a thousand volume of books’ snuff bottle, Songtai, probably Yangzhou, 1810-1880 Expert remark: Compare the closely related form, sapphire-blue overlay (albeit depicting a different subject), and animal masks with mock handles. Note the size (53 mm).

Lot 112

A WHITE AND RUSSET JADE ‘FOUR SCHOLARLY ACCOMPLISHMENTS’ GROUP, SIYI, QING DYNASTY 清代白玉雕四藝擺件Please note this Lot is to be sold at No Reserve. 本拍品不設底價China, 18th-19th century. The stone carved in the form of a qin, a weiqi (go) board, a brush pot, a gnarled prunus branch, and billowing ribbons, symbolizing the 'Four Scholarly Pursuits' (siyi). The translucent stone of a pale yellow color with areas of russet and cloudy white inclusions.Provenance: London, United Kingdom trade.Condition: Excellent condition with minor wear and minuscule nibbling.Weight: 45.5 g Dimensions: Length 4.9 cmThe four arts (siyi), or the four essential arts of the Chinese scholar, were the four main academic and artistic talents required of the aristocratic ancient Chinese scholar-gentleman. They were the mastery of the qin (the guqin, a stringed instrument), weiqi (the strategy game of Go), shu (Chinese calligraphy) and hua (Chinese painting).Every scholar in Imperial China was expected to play the seven-stringed zither or qin. The board game of weiqi was considered equally a pastime and an art form. Chinese calligraphy was highly regarded as an expression of the practitioner's poetic nature and a significant test of manual dexterity. It comprises a minimalist set of rules which facilitates a system of complexity and grandeur. Finally, every scholar was expected to learn the art of brush painting, which was regarded as the greatest expression of individual creativity, through which one could demonstrate his mastery over the art of line.Auction result comparison:Type: RelatedAuction: Sotheby’s Hong Kong, 30 November 2017, lot 717Price: HKD 100,000 or approx. EUR 13,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writingDescription: A pale celadon jade 'four scholarly accomplishments' group, Qing dynastyAuction result comparison: Type: Related Auction: Christie’s London, 8 November 2011, lot 172 Price: GBP 43,250 or approx. EUR 65,500 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writingDescription: A celadon jade pendant, 18th century清代白玉雕四藝擺件中國,十八至十九世紀。玉石雕刻琴、圍棋盤、筆筒和梅枝,象徵著“四藝”。半透明的淡黃色玉石,帶有赤褐色絮狀内沁。 來源:英國倫敦古玩交易市場。 品相:狀況極好,有些微磨損和輕微的刻痕。 重量:45.5 克 尺寸:長4.9 厘米 四藝,通常指中國文人所推崇和要掌握的四門藝術,即琴、棋、書、畫, 又稱為“文人四藝”,他們是文人消遣並體現自身修養的四種藝術形式。 拍賣結果比較: 形制:相近 拍賣:香港蘇富比,2017年11月30日,lot 717 價格:HKD 100,000(相當於今日EUR 13,000) 描述:清代青白玉四藝擺件 拍賣結果比較: 形制:相近 拍賣:倫敦佳士得,2011年11月8日,lot 172 價格:GBP 43,250(相當於今日EUR 65,500) 描述:十八世紀青玉擺件

Lot 38

AN IMPORTANT AND RARE JADE ‘MASK’ PENDANT, HUANG, LIANGZHU CULTURE 良渚文化罕見神面玉璜Please note this Lot is to be sold at No Reserve. 本拍品不設底價China, circa 3300-2200 BC. Finely decorated to all sides and edges with neatly applied incision work depicting cosmic cloud scrolls, the present Huang has a prominently carved godhead mask located at the center of the front side, just beneath a zoomorphic bird head with a pointed beak at the top. Both wings are pierced with funneled apertures for suspension. The opaque stone is of a brown hue with beige clouding and dark brown inclusions.Provenance: From the Sir Percival David collection, according to an old paper label reading “The Percival Collection, of Chinese Jades” and manually inscribed “Zoomorphic Figure”. Collection of Harry Geoffrey Beasley, probably acquired from the above between 1923 and 1939, and thence by descent to his widow Irene Beasley. Collection of Alfred William Cowperthwaite, acquired from the above c. 1939 and thence by descent in the same family. Sir Percival David (1892-1964) was a Bombay-born British financier who is best known as a scholar and collector of Chinese ceramics, postal stamps, and jades. He became enamored with Chinese art after his visit to China in 1923 and started the Percival David Foundation to promote the research of Chinese art and culture. His collection grew to an astounding 1,700 pieces, which are now on display at the British Museum. Harry Geoffrey Beasley (1881-1939) was a British anthropologist and museum curator who developed an important ethnographic collection during the early 20th century that is now held in various British museums. With his wife Irene, Beasley set up the Cranmore Ethnographical Museum which eventually held more than 6,000 objects of ethnographical interest. The Beasleys collected objects from across Europe, buying from auction houses and local museums to expand the collection, which contained material from the Pacific, Asia, Africa, and Northwestern America. Beasley wrote numerous articles for anthropological journals and was considered an expert in his field. He died in 1939 and his collection was stored with the British Museum collections during the war, which was fortunate as the Cranmore Museum was destroyed by bombing. After the war, substantial portions of the collection were passed to the British Museum, the Royal Museum in Edinburgh, the Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, the University of Cambridge, the Pitt Rivers Museum, and the Merseyside County Museum. Other pieces, such as the present lot, were sold by his widow and, after her death in 1974, by their daughters. Alfred William Cowperthwaite (1890-1964) was a contributor to the Cranmore Museum and became good friends with Harry Beasley. Shortly after Harry Beasley’s death, he acquired a number of objects from Irene Beasley, including the present lot.Condition: Very good condition, commensurate with age. Extensive wear and weathering, as expected, with rubbing and abrasion to the fine incision work, and some nicks and chips which have smoothened over time. The stone with natural inclusions and fissures, some of which may have developed into small hairline cracks over time. Calcification throughout.Weight: 73.7 g Dimensions: Length 10.3 cm With an associated metal stand. (2)Huang were a part of the elite adornments during the Neolithic period, especially within Hongshan, Liangzhu, and Longshan cultures. These were worn along with headgear, knee decorations, elaborate beaded necklaces, and other body ornaments, all made primarily from jade. Dr. Elizabeth Childs-Johnson dubs these cultures a part of the ‘Jade Age’, a period during which an abundance of jade objects accompanied the elite burials for the first time. The imagery carved on these jade adornments was highly standardized, and the most prominent image, which appears on this lot, is that of the godhead (also called a spirit person, shenren, or an anthropomorphized deity). This image is flat, often covered in cosmic cloud scrolls, and has zoomorphic attributes combining bird and semi-human elements.Literature comparison:Compare a closely related but much smaller jade pendant with godhead incision work, 6.3 cm long, dated to the Neolithic period, Liangzhu culture, in the National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution, accession number S1987.734. Compare also a related jade ornament with a mask godhead, 8.3 cm wide, dated to the Neolithic period, Liangzhu culture, in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, accession number 18.63.

Lot 82

A JADE ‘MUSICIAN’ BELT PLAQUE, TANG DYNASTY 唐代樂俑紋玉帶牌Please note this Lot is to be sold at No Reserve. 本拍品不設底價China, 618-907. Of square form with slightly tapered sides, the top finely carved in relief with a musician of Central Asian origin seated on a mat and playing percussion instruments held in each hand. His robe neatly incised with folds, his boots with decorative designs, a scarf swirling around him. The back is pierced for attachment. The partly translucent stone of a white tone with extensive opaque calcification, showing a good surface polish and beautiful luster.Provenance: Collection of Harry Geoffrey Beasley (1881-1939) and thence by descent to his widow Irene Beasley. Collection of Alfred William Cowperthwaite (1890-1964), acquired from the above c. 1939 and thence by descent in the same family. Harry Geoffrey Beasley (1881-1939) was a British anthropologist and museum curator who developed an important ethnographic collection during the early 20th century that is now held in various British museums. With his wife Irene, Beasley set up the Cranmore Ethnographical Museum which eventually held more than 6,000 objects of ethnographical interest. The Beasleys collected objects from across Europe, buying from auction houses and local museums to expand the collection, which contained material from the Pacific, Asia, Africa, and Northwestern America. Beasley wrote numerous articles for anthropological journals and was considered an expert in his field. He died in 1939 and his collection was stored with the British Museum collections during the war, which was fortunate as the Cranmore Museum was destroyed by bombing. After the war substantial portions of the collection were passed to the British Museum, the Royal Museum in Edinburgh, the Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, the University of Cambridge, the Pitt Rivers Museum, and the Merseyside County Museum. Other pieces, such as the present lot, were sold by his widow and, after her death in 1974, by their daughters. Alfred William Cowperthwaite (1890-1964) was a contributor to the Cranmore Museum and became good friends with Harry Beasley. Shortly after Harry Beasley’s death, he acquired a number of objects from Irene Beasley, including the present lot.Condition: Very good condition with expected old wear, tiny nicks and minuscule chips to edges which have smoothened over time. The pierced apertures with remnants of corrosion from ancient metal fittings. Some malachite and cuprite encrustations to the stone in these areas.Weight: 30.5 gDimensions: Size 3.7 x 3.8 cm Plaques such as the present example were produced from the early Tang dynasty in sets to adorn belts, with each plaque variously carved with musicians playing different instruments or as servers bearing tribute. Many of the figures are dressed in Central Asian style, in keeping with the fashion seen on foreigners in the Tang dynasty capital.Literature comparison: Compare two related jade belt plaques decorated with foreign figures playing musical instruments, illustrated in Jadeware (II) - The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum, Hong Kong, 1995, pls. 22 and 23. Compare a set of ten belt plaques of this type in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, accession number 1992.165.22a–j, described as depicting dancers and musicians of Central Asian origin, probably of Kizil ethnicity.Auction result comparison: Type: Closely related Auction: Bonhams London, 12 May 2022, lot 16 Price: GBP 63,300 or approx. EUR 81,500 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing Description: Two very pale green jade square belt plaques, Tang dynasty Expert remark: Compare the closely related form and design. Note that this lot comprises two belt plaques. Note the smaller size (3.9 cm).

Lot 276

A LARGE AND IMPORTANT DAYAZHAI-TYPE IMPERIAL YELLOW-GROUND FISH BOWL, TIHEDIAN MARK, TONGZHI/GUANGXU PERIOD 同治光緒時期大型大雅齋風格御用黃地墨彩牡丹魚缸,“體和殿製”款Please note this Lot is to be sold at No Reserve. 本拍品不設底價Inscriptions: With an iron-red seal mark ‘Tihedian zhi’ in a line below the rim.China, 1862-1908. Sturdily potted with rounded sides virtuously decorated in black grisaille with leafy peony branches issuing large blooms in various stages of growth against a bright yellow-ground below an iron-red line border at the massive lipped rim. The top of the rim and interior with a transparent glaze.Provenance: English trade, formerly in a French private collection.Condition: Excellent condition with expected old wear, shallow surface scratches and traces of use overall. Kiln irregularities include glaze recesses, small firing cracks and dark spots.Weight: 24.3 kg Dimensions: Diameter 53.5 cm (at the widest points)Expert's note (added 20.2.2023): The Hall of Manifest Harmony was constructed on the site of the old rear hall of the Palace of Blessings to Mother Earth and the Gate of Gathering Excellence. The rooms on the east and west of the building are where the Empress Dowager Cixi spent most of her time while serving as regent to her son. Porcelains such as the present lot were specially commissioned by Cixi for her living spaces, and are based on her floral paintings representing the four seasons set against an imperial yellow background. Since only emperors were allowed to have an Imperial nianhao, or reign title, this hallmark served as her mark of reign. This is confirmed by the extent of imperial jade seals inscribed with the name 'Tihe Dian' dating to her reign (see image section for one example of such a seal).The Hall of Manifest Harmony, Tihedian, was one of the six palaces in the northwestern sector of the Forbidden City where the Empress Dowager Cixi lived during much of her tenure as Regent to her son, Emperor Tongzhi. Special porcelains, such as the present example, were designed and produced for several of these palaces.Literature comparison: Compare a pair of massive yellow-ground Tihedian-marked fishbowls at Christie’s New York, 29 November 1984, lot 577. Compare a turquoise-ground grisaille-decorated fishbowl in the Chuxiugong (Palace of Concentrated Beauty), Beijing, illustrated in The Forbidden City, The Forbidden City Publishing House, Beijing, 1988.Auction result comparison: Type: Closely related Auction: Christie’s Hong Kong, 30 May 2018, lot 3126 Price: HKD 1,000,000 or approx. EUR 132,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writingDescription: A very rare large dayazhai-type yellow-ground fish bowl, Tihedian iron-red seal mark in a line, Guangxu period Expert remark: Compare the closely related form, decoration, and mark. Note the closely related size (53 cm)Auction result comparison: Type: Closely related Auction: Christie’s New York, 15 September 2011, lot 1599 Price: USD 290,500 or approx. EUR 362,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writingDescription: A Very Rare Pair of Large Grisaille-Decorated Yellow-Enameled Jardinieres, Tihedian Zhi Iron-Red Marks in a Line, Tongzhi/Guangxu Period (1862-1908) Expert remark: Compare the closely related form, decoration, and marks. Note the closely related size (50.8 cm). Also note that this lot consists of two bowls.

Lot 65

EIGHT BI-CONICAL WHITE JADE BEADS, EASTERN ZHOUPlease note this Lot is to be sold at No Reserve. 本拍品不設底價Jade. China, Eastern Zhou, 4th – 3rd century BCThe eight small bi-conical beads are decorated with a pattern of small spirals in relief and an incised line that delimits the border of each end. The beads are carved from translucent white jade and show areas of opaque calcification.Small beads like the present group were commonly used in the Eastern Zhou period as components of pendants. The jades were strung together with gold or metal chains which passed through the hole drilled at the center of the beads.Literature comparison:Compare with a group of three similar beads published in Filippo Salviati, 4000 Years of Chinese Archaic Jades, Edition Zacke, Vienna 2017, pp. 200-201, no. 206.LENGTH 3 cm eachProvenance: Private Collection of Irene and Wolfgang Zacke (1942-2022).

Lot 51

A JADE ‘RABBIT’ PENDANT, LATE SHANG TO WESTERN ZHOU DYNASTY 商末至西周玉兔佩飾Please note this Lot is to be sold at No Reserve. 本拍品不設底價China, 1100-1000 BC. Well carved in a dynamic position with the legs bent underneath, the mouth open, the ears swept backward, and short tail slightly upswept. Pierced through the neck for suspension. The translucent stone of a pale celadon tone with black veins and patches. Note the neatly incised and distinct double-line grooves typical for the late Shang to Western Zhou period.Provenance: Collection of Harry Geoffrey Beasley (1881-1939) and thence by descent to his widow Irene Beasley. Collection of Alfred William Cowperthwaite (1890-1964), acquired from the above c. 1939 and thence by descent in the same family. Harry Geoffrey Beasley (1881-1939) was a British anthropologist and museum curator who developed an important ethnographic collection during the early 20th century that is now held in various British museums. With his wife Irene, Beasley set up the Cranmore Ethnographical Museum which eventually held more than 6,000 objects of ethnographical interest. The Beasleys collected objects from across Europe, buying from auction houses and local museums to expand the collection, which contained material from the Pacific, Asia, Africa, and Northwestern America. Beasley wrote numerous articles for anthropological journals and was considered an expert in his field. He died in 1939 and his collection was stored with the British Museum collections during the war, which was fortunate, as the Cranmore Museum was destroyed by bombing. After the war, substantial portions of the collection were passed to the British Museum, the Royal Museum in Edinburgh, the Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, the University of Cambridge, the Pitt Rivers Museum, and the Merseyside County Museum. Other pieces, such as the present lot, were sold by his widow and, after her death in 1974, by their daughters. Alfred William Cowperthwaite (1890-1964) was a contributor to the Cranmore Museum and became good friends with Harry Beasley. Shortly after Harry Beasley’s death, he acquired a number of objects from Irene Beasley, including the present lot.Condition: Excellent condition with some old wear, expected signs of weathering and erosion, minimal nibbling, losses, encrustations. Remnants of ancient pigment.Weight: 18.5 gDimensions: Length 6.1 cmLiterature comparison:Compare a related jade rabbit with similar double-line grooves, dated to the Shang dynasty, circa 1200-1050 BC, 4 cm long, in the British Museum, registration number 1973,0726.117. Compare a related jade rabbit, dated 11th-10th century BC, 3 cm long, in the Harvard Art Museums, object number 1943.50.305, illustrated in Max Loehr and Louisa G. Fitzgerald Huber, 'Ancient Chinese Jades from the Grenville L. Winthrop Collection in the Fogg Art Museum', Cambridge, 1975, p. 246. cat. no. 365.Auction result comparison: Type: RelatedAuction: Christie’s New York, 13 September 2019, lot 817Price: USD 52,500 or approx. EUR 58,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writingDescription: A dark green jade rabbit-form pendant, late Shang - early Western Zhou dynasty, 11th-10th centuryExpert remark: Compare the related flat form, pose, and open mouth. Note the smaller size (4.2 cm) and the lack of detailed incisions.Auction result comparison: Type: Remotely relatedAuction: Sotheby’s New York, 22 March 2023, lot 643Price: USD 25,400 or approx. EUR 23,500 converted at the time of writingDescription: An archaic jade 'mythical beast' pendant (Xi), Western Zhou dynasty or laterExpert note: Compare the similar double-line grooves typical for the late Shang to Western Zhou dynasty.

Lot 95

A PALE CELADON AND RUSSET JADE ‘CICADA AND POMEGRANATE’ WATER POT, CHINA, 18TH CENTURY 十八世紀灰白玉雕石榴水盂Please note this Lot is to be sold at No Reserve. 本拍品不設底價Naturalistically carved in the form of a pomegranate bursting with seeds, a single cicada resting on the vessel’s peach-formed rim, with its wings tightly folded to the sides, posed ready to drink. The waterpot further carved in relief with a gnarled branch issuing finely veined leaves opposite the stem. The smoothly polished translucent stone is of a pale celadon tone with distinct patches of russet skin and veins.Expert’s note: Fascinatingly, this unusual object was intentionally designed to be displayed like a vase, when not used to hold water. This kind of "double" function was quite popular at the court in Beijing, intriguing viewers with an unexpected and surprising effect.Provenance: This lot comes from an antique shop owner from the north of England. His store sells all kinds of antiques, and people come in with unusual objects all the time, but he has been keeping and collecting Chinese works of art that he particularly likes for a long time. Condition: Very good condition with minor old wear and few microscopic nicks. The stone with natural inclusions and fissures. The surface shows a magnificent polish, rendering an unctuous feel overall.Weight: 152.9 g Dimensions: Width 8.7 cm Fruits encapsulating auspicious messages were highly favored in the 18th century. The pomegranate was especially popular as it symbolized fertility, and the bursting flesh of the fruit, exposing its many seeds inside, symbolized the wish for a large family. As the Chinese character for ‘seed’ (zi) is the same as that for ‘son,’ the many-seeded pomegranate is viewed as a symbol for having multiple sons who are expected to continue the family line. The cicada’s role in Chinese culture is a longstanding and fascinating one. Meanings associated with the insect range from simply indicating the onset of summer to more complex themes, such as rebirth and immortality. In general Chinese lore, cicadas are creatures of high status. They are considered pure because of their perch in high treetops. An ancient analogy in China suggests that a high-ranking official should resemble a cicada: residing high, eating a pure diet, and with sharp eyes. Also in antiquity, the headgear of rulers incorporated a golden image of a cicada with prominent eyes. The emblem signaled refinement, modesty, and a full awareness of one’s surroundings.Auction result comparison: Type: Closely related Auction: Sotheby’s London, 15 May 2013, lot 58 Price: GBP 32,500 or approx. EUR 58,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing Description: A pale celadon jade ‘pomegranate’ waterpot, Qing dynasty, 18th century Expert remark: Compare the closely related form, manner of carving, and color.Auction result comparison: Type: Related Auction: Sotheby’s Hong Kong, 31 May 2017, lot 13 Price: HKD 150,000 or approx. EUR 19,500 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing Description: A white and russet jade ‘pomegranate and cicada’ carving, Qing dynasty Expert remark: Compare the closely related subject, also with a cicada, manner of carving, and color with similar bright russet inclusions in the stone. Note that this lot has bruises and was later converted into a snuff bottle. 十八世紀灰白玉雕石榴水盂玉質色澤微灰,有赭斑。全器雕石榴一枝,結有果實,石榴中空為盂,以蒂為口,枝葉均鏤空雕琢,石榴上停有一蟬。 來源:這件拍品來自一位來自英格蘭北部的古董店店主的收藏。店裡賣各種各樣的古董,總是有人拿著不尋常的東西進來,但店主一直保留和收藏他特別喜歡的中國藝術品。 品相:狀況極好,有輕微磨損和一些微小的劃痕。具有天然內沁和裂縫的玉石,表面光滑瑩潤。 重量:152.9 克 尺寸:寬 8.7 厘米 拍賣比較: 形制:非常相近 拍賣:倫敦蘇富比,2013年5月15日,lot 58 價格:GBP 32,500(相當今日EUR 58,000) 描述:清十八世紀青白玉「榴開百子」水盂 專家註釋:比較非常相近的外形,雕刻風格和顏色。 拍賣比較: 形制:相近 拍賣:香港蘇富比,2017年5月31日,lot 13 價格:HKD 150,000(相當今日EUR 19,500) 描述:清白玉榴開百子擺件 專家註釋:比較非常相近主題,雕刻風格,以及相似的白玉留皮。請注意此後來改成鼻煙壺。

Lot 69

AN ARCHAIC YELLOW & RUSSET JADE DRAGON PENDANT, EASTERN ZHOU DYNASTY 東周黃玉龍紋佩Please note this Lot is to be sold at No Reserve. 本拍品不設底價Opinion: The quality of this example is perhaps most visible when images of the right and left sides are viewed simultaneously, because only then it becomes apparent how much care was given by the craftsman to ensure that the spiral c-scroll clouds were laid out in an identical fashion. The quality is further personified by the rare color of the jade and the magnificent polish.China, 6th-4th century BC. Carved in the form of a sinuous dragon, with head turned looking back, the s-shaped body with spirals carved in relief. The translucent stone of a fine yellow tone with russet shadings at the edges.Provenance: Collection of Pierre Lallier. Pierre Lallier (1946-2021) was a master printer, having run the famous Atelier Georges Leblanc since 1968. He was also a passionate scholar and committed private collector, spending nearly half a century of his life building his private collection. He started at the age of 12, perusing the Parisian flea markets with his father, extensively researching every piece of interest, while also confirming its dating and provenance. He loved his objects, cherished them, and never wanted to part with them.Condition: Very good condition with minor wear, few minuscule nicks, some of which have smoothened over time. Natural inclusions and fissures.Weight: 21.9 gDimensions: Length 8 cmJade, known as the ‘Stone of Heaven’, represents wisdom, beauty, courage, and perfection. This combined with the powerful iconography of the dragon, creates a strong symbol of luck and good fortune. Jades in this form have a long tradition of being used as ritualistic objects, in particular tokens of rank and symbolic aids for the celestial journey thought to be undertaken by the dead. In the Zhou dynasty, the number of ritualistic jades increased significantly in burial sites, as multiple plaques, pendants, and beads were draped over the face and body of the deceased.Literature comparison: Refer to Michael Gulbenkian’s article Archaic Jades, Arts of Asia, May-June 1983, where the carved c-scroll cloud motif is used as a methodology to date archaic jades.Auction result comparison:Type: Closely relatedAuction: Christie’s Hong Kong, 30 May 2017, lot 2719Price: HKD 1,860,000 or approx. EUR 239,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing.Description: A white jade dragon-form pendant, Warring States period (475-221 BC)Expert remark: This comparable shows another iteration of the same design. Particular attention should be paid to the depiction of the lower jaw and snout of the dragon as they are executed in the same manner. While the primary color of the stone is of a different hue, the Christie’s pendant also has an attractive russet tinge around the outer edges, possibly signifying that both these ‘pendants’ were carved from pebbles just slightly larger than their finished size.Auction result comparison:Type: Closely relatedAuction: Christie’s Hong Kong, 2 December 2021, lot 2702Price: HKD 687,500 or approx. EUR 82,500 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing.Description: A group of three jade dragon form pendants, late Spring and Autumn period, circa 570-476 BCExpert remark: The first pendant in the lot is part of a closely related group of archaic jades that includes our pendant. While the color of the chosen stone is just as attractive, there is a clear demarcation between the two pieces. Christie’s carving is clearly a work of art, but it is not accompanied by the same level of quality or beauty as our pendant. It is also worth noting the placement and number of suspension apertures on each of the three Christie’s pendants. Looking at the multiple examples simultaneously shows that these are later-added features, as they are either off-center or through part of the carved design, and so these features should not be taken into account when assessing such ‘pendants’ as this was not their original function.

Lot 199

A very old Islamic silver ring dating back to the 17th-18th century. It carries a large jade stone. On the stone verse 4 of Surat Al-Talaq is engraved. "And whoever fears God, He will make a way out for him and provide for him from where he does not expect it. And whoever relies on God, He is sufficient for him. Indeed, God has accomplished His command. God has given everything a command. Period: 17-18th century Dimensions:2 by 2,5 cm, ring 2 cm Condition: In a very good condition

Lot 3153

A pair of Chinese spinach jade bowls, 10cm diam

Lot 3072

A Chinese jade toggle, carved as a section of bamboo, 8.5cm long; another (2)

Lot 3071

A Chinese jade carving, of a figure holding a peach, 6.5cm wide, hardwood stand

Lot 181

A Chinese jade bi-disc with relief carved catfish design, diameter 5.5cmGood condition

Lot 932

GROUP OF FOUR CHINESE JADE PLAQUES, 20TH CENTURY of rectangular form, each plaque depicting a female figure in an outside setting amongst trees and foliage10.7cm high

Lot 811

GROUP OF FIVE CHINESE JADE PIECES, 19TH/20TH CENTURY each with individual carved scenes, one carved with a deer, birds and foliage, another carved with two cranes amongst scrolling foliagelargest 7.5cm highQty: 5No evidence of damage to any of the carvings

Lot 848

CHINESE JADE CARVING OF A DRAGON, 20TH CENTURY posed holding the flaming pearl, on hardwood stand38cm long

Lot 904

CHINESE JADE MYTHICAL BEAST, LATE 19TH/EARLY 20TH CENTURY modelled as a Pixiu, with orange and white inclusions5.7cm high

Lot 928

CHINESE JADE SEAL, YUAN / MING STYLE modelled as a winged beast, sat on a rectangular shaped base7.7cm, high

Lot 847

CHINESE JADE FIGURE OF A WATER BUFFALO, 20TH CENTURY posed in a resting position, on hardwood stand9cm long

Lot 851

FOUR SMALL JADE ANIMAL CARVINGS, 20TH CENTURY modelled as a turtle, horse, frog and birdQty: 4

Lot 857

LARGE CHINESE WHITE JADE LINGZHI CARVING, QING DYNASTY elaborately carved with lingzhi, flowers and scrolling foliageNote: Lingzhi, a naturally occurring fungus, is said to ensure longevity in Chinese culture. 36cm long x 9.5cm high

Lot 899

CHINESE JADE BEADED EDGE PLAQUE, LATE 19TH/EARLY 20TH CENTURY the beaded edge plaque modelled as a dragon chasing the flaming pearl6.9cm wideTiny nibbles evident.

Lot 849

CHINESE JADE FIGURE OF A RECUMBENT DOG, 19TH/20TH CENTURY with brown inclusions, on hardwood stand19cm long

Lot 850

CHINESE JADE FIGURE OF A GALLOPING HORSE, 19TH/20TH CENTURY with reddish-brown inclusions, on hardwood stand21cm wide

Lot 903

CHINESE CARVED JADE FIGURE, LATE 19TH/EARLY 20TH CENTURY modelled as a phoenix, with white inclusions6.3cm high

Lot 931

CHINESE TANG STYLE JADE FIGURE, 20TH CENTURY modelled as a bear and carp, the larger posed lying down, likely a pendant5.2cm long

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