"Chinese art auctions, Southern Song Dynasty, Northern Song Dynasty, "xing" vase, Longqian "bamboo-neck vase, tulu ping, Imperial numbered "jun" narissus bowl">

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"Harmony of Form, Serenity of Color"

A Private Collection of 'Song' Ceramics

Sotheby's

10 A.M., March 23, 2011

Sale 8736

Rare russet-splashed truncated vase

Lot 517, rare russet-splashed dark brown glazed truncated vase, (tulu ping), Northern Song Dynasty, 5 7/8 inches high

By Carter B. Horsley

Sotheby's is auctioning a private collection of Song ceramics March 23, 2011.  The auction is entitled "Harmony of Form, Serenity of Color, A Private Collection of 'Song' Ceramics."

The catalogue contains an essay by Regina Krahl on Song ceramics in which she provides the following commentary:

"The deliberate reduction of anything ornamental, the emphasis on harmony of form and serenity of colour, can make Song ceramics at first glance seem unassuming and bland and require a sharpening of the senses to be understood.  The concention on function, form and material is comparable to that of Bauhaus and similar movements towards functional design in the Twentieth century.  Song ceramics have therefore retained a storng modernity and have remained the point of refence for artisan potters until today."

While many Song ceramics are monochromatic, some do employ more than one color and occasionally patterns.

Lot 517, a rare russet-splashed dark brown glazed truncated vase (tulu ping), comes from the Northern Song dynasty and is the cover illustration of the catalogue.  It is 5 5/8 inches high and was once in the collection of Johannes Hellner of Stockholm.  It has an estimate of $100,000 to $150,000.  It sold for $122,500 including the buyer's premium as do all results mentioned in this article.

The sale total of $9,039.375 "comfortably" exceeded the pre-sale estimate of $4,700,000 to $6,800,000.
"Kinuta" glazed Longquan celadon vase
Lot 532, "Kinuta" glazed Longquian celadon vase, (Yuhuchun Ping), Southern Song dynasty, 10 7/8 inches high

Lot 532 is a "fine and very rare 'Kinuta' glazed Longquan celadon vase (Yuhuchun Ping)," from the Southern Song dynasty.  It is 10 7/8 inches high.  It has an estimate of $150,000 to $200,000.  It sold for $182,500.

Longqian celadon vase

Lot 505, Longqian celadon vase, (yuhuchun ping), Yuan dynasty, 9 1/4 inches high

Lot 505 is a fine carved Longqian celadon vase (yuhuchun) from the Yuan dynasty.  It is 9 1/4 inches high and was once in the collection of Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Clark.  It has an estimate of $80,000 to $120,000.  It sold for $506,500.  The catalogue entry notes that "while Longqian celadon vases of the Song dynasty emphasized the color, texture and form of the pieces, those of the Yuan dynasty demonstrate an interest in using the glaze to highlight the carved surface decoration."

Tang "xing" ewer

Lot 509, "xing" ewer, Tang dynasty, 13 1/8 inches high

Lot 509 is a very fine and rare "xing" ewer from the Tang Dynasty/Five Dynasties period.  It is 13 1/8 inches high.  It has an estimate of $400,000 to $600,000.  It failed to sell.

Jun narcissus bowl

Lot 514, Imperial numbered "jun" narcissus bowl, early Ming Dynasty, 8 1/4 inches in diameter

Lot 514 is a rare Imperial numbered "jun" narcissus bowl, early Ming Dynasty, that is 8 1/4 inches in diameter.  It has an estimate of $200,000 to $300,000.  It sold for $2,210,500.  

"Cizhou" sgraffiiato vase (meiping)

Lot 519, "Cizhou" sgraffitato vase (meiping), Northern Song Dynasty, 11 5/8 inches high

Lot 519 is a very rare "Cizhou" sgraffiato vase (meiping) from the Northern Song Dynasty.  It is 11 5/8 inches high.  It has an estimate of $150,000 to $200,000.  It sold for $506,500.

Longqian celadon bamboo neck vase

Lot 547, "Longqian" celadon "bamboo-neck" vase, Southern Song Dynasty, 7 1/2 inches high

Lot 547 is a fine and rare "longqian" celadon "bamboo-neck" vase from the Southern Song Dynasty.  It is 7 1/2 inches high and has an estimate of $90,000 to $120,000.  It sold for $422,500.

Purple-splashed "jun" dish

Lot 548, Purple-splashed "jun" dish, Northern Song Dynasty, 7 1/2 inches in diameter

Lot 548 is an "exceptional" purple-splashed "jun" dish from the Northern Song Dynasty.  It is 7 1/2 inches in diameter and has an estimate of $400,000 to $600,000.  It sold for $482,500.

Pair of "Jizhou" vases

Lot 551, pair of "Jizhou" vases, Southern Song Dynasty, 9 inches tall

Lot 551 is a "rare" pair of "Jizhou" vases from the Southern Song Dynasty.  They are 9 inches high and the lot has an estimate of $150,000 to $200,000.  The lot failed to sell.

Spotted "Jizhou" vase

Lot 556, spotted "jizhou" vase, Southern Song Dynasty, 8 1/2 inches high

Lot 556 is a "fine and rare" spotted "jizhou" vase from the Southern Song Dynasty.  It is 8 1/2 inches high and has an estimate of $250,000 to $350,000.  It failed to sell.

"Xing" flask

Lot 559, "Xing" flask, Liao/Northern Song Dynasty, 9 inches high

Lot 559 is an "impressive" "Xing" flash from the Liao/Northern Song Dynasty.  It is 9 inches high and has an estimate of $80,000 to $120,000.  It sold for $98,500.


 



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