Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art

Christie's New York

Part 1

2 PM, March 22, 2012

Sale 2553

Lot 1511, Large bronze ritual pouring vessel, Western Zhou Dynasty, Yi, 9th-8th Century B.C., 13 5/8 inches long

By Carter B. Horsley

Lot 1504, Rare and finely cast bronze ritual wine vessel, zhi, Late Shang Dynasty, 12th-11th Century B.C., 4 3/8 inches high

One of the nicest small Chinese bronzes in the auction is Lot 1504, a rare and finely cast bronze ritual wine vessel, zhi, Late Shang Dynasty, 12th-11th Century B.D.  It is 4 3/8 inches high.  It has a modest estimate of $100,000 to $150,000.  It sold for $290,500.

Lot 1521, Bronze animal-form applique, Chinese, Late Shang/Early Western Zhou Dynasty, circa 12th-11th Century B.C., 5 1/2 inches high

Lot 1521 is a very fine Late Chang/Early Western Zhou Dynasty Chinese bronze animal-form applique.  It dates circa 12th-11th Century B.C., and is 5 1/2 inches high.  It was once in the collections of C. T. Loo, Leigh B. Block and Eskenazi Ltd.  It has a modest estimate of $35,000 to $45,000.  It sold for $43,250.

Lot 1533, Very rare and unusual bronze bell, Zheng, Eastern Zhou Dynasty 770-256 B.C., 10 inches high

One of the most beautiful early Chinese bronzes in the auction is Lot 1533, a very rare and unusual bronze bell, Zheng, from the Eastern Zhou Dynasty, 770-256 B.C.  It is 10 inches high.  It has a modest estimate of $60,000 to $80,000.  It sold for $698.500.

Lot 1525, Very rare and important large bronze ritual bell, Nao, Late Shang/Early Western Zhou Dynasty, 11th-10th Century B.C., 18 1/4 inches high

Lot 1525 is a very rare and important large bronze ritual bell, Nao, from the Late Shang/Early Western Zhou Dynasty, 11th-10th Century B.C.  It is 18 1/4 inches high.  It has an estimate of $800,000 to $1,200,000.  It failed to sell.

Lot 1528, Bronze bell, Bo Zhong, Warring States Period, 5th Century B.C., 9 1/4 inches high

Lot1528 is a Bronze bell, Bo Zhong, from the Warring States Period, 5thCentury B.C.  It is 9 1/4 inches high. It has an estimate of $100,000 to $150,000.  It sold for $194,500.

Lot 1513, bronze bell, Bo Zhong, Spring and Autumn Period, Early 5th Century B.C., 13 inches high

Lot 1513 is an impressive bronze bell, Bo Zhong, from the Sping and Autumn Pieriod, Early 5th Century B.C.  It is 13 inches high and ws once in the collection of Mathias Komor in New York.  It has an estimate of $100,000 to $150,000.  It sold for $120,500.  The top is a pair of confronted dragons between open-work handle.

Lot 1505, rare and well-cast bronze ritual wine vessel, Zun, Late Shang Dynasty, 11th Century B.C, 10 1/4 inches high

The cover illustration of this auction's catalogue is Lot 1505, a rare well-case bronze ritual wine vessel, Zun, Late Shang Dynasty, 11th Century B.C.  It is 10 1/4 inches high.  It was once in the collection of Mathias Komor in New York.  It has an estimate of $200,000 to $300,000.  It sold for $578,500.

Lot 1517, bronze ritual tripod food vessel, Liding, Late Shang Dynasty, 12th-11th Century B.C.,7 3/4 inches

Lot 1517 is a very nice bronze ritual tripod food vessel, Liding, with fine patina, Liding, Late Shang Dynasty, 12th-11th Century B.C.  It is 7 3/4 inches high and has three taotie masks below a band of cicadas.  It has an estimate of $200,000 to $300,000.  It sold for $626,500.

Lot 1501, Finely cast bronze ritual wine vessel, Gu, Shang Dynasty, Anyang, 12th Century B.C., 11 1/2 inches high

Lot 1501 is a finely cast and impressive bronze ritual wine vessel, Gu, from the Shang Dynasty, Anyang, 12th Century B.C.  It is 11 1/2 inches high and is similar to one in the National Museum of China.  It was once in the collection of Mathias Komor of New York.  It has an estimate of $100,000 to $`150,000.  It sold for $482,500.

Lot 1524, rare small bronze ritual wine vessel and cover, You, Middle Western Zhou Dynasty, 10th Century B.C., 8 1/4 inches high to top of the handle

Lot 1524 is a very nice and rare small bronze ritual wine vessel, You, from the Middle Western Zhou Dynasty, 10th Century B.C.  It is 8 1/4 inches high to the top of the handle with a band of paired birds confronted on a small animal form mask cast in relief on each side.  It has an estimate of $200,000 to $300,000.  It sold for $422,500.  

Lot 1764, a Magnificent carved black limestone figure of a lion and prey, Tang Dynasty (618-907), 11 3/4 inches high

Lot 1764 is a very impressivie carved black limestone figure of a lion and prey from the Tang Dynasty (618-907).  It is 11 3/4 inches high.  It was once with Eskenazi Ltd., in London.  The catalogue, which describes this lot as "magnificent," said the sculpture is similar to a smaller one in the Louvre.  It has an estimate of $300,000 to $500,000.  It sold for $458,500.

Lot 1762, Very rare pair of carved stone figures of earth spirits, Northern Wei Dynasty, 386-534, 16 1/2 and 18 inches high

The catalogue notes that no other similar pair of stone figures of earth spirits to those in Lot 1762 appear to exist.  The figures usually were placed at the entrance of tombs.  The very rare pair of carved stone figures is from the Northern Wei Dynasty, 386-534.  The figures are 16 1/2 and 18 inches high.  The pair has an estimate of $60,000 to $80,000.  The lot sold for $62,500.

Lot 1714, massive embellished red lacquer peach-form box and cover, 19th Century, 19 inches across

Lot 1714 is a very impressive large embellished red lacquer peach form box and cover in a foliate diaper pattern from the19th Century.  It is 19 inches across.  It has an estimate of $30,000 to $40,000. It failed to sell.

Lot 1630, Embroidered blue gauze summer dragon robe, Jifu, 19th Century, 74 inches

Lot 1630 is a beautiful 19th Century Jifu, an embroidered blue gause summer dragon robe.  It has a modest estimate of $6,000 to $8,000.  It sold for $13,750.

Lot 1779, Very rare and important massive gilt-bronze figure of Vairocana, Ming Dynasty, 16th Century, 66 1/4 inches high

Lot 1779 is a very rare gilt-bronze figure of Vairocana from the Ming Dynasty, 16th Century.  It is 66 1/4 inches high and was once in the Geraldine Rockefeller Dodge Collection.  Vairocana is considered to be the Great Solar Buddha of Light and Truth, and is the Bliss Body of the historical Buddha in Buddhist Law.   Vairocana is also considered one of the Five Dhyani Buddhas, also known as the Five Wisdom Tathagatas, which are representations of the five qualities of the Buddha.  There is a similar example in the Royal Ontario Museum.  The lot has an estimate of $2,000,000 to $3,000,000.  It failed to sell.