Fine
Chinese
Ceramics and Works of Art
Sotheby's New York
10 A.M., March 20, 2012
Sale 8834
Lot 17, An archaic bronze ritual food vessel, Early Western Zhou, 11th/10th Century B.C. 5 1/2 inches high
By Carter B. Horsley
This March 20, 2012 auction of Fine Chinese Ceramics and Work of Art at Sotheby's New York has a good selection of early Chinese bronzes, Huanghuali furniture, rhineceros horn cups, and ceramics.
Lot 207, celadon jade cup, Ming Dynasty, 5 7/8 inches long
Lot 207 is a celadon jade cup from the Ming Dynasty. It is 5 7/8 inches long. It has an estimate of $15,000 to $20,000. It sold for $110,500.
Lot 203, pale celadon jade archaistic rhyton, Qing Dynasty, 4 3/8 inches high
Lot 203 is a very fine pale celadon jade archaistic rhyton from the Qing Dynasty. It is 4 3/8 inches high. It has an estimate of $7,000 to $9,000. It sold for $28,125.
Lot 204, celadon jade "Eight Immortals" washer, Ming Dynasty, 17th Century, 6 1/4 inches long
Log 204 is an unusual celadon jade "Eight Immortals" washer from the Ming Dynasty, 17th Century. It is 6 1/4 inches long. It has an estimate of $25,000 to $35,000. It failed to sell.
Lots 93 and 94, famille rose heaven and earth revolving brushpots, Qianlong Seal Mark and Period, 4 3/4 inches high
Lots 93 and 94 are extremely rare famille rose heaven and earth revolving brushpots and were the cover illustration of the catalogue. They are 4 3/4 inches high. The catalogue notes that "only one other pair and two single examples of revolving brushpots from the Qianlong period are known to exist," adding that "The creation of revolving and interlocking porcelains represented an astonishing triumph of ingenious design and almost miraculous craftsmanship. Lot 93 has an estimate of $120,000 to $150,000. It sold for $1,986,600. Lot 94 has an estimate of $80,000 to $120,000. It sold for $1,538,500.
"Bidding was ferocious on both piece, with collectors making extraordinary leaps," according to Sotheby's press release after the sale. "At one stage," it continued, "the auctioneer asked for a bid from the room and was offered $100,000, immediately to be trumped by a Sotheby's specialist bidding for a client by phone yelled out $1 million."
Lot 174, Ying Gong Xian Stuyle scholar's rock, Qing Dynasty, 16 inches long
Lot 174 is a Ying Gong Xian style scholar's rock from the Qing Dynasty. It is 16 inches long. It has an estimate of $30,000 to $40,000. It sold for $37,500.
Lot 21, Gray Pottery Figure of an Attendant, Han Dynasty, 17 3/4 inches
Lot 21 is a very nice painted gray pottery figure of an attendant from the Han Dynasty. It is 17 3/4 inches high and has an estimate of $5,000 to $7,000. It failed to sell.
Lots 193, top right, 194, bottom left, 195, top left, 196, bottom right, and 197, center, a group of five rhinoceros horn cups from the collection of Douglas Huber who took them to a Antiques Roadshow shooting in Tulsa and got an estimate of $1 million
Lot 138, hardwood armchair with "dreamstone" marble panel, late Qing Dynasty, 42 inches high
Lot 138 is a handsome hardwood armchair from the late Qing Dynasty with a "dreamstone" marble back panel. It is 42 inches high It has an estimate of $10,000 to $12,000. It sold for $43,750.
Lot 155, a Huanghuali square table with lotus-leaf waist (Fangzhuo), Late Ming Dynasty, 38 1/4 inches high
Huanghuali style furniture is all the rage and Lot 155 is a square table with lotus-leaf waist (Fangzhuo) from the Late Ming Dynasty. It is 38 1/4 inches high. It has an estimate of $70,000 to $90,000. It sold for $362,500.
Lot 161, eight-panel gilt lacquer screen, Qing Dynasty, 19th Century, each panel, 84 1/2 inches high
Lot 161 is a very handsome gilt-lacquer screen from the Qing Dynasty, 19th Century. Each panel is 84 1/2 inches high. It has an estimate of $20,000 to $30,000. It sold for $30,000.
Lot 99, a Doucai vase and cover, being examined during exhibition, Qing Dynasty, Qianlong Period, 17 3/4 inches high
Lot 168, "Investiture of the Gods" ivory fan, Qing Dynasty, 19th Century, 12 1/8 inches wide
Lot 168 is an elaborately carved "Investiture of the Gods' ivory fan from the Qing Dynasty, 19th Century. It is 12 1/8 inches wide and was once in the collection of Mme. Chiang Kai Shek. It has an estimate of $15,000 to $20,000. It sold for $38,375.