Chinese Ceramics & Works of Art

Sacrificial Red (Jihong) Glazed Stem Cup (Gao Zu Bei).  清代 Qing Dynasty, 乾隆  Qianlong Period (1736-1795 © 2000-2011 vermeer-griggs.com  A very rare stem cup (gaozu bei) with well potted flared sides raised on a tall conical stem foot, richly applied inside and out with a dark red, bubble suffused, orange peel  jihong glaze, also referred to as fresh red imitating Ming sacrificial red, xianhong. The Qing jihong glaze is thinner than the Ming xianhong glaze and the formulation is different but the... [Lire la suite]

A pair of huanghuali continuous yoke back armchairs, nanguanmaoyi, 17th/18th Century, 46 1/2in (118.1cm). Sold for $1,498,000. Photo: Courtesy of Bonhams & Butterfields SAN FRANCISCO, CA.- Bonhams & Butterfields’ Fine Asian Works of Art auction on June 21, 2011 in San Francisco brought more than $11.5-million, with a rare pair of huanghuali continuous yoke back armchairs, 17th/18th century, leading the sale by bringing $1.49 million USD. One of many attractions among the Chinese furniture to be offered, the chairs were from... [Lire la suite]

A copper red glazed porcelain vase (yuhuchunping). Yongzheng Mark and Period photo Bonhams Of elegant pear shape raised on a flared foot and tapering inward to a narrow neck under a flared trumpet mouth, the deep peach-red glaze of even color shading to a darker rich color at the foot, the base with a six character mark written regular script within a double ring in underglaze blue; 9 3/4in (24.8cm) high. Sold for US$290,000 A coral red and gilt enameled porcelain double gourd vase. Jiaqing Mark. photo Bonhams The rich... [Lire la suite]

A white glazed porcelain deep dish with incised floral decoration. Ming Dynasty, 16th Century. photo Bonhams Thickly molded and delicately line-incised with a roundel of lotus flowers across the floor of the well, bands of flowering peonies and pearls encircling the cavetto and exterior walls, all beneath a celadon-tinged glaze that stops along the outside edge of the foot, leaving an unglazed foot pad and recessed base; 14 1/8in (36cm) diameter - Sold for US$9,150 Provenance:: Chait Galleries, New York Bonhams. Fine Asian... [Lire la suite]

A Manchu noblewoman's embroidered midnight blue surcoat (longgua). Late 19th Century. Photo Bonhams Intricately embroidered in white, polychrome and gilt-wrapped threads with eight roundels of five-clawed dragons grasping a precious pearl surrounded by clouds, bats, ribboned auspicious emblems and a shou medallion, all above a wide lishui border that repeats on the edges of the sleeves below three tiny dragon roundels embroidered en suite. 57 1/4in (145.5cm) long - Estimate: US$20,000 - 30,000 A chestnut silk ground... [Lire la suite]

A Yaozhou celadon glazed stoneware bowl. Northern Song Period. Photo Bonhams The walls of its deep curving well divided by six radiating lines and the exterior incised with a single band below the rim, the olive green glaze applied to all surfaces except the foot pad exhibiting a dense web of craze lines and burnt to a golden brown where thinly applied around the foot area. 7 7/8in (20cm) diameter - Estimate: US$4,000 - 6,000 Property from the Harvard Art Museums, sold to benefit the Asian Acquisition Fund    A... [Lire la suite]

A carved amber group of playful children. 18th Century. Photo Bonhams Depicting five little boys teasing a cat that sits on a drum while another cat nestles to one side, the amber of dark honey brown hue with some incised details and deep fissure lines. 3 1/3in (8.5cm) long - Estimate: US$6,000 - 9,000 Property from the Melikian Collection, Phoenix, Arizona A carved amber figure of a Chinese gentleman. Photo Bonhams With his chest and belly exposed, his face with a grimace, his long queue extending down his back. 4 3/8in... [Lire la suite]

A rhinoceros horn libation cup. Qing Dynasty, 18th Century. Photo Bonhams The conical horn well carved and undercut with a handle formed by a rocky outcropping and the reticulated trunks of deciduous trees overlapping a gnarled pine with its upper branches extending into the interior, a lower bough stretching over a rocky overhang to frame a seated Chinese sage accompanied by two youthful attendants, all pondering the landscape formed by jagged cliffs scattered with maple and other deciduous trees silhouetted against a meandering... [Lire la suite]

A circular bronze TLV mirror. Han Dynasty. Photo Bonhams Cast with a central loop surrounded by a square band with raised corner bosses dividing an eight-character inscription, the 'TLV' elements symmetrically arranged and separated by grass-like motifs within the scalloped border; with ferrous and malachite encrustation. 4 7/8in (12.5cm) diameter - Estimate: US$2,000 - 3,000 Two early bronze mirrors. Photo Bonhams The first, Warring States-Western Han Period, cast with a narrow wedge-shaped edge and a band of dragon scrolls... [Lire la suite]

A carved ivory seal paste box with figural decoration. Kangxi Period. Photo Bonhams The low box and cover of circular section with shou medallions and flowering plants carved in relief to the sides, the top of the cover featuring three young boys at play amid three auspicious rams and the underside centered with a dragon in relief encircled by a leiwen frame; 2 3/8in (6cm) diameter. Estimate: US$5,000 - 7,000 Property from Various Owners Bonhams. Fine Asian Art, 21 Jun 2011, San Francisco www..bonhams.com