Luohan

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 fine red, black and yellow carved lacquer baluster vase, 18th Century. Estimate $80,000-120,000. Photo Bonhams San Francisco - Summer begins with a wealth of Chinese art at Bonhams & Butterfields, with fine objects in every collecting category going on the auction block June 21 at 10 a.m. A rare carved red, lacquer vase, Qianlong, discovered in an East Coast private collection, is a star lot and cover of the catalogue (est. $80,000-120,000). Carved with classic taotie masks, enclosed in stiff lappet bands on a ground of... [Lire la suite]

A large carved 'huang furong' figure of a luohan.  Early Qing dynasty. Photo: Bonhams HONG KONG.- The Q Collection is arguably the greatest collection of soapstone figures ever to be offered at auction. The 78 figures represent the personal journey of the collector, who showed remarkable vision in collecting these figures, starting in the late 1970s. They were purchased from top art dealers in USA, Europe and Japan, and also from street markets. One of the rarest examples was purchased for a token sum in Cat Street in the late... [Lire la suite]

A rare complete ivory set of the eighteen Luohans. Late Qing Dynasty. Photo Bonhams Variously attractively and delicately carved in a similar position, standing upright with long flowing robes, each holding his attribute at his side, fitted wood stands, fitted boxes. All about 26cm (10in) high (36). Sold for £356,000 Compare a similar set, 19th century, sold in our San Francisco rooms on 13 December 2010, lot 5011. See also a related ivory Luohan set, sold at Sotheby's New York, 20 March... [Lire la suite]

Buddha, either Shakyamuni or Akshobhya, late 13th–early 14th century, Yuan dynasty (1271–1368), China. Gilt bronze; H. 13 in. (33 cm), W. 10 1/4 in. (26 cm). Lent by The Palace Museum Although this Buddha's pointed topknot, triangular face, narrow nose, powerful physique, and scanty clothing are based on Indian artistic traditions, several features suggest that this sculpture was made in China. These include the pudginess of the hands and feet and the patterning in the drapery beneath the crossed legs and on the left... [Lire la suite]

A blue and white porcelain meiping, Qianlong Mark, Late Qing-Republic Period, 14in (35.5cm) high. Est. $10,000-15,000. Courtesy of Bonhams & Butterfields SAN FRANCISCO, CA.- A blue and white porcelain Dragon jar sold for $7,658,000 in the Fine Asian Works of Art sale on Monday December 13th at Bonhams & Butterfields in San Francisco. The 360-lot sale brought more than $19 million with the vast majority of the lots fetching multiples of their estimates. The excitement in the standing-room-only saleroom was palpable, as... [Lire la suite]

A jadeite ornament. photo Bonhams Carved as a slice of cut mango, suffused with russet and bright rich yellow colour, length 14.6cm. Sold for HK$60,000 Accompanied by a report from the Hong Kong Jade & Stone Laboratory, stating that the carving is natural jadeite and no resin was detected. Report number KJ 48195, dated 17th March 2010. A pair of jadeite bangles. photo Bonhams Each orangy yellow bangle of very good translucency, outer diameter 69.7-72.3mm, inner diameter 53.6-54.7mm. Estimate: HK$75,000 -... [Lire la suite]

A carved cinnabar lacquer incense box and cover. 16th-17th century. photo Bonhams The domed circular cover deftly carved through layers of cinnabar lacquer to depict a luohan seated upon a rock beneath a pine tree, wearing loosely-fitted robes open to the waist, his right arm raised holding a ring which he is using to tame a tiger, all set against wanzi and wave diaper grounds, the box carved with pierced rockwork and clouds against similar grounds, the base and interiors lacquered black. 8.7cm (3½in) diam. (2). Estimate:... [Lire la suite]

A stained ivory figure of a luohan, Ming Dynasty. photo Bonhams The slender standing figure wearing long cascading robes, secured with a belt with long hanging tassel, holding an alms bowl in his left hand, the large head carved with furrowed brow and flanked by pendulous earlobes, the ivory stained to a rich treacle colour, wood stand. 24.7cm (9¾in) high (2). Estimate: £4,000 - 6,000, HK$47,000 - 71,000 An ivory and gilt-mounted square tray, Ming Dynasty. photo Bonhams The four sides finely carved in openwork with a... [Lire la suite]

Deux importantes tangka polychromes en hauteur sur toile. Epoque Qianlong, Chine, XVIIIe siècle. photo Beaussant Lefèvre Les deux représentant des Luohan, l'un assis sur un haut socle rectangulaire près d'une cascade, un attendant lui offrant des fruits et, entouré de deux bouddha assis faisant le geste de la prise de la terre à témoin, l'autre assis, faisant le geste de l'éducation et tenant des fruits dans sa main gauche, entouré par des attendants dansant autour de lui et lui offrant un livre, il est surmonté par deux... [Lire la suite]