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Curiosity V

The Curiosity sale presents masterpieces from across time and geographical space, from Ice Age Siberia, to Bronze Age China, Ancient Egypt and Medieval Europe. Highlights include an important Neolithic jade cong from the Liangzhu culture formerly in the distinguished collection of Duan Fang (1861-1911), one of the most important political figures and reformers of the late Qing period. The sale will present four monumental pieces: a stucco Buddha head dating from the Liao dynasty in the 10th-12th century AD and built with gypsum and layers of Chinese sutras, a rare complete skeleton of a Pleistocene period mammoth, a 3rd-4th century massive Gandhara portrait frieze of Heracles, as well as a principal springer mullion from the south window of Canterbury cathedral. The latter, a fragmentary masterpiece of late Gothic architecture, was only recently removed during restoration work at the cathedral.