T his season’s CHINA / 5000 YEARS online auction comprises a diverse selection of approximately 200 pieces of porcelain, textiles, early ceramics, bronzes, furniture, and more. Highlights include a group of Qing porcelains from the Bernice and Silas Friedlander Collection, a 17th-century kesi ‘phoenix’ panel and a selection of hardwood furniture from a Massachusetts Private Collection, a group of Ming and Qing blue and white porcelain from a New York Private Collection, and a variety of early bronzes from a Midwest Private Collection offered at no reserve.
Starting from March 23rd, exhibition viewing will be by appointment only. To schedule an appointment, please email Fiona Mu at Fiona.Mu@sothebys.com at least 24 hours in advance with the preferred viewing date and time.
Bernice and Silas met in school when they were both studying at University of Texas and embarked on a collecting journey together. They opened Fannin Shop, an antiques and gift shop located on Fannin St, Houston, TX, which was managed by their two daughters. From the 1970s, they often made regular trips to England to source British furniture and ceramics for their shop, and their trips to auction houses and dealers in London gave them exposure to Chinese porcelain. Their major interest was in 17th-and-18th century Chinese porcelain. Under the guidance of some of the leading dealers at Gray’s Antiques Market and Portobello Road Market, they built their Chinese porcelain collection primarily sourced from Sotheby’s, Christie’s, and Phillips.
