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Chinese Works of Art

Fine Porcelain and Works of Art Spanning China's Long and Rich History

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Our carefully curated Chinese Art sales in London on 6 November bring together over 300 lots of important Chinese ceramics and works of art, led by a magnificent collection of imperial porcelain assembled by a discerning private collector over many decades. Click ahead to browse the highlights.

Past Auction
Important Chinese Art
6 November 2019 | 11:30 AM GMT | London
Past Auction
Imperial Porcelain - A Private Collection
6 November 2019 | 10:30 AM GMT | London

Fine Porcelain and Works of Art Spanning China's Long and Rich History

  • A Rare Famille-Rose 'Poppy' Bowl
    Yongzheng Mark and Period
    Estimate £50,000-70,000
    This elegant and restrained motif appears to have been inspired by famille-verte cups of the Kangxi period (r. 1662-1722), which were sparsely decorated with branches of flowers or fruits. Bowls of this type display an increased interest in the pureness of the porcelain body and a greater emphasis on the naturalistic rendering of flowers, made possible by the development of the enamels of the famille-rose palette.
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  • A Fine and Rare Guan-Type Ribbed Vase
    Yongzheng Seal Mark and Period
    Estimate £120,000-160,000
    The elegant form of this vase, with its globular body gently tapering at the neck, and its parallel raised ribs, provides a perfect canvas for showcasing the subtle pattern of crackles on the thick and unctuous glaze. In both its gracefulness of form and sophisticated glaze, this vase is an archetypal example of Yongzheng monochrome porcelain and reflects the Emperor’s penchant in celebrated Song dynasty (960-1279) wares.
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  • A Rare Lime Green-Enamelled 'Chrysanthemum' Dish
    Yongzheng Mark and Period
    Estimate £70,000-90,000
    This chrysanthemum dish is rare for its strikingly brilliant lime-green glaze, one of the rarest and most innovative enamel colour prepared in the Yongzheng period. Containing traces of lead antimonate, a material seldom found on Chinese low-fired glazes, the opaque lime-green enamel embodies the high level of experimentation that characterises Yongzheng imperial porcelain.
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  • A Very Rare Underglaze-Blue, Famille-Rose and Gilt-Decorated 'Boys Medallion' Vase
    Qianlong Seal Mark and Period
    Estimate £150,000-250,000
    Exquisitely painted with two lively scenes of boys playing against a luxuriant underglaze-blue and gilt lotus scroll, this vase is an archetypal example of imperial porcelain made in the Qianlong reign. Each figurative roundel is meticulously painted, and the craftsmen has skilfully captured the children's carefree spirit through their joyful expressions and animated poses.
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  • A Fine Blue and White Ming-Style 'Persimmon' Moonflask
    Qing Dynasty, Yongzheng Period
    Estimate £120,000-160,000
    This elegant moonflask assumes an immediate sense of familiarity through the elegantly rendered design and shape, both of which were made to emulate historical masterpieces of the early Ming dynasty. The generous spacing left white between the decoration elements was a repertoire first seen on Yongle blue and white pieces, which allowed craftsmen to be more lively and free with his brushwork and to create a composition that is more painterly and less stylised.
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  • A Finely Painted and Extremely Rare Small Coral-Ground Enamelled 'Floral' Cup
    Yongzheng Yuzhi Mark and Period
    Estimate £60,000-80,000
    Expertly painted with a profusion of vibrantly-coloured flowers against a dark coral ground, this cup is a particularly unusual example of a small group of wares with yuzhi ('made for imperial use of') marks. Its composition and palette, as well as its reign mark stem from the innovative style pioneered by the enamel workshop, which had been set up in the Forbidden City during the latter part of the Kangxi period (r. 1662-1722).
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  • A Superb and Rare Carved Celadon-Glazed 'Peony' Vase
    Qianlong Incised Seal Mark and Period
    Estimate £300,000-500,000
    This vase appears to be unique and it is exceedingly rare to find a monochrome celadon vessel of the Qianlong (1736-1795) period with such sophisticated carving. It is truly a porcelain masterpiece that evokes a sense of effortless elegance, despite its design being meticulously executed and conceived in advance.
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  • A Rare Pair of Finely Decorated Celadon-Ground Famille-Rose 'Bajixiang' Lobed Vases
    Qianlong Seal Marks and Period
    Estimate £150,000-250,000
    This exquisite pair of vases are remarkable for their vibrantly painted motif of bajixiang in famille-rose enamels, the richness of which is accentuated by the celadon-glazed ground. Their unusual lobed form with a flaring mock foot which resembles textile pleats, displays the Qing craftsmen’s creative virtuosity in devising new forms and designs that catered to the Qianlong emperor’s passion for opulent and exotic objects.
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  • A Rare Large Celadon-Glazed Jardiniere in the Shape of a Double-Lotus Leaf
    Yongzheng Seal Mark and Period
    Estimate £120,000-160,000
    This piece appears to be unique and was probably made upon a specific order. Its inspiration may have come from Northern Song dynasty (960-1127) censers in the form of lotus flowers. This piece was a technical tour de force that would have required the utmost attention at every stage of its production.
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  • A Rare Yellow-Ground Underglaze-Blue 'Lotus' Archaistic Vase
    Qianlong Seal Mark and Period
    Estimate £150,000-250,000
    Vibrantly painted with a lotus scroll in vivid underglaze-blue against a striking yellow ground, this vase celebrates tradition through both its form and design and pays testament to the Qianlong Emperor’s keen interest in antiquity. Its form and raised flanges echo China’s glorious Bronze Age, while its floral scroll and choice of palette are rooted in imperial porcelain of the early Ming dynasty (1368-1644).
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  • A Fine and Rare Large Lime-Green Ground Famille-Rose 'Three Rams' Vase
    Qing Dynasty, Daoguang Period Shendetang Hall Mark
    Estimate £300,000-500,000
    This remarkably large vase belongs to a special group of imperial porcelains made during the Daoguang reign to furnish the emperor's newly built 'Hall of Prudent Virtue' (Shende Tang). Vases of such large dimensions and painted with this motif are rare, and no other closely related example appears to have been published.
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  • A Large Blue and White 'Peony' Jar
    Yuan Dynasty
    Estimate £250,000-350,000
    Sturdily potted guan jars painted with bold designs in cobalt blue are undoubtedly the Yuan dynasty’s greatest contribution to Chinese porcelain tradition. The painting seen on this jar encompasses the most characteristic elements of Yuan porcelain design: the peony scroll on the body, lotus scroll on the shoulder, classic scroll on the rim and lappets. This lively new decorative vernacular was particularly well-expressed in underglaze blue.
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  • A Rare Large Gilt-Bronze Votive Figure of Padmapani
    Northern Wei Dynasty, Fourth Year of the Yongping Period, Corresponding To 511 Ad
    Estimate £150,000-250,000
    Standing majestically against a large and finely incised mandorla, this figure of the bodhisattva Padmapani ranks among the largest gilt-bronze sculptures from the Northern Wei dynasty remaining in private hands. Its serene expression and captivating smile, voluminous body and powerful pose, are testament to the gradual development of an indigenous Buddhist style in northern China.
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  • A Rare and Finely Carved Cinnabar Lacquer Dish
    Yongle Mark and Period
    Estimate £120,000-150,000
    This piece is particularly notable for the masterful and sensitive execution of the scene: the two gentlemen are depicted conversing, their gestures and facial expressions convincingly expressing their ease, while an attendant sits in a pavilion, his arms crossed while he awaits for the right moment to serve tea.
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  • A Rare Large Jadeite 'Boy' Headrest
    Qing Dynasty
    Estimate £100,000-150,000
    This jadeite pillow has been deftly carved in the form of a plump kneeling boy from an exceptionally large jadeite boulder of brilliant and variegated green tone. Pillows in the form of boys originated in the Song dynasty (960-1279), when they were given as wedding gifts to newly wedded couples. They represented the wish for the continuation of the family line and the birth of male offspring.
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  • A Rare and Large Carved Cinnabar Lacquer Boat-Shaped Incense Box
    Qing Dynasty, Qianlong Period
    Estimate £50,000-70,000
    Skilfully fashioned in the form of a boat, this box exemplifies the Qianlong Emperor’s penchant for extravagant and unusual playthings. With its tall rising stern and sophisticated design of roofed structures, this boat recalls the magnificent touring boats used by the emperor during his inspection tours of southern China.
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  • A Rare Ming-Style Copper-Red Decorated Moonflask
    Qianlong Seal Mark and Period
    Estimate £30,000-50,000
    Intricately painted in underglaze-red with a complex geometric design, the form and decoration of this flask closely follows an early Ming blue and white prototype inspired by Middle-Eastern designs.This particular flask is interesting as it was collected by Robert C. Bruce who owned two other moonflasks of similar size and decoration.
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  • A Fine and Rare Purple-Splashed ’Jun‘ Bowl
    Northern Song/Jin Dynasty
    Estimate £100,000-150,000
    Purple-splashed 'Jun' wares are remarkable for their splendid colouration, which display a range of blue and lavender tones. In this particular rare example, the undulating purple splashes complemented by subtle highlights of leafy green provide an attractive contrast against the bright lavender-blue glaze underneath, simulating the beauty of abstract paintings, enticing one for an intimate inspection of its timelessness and spontaneity.
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  • A Rare Gilt-Bronze Seated Figure of a Daoist Deity
    Qing Dynasty, 18th Century
    Estimate £40,000-60,000
    This rare and well-cast figure most likely depicts one of the Three Purities (Sanqing), the embodiment of the Dao and the three highest deities in the Daoist pantheon. As manifestations of the Three Energies and rulers of the Three Caverns (Sandong), they are considered the source of all life and knowledge.
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