A Blue-Glazed Pottery Jar Tang Dynasty. Estimate $15,000–20,000.
“Colors play an important role to the Chinese who apply it to art objects, such as traditional costumes and porcelain, to form oriental cultural symbols.”
A Fine Peachbloom-Glazed Seal Paste Box and Cover, Kangxi mark and period. Estimate $40,000–60,000.
A Magnificent and Rare Gilt-Bronze Silver-Lined Stem Cup, Tang dynasty. Estimate $100,000–150,000.
“I am fascinated with ancient imperial court art, where the color gold plays a very important role. It appears in royal costumes, accessories and furniture of the aristocracy. It represents supreme honor and is a legendary color. Without even realizing it, I incorporate gold into my designs to express the ultimate beauty.”
A Rare Iron-Red-Ground ‘Kinrande’ Double Gourd Vase, Ming dynasty, Jiajing period. Estimate $40,000–60,000.
“The pattern and color on the bottle are similar to the hydrangea patterns on the dress, a traditional pattern used in ancient Eastern courts.”
A Calified Jade Carving of a Bird, Shang – Early Western Zhou dynasty. Estimate $20,000–30,000.
“The pattern on this dress originates from silk patterns unearthed from Mawangdui, an archaeological site located in Changsha, China. This painting style is typically used in the Han dynasty. Birds are painted alongside gods.”
A Splendid and Rare Gold and Silver-Inlaid Parcel-Gilt Bronze Figure of a Peacock, Han dynasty. Estimate $200,000–300,000.
”In ancient times, birds symbolize the sun or the gods and have a distinguished status.”
A Bronze Tripod Ritual Food Vessel (Liding), Western Zhou dynasty. Estimate $120,000–150,000.
“The patterns on this look are inspired by ancient bronzeware, similar to this vessel. We combine weaving with embroidery to present this unique texture.”
An Exceptionally Rare Gilt-Bronze Dragon, Six dynasties. Estimate $100,000–150,000.
“The dragon pattern was once the exclusive symbol of the emperor in ancient times. Different postures were used as representations of different eras.”
A Rare Pair of Gold and Silver-Inlaid Bronze Chariot Yoke Ornaments, Eastern Zhou dynasty, Warring States period. Estimate $80,000–120,000.
“In my design, dragons are often used to express women. Dragons symbolize their power, independence and charms.”
An Exceptionally Rare Bronze Dragon-Form Support, Han dynasty. Estimate $80,000–120,000.
This summer Sotheby’s announced its two-city partnership with Chinese “Queen of Couture” Guo Pei, whose sculptural garments epitomize the intersection of fashion and art. For the first part of her collaboration, Pei turned her eye to Asia Week at Sotheby’s New York, where four looks from her Spring/Summer 2019 East Palace Couture collection will be exhibited for the first time. With inspiration from Oriental myths and Royal palaces, Pei presents a mysterious and romantic picture incorporating ancient Chinese iconography, such as whimsical green dragons, mythical birds – including the Rosefinch (God of the South), three-legged Golden Bird (symbolizing the sun) and Phoenix (king of all birds), as well as basaltic pythons (embodying the God of the North) and mighty unicorns. Drawing on everything from these auspicious animals found in Eastern folklores to classic color symbolism, Pei selected works from the Asia Week auctions that closely mirror her own designs. Ahead, discover Pei’s mesmerizing pairings, and visit Sotheby’s New York from 6–9 September to view her signature, labor-intensive, luxurious embroidery in person. –Stephanie Sporn