The Philanthropist and Connoisseur THE DECORATIVE ARTS COLLECTION OF THE LATE J.O. FAIRFAX AC
Chinese Highlights
167 A CHINESE HARDSTONE LIBATION CUP WITH TWIN HANDLES The smooth, mottled brown carved stone incised with a band of key fret design at the rim, the overall mottling appearing as if marble, the handles carved with a scalloped, scrolling motif and the cup on a raised straight foot, 12cm width, together with wooden stand $3,000-5,000 硬玉雙耳酒杯 估價: $3,000-5,000
168 A CHINESE ARCHAIC-STYLE HARDSTONE LIBATION JUG On a tripod base, carved in relief to the exterior with a double key fret band to the rim, a wider band of dragon design to the body, above a continuous line of archaic-style script, the attached handle in the shape of a qilin, the jug 8.5cm high, 11cm when on integral stand $5,000-7,000 高古式硬玉酒器 估價: $5,000-7,000
169 A CHINESE RUSSET JADE PHOENIX-SHAPED VASE AND COVER, QING DYNASTY (1644-1911), Carved with a seated phoenix carrying the deep vessel upon its back, the vessel carved with low relief archaistic bands and in high relief a pair of qilin, one climbing on the side from the head of the phoenix, and one atop the cover, the neatly carved plumes of the phoenix with a central design, the feet neatly tucked under and carved to the base, together with the auspicious ‘ruyi’ motif. The phoenix and qilin often depicted together are symbolic of prosperity and good fortune, the jade 18cm high, 24cm when on integral stand $8,000-12,000 清或乾隆時期 鳳凰壺型褐玉擺件 估價: $8,000-12,000 2
171 AN EARLY CHINESE WHITE JADE CARVED FIGURE OF A BIXIE, QING DYNASTY (1644-1911) The mythical horned animal in a crouching position and carved with full rounded body, grasping a leafy ‘lingzhi’ spray (the sacred mushroom) in its mouth, 8.4cm width, together with plain wooden stand $5,000-8,000
172 A FINE CHINESE JADE CARVING OF BI XIE, QING DYNASTY (1644-1911) The mythical animal recumbent and carved with full rounded body, the head turned backwards, and grasping a long, leafy ‘lingzhi’ spray (the sacred mushroom) in its mouth, its back paws slightly raised, the pale green jade with a few russet inclusions, 10cm width, together with decorative wooden stand OTHER NOTES: For similar, please see Christie’s, New York, 30 March, 2005, lot 111; Sotheby’s, London, 6 November 2013, lot 283; Sotheby’s, London, 14 May, 2008, Lot 583 $5,000-8,000 清 玉雕貔貅擺件 估價: $5,000-8,000
170 A CHINESE SHOUSHAN SEAL OF SQUARE-FORM Surmounted by a ferocious Buddhist lion, the square seal with an incised design, including a band of ‘endless knots’ one of the Eight Auspicious symbols of Buddhism, and the character for dragon ‘long’ incised to the four sides, and incised to the base with a four-character mark, 8.5cm high $1,500-3,500 壽山石方印 估價：$1,500-3,500
173 A CHINESE MOTTLED WHITE JADE CARVING OF A WINGED HORSE The mythical white figure, recumbent, with nostrils flared and dragon-like features, possibly depicting the auspicious Bailongma, the White Dragon Horse, 17cm width $3,000-5,000 白玉斑紋飛馬擺件 估價：$3,000-5,000
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174 A SUPERBLY CARVED CHINESE JADE FIGURE OF A MYTHICAL HORSE, QING DYNASTY (1644-1911) The mottled white jade figure, recumbent atop a bed of swirling waves and rockwork, with finely combed mane, its head turned towards a collection of books bound together with a flowing sash, symbolic of one of ‘the four accomplishments’ upon its back, the body depicted with scales and a dragon tail, in keeping with the Chinese legend of Haima (Sea Horse), 17.25cm length, with carved wooden stand PROVENANCE: Purchased at or prior to 1976; with A British Antique Dealer’s Association label attached OTHER NOTES: For similar, please see; The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum - Jadeware (III), Hong Kong, 1995, pl. 90; Sotheby’s, New York, 11 September, 2012, Lot 294; Sotheby’s, London, 7 November, 2012, Lot 375; for another example from the Qing dynasty with a similar motif on porcelain, please see: Sotheby’s, London, 6 November, 2013, Lot 156, According to the Liji (Book of Rites), Fuxi, a legendary ruler of Ancient China, was observing all under heaven, when he saw a fantastical figure emerge from the river. This creature had the form of a horse, the head of a dragon and the scales of a fish. The markings on its back inspired him to invent the eight trigrams, which led to the invention of writing, depicted by the books bound to the mythical horse’s back. Later writings described the creature as having the essence of heaven and earth, with the form of a horse and the scales of a dragon, such as represented by the present lot, and it was said to appear when a sage ruled the land. The design is referred to as haima (sea horse). Naturalistic bases in jade carving, such as waves and rocks were a Ming dynasty innovation, and were later perfected during the Qing dynasty, as can be seen with this figure. For another mythical horse jade figure, longma please see: Christie’s Hong Kong, 28th November 2006, lot 1419 $40,000-60,000 清 白玉海馬負書擺件 估價: $ 40,000-60,000
175 A CHINESE SPINACH JADE CIRCULAR BOX AND COVER, QING DYNASTY (1644-1911), 18TH CENTURY Of lotus form, the cover carved as a lotus pod, with circular nodes simulating seeds, encased by overlapping lotus petals to the box and cover in low relief, with a straight foot rim, with wooden stand, 9cm diameter PROVENANCE: Purchased at or prior to 1976; old Sotheby’s sticker, lot 481 attached
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LITERATURE: Illustrated in Art and Australia, Vol. 3, No. 4, p.258 OTHER NOTES: For a similar, though larger spinach jade flower dish from this period, please see: Christie’s, New York, 30 March, 2005, Lot 133 $3,000-5,000 清或康熙十八世紀， 碧玉蓮花紋蓋盒 估價: $3,000-5,000
176 A CHINESE EXPORT CANTON ENAMEL TABLE BELL, QING DYNASTY (1644-1911), QIANLONG PERIOD (1736-1795), LATE 18TH CENTURY With a flower-head and down its length with alternating leaf bands in black and pink. The body painted with peonies in famille rose between bands of broad leaf designs and scrolling floral patterns, 14cm high PROVENANCE: Purchased from Spink & Son Ltd., London in 1991; with a copy of certificate by the British Antique Dealer’s Association, London, dated 13 May 1991 $1,000-1,500 乾隆 十八世紀後期 廣東外銷彩釉搖鈴 估價: $1,000-1,500
177 A PAIR OF CHINESE CLOISONNÉ ENAMEL FIGURES OF DEER, QING DYNASTY (1644-1911) The lovely standing figures, with their heads turned, one facing to the left, the other to the right in mirror image, finely cast with gilt metal antlers, ears and hoofs. Their bodies decorated with scattered flower-heads of pink and blue in gilt outline, a black mane all on a lovely apple green ground, their faces finely detailed, the eyes with turquoise, and navy, their mouths with red enamel lips and white teeth, 25cm high, 14cm length (2) OTHER NOTES: For a similarly decorated figure of a deer, please see Christie’s, Hong Kong, 30 May 2012, Lot 3929; also see Christie’s London, 12 November 2004, Lot 415 $4,000-6,000 清 景泰藍鹿擺件 （一對） 估價: $4,000-6,000
178 AN EXTREMELY RARE PAIR OF CHINESE CLOISONNE SHEEP FIGURES, QING DYNASTY (1644-1911), QIANLONG PERIOD (1736-1795), CIRCA 1760 Their recumbent bodies styled overall with elaborately curled fleece in white enamel, decorated with brightly gilded horns, ears and finely styled feet, their naturalistic mouths with black and turquoise enamel, their round eyes beautifully depicted, 9cm high, 14cm length (2) PROVENANCE: Purchased: Mallett, 1995, from the Martyn Cook Exhibition OTHER NOTES: For a similarly detailed pair of cloisonné animal figures, please see the Qianlong pair of yellow ground enamel deer, Ex John Macallan Swan RA (1847-1910) Collection $6,000-8,000
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179 A METAL FINIAL OR ARMREST In the shape of a Buddhist lion head, finely detailed, 9.5cm high, together with pedestal base $800-1,200 動物頭像頂尖或扶手 估價: $800-1,200
180 A CHINESE GILT BRONZE CLOISONNE FIGURE OF A MYTHICAL WINGED RAM, QING DYNASTY (1644-1911), 19TH CENTURY In the recumbent position, with the legs tucked neatly underneath the body, the head raised supporting a pair of large curving horns, the back fitted with a pair of sculpted, removable wings, enamelled overall with stylised scrolling on a turquoise ground, with highlights of pale blue, pink, yellow, green, red and black enamel detail, with gilt horns, hoof, the facial features decorated with a scaly design, 18cm length $1,200-1,800 清十九世紀 景泰藍銅山羊像 估價：$1,200-1,800
181 A RARE PAIR OF SAPPHIRE BLUE PEKING GLASS WINE GOBLETS, QING DYNASTY (1644-1911), MID-19TH CENTURY In European style, the shape taken from an English Georgian design, each 9cm high (2) PROVENANCE: Purchased: Ray and Victoria Tregaskis, NSW, 1993; Ex Fine Chinese Works of Art, No.79, illustrated $1,000-2,000 清十九世紀中期 藍寶石色水晶高腳杯（一對） 估價: $1,000-2,000
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182 A CHINESE EXPORT UNDERGLAZE BLUE AND WHITE PORCELAIN OVAL BUTTER DISH AND COVER, QING DYNASTY (1644-1911), CIRCA 1750, NANKING CARGO Decorated to the exterior and lid with pagodas, rocks and sprays of blossom, with a decorated handle, the official Nanking cargo seal ascribed by Christie’s Amsterdam attached to the base, 11.5cm length PROVENANCE: Purchased from Christie’s, Amsterdam, Nanking Cargo Auction, 1 May, 1986, Lot 4521 (part of) OTHER NOTES: This butter dish was part of the famous Nanking Cargo, that had been intended for export to Holland from Canton in 1752 aboard the Dutch East India Ship, the Geldermalsen. This butter dish is one of more than 150,000 pieces that survived for 235 years at the bottom of the South China Sea, discovered off the island of Singapore, well protected having been neatly packed within crates of tea. For an almost identical example, please see the butter dish in the British Museum Collection, London, museum number: 1986,0701.18.a $800-1,200 清 外銷青花山水黃油碟 估價: $800-1,200
183 A CHINESE ZHANGZHOU BLUE AND WHITE PORCELAIN DISH, 17/18TH CENTURY The Zhangzhou “Swatow” export ware bowl, with underglaze blue and white design, with a central stylised ‘fu’ character, for good fortune, typically surrounded by a band of floral design, 29cm diameter $600-800 十七或十八世紀 漳州窯青花盤 估價：$600-800
184 A LARGE PAIR OF CHINESE JARS AND COVERS, QING DYNASTY (1644-1911), 19TH CENTURY On a pale blue ground, each decorated to the exterior in underglaze blue with Foo Dogs playing amongst cloud scrolls, each approximately 32cm high (2) $1,000-2,000 清 青花獅子紋冬瓜罐（一對） 估價: $1,000-2,000
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185 A CHINESE CAFE-AU-LAIT GLAZED PORCELAIN BOWL, 19TH CENTURY With everted rim, the pearlescent monochrome crackle glaze stopping short of the raised foot, glazed to the base, 21cm diameter $500-800 十九世紀 醬斑瓷碗 估價: $500-800
186 A LARGE CHINESE CELADON BOWL, 19TH CENTURY Of deep form, the body covered evenly with crackle glazed celadon, with brown rim, the straight foot unglazed, 24cm diameter $800-1,000 十九世紀 青瓷碗 估價：$800-1,000
187 TWO CHINESE FIVE-LOBED LOTUS BOWLS, QING DYNASTY (1644-1911), 19TH CENTURY, SPURIOUS FOUR-CHARACTER QIANLONG SEAMARK The matching bowls, one with a turquoise enamel painted ground, the other with yellow enamel, decorated overall with auspicious Buddhist emblems including the Lotus pattern, the endless knot tassels, the ‘ruyi’ bats, and ‘shou’ symbols for longevity, each with a straight foot and gilt rim, each measuring approx 20cm diameter (2) $500-800 清 五瓣蓮花碗,底落青花”大青乾隆年制”款(一對） 估價: $500-800
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188 A COLLECTION OF THREE CHINESE PORCELAIN VASES Mounted as lamps, one of globular form, the other two of baluster shape, each decorated with bands of lotus petals and floral design, with wooden stands (3) $1,800-2,800 瓷花瓶（三件） 估價: $1,800-2,800
189 A SMALL CHINESE PORCELAIN EGG-CUP, WITH FENCAI ENAMELS, GUANGXU SIX-CHARACTER MARK AND OF THE PERIOD (1871-1908) Decorated to the exterior with a band of ruyi-lappet design above a green enamelled dragon on a yellow ground, resting above a band of waves, 5.5cm high $150-250 光緒 粉彩雞蛋杯，底落“大清光緒年制”款 估價: $150-250
190 A CHINESE PORCELAIN FIVE-LOBED FOOTED BOWL, QING DYNASTY (1644-1911), TONGZHI MARK AND OF THE PERIOD (1861-1875) The exterior decorated with overglazed enamels, depicting figures in scholarly pursuits, the interior of the bowl covered in an overall turquoise glaze, the base with six-character mark in red overglaze, 21.5cm high $500-800 清同治 五瓣帶足碗，底落“大清同治年制”款 估價: $500-800
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191 A PAIR OF CHINESE FAMILLE ROSE ‘CHICKEN’ BOWLS AND MATCHING COVERS, QING DYNASTY, (1644-1911), AFTER QIANLONG Painted to the exterior with a continuous celebrated scene depicting the young boy Jia Chang facing a rooster, and stamping his left foot to call the chickens, set against jagged rockwork and blossoming peonies issuing from leafy stems, the hen and the four chicks nearby, on the reverse an inscription in black enamel of an imperial poem by the Qianlong Emperor acknowledging the emulation of earlier chicken cups, the poem dated to the bingshen year (1776) and followed by two iron-red seals reading ‘qian’ and ‘long’, the base with underglaze blue Qianlong seal mark, 11.4cm diameter, with pierced wooden stands (2) OTHER NOTES: Reference: Please see the pair of cups in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, included in the Museum’s Special Exhibition of K’ang-hsi, Yungcheng and Ch’ien-lung Porcelain Ware from the Ch’ing Dynasty in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, 1986, cat. no. 144; and two cups from the Sir Percival David collection and now in the British Museum, London, published in the Illustrated Catalogue of Qing Enamelled Wares, London, 1991, pl. A823 and A827 $500-800 清或乾隆后 浅口粉彩孩童喂鸡图盖碗 估價:$500-800
192 A FINE FAMILLE ROSE ‘DAYAZHAI’ CHINESE YELLOW-GROUND GRISAILLE-DECORATED DISH, QING DYNASTY (1644-1911), GUANGXU PERIOD (1875-1908) The shallow rounded sides rising to a slightly everted rim, the interior decorated in grisaille with two bees above flowering peony, with an inscription in iron red, Dayazhai and a seal, Tiandi yijia chun (Springtime in Heaven and Earth, One Family), all reserved on the yellow enamel ground, the exterior painted with enamels on a white ground with stylized scrolling lotus, the base with the iron-red four-character mark, Long qing chang chun (‘Eternal Prosperity and Enduring Spring’). 26cm diameter, with fitted silk box PROVENANCE: Purchased: Connor Galleries, in October 1999 LITERATURE: Ronald Longsdorf, Dayazhai Ware: Porcelain of the Empress Dowager, Orientations, March 1992, pp4556. OTHER NOTES: For very similar, see Sotheby’s, London, 9 November 2016, Lot 159; Christie’s, Hong Kong, 3 December 2008, Lot 2210 $8,000-12,000 清光緒 大雅齋黃地粉墨彩牡丹桂花紋盤 估價: $8,000-12,000
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193 AN EARLY CHINESE LONGQUAN CELADON MALLET-SHAPED VASE, SONG DYNASTY (960-1279), OR LATER Well-potted, with a cylindrical body, rising from a low foot-rim to a canted shoulder, and terminating by a dish-shaped mouth. The neck with crackle glaze, flanked by an applied pair of serpentine dragon-fish handles. Covered overall in a fine bluish-green glaze, the unglazed hand-pared foot-rim revealing the dark brown dressing, with glazed base, 26.5cm high EXHIBITIONS: ‘Sparse Shadows, Flying Pearls’, QAG, 27 August 2005 - 27 November, 2005, illus. in Catalogue. LITERATURE: Southeast Asian Ceramics Society, Chinese Celadons And Other Related Wares In Southeast Asia, Singapore 1955, pp. 160-163, pls. 72 & 73 OTHER NOTES: Celadon vases of this ‘mallet’ shape generally known under the Japanese term kinuta, are among the most sought-after Longquan vessels. It has been suggested by several scholars that this shape, despite resembling a paper mallet, may in fact have been introduced to China as a glass vase or bottle from the Islamic west, possibly Iran. Reference: For similar, please refer to the mallet vase in the V&A Collection, London, given by Sir Alan Barlow, as illustrated in Rose Kerr’s, Song Dynasty Ceramics, V&A Publications, London: 2004; $10,000-15,000 似宋代早期或之後 龍泉雙耳瓶 估價: $10,000-15,000
194 A CHINESE GREEN-GLAZED POTTERY MODEL OF A TREASURE CHEST, MING DYNASTY (13681644) The locks and handle with a golden yellow glaze, 11cm high OTHER NOTES: The tomb offering, ‘mingqi’ designed to be buried with the departed to provide for the next world, ‘symbolically’ containing valuable items within the chest. $800-1,200 明 綠釉箱形器 估價：$800-1,200
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195 AN EXCEPTIONAL CHINESE GLAZED POTTERY FIGURE OF A BACTRIAN TWO-HUMPED CAMEL, TANG DYNASTY (618-906AD) Standing fours-quare on long legs upon a rectangular base, its long neck raised to support the well modelled head, with mouth open, and nostrils flared, as if braying, the amber-ochre glaze dripping majestically over the body, mouth, legs, and tail. The powerful neck with thick plaits of fur on the underside, with groomed mane. The slender cream-glazed humps leaning in opposite directions; 80cm high with fitted wooden stand. This dating of this figure is consistent with the result of a thermoluminescence test (266 c67), tested prior to October 1990 PROVENANCE: Ex Sotheby’s, Melbourne, 23 October, 1990, Lot 194; originally one of a pair sold from a Private Collection, Ex Sotheby’s, London, 10 June, 1986, Lot 9 LITERATURE: This figure has been written about in a number of articles, including the Financial Review, 25/10/1990 and The Age 20/10/1990. OTHER NOTES: At the beginning of the Tang Dynasty, the domestic two-humped bactrian camel had already been used by the Chinese for at least a thousand years. They were valuable animals, sought after for their reliability to courier men and merchandise along the silk route as the ‘ships of the desert’. Private gentlemen of means often kept camels as a sign of their wealth and position. Tomb figures such as this camel were used by the imperial elite to provide for the afterlife. Reference: For similar, please see: Christie’s New York, 17 March 2017; Christie’s, New York, 18 September, 1997, Lot 131; Sotheby’s, New York, 16 September, 2008, Lot 96; a similar figure of a Bactrian camel is illustrated by Mizuno in Toujitaikei, vol. 35, Tousansai (Tang sancai), Heibonsha series, 1977, pl. 100. See, also, the similar figure of slightly larger size (83 cm.) sold at Christie’s Paris, 15 June 2005, lot 130; a camel of the same model from the Edward T Chow Collection was included in the Exhibition of Chinese Tomb Pottery Figures, University of Hong Kong, 1953, Catalogue No D33. $40,000-60,000 唐 黃釉雙峰駝俑 估價: $ 40,000-60,000
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196 A CHINESE MANDARIN OFFICIAL’S SUMMER HAT, QING DYNASTY (1644-1911), GUANGXU PERIOD (1871-1908), CIRCA 1880 This fine example in the form of a conical crown of split bamboo cane, covered with a seamless piece of white silk gauze and decorated with tassels of red braided Manchurian silk, surmounted with a gilt copper finial supporting a crystal sphere, with gold brocade edging, with a green plume holder and peacock feather attached PROVENANCE: Purchased: Linda Wrigglesworth at Irving Galleries, London, “Echoes from China” Exhibition, in 1991, 4033/20a, Catalogue No. 80; Ex Traphagan School of Fashion, New York, USA. Collected in 1908, Acquisition no. C.8.49.B OTHER NOTES: When the Manchus assumed control of China in 1644 to establish the Qing dynasty, they introduced a new system of coloured hat finials to identify the rank of nobles and officials. The crystal sphere, as seen here, is indicative of a fifth rank official. The wearer would have accompanied this hat with either a silver pheasant or a badge of rank Reference: For a very similar example, please see: Christie’s, New York, 19 March 2008, Lot 114; the summer hat in the Newark Museum, Gift of the Iris Barrel Apfel Collection; the Collection of Ken Rutherford, NSW, as illustrated in Judith Rutherford and Jackie Menzie’s, Celestial Silks, Art Gallery of New South Wales, 2004, cat. no. 59 $3,000-5,000 清光緒 官帽 （暖帽） 估價: $3,000-5,000
197 A CHINESE MANDARIN OFFICIAL’S WINTER HAT, QING DYNASTY (1644-1911) The hemispherical paper-stiffened padded crown with upturned brim, covered with red braided silk, surmounted with gilt filigree stylised spike supporting a crystal sphere, jade holder (which would have held a peacock feather), stays and lining OTHER NOTES: For a very similar example, please see: the Newark Museum, Gift of the Iris Barrel Apfel Collection; the Collection of Ken Rutherford, NSW, as illustrated in Judith Rutherford and Jackie Menzie’s, Celestial Silks, Art Gallery of New South Wales, 2004, cat. no. 60. The crystal sphere is indicative of a fifth rank official. The plumes were awarded for service to the throne and would be transported from hat to hat as the seasons changed. This winter court hat represents the second style of crown decoration where braided red silk tassels were used rather than densely packed red silk floss. $4,000-6,000 官帽 （暖帽） 估價: $4,000-6,000
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198 A CHINESE RED SILK KESI LADIES FORMAL ROBE, 19TH CENTURY Decorated with an evenly spaced monochrome pattern of round medallions, enclosing a pair of five-clawed dragons in profile contesting a flaming pearl, set against lotus scrolls. The border at the wide cuffs and neck, with a detailed and colourful floral pattern surrounding the Eight Precious Buddhist emblems, including the unending knot, conch, lotus and double fish pattern on a golden ground, with a trimmed band of couched gold metal thread with fret pattern in brown.The floral borders are woven in the kesi technique, with matching wide horseshoe cuffs and neck edgings, against a silver thread ground, using silk and metal thread together, mounted in a perspex case measuring 197 width x 16 depth x 163cm height
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PROVENANCE: Purchased: James R. Lawson Pty Ltd., November 1972, No. 330; Ex Mr. Igor Zurich Collection, Adelaide. LITERATURE: Peter Fish, Sydney Morning Herald, 12 November, 1997 on Chinese textiles. OTHER NOTES: Red silk was used for various celebrations and this robe was probably an under robe to a more elaborate waistcoat or over garment. The dragon roundels indicate that this robe was used within the Imperial court by the wife of a first degree prince. Reference: Please see the similar c1880-1940
monochrome roundel designs on silk that form part of the Addiss Bequest of 1983 at the V&A Museum, London, as illustrated in Verity Wilson’s, Chinese Textiles, Fig. 90, p81; for very similar late 19th century example, please refer to the informal lady’s robe at the Minneapolis Institute of Art, as illustrated in Robert Jacobsen’s, Imperial Silks - Ch’ing Dynasty Textiles, Vol. I, Fig 100. $4,000-6,000 晚清十九世紀 紅地刻絲女袍 估價:$4,000-6,000
199 A CHINESE EMPEROR’S SURCOAT (GUNFU), QING DYNASTY (1644-1911) The navy satin with four woven kesi imperial dragon medallions, fastened at waist level with spherical metal buttons and silk loops, the lining a pale blue silk with a subtle monochrome key fret pattern, the arm span measuring 166cm OTHER NOTES: The gunfu was a surcoat traditionally worn by the emperor over his court robe. It is usually midnight blue and knee length so that the court robe could be seen below the hemline. The Qing dynasty regulations stipulated its use for ceremonial occasions, though imperial portraits frequently depict the ruler with this overgarment. Reference: For very similar, please refer to the Gunfu in the Imperial Robes Collection, from the Forbidden City, in the Palace Museum, Beijing, as illustrated in Ming Wilson’s, Imperial Chinese Robes From the Forbidden City, No. 5, p28; an Imperial Consort’s version of the same, originally from a Private Australian Collection, Christie’s from the Linda Wrigglesworth Collection, New York, 19 March, 2008, Lot 12 $6,000-9,000 清 石青色團龍紋彩雲金龍紋袞服 估價: $6,000-9,000
200 A FINE EXAMPLE OF A CHINESE MANCHURIAN LADY’S WAISTCOAT, QING DYNASTY (1644-1911), CIRCA 1870 Worn by a lady in waiting to the Empress of China. The bright blue silk damask, woven with butterflies and prunus blossom. The black borders are embroidered with bamboo, cherry blossom and more butterflies. The black border is edged with a ribbon of flowers. Lined in turquoise blue silk. Extremely unusual and exceptionally elegant, 76 x 140cm, in perspex case measuring 131 width x 16 depth x 162cm height PROVENANCE: Purchased from Linda Wrigglesworth, London in 1991, “Echoes from China” Exhibition, Irving Galleries, 3203, Catalogue No. 128 OTHER NOTES: It was the waistcoats ‘chaogua’, worn over the court robes that gave the women’s court dress its distinctive patterns. All were blue-black in background, though their rich decoration was subtly expressive of the imperial splendour of the court. $4,000-6,000 清 藍地對襟女坎肩 估價: $4,000-6,000
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201 A RARE CHINESE SILK ROBE FOR EMPRESS DOWAGER CIXI, QING DYNASTY (1644-1911), EARLY GUANGXU PERIOD (1875-1908) The very beautiful robe embroidered on a chestnut silk with peonies in green, lilac and ice blue, decorated with auspicious emblems for good fortune and longevity, and exquisitely edged with golden thread. A rare pleated hem, indicates an Imperial winter robe, presented in a perspex case measuring 227 width x 20 depth x 149cm height
OTHER NOTES: For a very similar robe, please see the late Qing dynasty robe, gifted by Captain and Mrs. James Thach, 1946 to the Metropolitan Museum, New York; and another robe for the Empress Dowager in the Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto, and illustrated in Mary Tregear’s, Chinese Art, No.156, p193. $10,000-20,000 清光緒早期 慈禧太后紅地牡丹團壽氅衣 估價: $10,000-20,000
PROVENANCE: Purchased: Linda Wrigglesworth, Sydney, November 1999; Butterfield and Butterfield, San Francisco, 7-9 November, 1998
202 AN IMPRESSIVE CHINESE IMPERIAL YELLOW DRAGON ROBE, (LONGPAO JIFU), QING DYNASTY (1644-1911), DAOGUANG PERIOD (c1820) This excellent and rare Manchu nine-dragon robe, has been embroidered with the finest silk and couched gold-wrapped thread on a rich satin ground of imperial yellow. The very auspicious design, symbolising the wearer’s wish for a long life. There are eight dragons on the outer garment, with an unseen ninth dragon concealed in the inner panel of the robe, representing the Confucian ideal of eight fields protected by a ninth encircling it. The front and back designed with endless scrolling clouds threaded with the five imperial colours swirling around the coral coloured bats of good fortune and happiness. The five-clawed dragons couched in gold thread, clasping the flaming pearl of wisdom and shou symbol for longevity, provide the wearer of the robe with eternal power. Resting above the four mountains of the immortals, with a deep hem of cresting waves and the lishui
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stripe, within similarly decorated black silk borders and gold braid and woven gold wan-fret edgings repeated on the horse-shoe cuffs of the black silk sleeves woven in damask with a single roundel of dragons contesting a flaming pearl. In a perspex case measuring 207.5 width x 16.5 depth x 173.5cm height PROVENANCE: Ex Private Collector, Taiwan, whose family had descended from the Manchu’s; illustrated in Sotheby’s, New York, May 1981, Lot 174; Purchased: Linda Wrigglesworth, London, Irving Galleries, 1991, 4005/2699 Catalogue no. 136 EXHIBITIONS: Art Gallery of New South Wales, Celestial Silks, Chinese Religious Court Textiles, 31 August - 24 October, 2004, illus. catalogue no. 28. LITERATURE: This robe has appeared in several journal articles.
OTHER NOTES: This imperial yellow jifu would have been worn by the Empress for official duties, important sacred ceremonies, or when giving an audience in her chambers. This style of dress, was depicted in the 1759 Court regulations revised by the Emperor Qianlong. For women, dragon robes in yellow were reserved exclusively for the empress dowager, the empress and the emperor’s first ranking consort, and was considered the most auspicious colour. Literature: G. Dickinson and L. Wrigglesworth, Imperial Wardrobe, Berkeley, rev. ed., 2000; Rutherford, J., and Menzies, J., Celestial Silks: Chinese Religious and Court Textiles, Art Gallery of New South Wales, 31 July - 24 October, 2004; Steele, V. and Major, J.S., China Chic - East Meets West, Yale University Press, London, 1999; Vollmer, J. E., Ruling from the Dragon Throne: Costume of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), Ten Speed Press, Berkeley, 2002; Cammann, S., China’s Dragon Robes, The Ronald Press Company, New York, 1952 $40,000-60,000 道光 明黃緞繡雲龍紋吉服袍 估價: $40,000-60,000
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203 AN IMPORTANT CHINESE IMPERIAL PRINCE’S ROBE, QING DYNASTY (1644-1911), CIRCA 1800-1830 The black silk Autumn Dragon Robe with imperial dragons couched in golden thread, with auspicious Buddhist and Daoist symbols, and medallion roundels of dragons on the skirt of the robe, mounted in a perspex case measuring 240 width x 15 depth x 166cm height PROVENANCE: Purchased from James R. Lawson Pty Ltd., in November 1972, No. 333; Ex Mr. Igor Zurich Collection, Adelaide $10,000-15,000 清嘉慶道光 石青龍雲朝袍 估價: $10,000-15,000
204 A CHINESE TWELVE SYMBOL EMPEROR’S SEMIFORMAL COURT ROBE, JIFU, QING DYNASTY (1644-1911), CIRCA 1850 This robe made for the Emperor, is beautifully decorated with the twelve symbols of imperial authority, arranged discreetly among a number of other symbolic and auspicious motifs. On the shoulders of the robe are the sun and the moon, on the front panel above the dragon is a constellation, below that is the fu symbol and the axe head, representing the power to judge and punish respectively, further down is the seaweed, to represent purity, and a pair of sacrificial cups, for filial piety. On the back above the dragon is a motif of mountains, and also the entwined dragons and golden pheasant for adaptability and literary refinement, above a flame motif for wisdom, and the millet symbol to represent the wearer of the garment’s ability to feed his people. The use of white thread lifts the embroidered billowing waves and creates an illusion of life and movement. The robe
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shines with the lustre of the finest silken threads. This robe is lined with imperial yellow silk, mounted in a perspex case measuring 230 width x 16 depth x 183cm height PROVENANCE: Purchased: Linda Wrigglesworth, London, Irving Galleries, 1991, 4045 Catalogue No. 137 EXHIBITIONS: Art Gallery of New South Wales, Celestial Silks, Chinese Religious Court Textiles, 31 August - 24 October, 2004, illus. catalogue no. 27 LITERATURE: This robe has appeared in several journal articles. OTHER NOTES: Blue robes were worn by the emperor at events associated with Heaven. The emperor, possibly Huangdi would have worn this robe during the day of the ceremony taking place at the Temple
of heaven. Here, the emperor would pray for rains and an excellent harvest. For centuries, the ‘twelve symbols’ were associated with the principal annual sacrifices offered by the emperor on behalf of the people at the great imperial alters. References: Rutherford, J., and Menzies, J., Celestial Silks: Chinese Religious and Court Textiles, Art Gallery of New South Wales, 31 July - 24 October, 2004; Steele, V. and Major, J.S., China Chic - East Meets West, Yale University Press, London, 1999; Vollmer, J. E., Ruling from the Dragon Throne: Costume of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), Ten Speed Press, Berkeley, 2002; Cammann, S., China’s Dragon Robes, The Ronald Press Company, New York, 1952; G. Dickinson and L. Wrigglesworth, Imperial Wardrobe, Berkeley, rev. ed., 2000 $35,000-55,000 清或之前，藍地十二章云龍紋吉服袍 估價: $35,000-55,000
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205 A CHILD’S WINTER HAT, CHINA, QING DYNASTY (1644-1911), LATE 19TH CENTURY The very handsome hat, with a quilted classical design PROVENANCE: Purchased: Linda Wrigglesworth, London, September 1999. $1,000-2,000 清十九世紀晚期 兒童冬帽 估價: $1,000-2,000
206 A RARE AND MOST HANDSOME MANDARIN’S COURT HAT, CHAOGUAN, WITH ORIGINAL BOX, QING DYNASTY (1644-1911), CIRCA 1870 The gilded hat spike indicates a fourth rank by the blue Peking glass spike and blue cabochon. The official would wear this hat when wearing his chaofu robe and piling collar. The hat is covered with a red flossed silk instead of the traditional tassels. A centrally placed (simulated) pearl on the rim indicates the front of the hat, with green peking glass plume holder. The hat with original box. Hats of this style rarely appear on the market. The laws pertaining to the jewelled hats were written in 1636. The jewel on these hats closely resembles the lamaist stone called Rdo-rje ‘master’ stone, symbolising a pure mind, the gem capable of cutting through any substance, but which itself could not be penetrated. Many priests of the lamaist church wore hats surmounted by such ‘master stones’. PROVENANCE: Ex Private American Collection; Purchased from Linda Wrigglesworth, London, in 1996. LITERATURE: G. Dickinson and L. Wrigglesworth, Imperial Wardrobe, Berkeley, rev. ed., 2000 OTHER NOTES: For similar, please see: Christie’s, South Kensington, 9 November 2012, Lot 1298 $6,000-10,000 清 朝冠（一套） 估價: $6,000-10,000
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207 TWO CHINESE FEATHER PLUMES, WITH BOXES, QING DYNASTY (1644-1911), CIRCA 1870 One fine very rare plume, bound with red silk, where extending from the plume eye, further small eyes are bound closely into the plume, with its own box PROVENANCE: Purchased: Linda Wrigglesworth, 1996. $1,000-2,000 清 翎羽（兩套） 估價：$1,000-2,000
208 A CHINESE WORK ON PAPER, 20th CENTURY CHINESE SCHOOL The festive work, brightly coloured and painted with a flying dragon clasping pearls, and a crane standing on one leg, while diving for fish, 45 x 35cm $200-400 二十世紀 紙質畫 估價:$200-400
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209 A CHINESE LANDSCAPE PAINTING, HANGING SCROLL, MING DYNASTY (1368-1644), 15TH CENTURY ZHE SCHOOL Daijin School also known as Zhe School, Ming Dynasty The painting depicts a travelling scholar-gentleman crossing a bridge at day’s end, sitting astride his weary horse, his head turned back from where he has travelled, perhaps symbolising an air of nostalgia for days passed. He is followed closely by an attendant on foot carrying a jar of wine and a wrapped box of food. His destination is the rustic country house of a recluse scholar or artist. A peasant dressed in a red garment, stands expectantly at the gate. The food and drink being carried is to nourish a conversation far from the busy world. Two pine trees, possibly symbolising the two friends, dominate the foreground, the painting measuring 160cm x 95cm PROVENANCE: Purchased in 1992, from Three Dynasties gallery, Kyoto; Ex Togendo Collection, Japan OTHER NOTES: As a young man, the artist Daijin, Founder of the Zhe School, travelled to the Nanjing capital, with his father, where he failed to make a name for himself so returned home. Where his reputation grew such that c. 1425 he was recommended to the Xuande Emperor (r. 1425-35), and he went to Beijing in the hope of securing an academy appointment. His plans were thwarted, however, by the envy of the established painter Xie Huan (fl c. 1368-1435), a favourite artist and adviser to the Xuande Emperor, who claimed to detect anti-government bias in Dai’s works. Xie took offence to Dai’s depiction of a fisherman wearing a red coat, an attire suitable for officials, but certainly not for commoners. The Xuande Emperor agreed with Xie, and according to the scholar Lang Ying, the eunuch responsible for recommending Dai was executed. Dai, however, escaped at night to Hangzhou and returned to the Zhe academy afterwards. It is interesting to note that there is a commoner dressed in red in this work as well. $5,000-8,000 明十五世紀，山水畫 立軸 估價: $5,000-8,000
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210 A FINE CHINESE PAINTING OF AN EAGLE, HANGING SCROLL, EARLY 17TH CENTURY, ANONYMOUS, AFTER WEN TONG (1019-1079), FRAMED The eagle is perched standing alone on a mountain peak near a cascading waterfall, the calligraphy to the upper right, translation, ‘painted by Wen Tong, an eagle stands alone’. The monochrome ink palette, suggestive of symbolising the integrity of a principled Confucian scholar, the painting measuring 160cm x 103cm PROVENANCE: Ex Collection of Connoisseur and Collector, the British Heiress Lady Ann Juliet Dorothea Maud Tadgell, formerly Lady Juliet de Chair, Somerset; Purchased from Michael Leach Gallery, London, 1986 OTHER NOTES: The eagle in Chinese art represents boldness and the character ‘ying’ is homophonous with the word for hero. The popular depiction in painting of an eagle standing alone, is a rebus for ‘yingxiong duli’, meaning ‘a hero who stands alone is peerless’. It alludes to a poem from the Yuan dynasty referring to the scholar-officials who were not willing to bow to foreign rulers, even at the cost of their political advancement. $5,000-8,000 明晚期清早期十七世紀早期 無名氏鷹畫像 立軸帶框 估價: $5,000-8,000
211 A CHINESE RED LACQUER ‘DOUBLE HAPPINESS’ DOCUMENT BOX With gilt raised decoration to the front, depicting a dragon and phoenix design with the characters ‘xixi’ for double happiness, with a metal lock to the front, 73 width x 48 depth x 30cm height $800-1,200 清十九世紀 紅漆描金雙喜紋蓋盒 估價：$800-1,200
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212 A FINE CHINESE HUANGHUALI SCHOLAR’S CABINET, QING DYNASTY (1644-1911), 18TH CENTURY The beautiful yellow rosewood cabinet, of classical form, the lid lifting to reveal an inner tray and to release the two front rectangular doors, which in turn reveal the inner five drawers, all brass-mounted original fittings, with rectangular handles at the sides, and two ‘hu’ vase-form handles at the front, resting on a shallow base with a gentle cut-out scroll at the front, 33 width x 23 depth x 32cm height PROVENANCE: Purchased: Raymond and Victoria Tregaskis, Sydney, 1993 OTHER NOTES: These classical small cabinets perfectly reflect the Chinese tradition of fine cabinet making. Often referred to as a Seal Chest, or Guanpixiang, they seem to have had various uses. Reference: For a similar, earlier cabinet, please refer to Mossgreen, Melbourne, 16-17 November, 2009, Lot 10; and another similarly dated, Christie’s, Hong Kong, 3 June, 2015, Lot 2822 $5,000-8,000 清十八世紀 黃花梨文房櫃 估價: $5,000-8,000
213 A FINE CHINESE HONGMU HEXAGONAL SIDE TABLE, 20TH CENTURY The natural colour of the yellow rosewood apparent on the table surface, with six elegantly tapered legs, the table, with finely cut-out shaped cartouches to the side, 73cm high $1,200-1,800 二十世紀 紅木六角桌 估價：$1,200-1,800
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214 A FINE PAIR OF BLACK LACQUER AND GILT ARM CHAIRS For a foreign market, the central back panels and seat decorated with a theme of pagodas in mystical mountains by river landscapes, with continuous floral design to the arms and legs, 56cm width x 46cm depth x 104cm height PROVENANCE: Purchased: John Sparks, London, 1964 $5,000-8,000 黑漆描金扶手椅（一對） 估價: $5,000-8,000
215 A CHINESE DISPLAY TABLE, LATE QING DYNASTY (1644-1911), 19/20TH CENTURY Profusely carved and decorated with repeated dragons and other auspicious symbols, including the ‘shou’ medallion symbol for longevity, the ‘chi’ medallion of good fortune, and the ‘xi’ character for joy, together with imagery of deer and bats for good wishes, 100cm width x 61cm depth x 71cm high PROVENANCE: Purchased: Connor galleries in 1991, Ex Bonython Family Collection $2,000-4,000 晚清 雕花木桌 估價: $2,000-4,000
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