Imperial Qianlong Porcelain Vase

The auction had a phenomenal start when Lot 1, the magnificent Chinese Imperial blue-glazed silver and gilt 'Bat and Crane' vase sold for an astounding hammer price of £1.2 million.

Commenting on this exciting result, Mark Newstead, Specialist Consultant at Dreweatts for Asian Ceramics and Works of Art, said, "We are delighted with the result which saw very strong interest from China, Hong Kong, America, and the UK and shows the demand for the very finest porcelain. A fabulous result and we feel privileged to have been entrusted to sell this at Dreweatts".

It was purchased by a surgeon in the 1980s for a few hundred pounds and passed from the father to son, who also, not realising its true value positioned it in his kitchen. It was only when a visiting specialist spotted it, that its true value and history was revealed.

The vase was a magnificent example of Imperial Qianlong porcelain. It was remarkable for its highly unusual enamelling techniques with a striking and exceptionally rare palette of gold and silver against a vivid blue ground, which gives the vase a brilliance of tone. This vase was a testament to the creativity of craftsmen working during the Qianlong period in exploring and perfecting enamelling techniques to cater to the emperor's taste for the innovative and the exotic while remaining rooted in antiquity.

A Chinese flambé hu vase

Another exceptional item was Lot 200, a Chinese flambé hu vase, bearing the Xuantong mark. It sold for an impressive £181,250. This vase was gifted by the last emperor of China, 'Puyi' (1906-1967), to a British diplomat, for helping extinguish a fire at the palace in 'The Forbidden City' in 1923.

It was sold with an accompanying original letter, dated 27 June and the original envelope, addressed to Mr Joseph B. Carson, from the Imperial Ministry of the Household at the Forbidden City. The letter thanks Mr Carson, then secretary to H.B.M, Legation, Peking, for his assistance in fighting the fire at the Jianfu Palace Garden complex in the Forbidden City on 27 June [1923].

In addition to his thanks, the Emperor commanded that Mr Carson be presented with four porcelain vases and four bowls, detailed in an accompanying hand written list, of which this vase forms one of the original four vases described.

A Chinese blue and white vase

Another highlight was Lot 150, a fine Chinese blue and white vase, 'meiping', Yongzheng period. This striking piece sold for £87,500. It was beautifully painted around the sides with a band of mallow meander bearing blossoms separated by leaves, while the shoulder was decorated with cranes dancing amidst foliage.

Mark Newstead, commented "This was a good example of Chinese blue and white porcelain dating from the Yongzheng period (1722-1735) which was a short-lived reign but noted for its fine porcelain. This vase was a large 18th century piece referencing the Yuan Dynasty designs."

A Chinese wooden figure of Bodhisattva

From the Ming dynasty we had Lot 131, a large Chinese wooden figure of Bodhisattva. Standing at 144cm high, the figure is designed wearing loose long-flowing robes, the face finely carved in a contemplative expression with downcast eyes, traces of pigment remaining. With a pre-auction estimate of £10,000-15,000, it sold for £85,000.

A Chinese crepe silk Han Chinese women's robe

The sale had a fantastic collection of Chinese textiles mainly from an American collection formed in the 1980’s and 1990’s. A highlight was Lot 120, an orange-red Chinese crepe silk Han Chinese women's robe from the Qing Dynasty, circa 1820, which sold for £25,000. 

It was beautifully embroidered in a rich satin stitch, depicting the Dragon boat festival which takes place on the 5th day of 5th month of each lunar year. The front and back of the robe showed Mandarins walking across bridges with bird cages; small children swimming and having fun in the river; different boats small and large filled with people cheering alongside the grand blue dragon boats with oarsman rowing to win the race; other boats small and large depict intimate scenes of concubines being rowed to mysterious pavilions; and fishermen and families enjoying the festivities of the day around rocky islands with trees and houses.

A Chinese bronze archaistic vase

Formerly in the collection of Madame Safia Sassi in Paris, we had Lot 29, a Chinese bronze archaistic vase, hu, from the Qing Dynasty, which sold for £25,000. 

Cast with stylized masks and inlaid details, it featured large formal lappets to the body and further bands of geometric waves on a cell-ground. The large loop side-handles were then cast as mythical beasts, while the base was cast with scripts.

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AUCTION RESULTS
18 May | Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art (Part 1: Lot 1)
18 May | Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art (Part 1: Lot 2-200)
19 May | Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art (Part 2) and Japanese, Indian and Islamic Art

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