ASIAN WORKS OF ART
Auction
Monday, March 19, 2012 at 10amCONSIGNMENTS ARE CURRENTLY
BEING ACCEPTED
To have your property evaluated for possible consignment in the next auction, please contact:
Marley RabstenekConsultant Appraiser
212-427-4141, ext 299
Media Contact
Louis LeB. WebreSVP, Marketing & Media
212-427-4141, ext 232
Including Property From
Estate of Jacqueline ArangoEstate of Sydney L. Shaper
Property from an Upper East Side, New York Estate
Property of a New York Collector
Property of a Palm Beach Lady
Property of a Private Collector
The Honorable Judge Edgar Bromberger Collection
The Langsdorf Collection
RELATED ARTICLES
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Chinese Bronze Cannon and Caisson Dated 34th Year of the Reign of the Emperor Kangxi, 1695 The tapered cylindrical form...
/carousels/1746/856346.jpgSold for $362,500
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Chinese White Jade Boat; Together with a Celadon Jade Peacock Figural Group
/carousels/1746/846903.jpgSold for $122,500
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Rare Chinese Red Lacquer Covered Box and Stand
/carousels/1746/863544.jpgSold for $110,500
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Chinese Black and White Jade Toggle
/carousels/1746/857503.jpgSold for $98,500
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Pair of Chinese Jade Table Screens
/carousels/1746/846870.jpgSold for $92,500
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Chinese White Jade Covered Vase
/carousels/1746/858926.jpgSold for $92,500
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Chinese Jadeite Guanyin
/carousels/1746/855991.jpgSold for $86,500
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Chinese White Jade Snuff Bottle
/carousels/1746/857227.jpgSold for $80,500
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Xu Beihong 1938 Magpies
/carousels/1746/860146.jpgSold for $80,500
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Chinese Bronze Bell
/carousels/1746/858933.jpgSold for $68,500
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Chinese White Jade Gourd Group
/carousels/1746/857249.jpgSold for $62,500
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Chinese White Jade Covered Censer
/carousels/1746/857225.jpgSold for $56,250
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Zhang Daqian 20th Century Fishermen in a landscape
/carousels/1746/860144.jpgSold for $50,000
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Chinese Acrylic Snuff Bottle
/carousels/1746/857189.jpgSold for $46,875
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Chinese Celadon Glazed Porcelain Brushpot
/carousels/1746/842765.jpgSold for $37,500
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Chinese White Jade Ram Group
/carousels/1746/857230.jpgSold for $37,500
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Chinese White Jade Snuff Bottle
/carousels/1746/857468.jpgEstimate: $15,000 - 25,000
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Chinese White Jade Snuff Bottle
/carousels/1746/857245.jpgSold for $34,375
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Chinese School, Attributed to Ding Yong Peng Buddha atop a lion
/carousels/1746/858934.jpgSold for $31,250
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Chinese Blue and White Porcelain Inlaid Wood Six-Panel Screen
/carousels/1746/856341.jpgSold for $28,125
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Chinese Light Celadon Jade Covered Censer
/carousels/1746/846883.jpgSold for $26,250
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Chinese Spinach Jade Vase
/carousels/1746/855989.jpgSold for $25,000
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Chinese White Jade Pendant
/carousels/1746/857590.jpgSold for $25,000
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Chinese Embellished Jade Snuff Bottle
/carousels/1746/857248.jpgSold for $25,000
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Chinese Inside Painted Glass Snuff Bottle
/carousels/1746/857516.jpgEstimate: $6,000 - 8,000
DOYLE NEW YORK'S MARCH 19, 2012 ASIAN WORKS OF ART AUCTION SURPASSES $3.8 MILLION
Important 17th Century Chinese Cannon Sells for $362,500
Auction Featured the Honorable Judge Edgar Bromberger Collection and the Langsdorf Collection
We Are Currently Evaluating Property for the September 2012 Asian Works of Art Auction
Doyle New York's Asian Works of Art auction on March 19, 2012 attracted strong competition from an international audience of buyers. The mostly Asian audience in the standing-room-only salesroom offered formidable competition against absentee bidders, Internet bidders and telephone bidders from a number of countries. In all, the sale totaled $3,825,063 against a pre-sale estimate of $3,641,900-5,526,200 with 72% sold by lot and 75% by value.
Highlighting the sale was an important Chinese bronze cannon commissioned by the Emperor Kangxi that achieved $362,500. The cannon bore inscriptions in Chinese and Manchurian dating it to 1695, the 34th year of Kangxi’s reign. Made in Jingshan Nei, now part of Beijing, the cannon was also inscribed with its given name, General Zhisheng, and came with its partially-original rebuilt caisson. The cannon guarded Beijing's Hata Gate and was captured during the Boxer Rebellion of 1900. It was one of three cannon brought from China in 1901 by Col. Webb C. Hayes, the son of President Rutherford B. Hayes, and it was until recently in the Western Reserve Historical Society Collection in Cleveland, Ohio. The other two cannon are currently in the collections of West Point Military Academy in West Point, New York, and the Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Center in Fremont, Ohio.
Chinese jades in the sale featured a finely carved 19th century white jade boat carrying three diminutive passengers that fetched $122,500. Also noteworthy was an 18th century black and white jade toggle from the Honorable Judge Edgar Bromberger Collection that achieved $98,500. The toggle was superbly carved as a cluster of clam, scallop and periwinkle shells and measured a mere 2 inches in length.
A rare and exquisitely decorated Chinese red lacquer covered box and stand from the Qianlong Period, measuring 6 1/2 inches in height and 7 1/2 inches wide, sold for $110,500.
The extensive selection of Chinese snuff bottles in the auction featured a white jade example from the Honorable Judge Edgar Bromberger Collection that fetched $80,500. Dating to the Qianlong Period, it was carved as a persimmon on a gnarled and leafy stem with a coral stopper.
Chinese monochrome porcelains from the Langsdorf Collection were highlighted by a Chinese celadon glazed porcelain brushpot that fetched $37,500. Of square section, it measured 5 inches in height and bore the Qianlong seal mark on the base.
NEXT ASIAN WORKS OF ART AUCTION
Consignments are currently being accepted for Doyle New York’s September 2012 Asian Works of Art auction. We invite you to contact us for a complimentary auction evaluation. Our specialists are always available to discuss the sale of a single item or an entire collection. For information, please call Marley Rabstenek at 212-427-4141, ext 299 or email asian@DoyleNewYork.com
Images and interviews are available upon request.
MEDIA CONTACT
Louis LeB. WebreSVP, Marketing & Media
212-427-4141, ext 232
Louis@DoyleNewYork.com
| Lot 603 Chinese Bronze Cannon and Caisson Dated 34th Year of the Reign of the Emperor Kangxi, 1695 The tapered cylindrical form incised at the breech with Chinese and Manchurian character inscription reading made on the 34th year of the reign of the Emperor Kangxi at Jingshan Nei Cannon titled General Zhisheng Specification powder capacity 1 jin 8 lians, iron cannon ball 3 jins, long range shot should be set at 45 degrees with slightly more powder added from top General Manufacture Executive Hai Qing - Imperial Guard 1st Class Manufacture Overseer Ba Fu Shou - Titled Manufacture Administrator Documentation Administrators Shuo Si Tai and Ge Er Tu Casting Masters Li Wende and Yuan Shi The caisson made up of Period wheels and metal straps restored based upon a contemporary model. Diameter of bore 3 inches, diameter of trunnions 3 inches, length 63 1/2 inches, length overall 9 feet 6 inches, diameter of wheel 39 inches. Provenance: Lieutenant Colonel Webb C. Hayes Western Reserve Historical Society, Cleveland, Ohio For similar examples see West Point Military Academy, West Point, New York Rutherford B. Hays Presidential Center, Freemont, Ohio During his reign (1661-1722) the educated and enlightened Emperor Kangxi traded and learned from Europeans while resisting their expansion. He invited Jesuits to court to teach mathematics, geography and science, as well as help in diplomatic and military affairs, all in an effort to modernize the Empire. The Emperor was known as a diligent and fair ruler, reigning for 61 years. The Jesuit priest Ferdinand Verbiest was born in 1623 in Belgium. His Chinese name was Nan Huairen. In 1659 he arrived in China, and by 1660 he was summoned to Beijing to assist Johann Adam Schall von Bell, the German missionary in charge of the Imperial Astronomy Board. At court, Verbiest taught rulers and high court officials. He composed a table of all solar and lunar eclipses for the next 2000 years, thus reworking the calendar, and was awarded head of the Mathmatical Board and Director of the Observatory by the Emperor. In 1673 half of China's territory was swept into "the Rebellion of the three Feudatories". The Emperor realized the repression of the rebellion would require a much improved artillery, with particular focus on mobile and nimble cannon. Verbiest was asked to take part in the casting of these light cannon. The Emperor sent orders to the board of war When Our Grand Army marches to suppress the rebels, it will need firearms very badly. We order Nan Huairen, the Director of the Imperial Board of Astronomy, to cast light but effective cannon, convenient for transportation, Kangxi shilu, p. 6b. quoted in the translation of Fu Lo-shu, A Documentary Chronical of Sino-Western Relations (1644-1820). Verbiest fulfilled his orders. A total of 905 cannon were cast during the Emperor Kangxi's reign, more than half were under Verbiest's supervision. Verbiest wrote a book on how to cast cannon for the Qing government titled the Shenwu tushuo, which has since been destroyed, but is described in another publication by Verbiest Xichao ding'an. Three types of cannon designed by Verbiest are mentioned in the Qinding da Qing huidian (Great Qing code approved by the Emperor), shenwei, wuchengyonggu and shengong. The cannon offered in the current sale is of the shengong variety. The overseers listed are Ba Fu Shou and Shuo Si Tai, the craftsmen Li Wende and Yuan Shi, in keeping with the inscription on the gun. The cannon are always cast in bronze, the mouth of the barrel being a little narrower than the rear part. The central part of the barrel is situated with two axles which support balance and adjust the slant while enlarging the cannon's power and movability, thus meeting the needs of the warfare of the Qing Dynasty. In a letter to The Honorable L. E. Holden, president Western Reserve Historical Society, dated 9 May 1901 written at Spiegel Grove, Fremont, Ohio Lieutenant Colonel Webb C. Hayes described the background of his war souvenirs Dear Mr. Holden, I am happy to announce the arrival here of the Tartar bronze cannon which I found as part of the defense of the Ha Ta Gate of the Tartar City of Peking. These three guns were supposed to have been brought to Peking when the Mongols or Tartars conquered the Chinese some four hundred years ago and established the present reigning Tartar dynasty. These guns were used not only in bombarding the Legation but also against the allies, so it is said, and were the most interesting guns from a curio standpoint found on top of the Tartar wall of the city of Peking. The inscription on the cannon I hope can be deciphered. There were but three of these guns on the wall of Peking, and all were under Russian jurisdiction but through the efforts of Lt. Colonels [Joseph T.] Dickman [U.S.V., General Chaffee's Assistant Chief of Staff] and [Henry O.] Heistand, both Ohio men, I secured the promise of them all. Unfortunately, however, the Russians surrendered the care of the Ha Ta Gate to the Germans and with it the control of these guns, so that the whole question had to be taken up again. The three guns were hauled to Tung Chow some 15 or 20 miles and then dismantled an placed on Chinese junks for the 100 mile trip down the Pei Ho (River) to Tein Tsin (illegible)-then by rail to Tong Ku some thirty miles-then by lighter to the transport off Taku and thence to San Francisco. I believe that these are the only Chinese cannon brought to the United States. Very Truly Yours, (signed) Webb C. Hayes. C Sold For $362,500 |
| Lot 512 Chinese White Jade Boat 19th Century Carrying three passengers, wood stand in the form of breaking waves; Together with a Celadon Jade Peacock Figural Group. Length of larger 7 3/4 inches. C Sold For $122,500 |
| Lot 500 Rare Chinese Red Lacquer Covered Box and Stand Qianlong Period The plum blossom form cover carved with scholars and attendants amid overhanging trees and rockwork within a landscape, the attendants carrying a basket of lingzhi and a double-gourd flask, all within diaper and squared scroll borders, the sides each with panels of 'antiques', the stand raised on five cabriole legs between a shaped apron, the top with incised peony sprays on leafy stems, the interior with a fitted polychrome lacquer two-tier covered box, with similar blossoming floral sprays within a squared scroll border, the interior top lifting to a tray with conforming design within a 'cracked ice' border, the base tier with six fitted boxes with red bats and scrolling foliage on the covers in ochre, green and red and a red diaper pattern on the sides. Height 6 1/2 inches, width 7 1/2 inches. C Sold For $110,500 |
| Lot 81 Chinese Black and White Jade Toggle 18th Century Superbly carved as a cluster of clam, scallop and periwinkle shells, the scallop shell carved in relief with a profile of a bird. Length 2 inches. C The Honorable Judge Edgar Bromberger Collection Sold For $98,500 |
| Lot 691 Pair of Chinese Jade Table Screens Each of horizontal rectangular form, incised and gilded with blossoming prunus and iris, inscriptions on both sides, inset into a wood stand with inset jade plaques. Height 7 1/2 inches. C Sold For $92,500 |
| Lot 697 Chinese White Jade Covered Vase 19th Century Of flattened ovoid form, the neck carved with elephant head and loose ring handles, the body worked in relief with stylized dragons on a squared scroll ground, conforming domed lid with bud-shaped knop. Height 8 1/8 inches. C Sold For $92,500 |
| Lot 696 Chinese Jadeite Guanyin The sinuous figure standing dressed in long flowing robes, holding a scroll, the hair gathered in a knotted bun on her head, the stone a light celadon with soft apple green variations. Height 15 inches. C Sold For $86,500 |
| Lot 26 Chinese White Jade Snuff Bottle Qianlong Period The irregular form carved as a persimmon on a gnarled and leafy stem with a lingzhi fungus and tassel on one shoulder, coral stopper, the white stone with minor honey brown inclusions. Height 2 3/8 inches. C The Honorable Judge Edgar Bromberger Collection Sold For $80,500 |
| Lot 625 Xu Beihong 1938 Magpies Signed 1938 Hong Kong early winter Ink and color on paper Image 14 3/4 x 14 1/4 inches Unmounted Provenance: Acquired by previous owner in Hong Kong in the 1960s C Sold For $80,500 |
| Lot 532 Chinese Bronze Bell 19th Century Highly cast with sinuous dragons between character panels reading made in the 55th year of the Emperor Kangxi, between a band of discs at the foot and clouds below the shoulder, double dragon-form loop handle. Height 11 1/2 inches. C Sold For $68,500 |
| Lot 86 Chinese White Jade Gourd Group Qianlong Period Carved as a large and small gourd issuing from a naturalistically carved gnarled branch with leaves and blossoming flowers and butterflies perched on vine tendrils, the even pale stone with russet inclusions. Height 2 3/4 inches. C The Honorable Judge Edgar Bromberger Collection Sold For $62,500 |
| Lot 88 Chinese White Jade Covered Censer 18th Century The compressed globular body flanked by a pair of stylized scroll and dragon head handles framing taotie masks carved in relief and set on a spreading foot carved with an inverted shield border, the domed lid worked with a composite foliate scroll below a lappet band a pierced peony blossom finial, wood stand. Height 4 1/2 inches. C The Honorable Judge Edgar Bromberger Collection Sold For $56,250 |
| Lot 664 Zhang Daqian 20th Century Fishermen in a landscape Signed two seals Ink on paper Image 38 x 14 1/2 inches Framed Provenance: Private Collection, Hawaii Acquired directly from the artist C Sold For $50,000 |
| Lot 209 Chinese Acrylic Snuff Bottle 20th Century Of flattened rectangular form, raised on a low foot, one side incised with farmers with baskets of flowers, the reverse with a boy and ox, gilt-metal stopper. Height 2 3/4 inches. C The Honorable Judge Edgar Bromberger Collection Sold For $46,875 |
| Lot 397 Chinese Celadon Glazed Porcelain Brushpot 20th Century Of square section with recessed panels on each side, glazed in a light blue green with darker splashed design, base with Qianlong seal mark. Height 5 inches. C The Langsdorf Collection Sold For $37,500 |
| Lot 85 Chinese White Jade Ram Group Late 18th century Delicately worked with two recumbent rams grasping a spray of blossoming flower in their mouths, the bodies curved in toward one another with the legs tucked beneath them. Length 2 1/4 inches. C The Honorable Judge Edgar Bromberger Collection Sold For $37,500 |
| Lot 125 Chinese White Jade Snuff Bottle 18th Century The irregular gourd shape carved in relief with an insect and leafy gnarled stems, coral stopper. Height 2 1/2 inches. C The Honorable Judge Edgar Bromberger Collection Sold For $37,500 |
| Lot 124 Chinese White Jade Snuff Bottle 18th Century The gourd shape carved in relief surrounded by a bat flying amid gourd vines, the stone an even white tone with one area of chestnut skin, coral stopper. Height 2 5/8 inches. C The Honorable Judge Edgar Bromberger Collection Sold For $34,375 |
| Lot 526 Chinese School, Attributed to Ding Yong Peng Buddha atop a lion Signed, four seals (lr) Ink and color on paper Image 24 x 12 1/4 inches Provenance: Doyle New York, September 14, 2009, lot 88 C Sold For $31,250 |
| Lot 636 Chinese Blue and White Porcelain Inlaid Wood Six-Panel Screen 19th Century Each vertical panel inset with five blue and white plaques delicately painted with figures in various landscapes, the surrounding frame pierced with double gourds hanging from leafy vines. Height 6 feet 8 inches, width 8 feet 6 inches. C Sold For $28,125 |
| Lot 547 Chinese Light Celadon Jade Covered Censer The tapering hexagonal form raised on four scrolled leaf-form legs, the body with an S-shaped square loop-form handle, lid carved and pierced with scrolling foliage with a conforming finial with foliate and loose ring handles. Height 7 1/4 inches. C Sold For $26,250 |
| Lot 573 Chinese Spinach Jade Vase 18th Century The hu form carved with raised vertical bands, the stone a deep rich green. Height 6 inches. With G.I.A. report #1142319860 stating that the nephrite jade is of natural colors with no indications of impregnation. C Sold For $25,000 |
| Lot 713 Chinese White Jade Pendant Of shaped rectangular form, carved on one side with a stylized phoenix, the reverse with four characters, all within a scrolling border. Height 2 inches. C Sold For $25,000 |
| Lot 215 Chinese Embellished Jade Snuff Bottle 18th/19th Century, embellishment Isuda Family, Kyoto, Japan 1900-1940 Of flattened rectangular shape, with a cylindrical neck and raised on a low foot rim, the stone even green tone embellished with soapstone, tortoise shell, mother-of-pearl, lacquer, silver and pearl, depicting a courtesan with attendant admiring a potted bonsai on a rootwood table before a large screen and another figure kicking at a ball, all in a garden setting, soapstone stopper. Height 2 5/8 inches. C The Honorable Judge Edgar Bromberger Collection Sold For $25,000 |
| Lot 137 Chinese Inside Painted Glass Snuff Bottle Signed Ye Zhongsan and dated Renyin 1902 Of flattened form, finely painted on each side with a mounted hunter spearing a deer in a winer landscape and a group of inscribed paper items, glass stopper. Height 2 3/8 inches. C The Honorable Judge Edgar Bromberger Collection Sold For $23,750 |
