When thinking of Christie’s London’s Classics Week auctions, one's mind tends to hover towards Europe, the Old Masters, ancient Greek and Roman art, and rare prints and manuscripts. One rarely considers Imperial China within these confines, but The Exceptional Sale defied that by putting on sale a collection of both European and Chinese sculptures and finely crafted furniture.
Dominating the 2 July sales by far and away was a bronze head of the Greek god Eros made in the Hellenistic Period, which went for £1,855,000 (around US$2.4 million), over triple the low estimate.
This was followed by a finely crafted table clock and jewelry cabinet, both from the Qing court, but produced in a Western style, representing a blending of design styles. Both lots exceeded their low estimates by solid margins.
Lot 30⏐A Greek Bronze Head Of Eros
Circa Hellenistic Period, Circa 2nd-1st Century B.C.
Height: 23.6 cm
Provenance:
- Sydney J. Lamon (1897-1973), New York
- Antiquities; Christie's, London, 5 December 1973, lot 297
- Acquired by the family of the present owner from the above
Estimate: £500,00-700,00
Hammer Price: £1,500,000
Sold: £1,855,000 (around US$2.40 million)
The period of Hellenistic Greece is a concept from the 1800s. No one from Greece would have referenced that period between the end of Alexander’s conquests and the rise of Rome as Hellenistic. However, in retrospect, the rapid spread of Greek culture across the Old World was a defining feature that singled out the era.
Another defining feature of the Hellenistic period was its culture, with this statue of the Greek god of love and passion, Eros, exemplifying a certain style common in the era. Most notable was the focus on human expressiveness in their art. It was the first time Greek artists would put details into the human face, regardless of age group, ethnicity, or the expression made.
The details, noticeable emotions, and expression of Eros’ face in this bronze statue are typically Hellenistic, especially in areas such as the lips, chin, eyebrows, and the tilted nature of the statue overall. So visible is the emotion that the sculptor put into the statue that it appears as if the statue is scowling or smirking at the viewer, depending on the angle.
William-Adolphe Bouguereau (1825-1905) |A Girl Defending Herself Against Eros (1880), 81.6 x 57.8 cm| Getty Centre, Los Angeles
Eros himself was also a popular subject among Greek artists of the period. Many ancient Greek cities had cults devoted to Eros, especially in southern Greece. Additionally, while Eros was usually worshiped by cults in conjunction with Aphrodite, god of love and beauty, Eros had two cults of his own in Thespeia and Parium, now in modern Turkey.
Eros’ popularity as a god extended to the Romans. The Romans would borrow much of Greek mythology and its pantheon, renaming and adapting them for their purposes. Zeus became Jupiter, Ares became Mars, and Eros became the more recognizable Cupid.
Aside from its cultural background, the work is also chock full of details that exhibit its quality. On the neck are highly visible “Venus rings.” These are created by the torsion between the folds of the skin. The lips are also highly detailed, along with the jawline, exhibiting a strong understanding of human anatomy and facial structure.
The other striking component besides the face is Eros’ hair. It is an elaborate style that highlights the sculptor's skill at making locks of braided hair that appear to flow. It also depicts a style where the hair is parted and moved to the sides as it clumps around Eros’ ear.
Lot 16⏐Guangzhou Workshops⏐An Imperial Chinese Ormolu And Paste-Set Automaton, Musical, and Striking Table Clock
Circa Qianlong Period (1736-1795), Late 18th Century
Dimensions: 85 x 36.2 x 28.5 cm
Provenance:
- Kaichiro Nezu, Sr., Nezu Museum, Japan
- Christie’s, Hong Kong, 27 May 2008, lot 1508 (sold HK$29,447,500 / £1,917,000 / $3,790,000)
- Private collection, France
- Aponem, Paris, 30 June 2023, lot 30
Estimate: £500,000 - 800,000
Hammer Price: £600,000
Sold: £756,000 (US$981,798)
When trade began opening up between Europeans and the Qing Dynasty during the reign of the Kangxi Emperor (1662–1722), much of this interaction was centered around Guangzhou. The port city became a hub for inbound Western goods, and as such, workshops devoted to remaking and crafting Western goods emerged, including clocks that were original copies and replicas of European imports.
It is believed that this clock was fashioned by the Guangzhou workshop in the style of London clockmaker Benjamin Ward (active 1770–1811). His clocks appear in the Palace Museum collections and bear a striking style similarity to the clock sold in the London sale. Aspects such as the tiered design, bright enameled colors, especially blue, and mechanical features, including musical features, all point to this connection.
However, while the clock borrowed style and mechanical aspects from the British clockmaker, there are substantial design choices that are inherently Chinese that were added by those who made the clock, separating it from being a Western clock simply built in China.
Bejeweled rotating flowers and a blossoming flower piece surround the paired counter-rotating Catherine Wheels
The bottom tier of the clock has painted figures and a scene inside the encasement
These more special features include the rotating trees found on the tiers of the clock, as well as the use of blossoming flowers. This gives the clock a more naturalistic feel and was common in both European clocks and locally developed Chinese clocks. These can be found on the same level and above the clock section, are emblazoned with gems, and are all connected by a “central branch” that runs through the clock, controlling its movements.
The most strikingly designed element is the “Catherine Wheel,” mounted at the top and encased. This feature was very Chinese in its origins, as they are somewhat unusual for their era. Encased behind glass, the two wheels rotate in opposite directions and are made even more special by the blue enamel design.
The bottom tier also contains an enclosed scene of painted figures and animals. These figures, being followed by mules and other pack animals, are described as tributaries who are framed as being part of a procession of sorts.
These highly complex and Westernized clocks were popular in China, so the idea that this specific one could have been gifted to the Qing Court is not impossible; otherwise, it was sold in the local markets.
Lot 5⏐A George II Gold and Ormolu Jewellery Cabinet Set with Simulated Agate, Bloodstone, And Lapis-Lazuli
Circa 1757
Dimensions: 25.1 x 12.4 x 12.4 cm
Provenance:
- According to the label, collected by Li Yongbiao in the 24th year of the Qianlong reign (1759)
- The Collection of Samuel Craft Davis (1871-1940), St. Louis, Missouri
- Thence by descent to his daughter Alita Davis Weaver (1905-1988) and her husband William Bigler Weaver (1908-1979), Greenwich, Connecticut
- To his granddaughter Alita Davis Weaver Reed (d.2023 ) and her husband Nathaniel Pryor Reed (1933-2018), Jupiter Island, Florida
- To the present owners
Estimate: £200,000 - 300,000
Hammer Price: £290,000
Sold: £365,400 (US$473,613)
Another western piece from the Qing Dynasty is this jewelry cabinet that originated in Britain. It is designed as a three-tiered pagoda decorated with carefully carved gold scenes and various gems and jewels. Each of the levels contains drawers for jewels, which include rings from the reign of the Qianlong Emperor (1711–1799) and Buddhist prayer beads, among other valuables.
The piece’s history is its main draw, as it was commissioned by a merchant. from Britain’s East India Company for trading with China. Emperor Qianlong had a keen eye for the ostentatious, and many merchants dealing with the Qing court would often commission these fabulous goods to present as gifts to officials in Beijing.
The Chinese label included with the cabinet notes that it arrived in Canton on April 1, 1759, on the ship Pitt. They were received by Li Yongbiao, the then-Hoppo of Canton, the person in charge of managing imports, enforcing tariffs, and receiving gifts destined for the court. The rings found in the cabinet are the most telling sign that the goods arrived at their destined location, as they are adorned with auspicious animals and symbols that are claimed to be linked to the Imperial family.
Other Highlighted Lots:
Lot 23⏐Bernard I Van Risenburgh (?-1767)⏐A Louis XIV Ormolu-Mounted Polychrome-Decorated 'boulle Marquetry' Bureau Mazarin
Circa 1700-1710
Dimensions: 80 x 122.5 x 75 cm
Provenance:
- Lady Julia Annabelle Shuckburgh-Evelyn (1756-1797), Buxted Park, East Sussex
- Bequeathed to her husband Sir George Augustus Shuckburgh-Evelyn, 6th Bt. (1751-1804)
- Thence by descent to his daughter Julia Evelyn Medley Shuckburgh-Evelyn, 3rd Countess of Liverpool (1790-1814), Buxted Park, East Sussex
- By descent to her daughter
- Lady Catherine Vernon-Harcourt (1811-1877), Buxted Park, East Sussex
- By inheritance to her husband Colonel Francis Vernon Harcourt at Buxted Park, East Sussex
- Thence by descent to Henry Berkeley Portman, 3rd Viscount Portman of Bryanston (1860-1923)
- Thence by descent to his wife Emma Andalusia Frere Portman (1861-1929) and inventoried in 1925 as part of the ‘Vernon-Harcourt Heirlooms’ at Ladywell, Bournemouth
- Thence by descent to Lady Moyra Dawson-Damer
- Thence by descent to the present owner
Estimate: £100,000 - 150,000
Hammer Price: £260,000
Sold: £327,500 (US$424,403)
Lot 22⏐Nicolas Sageot (1666-1731)⏐A Louis XIV Ormolu-Mounted Polychrome-Decorated 'boulle Marquetry' Commode
Circa 1710
Dimensions: 84 x 132 x 69 cm
Provenance:
- Possibly Sir David Dalrymple of Hailes, 3rd Bt. Lord Hailes (1726-92), and by descent to his eldest daughter Christian Dalrymple (1765-1838) who died without issue
- Thence by inheritance to her half-nephew, Sir Charles Dalrymple Fergusson of Kilkerran, 5th Bt. (1800-1849)
- By descent to his son Sir Charles Dalrymple [Fergusson] of Newhailes, 1st Bt. MP (1839-1916)
- Sir David Dalrymple of Newhailes, 2nd Bt. (1879-1932). Sir Mark Dalrymple of Newhailes, 3rd Bt. (1915-1971) and his wife, Lady Antonia Stewart (1924-217), daughter of the Earl of Galloway
- Christie's London, 5 July 2018, lot 124, where acquired by the present owner (£332,750)
Estimate: £120,000 - 180,000
Hammer Price: £240,000
Sold: £302,400 (US$391,877)
Lot 23⏐Grand Ducal Workshops, Florence⏐An Italian Marble and Pietre Dure Table Top
Circa Late 16th Century
Dimensions: 97.5 x 97.5 cm
Provenance:
- The Cavalli Family, Pontremoli, Massa
- By repute, acquired in the 20th century from the collection of the Piedi family, Pontremoli, whose palazzo faced the Cavalli family palace
- Private European Collection
- Treasures; Sotheby’s, London, 8 July 2015, lot 4, where acquired by the present owner
Estimate: £120,000 - 180,000
Hammer Price: £200,000
Sold: £252,000 (US$326,993)
Lot 13⏐James Cox (1723-1800)⏐A George III Jewelled Gold And Silver-Mounted Hardstone Necessaire with Watch
Circa 1770
Dimensions: 9.6 x 7.5 x 10.8 cm
Provenance:
- Sir John Keswick K.C.M.G. (1906-1982) and Clare, Lady Keswick (1905-1998)
- Thence by descent
Estimate: £120,000 - 180,000
Hammer Price: £170,000
Sold: £214,200 (US$277,944)
Lot 34⏐A workshop in Vizagapatam⏐A Pair Of Anglo-Indian Ivory-Inlaid Padouk Side Chairs
Circa Mid-18th Century
Dimensions: 103.5 x 50.8 x 48.3 cm
Provenance:
- By tradition, a gift from the Nawab of Arcot to a British East India Company official
- Acquired in Spain by Baron Lionel de Rothschild (1808-79) and subsequently installed at 148, Piccadilly, London, W.1.
- Thence by descent to Victor Rothschild, Esq., 148, Piccadilly, London where the suite was recorded in the library, central hall (or entrance hall) and lobby (or west lobby) in 1882, 1904, 1915, 1924 and 1928
- Sold from 148 Piccadilly, by order of Victor Rothschild; Sotheby's house sale, 20 April 1937, lot 195 (part), to Partridge
- With Lennox Money Antiques, London, December 1973
- Acquired circa 1973 and sold Anonymous sale; Christie's, London, 9 July 1998, lot 51
- The Collection of Lily & Edmond Safra; sold, Sotheby's, New York, 3-4 November 2005, lot 141
- The Exceptional sale; Christie's, London, 4 July 2019, lot 119, where acquired by the present owner
Estimate: £100,000 - 150,000
Hammer Price: £160,000
Sold: £201,600 (US$261,595)
Auction Details:
Auction House: Christie’s London
Sale: The Exceptional Sale
Date: 2 July 2024
Number of Lots: 62
Sold: 34
Unsold: 28
Sale Rate: 54%
Sale Total: £7,193,620 (Around US$9.33 million)