Chinese Qing Jade Brush Rest Fetches €487,500, Six Times Its Estimate of €80,000

In Paris auction week, Christie’s Art d'Asie sale was led by a 13th-century thangka of Vajravarahi mandala that fetched €607,500, the highest price of the sale. Other highlights included a Chinese Qing jade brush rest, a Yuan statue of Bodhisattva, and a statue of Hevajra in silver, which were sold for prices far exceeding their estimates.

The white jade brush rest from the Qing dynasty, 18th-19th century, measures 20 cm in length. It comes from a French private collection. It was acquired by the grandfather of the present owner in France in the 1920s.


The auctioneer started the bidding at €60,000 and put the hammer down at €400,000, five times its estimate of €80,000. It sold for €487,500 with premium included.

The white jade brush rest depicts a vivid scene figuring farmers and horses crossing an arched bridge overlooking four boats of a floating market. It seems to be the only example with its original spinach green jade base decorated with rocks and waves.


There is an extremely similar white jade brush rest in the collection of Palace Museum, Beijing but it doesn’t have the original base like the present one.

A 15th-century statue of Hevajra in silver also elicited an intense bidding battle. The bidding started at €65,000 and continued until the hammer was brought down at €360,000, more than nearly four times its estimate of €80,000. It sold for €439,500 with premium included.


Measuring 12cm in height, the statue is made of silver while its jewellery is heightened with gold enhancing its rarity and sheer beauty. Even though the original pedestal is lost, the overall composition of the figure seems to create an organic rhythm resulting in a dynamic force.


Hevajra is represented standing in alidasana whereas his main hands are embracing his consort, Nairatmya, whose name means ‘no self’. The sixteen arms of the Hevajra each holds a kapala surmounted by an animal or a deity.

Another highlight of the sale was a statue of Bodhisattva from Yuan dynasty, 42 cm tall, estimated at €80,000-€120,000. The auctioneer started the bidding at €65,000 and put the hammer down at €280,000, a winning bid offered by an online bidder from China, who bought the statue for €343,500 with premium included.


The body of this figure is androgynous and the face has a gentle softness. It is almost certainly a representation of Guanyin, who is often depicted in rajalilasana. The name Guanyin literally means ‘she who listens to the sound’ and is one of the most popular Buddhist deities in China. Although this bodhisattva originated in India as Avalokitesvara in male form, in China over time the figure was transformed into female form and was especially associated with compassion. 

Realising the highest price at the sale was a Mandala De Vajravarahi thangka from the 13th century Tibet. It was hammered down at €500,000 and sold for €607,500. The painting Vajravarahi or the ‘Diamond Sow’ in a striking double triangle situated within a band of lotus petals and flames, forming the outer border of her mandala. Her blue painted sow-head that emerges from the right side of her head is associated with overcoming ignorance.


The lower register depicts five deities with their consorts in sexual union. They most likely present Samvara and his consort Vajravarahi. The upper register depicts various historical figures linked to bKa brgyud pa order, headed by the blue Adi Buddha Vajradhara. These are from left to right, Naropa, Marpa, Milarepa, sGam po pa, Phag mo gru pa and most likely Thang pa Chen po, who founded the Taklung monastery in 1180.


Top five lots

Important Thangka Representant Le Mandala De Vajravarahi
Tibet, Xiiieme Siecle

Lot no.: 13
Size: 42.5 x 35.5cm
Provenance
The Private Collection of Lionel and Danielle Fournier of Himalayan Art, collected in Europe during 1970s-1980s.

Estimate: €400,000 - 600,000
Hammer price: €500,000
Price realised: €607,500

Rare Et Important Repose-pinceaux en Jade Blanc Et Son Socle en Jade Vert Epinard
Chine, Dynastie Qing, Xviiieme-xixeme Siecle

Lot no.: 117
Size: 20cm
Provenance
French private collection, acquired by the grand-father of the present owner in France in the 1920s.
Estimate: €80,000 - 120,000
Hammer price: €400,000
Price realised: €487,500

Importante Statue De Hevajra en Argent Incruste D'or
Tibet, Circa Xveme Siecle

Lot no.: 29
Size: 12cm
Provenance:
The Private Collection of Lionel and Danielle Fournier of Himalayan Art, collected in Europe during 1970s-1980s.
Estimate: €80,000 - 120,000
Hammer price: €360,000
Price realised: €439,500

Important Paubha Representant Avalokiteshvara
Nepal, Circa 1300

Lot no.: 36
Size: 65 x 53cm
Provenance:
The Private Collection of Lionel and Danielle Fournier of Himalayan Art, collected in Europe during 1970s-1980s.
Estimate: €300,000 - 400,000
Hammer price: €320,000
Price realised: €391,500

Rare Et Importante Statue De Bodhisattva en Porcelaine Qingbai
Chine, Dynastie Yuan (1279-1368)

Lo no.: 155
Size: 42cm
Provenance:
European private collection, acquired in the 1960s-1970s in the French art market by repute.
Estimate: €80,000 - 120,000
Hammer price: €280,000
Price realised: €343,500

Rare Et Important Vase Couvert Imperial en Emaux Cloisonnes, Lei
Chine, Dynastie Qing, Epoque Qianlong (1736-1795)

Lot no.: 108
Size: 45cm
Provenance:
Previously in a Belgian and then in a French private collection.
Estimate: €150,000 - 200,000
Hammer price: €280,000
Price realised: €343,500


Auction summary

Auction house: Christie’s Paris
Sale: Art d’Asie
Sale date: 12 December 2018
Sale total: €7,175,000