Following Christie’s announcement about its autumn offerings, Sotheby’s New York has also revealed twelve pieces of highlights for the autumn auction, including a carved ‘Ding’ vase of Northern Song dynasty, a Zhang Daqian’s landscape painting, a bronze figure of Budai in the 4th year of Jiajing, a Huanghuali furniture and an archaic jade. We are going to introduce five of them in the first round of the preview.
Two ceramic wares are estimated at US$ 500,000 – 700,000, the highest estimate of this sale. The first one is a Ding meiping vase of Northern Song dynasty, elegantly potted and carved with peony blooms. Originated in Tang dynasty, Ding ware peaked in Northern Song dynasty and ended in Yuan dynasty. Produced with mainly white porcelain, Ding ware stood out as a unique kind in late Northern Song and was imitated by other kilns like Yangcheng kiln and Pingding kiln, altogether known as the hubs of ‘Ding ware’.
Another one is a Blue and White Ewer of Yongzheng that potted with a slightly tilted mouth, a slender neck and a broad cylindrical body. The ewer is in an exotic design and its distinctive form is believed to be derived from European or Middle Eastern metalwork. The lower body and shoulder are encircled by chrysanthemum petals, which was viewed as a particular innovation of the Yongzheng period.
The third highlight is Zhang Daqian (1899-1983)’s Blue Cliff and Old Tree, estimated at US$450,000 – 650,000, marked with the year Wushen (1968). Zhang was suffering from deteriorating eyesight when he created this piece but he was able to reach another new height in his artwork. It was painted when Zhang was living in his house ‘Bade Yuan’ in Brazil, where the present owner bought directly from the artist himself.
The fourth highlight is Wang Hui (1632-1717)’s Landscape after Ni Zan, estimated at US$300,000 – 500,000. Wang Hui was an early Qing painter who was best-known for copying many lost Song paintings. Ni Zan (1301-1374) was a notable artist of Nanzong landscape painting. Ni Zan, Huang Gongwang, Wu Zhen and Wang Meng are collectively called ‘The Four Masters of the Yuan Dynasty’.
A gilt-lacquer bronze figure of Budai made in the 4th year of Jiajing is estimated at US$250,000 – 350,000. Maitreya is the future Buddha but he is believed to be incarnated as Budai (Cloth Sack) with a fat belly, an image that often used in artwork for his representation. Since the Emperor Jiajing believed in Taoism and suppressed Buddhism, Buddha statues were scarcely made during that period.
First round’s highlights
An Exceptional and Extremely Rare Carved ‘Ding’ ‘Peony’ Vase of Northern Song Dynasty
Sale: Important Chinese Art
Sale date: 2017/9/13
Estimate: US$500,000 - 700,000
A Rare and Magnificent Blue and White Ewer of Yongzheng Seal Mark and Period
Sale: Important Chinese Art
Sale date: 2017/9/13
Estimate: US$500,000 - 700,000
Zhang Daqian (Chang Dai-Chien) Blue Cliff and Old Tree
Sale: Fine Classical Chinese Paintings & Calligraphy
Sale date: 2017/9/14
Estimate: US$450,000 - 650,000
Wang Hui Landscape After Ni Zan
Sale: Fine Classical Chinese Paintings & Calligraphy
Sale date: 2017/9/14
Estimate: US$300,000 - 500,000
An Exceptionally Rare and Large Gilt-Lacquer Bronze Figure of Budai Date Jiajing 4th Year (1525)
Sale: Important Chinese Art
Sale date: 2017/9/13
Estimate: US$250,000 - 350,000