Asaph Hyman
Global Head of Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art
The Property of a Gentleman
Lot 55
An important Imperial white jade 'Zi Qiang Bu Xi' seal Qianlong
11 November 2010, 10:30 GMT
London, New Bond StreetSold for £2,708,000 inc. premium
Looking for a similar item?
Our Chinese Ceramics & Works of Art specialists can help you find a similar item at an auction or via a private sale.
Find your local specialistAsk about this lot
An important Imperial white jade 'Zi Qiang Bu Xi' seal
Qianlong
The square seal surmounted by a superb openwork carving of a five-clawed dragon grasping with his claws onto the seal, his head raised and mouth open revealing the menacing fangs above the flaming pearl of wisdom amidst cloud scrolls, the scales on the writhing body defined by fine incisions, the square seal crisply carved with the characters Zi Qiang Bu Xi (Self-Strengthening Never Ceases), the stone of white tone with minor natural veining. 4cm x 4cm x 4cm (1 9/16in)
The square seal surmounted by a superb openwork carving of a five-clawed dragon grasping with his claws onto the seal, his head raised and mouth open revealing the menacing fangs above the flaming pearl of wisdom amidst cloud scrolls, the scales on the writhing body defined by fine incisions, the square seal crisply carved with the characters Zi Qiang Bu Xi (Self-Strengthening Never Ceases), the stone of white tone with minor natural veining. 4cm x 4cm x 4cm (1 9/16in)
Footnotes
Estimate on Request
Provenance: a European private collection, purchased by the father of the present owner in the 1960s.
The father of the present owner, a high-ranking government official, was passionate from a very young age about art and archaeology in general and Chinese and other Asian Art in particular. This passion was sparked by a trip to Paris, home to the Musée Guimet, which increased his interest in Chinese art and led to his first visit to China in 1934. Later travels also included Tibet, India and Nepal and of course, Europe and America.
During his lifetime he formed an important collection of Chinese and other Asian Art, mostly purchased in the 1950s and 1960s in Europe and America. His academic contribution is immortalised in donating part of the collection to a national museum as well as his extensive library and in his academic contributions to various publications.
The present Imperial seal remained with the family and was given to his son.
Compare a related jade Imperial 'Zi Qiang Bu Xi' seal, Qianlong, sold at Sotheby's Hong Kong, 8 October 2008, lot 2007, and recently sold again at Beijing Poly Auctions Ltd., 4 June 2010, lot 4151.
For more information click here
Additional information
Bid now on these items
