Asian Art | Knightsbridge, 13-14 May
Collector's Treasures: Asian Art Online ,13-20 May
Fine Chinese Art | New Bond Street, 16 May

London – A magnificent and exceptionally rare monumental archaistic bronze ritual wine vessel, Fang Hu, dating to the Song/Ming Dynasty with exceptional provenance leads the Chinese Art sales in London this May. It is offered with an estimate of £80,000-120,000.

Asaph Hyman, Global Head of Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art commented, "This vessel is undeniably a masterpiece of archaistic bronze casting and design and has a highly distinguished documented pedigree. Originally in the collection of one of the most eminent Chinese statesmen in the late Qing dynasty, Li Hongzhang, it was sold in 1918 to a distinguished group of Swedish gentlemen including the Swedish Crown Prince Gustaf VI Adolph (later King of Sweden) and the industrialist Axel Carlander, who became its owner. We are delighted to be offering this special piece during the forthcoming week of Asian art sales in London."

The remarkable Fang Hu vessel, offered in the Fine Chinese Art Sale in New Bond Street on 16 May, was inspired by Western Zhou dynasty vessels but made during the Song/Ming dynasty. The design is crisply cast and exceptionally well-balanced. This is clearly seen in the relief of the design emphasised by the unadorned space around it, alternating with the plain pedestal lower body and rim, showcasing the magnificent contours and size of the monumental ritual vessel, all framed by the simulated leather strapwork with diamond shaped bosses.

An illustrious history

As well as quelling several major rebellions, the vessel's original owner, Li Hongzhang (1823-1901) served in several important positions in the Qing Imperial Court and was presented with the Royal Victorian Order by Queen Victoria. The Fang Hu vessel formed part of his personal collection and was then passed to his nephew and adopted son Li Jingfang (1854-1934), when it was dated as Shang dynasty, whilst in fact it was a masterpiece of Song/Ming dynasty archaic revival.

Private collections of outstanding quality and provenance

The Fine Chinese Art sale will showcase several remarkable private collections, including The John E. Bodie OBE (1930-2023) Collection of Chinese Art which features a superb range of Tang to Qing ceramics including a very rare imperial Wucai 'Boys' jar, Wanli six-character mark of the period (1573-1620), offered with an estimate of £60,000-80,000. The jar, boldly decorated in bright enamels, portrays a continuous scene of eight boys at play engaging in various leisurely pursuits from flying a flag to playing with crickets. Also offered in this collection is a very rare peachbloom glazed 'Beehive' waterpot, Taibozun, Kangxi six-character mark and of the period with an estimate of £60,000-80,000.

Also featured is a selection from a Princely Collection including an exceptional Yixing Stoneware Slip-decorated Brushpot, Bitong, Yang Jichu three-character seal-mark, Qianlong (1736-1795). It is extremely rare to see an Yixing stoneware brushpot adorned with coloured slip decoration, and the present lot stands out as one of the finest examples of its kind. A brushpot with nearly identical decoration is in the Palace Museum, Beijing. It is offered with an estimate of £120,000-150,000.

Chinese Furniture from a Swedish Diplomat

An exquisite collection of classical Chinese furniture will also feature in the sale. The Klas E. Böök (1909-1980) Collection of Chinese Furniture, amassed by the Swedish diplomat and civil servant who served as the Swedish Ambassador to Beijing from 1956-1961, epitomises the elegant design of classical Chinese furniture. Particularly noteworthy is a Huanghuali Yokeback Armchair, Nanguanmaoyi, 17th/18th century, offered with an estimate of £40,000-60,000.

Other significant highlights of the sale include:

• An extremely rare imperial, yellow-ground embroidered silk 'Dragon' Robe, Jifu Yongzheng. Superbly embroidered in Imperial yellow satin silk with nine 'dragon' roundels amidst swirling clouds, bats, and shou medallions, the present robe is remarkably rare. No identical example seems to exist in public collections, making this garment one of the earliest surviving robes tailored for an Imperial woman, likely an Empress or Empress Dowager. Meticulously embroidered on the front and back. Estimate: £60,000-80,000.

• A massive and exceptionally rare cloisonné enamel and gilt-bronze yenyen vase, 17th century. The immense size and lavish decoration of this cloisonné enamel vase indicates that it was probably commissioned for use in the early Qing Court. Estimate: £150,000-180,000.

• A rare imperial spinach green jade musical stone, Teqing. Kangxi incised fifty-fifth year, corresponding to 1716 and of the period. From the collection of the renowned art and antique gallerist Alan Hartman (1930-2023). Together with his wife, Simone, they amassed an exceptional collection comprising impressionist masterpieces and a vast array of Asian Art. L-shaped musical stones or chimes date back to the Shang dynasty. Crafted from jade, they were not merely instruments of entertainment but symbols of power and governance. Estimate: £60,000-70,000.

Bonhams Knightsbridge launches two Asian Art sales with hundreds of objects on offer

Bonhams Knightsbridge will hold two Asian Art sales this May. The Asian Art sale will be held on the 13-14 May and Collector's Treasures: Asian Art Online will run from 13-20 May.

Highlights include:

• A Gilt Bronze Figure of Weituo Pusa, Ming Dynasty, the figure standing with the right hand lowered, and the left raised with an outstretched palm, the youthful face gazing forward intently below a winged helmet, extensively detailed and gilt, and raised on a bronze stand. The figure is 42cm high. Estimate: £3,000-5,000.

• An embroidered 'Hundred Birds' Four Panel Screen, Late Qing Dynasty. Each rectangular panel embroidered in coloured silk and gold-couched thread against a black background to depict pairs of birds seated among flowering and fruiting foliage with butterflies hovering overhead. Each panel is 190cm high x 56cm wide. Estimate: £8,000-12,000.

• A massive gilt-decorated Grisaille and Copper Red Enamelled 'Dragon' Rouleau Vase, Republic. The cylindrical body and neck boldly painted in gilt, grisaille and copper red with a continuous scene of two large five-clawed dragons flying in and out of clouds above carp fish jumping between frothing and bubbling waves lapping against sharply angled rocks.78.5cm high. Estimate: £4,000-6,000.

Forthcoming Chinese Art sales include:
• Jules Speelman: Completing a Cycle-60 Years of Devotion | Paris, 11 June
• Asian Sale | Copenhagen, 11 June
• Chinese Art | Paris, 12 June
• Asian Spring Sale | Stockholm, 13 June

18 April 2024