Press Release
For immediate release
Press office contacts:
Rhonda Yung (852) 2822 8143/ [email protected]
Flora Tse (852) 2822 8147/ [email protected]
WT Fu (852) 2822 8146/ [email protected]
SOTHEBY’S HONG KONG TO OFFER
MASTERPIECES OF CHINESE PRECIOUS
METALWORK
MING AND QING IMPERIAL GOLD
ON 11TH APRIL AT ITS SPRING SALE 2008
-- A UNIQUE COLLECTION OF SOLID GOLD IMPERIAL VESSELS --
[Hong Kong, February 2008] Sotheby’s Hong Kong will hold an unprecedented sale of
Chinese ceramics and works of art, titled Masterpieces of Chinese Precious Metalwork - Ming and Qing
Imperial Gold, on 11th April 2008 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre,
offering more than 25 lots and is expected to bring HK$100 million*.
Gold vessels are the rarest and costliest of all Imperial works of art of Ming and Qing
dynasty China. Hardly any gold objects have survived from the Ming dynasty in the Palace
Museum collections in Taipei and Beijing, and only a handful are still extant from the Qing
dynasty. The collection of Masterpieces of Chinese Precious Metalwork from the Ming and Qing
dynasties that we will offer for sale represents the finest and most extensive collection of this
kind.
The Magnificent and Extremely Rare Embellished Gold
Tripod Vessel and Cover (Ming Dynasty, Xuande period)
engraved with five-clawed dragons - the most recognisable
symbol of Imperial power - and encrusted with rubies,
sapphires, pearls and other gems is undoubtedly one of the
most precious and most costly works of art of its time
(expected to fetch in excess of HK$60 million). No early
Ming gold vessel of similar quality or status appears to have
survived in private hands and it is one of only eight early Ming
gold vessels preserved outside China, all of which are in
public institutions today.
The Emperor and his immediate entourage always enjoyed the privilege to use gold and the
Yinzuoju, an Imperial office in charge of making jewelry and other gold and silver items, created
pieces for the Ming Imperial family, as is recorded on some extant examples. But vessels appear
to have been made individually and tend to be unique.
Another highlight is an Extraordinary Embellished Gold
Ewer and Cover (period of Qianlong; expected to fetch in
excess of HK$25 million).
This small solid gold ewer
(13.3cm.H) is richly decorated in high relief with peony scrolls
and with filigree work embellished with pearls, turquoise,
sapphires and rubies, which bears the mark of the Qianlong
Emperor. Very few solid gold vessels are extant from the
Qianlong period. The stylised and ornate relief decoration on
the vessel is a fine example of the Qianlong period innovation
of the blending of Chinese and Western decorative elements in
design. The ewer is closely related to the famous Jiaqing period ‘Jinou yonggu’ (‘the golden goblet
remains strong forever’) gold cup still preserved in the Palace Museum Beijing, which is similarly
embellished with precious stones. The cup was used by Emperor Qianlong after his abdication
on New Year’s Day to celebrate his first writing of the year and pray for successful administration
and peace and order in the nation. The ewer was most probably used to pour wine in the cup.
Other highlights are the two exquisite solid gold covered boxes probably made for the use of the
Qing Emperor’s consorts or court ladies.
2
The Superb Coral Inlaid and Embellished Gold Box and
Cover (Qing Dynasty, Qianlong Period; expected to fetch
in excess of HK$8 million) is expertly crafted with the thick
heavy gold body covered with coral pieces that are fixed to the
vessel with sheets of gold that look like twisted wire, creating
cells in which the coral pieces are placed with perfect fit. Small
seed pearls are arranged in form of prunus blossoms, creating
the much favoured ‘prunus on cracked ice’ design. The covered
box is unique and no similar example appears to be recorded.
The small freshwater seed pearls were harvested in the Sungari,
Yalu and Amur rivers in Manchuria and were especially treasured by the Manchus for their
association with their homeland. Their use was only for the decoration of objects and costumes
worn by the emperor or members of his family.
The other solid gold box is a Magnificent Embellished
Gold Box and Cover (Qing Dynasty, Qianlong Period;
expected to fetch in excess of HK$6 million), circular with
a domed shaped cover encrusted with a sculpted fruit branch
and the fruit inset with turquoise and the leaves with stained
and naturally coloured bone. The fruit branch rests on a
network of twisted gold wires and beads. No similar example
appears to be recorded.
*Estimates do not include buyer’s premium
***Images available upon request***
Travelling Exhibitions
5th – 6th March
Beijing
8th – 9th March
Shanghai
11th
–
12th
March
Tokyo
15th – 17th March
New York
25th – 26th Mar
Taipei
Hong Kong Preview & Auction
5th April
10 am – 5 pm
6th April – 10th April 2008
10 am – 6:30 pm
Auction:
11th April 2008
10 am & 2 pm
Venue:
Grand Hall, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, 1 Expo Drive, Wan Chai,
Preview:
Hong Kong
3