bLOGOS/HA HA: Wish-fulfilling Vases of the Void (continued)

David Jones, artist and poet (1895-1974) begins his PREFACE TO THE ANATHEMATA :

'I have made a heap of all that I could find.' (1) So wrote Nennius, or whoever composed the introductory matter to Historia Brittonum. He speaks of an 'inward wound' which was caused by the fear that certain things dear to him 'should be like smoke dissipated'. Further, he says, 'not trusting my own learning, which is none at all, but partly from writings and monuments of the ancient inhabitants of Britain, partly from the annals of the Romans and the chronicles of the sacred fathers, Isidore, Hieronymous, Prosper, Eusebius and from the histories of the Scots and Saxons although our enemies . . . I have lispingly put together this . . . about past transactions, that [this material] might not be trodden under foot'. (2)

(1) The actual words are coacervavi omne quod inveni, and occur in Prologue 2 to the Historia.
(2) Quoted from the translation of Prologue 1. See The Works of Gildas and Nennius, J.A.Giles, London 1841.

31 August 2019

Wish-fulfilling Vases of the Void (continued)

see : Sotheby's :

A Sneak Peek into Hong Kong Autumn Sales

HONG KONG.- Sotheby’s Hong Kong Chinese Works of Art Autumn Sale Series 2019 on 8th October will be led by A Highly Important Beijing-Enamelled Pouch-Shaped Glass Vase, Blue Enamel Mark and Period of Qianlong, arguably the greatest example of Qing dynasty art in private hands.

AN ENAMELLED JEWEL, THE LE CONG TANG COLLECTION.
A HIGHLY IMPORTANT BEIJING-ENAMELLED POUCH-SHAPED GLASS VASE,
BLUE ENAMEL MARK AND PERIOD OF QIANLONG
18.2 cm
Estimate upon request
(Expected to fetch in excess of HK$200,000,000/US$ 25,000,000)
This truly extraordinary glass vase, enamelled by imperial command of the Qianlong Emperor in the early years of his reign, is arguably the greatest example of Qing dynasty art in private hands. Enamelled glass vessels were by far the most complex and demanding of all works of art commissioned at the Beijing Palace Workshops, and the current example is the most successful of all surviving examples, in the intricacy of its pouch-shaped form with simulated pink sash tied at the neck, and with its unique and brilliantly enamelled design of a pair of phoenix soaring amidst clouds and peonies, one bud with the blue-enamel mark. Emanating from the legendary collection of Prince Gong, it later passed through the hands of A.W. Bahr and Paul and Helen Bernat, before being acquired by the present owner in October 2000 for a then record price. Its appearance on the international art market now is a moment of celebration.

Theatre of the Actors of Regard Thoughts of TAR and this faint Japanese Edo scroll. Hotei, sack on head, regards a hōju宝珠 or
hōju-no-tama 宝珠の玉 aka wish-fulfilling jewel
aka flaming pearl of wisdom. Value inestimable.