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.

  hoju ringed (click to see full image)                 collection FIAPCE


Theatre of the Actors of Regard  
 detail
 A Person Looks At A Work Of Art/
 someone looks at something... 
         
 LOGOS/HA HA