HONG KONG.- Sotheby’s will present two sales of Chinese art at its Hong Kong Gallery this November: Chinese Works of Art from the Collection of Emil Hultmark (29 Nov) and Chinese Art (29 – 30 Nov). The former sale presents a selection of items from the collection of the Swedish academic Dr Emil Hultmark (1872-1943). Ranging from archaic bronzes and jades to early Ming ceramics, and all acquired in Europe during the 1930s, this sale provides collectors with a fascinating window into this golden age of European collecting.

In tandem with this great collection is the Chinese Art Sale, featuring several private collections, including Song ceramics from Xinyangtang, a distinguished Hong Kong collection formed during the 1980s; a Japanese family collection of jade carvings; Qing porcelains and works of art from an old Hong Kong collection; and a selection of jades and ceramics from the T.Y. Chao family collection. All works will be exhibited for public viewing from 22 – 28 Nov, 2018.

SALE HIGHLIGHTS

CHINESE WORKS OF ART FROM THE COLLECTION OF EMIL HULTMARK | 29 Nov
Lot 2 AN IMPORTANT IMPERIAL CINNABAR LACQUER 'DRAGON' BOX AND COVER, INCISED MARK AND PERIOD OF YONGLE 16.5 cm Estimate: HK$1,500,000 – 2,000,000 / US$192,000 – 256,000
This superbly carved box is one of the finest specimen of early Ming dynasty lacquer to appear on the market in recent years. The lively dragon is masterfully rendered in pursuit of a flaming pearl, its dramatic movement skilfully captured by the thickly built-up layers of lacquer, successfully conveying a sense of three-dimensionality. Yongle mark and period boxes of this form and design are extremely rare and virtually all preserved in museums.

Lot 6 A BLUE AND WHITE LOBED ‘FRUIT AND FLOWER’ BOWL MARK AND PERIOD OF XUANDE 22.8 cm Estimate: HK$150,000 – 200,000/ US$19,200 – 25,500
Similar Blue and white ‘fruit and flower’ bowls are held in important museum collections, including an example in the Palace Museum, Beijing and another in Taipei Palace Museum. This bowl is inscribed with a Xuande reign mark (1426 – 1435), and is well examplifies the quality of the Imperial porcelain production during the early Ming dynasty. Similar to all items featured in this collection, the bowl was acquired in Europe in the early 20th century and kept in the family ever since.

CHINESE ART INCLUDING SELECTED WORKS OF ART | 29 – 30 Nov PROPERTY FROM THE COLLECTION OF T.Y. CHAO (1912-1999)

Lot 310 A RARE INCISED CELADON-GLAZED BULB BOWL MARK AND PERIOD OF XUANDE 20.7 cm Estimate: HK$400,000 – 600,000/ US$51,500 – 77,000
Based on bronze prototypes in the late Yuan and early Ming dynasty, vessels of this form and glaze with a Xuande reign mark of the period are extremely rare. Produced in Jingdezhen but visually similar to its Longquan counterparts, the present example suggests a close relation between the two kilns, both of which probably operated under Imperial instruction.

• Lot 318 A BLUE AND WHITE VASE QING DYNASTY, KANGXI PERIOD 46 cm Estimate: HK$150,000 – 200,000/ US$19,200 – 25,600

• Lot 340 A FINELY CARVED YELLOW JADE FIGURE OF A BUFFALO QING DYNASTY, 18TH CENTURY 6.4 cm Estimate: HK$200,000 – 300,000/ US$25,600 – 38,400

CERAMICS FROM THE XINYANGTANG COLLECTION
The Xinyangtang collection was formed with great passion in Hong Kong over the last 30 years under the guidance of renowned dealers in Hong Kong and Japan, and also from international auctions. Now that its owner has decided to embark on a new journey towards other categories of art, it is a great honour for Sotheby's to be able to offer the collection for sale.

Estimates range from HK$50,000 – 200,000 / US$6,400 – 25,600

PROPERTY FROM AN OLD HONG KONG FAMILY COLLECTION

The following group of furniture and works of art were assembled in Shanghai by the parents of the present owner and brought over to Hong Kong during the 1950s when the family moved to the city.

• Lot 418 A FINELY CARVED WHITE JADE 'PEACH AND BAT' RUYI SCEPTRE, QING DYNASTY, QIANLONG – JIAQING PERIOD 35.2 cm Estimate: HK$1,200,000 – 1,800,000/ US$154,000 – 230,000

• Lot 419 A RARE PAIR OF HONGMU AND ZITAN SQUARE-CORNERED 'FLOWERS AND BIRDS' CABINETS, QING DYNASTY, 18TH – 19TH CENTURY 176 by 94 by 40.5 cm Estimate: HK$500,000 – 700,000/ US$64,000 – 89,500

• Lot 430 A RARE PAIR OF PINK-GROUND FAMILLE-ROSE 'BOYS AND FIRECRACKERS' VASES SHENDETANG HALL MARKS, QING DYNASTY, DAOGUANG PERIOD 29.8 cm Estimate: HK$700,000 – 1,000,000 / US$89,500 – 128,000

PROPERTY FROM AN OLD JAPANESE COLLECTION

• Lot 550 AN IMPORTANT IMPERIAL INSCRIBED GILT-SILVER EDICT CONFERRED UPON PRINCE DUN BY EMPEROR XIANFENG, QING DYNASTY, DATED 1864 each leaf 22 by 10 cm, overall 24 by 42 cm Estimate: HK$200,000 – 300,000/ US$25,600 – 38,400