Christie's to offer a magnificent and extremely rare large Doucai Vase
The First Art Newspaper on the Net    Established in 1996 Saturday, November 23, 2024


Christie's to offer a magnificent and extremely rare large Doucai Vase
A Magnificent And Extremely Rare Large Doucai Vase. Qianlong Six-Character Seal Mark In Underglaze-Blue And Of The Period (1736-1795), 20 ¾ in. (52.7 cm.), wood stand. Estimate: HK$30,000,000 – 50,000,000. © Christie's Images Ltd 2022.



HONG KONG.- This spring, Christie's will present A Magnificent And Extremely Rare Large Doucai Vase, to be offered as a leading highlight in the Important Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art auction on 30 May, 2022.

Proceeds from the sale of the lot will benefit The Helen Munson Williams Acquisition Fund, solely for the purchase of artwork for the permanent collection.

The Munson-Williams-Proctor Doucai Vase

Carefully Applied Technique: A unique technique and style of decoration, doucai was both difficult and expensive to execute. After shaping and drying the vase, fine underglaze cobalt blue outlines were painted onto its porous unfired body. As the cobalt immediately soaked into the unfired clay, no mistakes could be rectified.

Exceptionally Rare: There are very few surviving doucai vases of such massive size from the Qianlong period. A related Qianlong vase in the Walters Art Museum, Baltimore, is different in shape but very similar in decoration and size. The chilong handles can be compared to those on a doucai decorated vase in the Palace Museum, Beijing.

Striking Colour and Auspicious symbolism: The ruyi motif, based on the form of a lingzhi fungus, represents a wish for ‘everything you desire’ and was a popular motif for imperial birthdays. In addition, four bold gilt swastikas, wan 卍, popular Buddhist symbols of good luck, are found on the body of the vase.

Documented Provenance: Mrs. Helen Elizabeth Munson Williams bought the vase from the American Art Galleries in 1883, and it has remained in the collection of the Munson-Williams-Proctor Arts Institute of Utica in New York.

The Munson-Williams-Proctor Doucai Vase is superbly enameled, with four stylised lotus blossoms interspersed with smaller lotus blossoms above gilt wan emblems, all amidst a lush pattern of leafy scrolls, and bordered by a band of stylised bats above clouds on the shoulder and a band of petal lappets above the foot. The tall waisted neck is decorated on either side with a lotus blossom, centered by a gilt shou medallion above a cluster of lingzhi fungus, all set against leafy scrolls and bordered above and below by ruyi-head bands, and flanked by a pair of handles formed as chilong, with scrolling bifurcated tails finely shaded in iron-red and with gilt detail.

The original receipt for this vase is still in existence, issued in 1883 by the American Art Gallery, a division of the American Art Association in New York City. The receipt confirms the vase’s purchase by Mrs. Helen Elizabeth Munson Williams (1824–1894), whose collection would later be the foundation for the the Munson-Williams-Proctor Arts Institute. The American Art Gallery sold both American paintings and Asian ceramics, both of which Mrs. Williams was buying in the late 1880s, a typical pursuit of sophisticated wealthy Americans at the end of the nineteenth century.

It is very rare to find such beautifully documented provenance dating back to the late 19th century. Christie’s is thrilled to present this magnificent work of imperial porcelain from one of the most prolific reigns of the Qing Dynasty, the Qianlong reign.

Marco Almeida, Head of Department, Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, commented: “Christie’s has established long-lasting and loyal relationships with museums and institutions around the globe, as they appreciate our expertise and professionalism when handling these highly important works of art. This season, we are honoured to bring the 'Munson-Williams-Proctor' Doucai vase to the market and an array of rare Chinese works of art, mostly with stellar provenance. We strongly believe that the 'Munson-Williams-Proctor' Doucai vase, with its documented provenance, will prove to be a huge sensation amongst collectors worldwide.”










Today's News

April 13, 2022

French authorities seize oligarch's painting before it leaves for Russia

Magnificent 3rd century Buddha leads spectacular collection of Claude de Marteau at Bonhams

Pace Gallery announces global representation of Maysha Mohamedi

Hindman announces highlights included in the Native American Art Auction

Christie's to offer a magnificent and extremely rare large Doucai Vase

Significant collection of glass donated to Peabody Essex Museum

Christie's presents The Red Cross Diamond

Ukraine benefit featuring Russian ensemble is canceled in Vienna

Fondazione Memmo opens Amalia Pica's first solo exhibition in Italy

Oolite Arts unveils Miami home by Barozzi Veiga

A Blade of Grass announces departure of founding Director and new Interim

The April sale at Clars will be led by the Asian art department with numerous highlights

Monumental Chihuly chandelier lights up Heritage Auctions' May Design event

Guan Xiao joins David Kordansky Gallery

Chick Corea, the master mixer of jazz's past and future

The Honolulu Museum of Art receives American Rescue Plan grant from the National Endowment for the Arts

Chrysler Museum receives $2.5 million from the Goode Family to fund a new works on paper center

The Armory Show announces exhibitors for 2022 edition

Museum Tinguely opens an exhibition of works by Jean-Jacques Lebel

Patricia MacLachlan, author of 'Sarah, Plain and Tall,' dies at 84

Works from The Nobel Collection on view at the Pera Museum

9th edition of EXPO CHICAGO returns to Navy Pier with strong sales and high attendance

Almine Rech Paris opens the first solo exhibition of Los Angeles-based artist Umar Rashid

Outsourcing Handwritten Letters

15 Things to Consider Before Hiring a Software Development Company

Jeremy Berman Put-in-Bay Eyes Social Media as a Stage For Art

DR. Hypno CBD strain by Hypno Seeds

Air track mats are the new way to have fun in the gym!




Museums, Exhibits, Artists, Milestones, Digital Art, Architecture, Photography,
Photographers, Special Photos, Special Reports, Featured Stories, Auctions, Art Fairs,
Anecdotes, Art Quiz, Education, Mythology, 3D Images, Last Week, .

 



Founder:
Ignacio Villarreal
(1941 - 2019)
Editor & Publisher: Jose Villarreal
Art Director: Juan José Sepúlveda Ramírez
Writer: Ofelia Zurbia Betancourt

Royalville Communications, Inc
produces:

ignaciovillarreal.org juncodelavega.com facundocabral-elfinal.org
Founder's Site. Hommage
to a Mexican poet.
Hommage
       

The First Art Newspaper on the Net. The Best Versions Of Ave Maria Song Junco de la Vega Site Ignacio Villarreal Site
Tell a Friend
Dear User, please complete the form below in order to recommend the Artdaily newsletter to someone you know.
Please complete all fields marked *.
Sending Mail
Sending Successful