HONG KONG.- Tokyo Chuo Auction will hold its 2016 Spring Sales at Tokyo Dome Hotel from 27 February to 3 March, featuring an Evening Sale of Important Chinese Art, Fine Chinese Modern Paintings, Fine Chinese Classical Paintings and Calligraphy, Fine Chinese Works of Art, Rubbings, Rare Books & Manuscripts, Ancient Bronzes from Hayashibara Collection, ICHIGO ICHIE - The Art of Tea Ceremony, Scholar’s Objects and Jewellery. For the first time, there will also be a sale devoted to Chinese Bamboo Carvings.
Chinese Art Evening Sale
The Evening Sale will showcase an exceptional selection of Chinese paintings and works of art. A highlight is Pine, a four-panel, golden silk folding screen by Wu Changshuo (1844-1927) (Estimate: JPY15,000,000 - 20,000,000, Lot 415). The screen was first crafted in Japan, ordered by a Japanese collector who then commissioned Wu Changhuo to paint it in Shanghai. Afterwards it was shipped back to Japan at huge expense. Exquisitely painted in brilliant strokes, the screen fully demonstrates the masterly skills of Wu Changshuo in painting on silk, technically more demanding than painting on paper.
Prose in Running Script by Zhao Mengfu (1254-1322) (Estimate: JPY65,000,000 -85,000,000, Lot 408), a gift to his son, was catalogued in Shigutang Shuhua Huikao (Notes and Records on Calligraphy and Paintings) written by Bian Yongyu in the 21st year of the Kangxi era (1682). The collector’s seals on the artwork show that it was appreciated by numerous artists and connoisseurs in different dynasties and is of immense value to collectors.
The Evening Sale will also offer Imperial Chinese porcelains from the Ming and Qing dynasties. Among the masterpieces on offer is a fine doucai “bamboo” bowl from the Yongzheng period (1723-1735) (Estimate: JPY12,000,000 - 18,000,000, Lot 427). This bowl is exceptional not only for its fine potting and small size, but also for its remarkable painting. It is thinly potted and delicately painted around the exterior with leafy bamboo while the interior is entirely plain. Made by Imperial order of the Yongzheng Emperor, as indicated by the six-character reign mark, this elegant bowl is one of the finest examples of porcelain from the period.
Another highlight is a carved famille-rose “Lantern Festival” vase from the Jiaqing period (1796-1820) (Estimate: JPY40,000,000 - 50,000,000, Lot 430). Decorated in brilliant enamels, it depicts a scene of the “Hundred Boys” celebrating the Lantern Festival, some holding lanterns, performing the lion or dragon dance, or lighting fire-crackers, while others are playing drums or gongs. The “Hundred Boys” theme symbolises abundant sons and great prosperity.
A carved white jade “dragon” vase with elephant-shaped handles and cover from the Qianlong period (1736-1795) (Estimate: JPY 20,000,000 - 25,000,000, Lot 434) is made from superior white jade giving it a natural simplicity and charm. A dragon pattern is carved on the vase to signify prosperity
Fine Chinese Classical Paintings and Calligraphy
The Fine Chinese Classical Paintings and Calligraphy sale features works from distinguished Japanese collections. Among them is Majestic View of Dianzhong, Yunnan by Huang Xiangjian (1609-1673) painted in the 9th year of the Shunzhi era (1652) (Estimate: JPY10,000,000 - 20,000,000, Lot 850). On the painting, the artist inscribed that it was difficult to describe all the landscapes he had been through on his journey, so he decided to paint it on this long scroll of paper. Afterwards the painting entered the collection of famed collector Dong Lin.
Fine Chinese Modern Paintings
The Fine Chinese Modern Paintings sale will present superb works by the master Wu Changshuo (1844-1927). One of the highlights is Pines (Estimate: JPY 11,000,000 - 15,000,000, Lot 547) created by Wu Changshuo towards the end of his life. Full of strength and motion, thanks to the combination of forceful brushstrokes, various shades of ink and clever composition, the painting shows that the master was still in his artistic prime despite his age.
Fine Bamboo Carvings
For the first time Tokyo Chuo will present a sale devoted entirely to fine bamboo carvings, featuring more than 30 outstanding brush pots, wrist rests, washers and cups made of bamboo. The star lot is a bamboo-root “boating” carving, mid-Qing period (Estimate: JPY5,000,000 - 8,000,000, Lot 326). Carved in the natural shape of bamboo, it shows a scene of a boat on the wavy ocean by leaving the middle part hollow with bamboo fronds as a canopy. It is carved delicately using a variety of techniques, such as relief carving to retain the bamboo's original shape, while the intricate design makes it a rare treasure.
Fine Scholar’s Objects
The Fine Scholar's Objects sale offers a wide variety of sought-after inkstones, including treasures from a renowned Japanese collection. The highlight is a Chengni “Orchid Pavilion” inkstone with inscriptions by Jin Junming, late Ming to early Qing period (Estimate: JPY 600,000 - 700,000, Lot 1608). The rectangular inkstone is carved in a smoothly polished fine clay inclining into a troughed inkwell. Its sides are finely carved with a long poetic inscription of the “Orchid Pavilion” by Jin Junming.
A superbly carved stone seal with auspicious patterns by Lin Qingqing, Qing dynasty (Estimate: JPY3,000,000 - 5,000,000, Lot 1538) is exquisitely carved with cranes and pine trees, magpies on plum blossoms and landscapes, exemplifying the high level of expertise of the jade carver.
Rubbings, Rare Books and Manuscripts
The sale will present rare ancient manuscripts including exceptional rubbings from the collection of a calligrapher in Kanto who spent his lifetime amassing treasures. Of note is Rubbings of Xi Xia Song, formerly collected by Li Zhigai, with inscriptions and colophons by Yan Shiqing showcasing light yet powerful brushstrokes (Estimate: JPY400,000 - 500,000, Lot 1087). Such rubbings document and hence preserve the inscriptions on important bronze wares, portraits and statues.
Their artistic and historic value has been testified by renowned collectors and connoisseurs who often stamped their seals and postscripts on such pieces.
Fine Chinese Works of Art
The Fine Chinese Works of Art sale will showcase masterpieces from the Ming and Qing courts. Taking centre stage is a fine celadon-glazed double-gourd vase with ruyi-shaped handles from the Qianlong period (1736-1795) (Estimate: JPY35,000,000 - 55,000,000, Lot 1755). Covered overall with a pale blue-green glaze, it is exquisitely potted with a bulbous body and slender rounded neck symbolizing perfection and good fortune. Its waist is skilfully decorated with rows of petals, while the pair of curved handles terminating in ruyi heads signify longevity and good health. This elegant and rare dish is an example of the finest and most highly prized Imperial ceramics of the Qianlong period.
The Fine Chinese Works of Art sale will feature a superb selection of Buddhist sculptures formerly in private and Imperial collections and temples in Japan. These works span a long historical period from the Sui (581-618) and Tang (618-907) dynasties to the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties.
A gilt bronze figure of Guanyin, Sui to Tang dynasty (Estimate: JPY10,000,000 - 15,000,000, Lot 1781) depicts the Goddess Guanyin with a serene stance and expression. Draped in a long dress with a necklace, the statue epitomizes the elegance of feminine beauty in the Tang dynasty.
ICHIGO ICHIE - The Art of Tea Ceremony
The ICHIGO ICHIE - The Art of Tea Ceremony sale will offer a selection of magnificent tea wares from the Meiji period (1868-1912), as well as an array of fine agarwood. The highlight of the sale is a gold-inlaid iron pagoda by Komai of Kyoto, Meiji period (1868-1912) (Estimate: JPY4,500,000 - 5,000,000, Lot 1353). The design of this cabinet in pagoda form was inspired by the architecture of the famous Horyuji Temple in Nara, Japan. Its exterior is beautifully carved with landscapes in gold, silver and iron, featuring exquisite doors and drawers in each storey.
Also on offer is an excellent piece of Kynam agarwood (Estimate: JPY 8,000,000 - 12,000,000, Lot 1389).
