Decade 1790-1799
See also : US painting < 1940 Russia 1700-1900 Chinese art Furniture Ancient French furniture 18th century furniture Revolution and Empire Coin Early US coins US dollars Silver coins Bird Medal and decoration Jade
1790 The Self Strengthening of the Qianlong Emperor
2013 SOLD 67 M RMB yuan including premium
2017 UNSOLD
PRE 2017 SALE DISCUSSION
A jade seal of the Qianlong emperor coming for sale at Poly Auction in Hong Kong on April 4 at lot 3093 had previously been discussed in this column. The essay below is based of my 2013 discussion.
On 8 October 2008 Sotheby's sold imperial seals from the personal collection of Emile Guimet who also had been the founder of a major Asian art museum in Paris. The star lot of the sale was a Qianlong white jade seal of large size, 12.5 x 12.5 cm, that sold for HK $ 63M including premium in line with the estimate.
The surprise came at lot 2007 from a smaller Qianlong jade seal that sold for HK $ 37M including premium over a lower estimate of $ 5 MHK.
This little wonder, 7.5 x 7.5 x 5.5 cm, continued its career on the art market. On 4 June 2010, it was sold for RMB yuan 56M including premium by Poly in Beijing. It was later sold for RMB yuan 67M including premium on May 12, 2013 by China Guardian, lot 3108.
The theme with two entwined dragons symbolizing the power and cleverness of the emperor is classic but the sharpness of the jade carving is exceptional, with a special care to the facial expression and the whiskers of the dragons. The polishing of flat surfaces is perfect.
Commissioned by the emperor for the festivities of his 80th birthday in the 54th year of his reign, 1790 in our calendar, it is a Zi Qiang Bu Xi, promoting self-reliance and perseverance of the emperor in the creation of progress and by that way taking care not to fall into the indolence of old age before leaving the power.
A jade seal of the Qianlong emperor coming for sale at Poly Auction in Hong Kong on April 4 at lot 3093 had previously been discussed in this column. The essay below is based of my 2013 discussion.
On 8 October 2008 Sotheby's sold imperial seals from the personal collection of Emile Guimet who also had been the founder of a major Asian art museum in Paris. The star lot of the sale was a Qianlong white jade seal of large size, 12.5 x 12.5 cm, that sold for HK $ 63M including premium in line with the estimate.
The surprise came at lot 2007 from a smaller Qianlong jade seal that sold for HK $ 37M including premium over a lower estimate of $ 5 MHK.
This little wonder, 7.5 x 7.5 x 5.5 cm, continued its career on the art market. On 4 June 2010, it was sold for RMB yuan 56M including premium by Poly in Beijing. It was later sold for RMB yuan 67M including premium on May 12, 2013 by China Guardian, lot 3108.
The theme with two entwined dragons symbolizing the power and cleverness of the emperor is classic but the sharpness of the jade carving is exceptional, with a special care to the facial expression and the whiskers of the dragons. The polishing of flat surfaces is perfect.
Commissioned by the emperor for the festivities of his 80th birthday in the 54th year of his reign, 1790 in our calendar, it is a Zi Qiang Bu Xi, promoting self-reliance and perseverance of the emperor in the creation of progress and by that way taking care not to fall into the indolence of old age before leaving the power.
1793 Seal and Sentence for Qianlong
2010 SOLD 2.7 M£ including premium
The personal jade seals of Emperor Qianlong represent a pinnacle of Chinese art. They were quite numerous, and their trade makes the highlights of specialized auctions. They are in the form of a square stamp above which is carved an attribute of imperial dignity, usually one or two dragons.
These accessories were used to mark the literary and artistic documents of the imperial collection. Like calligraphy, which Qianlong avidly practised, they included a sentence that allowed the emperor to show his courtiers the moral trend in which he wanted to bring them.
Of course, the greatest are also the most expensive. On 7 October, Sotheby's sold a white jade seal 12.9 cm square, a considerable size for this type of object. Estimated HK $ 25M, it reached the exceptional price in its category of HK $ 121M including premium. Topped by a pair of addorsed dragons, it was engraved Xintian Zhuren (the ruler who believes in heaven).
Another dragon seal is for sale by Bonhams in London on November 11. It is smaller, 4 cm square, and does not fight for record, but it is extremely interesting because its origin is documented. It is illustrated in the press release shared by Auctionpublicity.
Also in white jade, it was carved in the workshops of Suzhou and was intended to the Yanchunge pagoda which served to the Emperor as a cabinet of curiosities. It is part of a set of three seals that have been delivered to Qianlong on the 2nd day of the 7th month of the 58th year of his reign (1793 in our calendar).
Its maxim is Ziqiang Buxi, which means that self strengthening never ceases. It is a direct allusion to the age and to the strong will of that octogenarian emperor who will however abdicate less than two years later because he was hurted that the duration of his reign could go longer than the reign of his grandfather Kangxi.
POST SALE COMMENT
The sale of this small seal is successful : £ 2.4M before fees, 2.7M including premium.
These accessories were used to mark the literary and artistic documents of the imperial collection. Like calligraphy, which Qianlong avidly practised, they included a sentence that allowed the emperor to show his courtiers the moral trend in which he wanted to bring them.
Of course, the greatest are also the most expensive. On 7 October, Sotheby's sold a white jade seal 12.9 cm square, a considerable size for this type of object. Estimated HK $ 25M, it reached the exceptional price in its category of HK $ 121M including premium. Topped by a pair of addorsed dragons, it was engraved Xintian Zhuren (the ruler who believes in heaven).
Another dragon seal is for sale by Bonhams in London on November 11. It is smaller, 4 cm square, and does not fight for record, but it is extremely interesting because its origin is documented. It is illustrated in the press release shared by Auctionpublicity.
Also in white jade, it was carved in the workshops of Suzhou and was intended to the Yanchunge pagoda which served to the Emperor as a cabinet of curiosities. It is part of a set of three seals that have been delivered to Qianlong on the 2nd day of the 7th month of the 58th year of his reign (1793 in our calendar).
Its maxim is Ziqiang Buxi, which means that self strengthening never ceases. It is a direct allusion to the age and to the strong will of that octogenarian emperor who will however abdicate less than two years later because he was hurted that the duration of his reign could go longer than the reign of his grandfather Kangxi.
POST SALE COMMENT
The sale of this small seal is successful : £ 2.4M before fees, 2.7M including premium.
1794 The Very First Silver Dollar
2013 SOLD 10 M$ including premium
On October 15, 1794, a little more than two years after the Coinage Act, the Federal Mint struck the first silver dollars. 1758 dollars dated 1794 will pass the checks and be authorized for circulation.
This 'one dollar' was not the first issued federal value, but Americans love their dollars and this production has an immeasurable prestige.
One of these coins is in wonderful state, graded Specimen-66 by PCGS. Experts are convinced that it is the earliest among about 150 remaining pieces and that it was perhaps the first dollar ever struck, why not.
Its excellent condition is due to the fact that it would have been retained at the plant during some years and did not leave thereafter great collections, including Green's and Contursi's.
In May 2010, this almost perfect dollar became the most expensive federal coin in history when it entered the Cardinal collection for $ 7.85 M through a private sale. It is illustrated in the article shared by NBC News at that time. It is now offered at auction by Stack's Bowers in New York on January 24.
I have already discussed this outstanding piece in August 2010. Its move into Cardinal's had released from that collection another copy in mint condition, certified MS-64, which was sold for $ 1.2 million including premium by Bowers and Merena.
POST SALE COMMENT
The high prestige of this coin was obvious. The result, $ 10M including premium, exceeds by more than 20% the price reported for the private transaction of 2010.
I invite you to play the post sale video shared on YouTube by CoinWeek :
This 'one dollar' was not the first issued federal value, but Americans love their dollars and this production has an immeasurable prestige.
One of these coins is in wonderful state, graded Specimen-66 by PCGS. Experts are convinced that it is the earliest among about 150 remaining pieces and that it was perhaps the first dollar ever struck, why not.
Its excellent condition is due to the fact that it would have been retained at the plant during some years and did not leave thereafter great collections, including Green's and Contursi's.
In May 2010, this almost perfect dollar became the most expensive federal coin in history when it entered the Cardinal collection for $ 7.85 M through a private sale. It is illustrated in the article shared by NBC News at that time. It is now offered at auction by Stack's Bowers in New York on January 24.
I have already discussed this outstanding piece in August 2010. Its move into Cardinal's had released from that collection another copy in mint condition, certified MS-64, which was sold for $ 1.2 million including premium by Bowers and Merena.
POST SALE COMMENT
The high prestige of this coin was obvious. The result, $ 10M including premium, exceeds by more than 20% the price reported for the private transaction of 2010.
I invite you to play the post sale video shared on YouTube by CoinWeek :
1794 The Chronicles of Feng Ning
2015 SOLD for HK$ 52M including premium
The use of very extended hand scrolls to illustrate military campaigns and civil life is very ancient in China. The Qing continue this tradition.
From the 35th to the 55th year of his reign, an illustrator for the Qianlong emperor is Zhang Yang (or Yang Zhang ?). The name of Feng Ning that appears immediately after him probably refers to his successor.
During the 59th year of that reign, 1794 in our calendar, Feng Ning executes a copy in ink and color from a Zhang Yang scroll that imitated a Song painting on the theme of everyday life in Jinling, the village which is the cradle of the powerful city of Nanjing, the "southern capital".
Feng Ning's scroll is 1.05 m long for 35 cm high, with no text in the image. The middle of the scene shows the bustle in the main street while the left and right parts are more rural. This work which remains complete will be sold by Poly Auction in Hong Kong on October 5, lot 996. It is illustrated in the press releasededicated to all the sessions of that sale.
Some scrolls were used as masters for albums of engravings, marking the clear intention of the Qianlong emperor to promote the dissemination of culture. For this reason, the name of Feng Ning is not unknown on the art market although his personal details are unknown.
On June 11, 2013, Artcurial sold three albums by Feng Ning and colleagues with 16, 8 and 4 engravings on three different military campaigns of Qianlong, with explanatory text in the pictures. These lots were sold for € 150K, 91K and 43K including premium.
From the 35th to the 55th year of his reign, an illustrator for the Qianlong emperor is Zhang Yang (or Yang Zhang ?). The name of Feng Ning that appears immediately after him probably refers to his successor.
During the 59th year of that reign, 1794 in our calendar, Feng Ning executes a copy in ink and color from a Zhang Yang scroll that imitated a Song painting on the theme of everyday life in Jinling, the village which is the cradle of the powerful city of Nanjing, the "southern capital".
Feng Ning's scroll is 1.05 m long for 35 cm high, with no text in the image. The middle of the scene shows the bustle in the main street while the left and right parts are more rural. This work which remains complete will be sold by Poly Auction in Hong Kong on October 5, lot 996. It is illustrated in the press releasededicated to all the sessions of that sale.
Some scrolls were used as masters for albums of engravings, marking the clear intention of the Qianlong emperor to promote the dissemination of culture. For this reason, the name of Feng Ning is not unknown on the art market although his personal details are unknown.
On June 11, 2013, Artcurial sold three albums by Feng Ning and colleagues with 16, 8 and 4 engravings on three different military campaigns of Qianlong, with explanatory text in the pictures. These lots were sold for € 150K, 91K and 43K including premium.
1794 The Silver Dollar of Lord St. Oswald
2015 SOLD for $ 5M including premium
The first federal silver coinage in 1792 was symbolic and political. The entire production did not exceed 100 dollars in half dismes and indeed did not allow to consider a circulation.
Two years later, the Philadelphia plant tries the first production of the silver dollar. The technical difficulties concerned the officials to the point that the preparation is confidential and not documented. The issue is to achieve a perfect strike with the exact weight and purity required by the Congress.
Ingots are bought to cover $ 2,000 in the new coinage. The production is done in one day, 15 October 1794. 1758 pieces are released.
This yield below the target is due to a drift of the strike during the operation, in part because that coin was too large to enable a repetitive adjustment of the weight. Manufacturing is suspended. There will be no further 1794 $ 1 coin.
The first coins are admirable. Only one survivor is ranked as a specimen. Its mint preservation is because it was originally stored in the factory's archives. This coin graded MS66 by PCGS was sold for $ 10M including premium by Stack's Bowers on January 24, 2013.
On September 30 in New York, Stack's Bowers in association with Sotheby's sells the best silver dollar of 1794, graded MS66+ by PCGS, winner 30 years ago of a friendly confrontation by direct inspection with the only other example in the same grade. It is estimated beyond $ 3M, lot 2041.
It is not a works specimen. Its provenance explains its exemplary preservation.
An Englishman named William Strickland visited the United States from 20 September 1794 to 29 July 1795. He acquired coins in mint state at a time when production was not yet sufficient to really start a circulation. The box containing the treasure was stored in a Chippendale coin cabinet in England and fell into oblivion.
The box surfaces in 1964 when the cabinet is opened for the auction by Christie, Manson and Woods of the collection of Lord St. Oswald. The dates of the coins stored in the box correspond with the time spent by Strickland in the USA.
Two years later, the Philadelphia plant tries the first production of the silver dollar. The technical difficulties concerned the officials to the point that the preparation is confidential and not documented. The issue is to achieve a perfect strike with the exact weight and purity required by the Congress.
Ingots are bought to cover $ 2,000 in the new coinage. The production is done in one day, 15 October 1794. 1758 pieces are released.
This yield below the target is due to a drift of the strike during the operation, in part because that coin was too large to enable a repetitive adjustment of the weight. Manufacturing is suspended. There will be no further 1794 $ 1 coin.
The first coins are admirable. Only one survivor is ranked as a specimen. Its mint preservation is because it was originally stored in the factory's archives. This coin graded MS66 by PCGS was sold for $ 10M including premium by Stack's Bowers on January 24, 2013.
On September 30 in New York, Stack's Bowers in association with Sotheby's sells the best silver dollar of 1794, graded MS66+ by PCGS, winner 30 years ago of a friendly confrontation by direct inspection with the only other example in the same grade. It is estimated beyond $ 3M, lot 2041.
It is not a works specimen. Its provenance explains its exemplary preservation.
An Englishman named William Strickland visited the United States from 20 September 1794 to 29 July 1795. He acquired coins in mint state at a time when production was not yet sufficient to really start a circulation. The box containing the treasure was stored in a Chippendale coin cabinet in England and fell into oblivion.
The box surfaces in 1964 when the cabinet is opened for the auction by Christie, Manson and Woods of the collection of Lord St. Oswald. The dates of the coins stored in the box correspond with the time spent by Strickland in the USA.
The 1794 silver dollar is one of the greatest American classics. #Pogue #RareCoins #history http://t.co/tK9EmCtACk pic.twitter.com/j1z5cEhyB8
— Stack's Bowers (@StacksBowers) June 19, 20151795 Portrait of George Washington by Gilbert Stuart
2018 SOLD for $ 11.6M including premium by Christie's
#AuctionUpdate Gilbert Stuart’s ‘George Washington (Vaughan type)’ auctions for $11,562,500, a new #WorldAuctionRecord for the artist!https://t.co/BthdnDBunj pic.twitter.com/D75TqNcqoA
— Christie's (@ChristiesInc) May 10, 2018
1795 A Triumph for Louis XVI ... in 1882 !
2011 SOLD 6.9 M$ including premium
Keep quiet, my archives do not go back to 1882! The results below had been published in an old newspaper article (The Illustrated London News, No.2254-Vol. LXXXI, Saturday, July 15, 1882) available as an external link in English country house contents auctions in the Wikipedia.
The 12th Duke of Hamilton was not an art lover, and he had a urgent need for money. The sale of his collection in 2213 lots at Christie's in London was an event that experts still quote.
The portrait of Philip IV by Velazquez, acquired by the British government for 6000 guineas, was however not the highest result of the sale.
Indeed, a Louis XVI commode and secretaire had been sold separately, and to two different clients, for a price quoted as "enormous,never before given for a piece of furniture" in the article, of 9450 pounds each. Mounted in gilt bronze by Gouthière, these two ebony furniture lacquered in black and gold are bearing the monogram of Marie-Antoinette.
The sale of the Safra collection will last four days, from October 18 to 21, at Sotheby's in New York. A pair of furniture is for sale in one lot estimated $ 5M.
This commode and its secrétaire en suite had been included in the Hamilton sale. Like the two royal furniture discussed above, they are from Louis XVI time, mounted in bronze and lacquered. They are attributed to Adam Weisweiler.
Here is the link to the lot in the catalogue.
POST SALE COMMENT
French furniture has become difficult to sell, except, of course, those of the highest quality. This set of two pieces was sold $ 6.9 million including premium.
The estimated date given in the catalog is circa 1795, after the death of Louis XVI. It is possible that this set was intended to Tsar Paul I, but it has not been been delivered to him.
The 12th Duke of Hamilton was not an art lover, and he had a urgent need for money. The sale of his collection in 2213 lots at Christie's in London was an event that experts still quote.
The portrait of Philip IV by Velazquez, acquired by the British government for 6000 guineas, was however not the highest result of the sale.
Indeed, a Louis XVI commode and secretaire had been sold separately, and to two different clients, for a price quoted as "enormous,never before given for a piece of furniture" in the article, of 9450 pounds each. Mounted in gilt bronze by Gouthière, these two ebony furniture lacquered in black and gold are bearing the monogram of Marie-Antoinette.
The sale of the Safra collection will last four days, from October 18 to 21, at Sotheby's in New York. A pair of furniture is for sale in one lot estimated $ 5M.
This commode and its secrétaire en suite had been included in the Hamilton sale. Like the two royal furniture discussed above, they are from Louis XVI time, mounted in bronze and lacquered. They are attributed to Adam Weisweiler.
Here is the link to the lot in the catalogue.
POST SALE COMMENT
French furniture has become difficult to sell, except, of course, those of the highest quality. This set of two pieces was sold $ 6.9 million including premium.
The estimated date given in the catalog is circa 1795, after the death of Louis XVI. It is possible that this set was intended to Tsar Paul I, but it has not been been delivered to him.
Taishang Huangdi cylinder seal
2011 SOLD for RMB 160M including premium by Poly
1795-1796 The Honorary Emperor
2010 SOLD 96 MHK$ including premium
An exceptional longevity of its emperors ensured the stability of the Qing regime. The reign of Kangxi lasted 60 years. That of his son Yongzheng was abruptly interrupted by his sudden death in suspicious circumstances.
His successor Qianlong took as a model his grandfather Kangxi, a friend of the arts and letters. Qianlong had considered impolite to reign longer than Kangxi. After 60 years of reign, he abdicated, gave to himself the title of Emperor Emeritus (Taishanghuang) ... and retained any real power.
The first year of transition is known to Bingchen, corresponding to 1795-1796 in our calendar.
A superb white jade seal of Taishanghuang is for sale at Sotheby's in Hong Kong on April 8. Its mark is known on books, calligraphy and paintings from the imperial collection. Cylindrical, it is probably unique in its category for that time. The auction house expects HK $ 50 million.
POST SALE COMMENT
This small object 4.5 cm high will remain as the most extraordinary example of the market recovery for exceptional pieces. Indeed, its last selling at auction was recent: HK $ 46.2 million at Sotheby's on October 9, 2007.
It went throughout what some of them name the "crisis", to be sold today HK $ 96 million including premium.
The image of this seal is shared by Bloomberg.
This sale included also a prestigious jewel, whose price was difficult to predict. Again, it was a success: a necklace of pearls which was probably worn by Emperor Yongzheng was sold HK $ 68 million including premium, from a low estimate of HK $ 8 million. It had benefited from a good media coverage.
Another photo shared by Telegraph shows the seal from below with its Imperial characters.
His successor Qianlong took as a model his grandfather Kangxi, a friend of the arts and letters. Qianlong had considered impolite to reign longer than Kangxi. After 60 years of reign, he abdicated, gave to himself the title of Emperor Emeritus (Taishanghuang) ... and retained any real power.
The first year of transition is known to Bingchen, corresponding to 1795-1796 in our calendar.
A superb white jade seal of Taishanghuang is for sale at Sotheby's in Hong Kong on April 8. Its mark is known on books, calligraphy and paintings from the imperial collection. Cylindrical, it is probably unique in its category for that time. The auction house expects HK $ 50 million.
POST SALE COMMENT
This small object 4.5 cm high will remain as the most extraordinary example of the market recovery for exceptional pieces. Indeed, its last selling at auction was recent: HK $ 46.2 million at Sotheby's on October 9, 2007.
It went throughout what some of them name the "crisis", to be sold today HK $ 96 million including premium.
The image of this seal is shared by Bloomberg.
This sale included also a prestigious jewel, whose price was difficult to predict. Again, it was a success: a necklace of pearls which was probably worn by Emperor Yongzheng was sold HK $ 68 million including premium, from a low estimate of HK $ 8 million. It had benefited from a good media coverage.
Another photo shared by Telegraph shows the seal from below with its Imperial characters.
1796 The Emperor Supreme of the Qing
2016 SOLD for HK$ 91M including premium
The Qianlong Emperor lived for 87 years, spanning most of the eighteenth century of our calendar. He protected arts and culture with a refinement that made him in the following of his father Yongzheng the most effective art patron of all time.
He thought of his retirement which he had promised to take if his reign was to exceed 60 years. His grandfather Kangxi had reigned 61 years and this period should not be exceeded for a reason of respect. The emperor must be a model of virtue and can not change a wish or express a remorse. After a transitional year named Bingchen, the Qianlong Emperor abdicated in 1796 of our calendar.
Qianlong now becomes the Taishang Huang meaning the Emperor Supreme, a traditional title awarded in the Chinese empire to emperors who left the throne, but examples of an abdication like Qianlong's without a palace revolution are of course exceptional in Chinese history.
During his reign, Qianlong was a great lover of seals that he used to put his imperial mark on the documents and works of art that he had consulted. He had now changed his own denomination and ordered the execution of the Taishang Huangdi shi Bao seals meaning the seals of the treasure of the Emperor Supreme.
A very large seal 22.5 cm square is made for the purpose to serve as a model and will never be used. It is kept in the Palace Museum in Beijing. Copies are made in various smaller sizes using the finest jades.
The largest of the seals actually used by Taishang Huang is 13 cm square. It was carved in a boulder of green jade from Khotan on the motif of two addorsed dragons. This prestigious piece is estimated HK $ 80M for sale by Sotheby's in Hong Kong on October 5, lot 3304. It is offered with its original zitan stand but its box was lost. Please watch here below the video shared by the auction house.
We may take as references three results including premium recorded by Sotheby's. A Xintian Shuren seal of Qianlong also 13 cm square was sold for HK $ 122M on 7 October 2010. A cylindrical Bingchen seal in white jade was sold for HK $ 96M on April 8, 2010. A small Taishang Huandi seal improved with a poem explaining the abdication was sold for HK $ 64,5M on April 8, 2011.
He thought of his retirement which he had promised to take if his reign was to exceed 60 years. His grandfather Kangxi had reigned 61 years and this period should not be exceeded for a reason of respect. The emperor must be a model of virtue and can not change a wish or express a remorse. After a transitional year named Bingchen, the Qianlong Emperor abdicated in 1796 of our calendar.
Qianlong now becomes the Taishang Huang meaning the Emperor Supreme, a traditional title awarded in the Chinese empire to emperors who left the throne, but examples of an abdication like Qianlong's without a palace revolution are of course exceptional in Chinese history.
During his reign, Qianlong was a great lover of seals that he used to put his imperial mark on the documents and works of art that he had consulted. He had now changed his own denomination and ordered the execution of the Taishang Huangdi shi Bao seals meaning the seals of the treasure of the Emperor Supreme.
A very large seal 22.5 cm square is made for the purpose to serve as a model and will never be used. It is kept in the Palace Museum in Beijing. Copies are made in various smaller sizes using the finest jades.
The largest of the seals actually used by Taishang Huang is 13 cm square. It was carved in a boulder of green jade from Khotan on the motif of two addorsed dragons. This prestigious piece is estimated HK $ 80M for sale by Sotheby's in Hong Kong on October 5, lot 3304. It is offered with its original zitan stand but its box was lost. Please watch here below the video shared by the auction house.
We may take as references three results including premium recorded by Sotheby's. A Xintian Shuren seal of Qianlong also 13 cm square was sold for HK $ 122M on 7 October 2010. A cylindrical Bingchen seal in white jade was sold for HK $ 96M on April 8, 2010. A small Taishang Huandi seal improved with a poem explaining the abdication was sold for HK $ 64,5M on April 8, 2011.
The Imperial 'Taishang Huangdi Zhi Bao' Seal - the largest ever used by the Qianlong Emperor - fetches HK$91.5m/US$11.8m in #HK pic.twitter.com/9VPJ3SdO12
— Sotheby's (@Sothebys) October 5, 2016
1796 Xintian Zhuren and Taishang Huandi
2011 SOLD 64.5 MH$ including premium
The competition is intense among Chinese buyers, whose competence may now be qualified as extreme. We now know that the bid of £ 51.6 million put in November 2010 on a Qianlong vase at Bainbridge's in the suburbs of London was not a fluke.
Gradually, the international auction houses are appreciating and accompanying the quality criteria of these new collectors who are blazing the market. In the discussion below, I focus specifically on white jade seals of Emperor Qianlong, which are a true barometer of the market thanks to the fact that they are frequent at auction.
Yesterday, March 26, at Toulouse, Chassaing et Marambat sold € 12.4M a Qianlong seal which had been estimated between 1 and 1.5 M €. Bloomberg, who was the first to forward this information, observes that buyers were interested in the beautiful transparency of the white jade and in the sharpness of his carving. This piece measures 10 x 10 cm at the base and 7.55 cm high.
On April 8 in Hong Kong, two Qianlong seals are for sale at Sotheby's.
One of them is a Xintian Zhuren (the monarch who believes in heaven), 10.7 x 10.7 cm at the base, decorated with a magnificent pair of addorsed dragons. It dates from the 25th year of the reign (1760), after Qianlong had successfully resisted a Muslim revolt.
Its estimate at HK $ 50M is low. This seal is very similar to another somewhat larger specimen, 13 x 13 cm, sold by them HK $ 120M including premium on October 7, 2010.
The other seal in the next sale is a Taishang Huangdi, 8.2 x 8.2 cm base, also with entwined dragons. Dated to the beginning of the Jiaqing era (1796), it embeds on its sides a poem in which the emeritus Emperor Qianlong explains his abdication.
The expected price, HK $ 30M, is probably taking into account some minor wear announced in the catalog. I previously discussed here a unique cylindrical Taishang Huangdi, smaller, sold twice, again at Sotheby's Hong Kong: HK $ 46M including premium on October 9, 2007, HK $ 96M including premium on April 8, 2010.
POST SALE COMMENT
The Xintian Juren, for which I thought that the estimate was too low, has not been sold.
The Taishang Huandi got a very good result: HK $ 64.5 million including premium. The inscribed imperial poem certainly helped to push its price.
This result confirms two facts.
In this market, collectors are passionate. Only the buyers decide for the price worth to be paid, the estimates are only indicative. Small differences in quality can generate huge differences in price.
The seal sold € 12.4 million on March 26 in Toulouse is an exceptional piece.
Gradually, the international auction houses are appreciating and accompanying the quality criteria of these new collectors who are blazing the market. In the discussion below, I focus specifically on white jade seals of Emperor Qianlong, which are a true barometer of the market thanks to the fact that they are frequent at auction.
Yesterday, March 26, at Toulouse, Chassaing et Marambat sold € 12.4M a Qianlong seal which had been estimated between 1 and 1.5 M €. Bloomberg, who was the first to forward this information, observes that buyers were interested in the beautiful transparency of the white jade and in the sharpness of his carving. This piece measures 10 x 10 cm at the base and 7.55 cm high.
On April 8 in Hong Kong, two Qianlong seals are for sale at Sotheby's.
One of them is a Xintian Zhuren (the monarch who believes in heaven), 10.7 x 10.7 cm at the base, decorated with a magnificent pair of addorsed dragons. It dates from the 25th year of the reign (1760), after Qianlong had successfully resisted a Muslim revolt.
Its estimate at HK $ 50M is low. This seal is very similar to another somewhat larger specimen, 13 x 13 cm, sold by them HK $ 120M including premium on October 7, 2010.
The other seal in the next sale is a Taishang Huangdi, 8.2 x 8.2 cm base, also with entwined dragons. Dated to the beginning of the Jiaqing era (1796), it embeds on its sides a poem in which the emeritus Emperor Qianlong explains his abdication.
The expected price, HK $ 30M, is probably taking into account some minor wear announced in the catalog. I previously discussed here a unique cylindrical Taishang Huangdi, smaller, sold twice, again at Sotheby's Hong Kong: HK $ 46M including premium on October 9, 2007, HK $ 96M including premium on April 8, 2010.
POST SALE COMMENT
The Xintian Juren, for which I thought that the estimate was too low, has not been sold.
The Taishang Huandi got a very good result: HK $ 64.5 million including premium. The inscribed imperial poem certainly helped to push its price.
This result confirms two facts.
In this market, collectors are passionate. Only the buyers decide for the price worth to be paid, the estimates are only indicative. Small differences in quality can generate huge differences in price.
The seal sold € 12.4 million on March 26 in Toulouse is an exceptional piece.
>1797 What sort of badge was worn at the Imperial Court of Russia
2008 SOLD 2.7 M£ including premium
All observers say and assess that what comes from Russia is in the top fashion of the time being, and that greatly interested Russian buyers are keen to reconstitute their past.
We also know that everything coming from imperial origines of all countries make collectors and scholars dreaming.
The brooch (the word used in English by Sotheby's is badge), which is lot 540 of the sale of Sotheby's in London on June 12, comes from the crown jewels of Imperial Russia. In imposing size (13 x 9 cm, 160 grams), its low estimate of 400 K£ is even less surprising when we know that it is covered with 45 carats of diamonds.
Its drawing, very fine, has two bodies: the main part is an eagle with two heads and with wings and tail deployed. This one is partly covered by a cross of St Andrew with the image of the saint. Over it, there is the beautiful image of the imperial crown. All of this is in diamonds except the eyes of the eagle which are rubies and beaks and claws which are gold.
The jewel was made around 1800 as a decoration of the Order of St. Andrew. It was a privilege of the tsar's family to wear this type of decorations in the great occasions of the State. The descent from that piece is known: given by the Imperial family to the ducal family of Oldenburg, it returned in 1890 to Empress Maria Feodorovna, who wore it.
The estimate is very open, with a high estimate at 600 K £. But is there really a price for such a treasure?
POST SALE COMMENT
The treasure has now a price: £ 2.7 million charge included.
It is an excellent result which will refer.
We also know that everything coming from imperial origines of all countries make collectors and scholars dreaming.
The brooch (the word used in English by Sotheby's is badge), which is lot 540 of the sale of Sotheby's in London on June 12, comes from the crown jewels of Imperial Russia. In imposing size (13 x 9 cm, 160 grams), its low estimate of 400 K£ is even less surprising when we know that it is covered with 45 carats of diamonds.
Its drawing, very fine, has two bodies: the main part is an eagle with two heads and with wings and tail deployed. This one is partly covered by a cross of St Andrew with the image of the saint. Over it, there is the beautiful image of the imperial crown. All of this is in diamonds except the eyes of the eagle which are rubies and beaks and claws which are gold.
The jewel was made around 1800 as a decoration of the Order of St. Andrew. It was a privilege of the tsar's family to wear this type of decorations in the great occasions of the State. The descent from that piece is known: given by the Imperial family to the ducal family of Oldenburg, it returned in 1890 to Empress Maria Feodorovna, who wore it.
The estimate is very open, with a high estimate at 600 K £. But is there really a price for such a treasure?
POST SALE COMMENT
The treasure has now a price: £ 2.7 million charge included.
It is an excellent result which will refer.
