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Olympia Auctions in London will be hosting its inaugural dedicated sale of Chinese and Japanese Works of Art on November 8.
The sale presents a diverse range of Chinese works of art from the Neolithic period, Liangzhu Culture (3,300-2,300BC) to the Warring Sates Period (475-221BCE), through the Ming (1368 to 1644) and Qing Dynasties (1723-35), concluding in the Cultural Revolution (1966-76).
The sale includes ceramics, bronze vessels and figures, jades including a green jade cong, archers’ rings and small animals. Also lacquer, paintings including ancestor portraits, posters and silk panels. Estimates range from £100-£60,000, and 22 of the 126 lots are offered without reserve.
From the Neolithic period, a Chinese mottled green jade cong, Liangzhu culture (3,300–2,300BC) is carved to each corner with a stylized mask beneath striated bands. This is from a private collection, acquired in Japan in the 1990s. There is a very similar jade cong in the Sze Yuan Tang Collection of Chinese Jades. It carries an estimate of £10,000 -£15,000.
Going forwards through the centuries, another highlight is a Zhou Dynasty (475-221BC) archaic bronze wine vessel, (hu), from an English private collection which is to be offered without reserve, estimated at £15,000 -£25,000.
A fine collection of archers rings from the Edward McEwen Collection of Archery and Associated Items are particularly eye catching. A highlight in this group is a stunning white jade archer’s ring, Qing Dynasty, 18th century, estimated at £2,000-£3,000. A characterful group of Chinese celadon jade animals, with pieces made throughout the centuries of the Qing Dynasty (1644–1911) will no doubt appeal to collectors of this discipline. It includes horses, dogs, a cat and mouse group and a buffalo. Estimates range from £300-£3,000.
A magnificent pair of Qing Dynasty Yongzheng Famille-Rose fish bowls is estimated at £40,000 -£60,000 and a large pair of Canton Famille-Rose baluster vases, late Qing Dynasty, 19th century is another highlight, estimated at £10,000 -£15,000. A very handsome pair of Chinese cloisonné enamel ‘Dragon Vases’, Qing Dynasty, also 19th century, is estimated at £5,000 -£7,000.
A film poster for the American-Hong Kong production Enter The Dragon is also included in the sale. The 1973 martial arts film was directed by Robert Clouse, starring Bruce Lee who sadly died after it was made, in July 1973. It is regarded as one of the greatest martial arts films ever made. This year is 50th anniversary since the film was released.
The equally diverse Japanese section of the sale includes netsuke(Meiji Period 1868-1912), Miyao bronzes (Meiji Period)and ceramics from Shoji Hamada (1894-1978).
Another highlight in the Japanese section is a beautiful six-fold screen, Edo period, late 18th-early 19th century.
Stephen Loakes is running the new dedicated departmentto Chinese and Japanese Works of Art. He worked for 17 years in the Chinese Department at Sotheby’s Bond Street, latterly as a director.
