Cinnabar pyriform vase, China, Qianlong period (1736–1796), height 6½ inches. The design is a deeply caved floral motif. The function of this vase, judging from its size and shape, is to hold incense implements: a spade, which is used to flatten the sand in the censer; and a pair of narrow silver or bronze sticks connected by a short chain, used to pick up the incense pellet to place it on the sand in the censer. Vases for holding these implements are often placed on the scholar's table, as evidenced by their depiction in paintings of scholars' studios.
:E&J Frankel, Ltd will conduct its 100th exhibition and sale celebrating 40 years of presenting Asian art to the world community beginning March 21. The first 50 exhibition articles were collected in the firm's 25th anniversary catalog.
The exhibition "Four Decades: 40th Year Retrospective" has Asian works of art, all currently available, that represent the topics covered in the firm's last 50 shows over the last 15 years. This exhibition and sale is accompanied by a catalog containing articles and colored plates of all the 85 pieces in the show.
They include Chinese porcelains Tang (618–906) through Qing (1644–1912) dynasties A white ware oil lamp of the Song dynasty (960–1279) and two Kangxi mark and period Imperial yellow and blue with red dragon pieces are of special interest.
The range of mineral carvings includes jades from the Warring States Period (475–221 BCE) to the Qianlong Period (1736–1796). There is an emphasis on white nephrite jade carvings of the Eighteenth Century. This includes a double gourd with the Erxie twins and a reclining foo dog.
Textile examples include a chuba (dragon robe) of the Late Ming dynasty, circa 1600. Bronze works of art include a Shang dynasty (1766–1122 BCE) jue (ritual wine heating tripod), a lei (wine storage jar) from the Western Zhou dynasty (1122–756 BCE), a Ming dynasty (1368–1644) painted bronze Daoist deity, gilt bronze Sino Tibetan deities and a Mongolian Sakyamuni Buddha done in the Zanabaazar School in the late Seventeenth to early Eighteenth Century.
Japanese works of art are represented by Eighteenth Century netsuke from Kyoto as well as albumin paper photographs by Felix Beato and Baron von Stillfried.
Wood pieces include Ming and Kangxi period furniture as well as sculpture. A lohan head from the Song dynasty (960–1279) and a seated zitan wood Green Tara from the late Seventeenth to early Eighteenth Century. A pair of miniature Eighteenth Century black lacquer cabinets holds a treasure trove of Chinese miniature art.
Seated wooden luohan, Northern China, Yuan dynasty (1279–1368), height 43 inches. This is a temple carving of one of the 18 luohans; he is extending his hand in a teaching gesture. There are traces of the paint on the skin as well as the clothing. The facial characteristics are not typically Chinese, reflecting the Indian or Central Asian origins of the luohans, who brought Buddhism to China.
Paintings that are in this exhibition include contemporary works by C.C. Wang, Wang Fangyu and Wang Qingli among the old masters Li Shan of the Eighteenth Century and Yun Shouping of the Seventeenth Century.
Silver and jadeite antique jewelry represent the latest of the antique pieces in the show. The silver is all hallmarked by the makers. Shanghai as well as Guangzhou jewelers of the Nineteenth Century are represented.
The catalog is available for purchase for $49.95, plus tax and shipping; double (25th and 40th anniversary) catalogs available in slipcase, 100 limited edition, $95, plus tax and shipping.
E&J Frankel Ltd is at 1040 Madison Avenue at 79th Street. For information, www.ejfrankel.com or 212-879-5733.
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