The January 23 sale of Chinese Export art and the Hodroff collection, Part II, at Christie’s totaled $3,110,251 and was 90 percent sold by lot and 87 percent sold by value.
The top lot was a very large pair of brown stoneware hawks, Qianlong period, which sold to a US private buyer for $121,000.
Becky MacGuire, head of sale, said, “Two strong sales of Chinese Export art demonstrated the vigor of this collecting field, in which the traditional American and European bidders are increasingly joined by buyers from Latin America and Asia. During the afternoon, the market again honored the collecting eyes of Leo and Doris Hodroff. The Hodroff collection, Part II, totaled just a hair under its high estimate, bringing about ten percent more than a selection of similar size from the collection last year.”
Also highlighting the sale was a “Hong” punchbowl, circa 1775‸0, which brought $103,000 from a European private buyer. Very finely enameled with a continuous scene illustrating the waterfront view of the Western enclave at Canton, the punchbowl boasted intricate craftsmanship Another pair of hawks, Qianlong period, fetched $73,000, while a famille rose dinner service, Qianlong period, realized $67,000.
A blue and white vase, Kangxi period, finished at $58,600, and an oil painting by the Studio of Lamqua (1865‶0) providing a view into the intimate universe of the Chinese Imperial Court, sold for $55,000. The piece depicted the empress in a pavilion at her summer palace surrounded by individuals and entertained by musicians bearing gifts.
Rounding out the sale’s top ten lots were a large famille verte dish, Kangxi period, $55,000; a large pair of famille rose court lady candleholders, Qianlong period, $51,400; a rare biscuit-glazed deer waterdropper and cover, Kangxi period, $46,600; and a pair of famille verte vases, Kangxi period, $46,600.
Prices reported include the buyer’s premium. For information, 212-636-2000 or www.Christies.com .
