Chinese Ceramics, Works of Art and Textiles

Chinese Ceramics, Works of Art & Textiles at Christie’s South Kensington on 12 May will present a wealth of Chinese art dating from the Western Zhou dynasty (11th-10th century BC) to the Republic Period (1912-1949), including porcelain, jade carvings, paintings, court robes, cloisonné enamels and bronzes. A highlight is a rare pair of Republic Period famille rose porcelain ‘landscape’ seals signed by the renowned ceramicist He Xuren (1882-1940) and dated 1927. They were a gift to the Chinese Commander-in-Chief of the Kuomintang army, Zhu Peide, and bear his seal. Amongst the many private collections in the sale is a 28-lot selection of 20th century Chinese paintings and jade carvings sold on behalf of the Late Lady Birthe Cradock (1928-2016), Widow of Sir Percy Cradock (1923-2010), to benefit St John’s College Cambridge. Headlining this collection is an ink painting by Pu Xuezhai (1893-1966), Grasses (£3000-5000). Further highlights from private collections include a mid-19th century apricot-ground formal lady’s court dragon robe, jifu (estimate: £10,000-15,000); an 18th-19th century yellow jade water buffalo (estimate: £2,000-4,000) from the Collection of Miss Anne Makeig Jones (b.1954) and a pair of 19th century black glazed imitation bronze vases, fanghu (estimate: £10,000-15,000). Estimates range from £1,000 up to £50,000.