Imperial court during a brief period in the early 15th century. Emperor Yongle actively courted Tibetan hierarchs and persuaded them to visit China, resulting in the development of Chinese style gilt-bronze Buddhist images. This figure of Amitayus, the ‘Buddha of Infinite Life’, is one of the most significant large imperial Ming gilt-bronzes of its type. Festooned with an elaborate, bejewelled necklace, the Buddha is seated legs crossed in the lotus position, on an integral double-lotus base. While inspired by Tibetan bronzes, this gilt-bronze also illustrates distinct Chinese stylistic developments.
Amongst the Imperial ceramics there will be enamelled works from three generations of Qing dynasty emperors: Kangxi (r. 1662-1722), Yongzheng (r. 1723-1735) and Qianlong (r. 1736-1795). Ceramics from the Kangxi period are renowned for their innovative style combined with the adoption of techniques developed during the Ming period. A good example is the elegantly shaped baluster green and yellow ‘dragon’ vase (estimate: $900,000-1.2 million).
Enamelling techniques at the Imperial workshop reached a zenith during the Yongzheng reign as can be seen in an exceedingly rare pair of Beijing enamelled facetted vases (estimate: $650,000-900,000). Each of these miniature vases is painted and stippled with delicate enamel colours, executed on a copper body to depict vignettes of geese amid flowers on a river bank. Another form of enamelling technique that found much favour with Emperor Yongzheng was the doucai palette, where enamel colours were juxtaposed with each other. This resulted in interesting and subtle decoration as demonstrated by this rare vase, decorated with stylised Indian lotus flowers (estimate
$650,000-900,000).
Another highlight of the sale is an emerald green jadeite tripod censer and cover dating to the early 20th century ($1.3-2.0 million). Jadeite is not found in China and was first imported in to China from Burma during the late Qianlong period.