Chinese Art Treasures

We place a spotlight on art and antiques from Asia at our 70th anniversary auction on 27 November, where we can present a rare and valuable porcelain flask from the Yuan dynasty.

A Chinese porcelain flask decorated in blue, moulded with four dragon handles on the neck and decorated with dragon and design. Yuan 1280-1368. H. 33 cm. Estimate: DKK 1-1.5 million.

Avalokitesvara of gilt bronze. China, Ming 1368-1644. Height with throne approx. 67 cm. Estimate: DKK 800,000-1,200,000.

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The Flask, the Dragon and a Scientific Inquiry 

At the auction, we will be focusing on the years 1280-1368, where the Mongolian royal family held the power in China and ruled the country under the so-called Yuan dynasty. From this period, we find a rectangular porcelain flask decorated with one of the most widely used symbols of fertility in Chinese culture: the benevolent mythical creature of the dragon. In this case, it is the three-clawed dragon surrounded by a cloud collar of birds, flowers and foliage. There is a similar flask at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London. The museum noted in 1935 in a special catalogue that only seven flasks with this shape from the Yuan dynasty were known to exist at the time. The beautiful flask is thus extremely rare and therefore the estimate is placed at DKK 1-1.5 million.

The flask has just undergone a scientific examination at the Kotalla Laboratory in Germany. Using the so-called "thermoluminescence" test, it has been possible to determine the age of the flask via tiny drillings in the bottom and top of the flask. The test showed that the flask's firing process has taken place approximately 750 years ago. The detailed test report can be obtained upon request.

Buddhist Figures

Other highlights of the auction come from the subsequent dynasty – the Ming dynasty between 1368-1644. These include some of Buddhism's favourite figures in gilt bronze. One figure depicts a female Guanyin who, with her height of 52 cm, a weight of more than 17 kilos and a gentle look, sits and regards us from her Dhyanasana position. Another gilt bronze figure depicts Avalokitesvara, who, like Guanyin, belongs to the group of Bodhisattvas. According to Buddhist philosophy, they strive for complete enlightenment and represent qualities such as compassion and mercy. The figure sits on its throne while the 18 arms hold different artefacts such as a book, a nectar vase and a sword. The provenance is of a very fine standard since the figure originates from the collection of Mogens Pagh, Managing Director of the East Asiatic Company in the years 1956-81. It was given to Pagh at his 50th anniversary with the company by the Executive Board. The quality and condition are also of a very high quality, which is reflected in the estimate of DKK 800,000-1,200,000.
 

Auction: Tuesday 27 November at 2 pm in Bredgade 33 in Copenhagen

Preview: 21-26 November at the same address

Please note: During the preview on Sunday 25 November at 3 pm our specialist in Asian art, Alexandra Nilsson, will give a "Gallery Talk" entitled "Passion, Heart and Culture – Asian art in private ownership from 1900 to today". The talk will be held in Danish, but everyone is welcome!

View all the auction lots 
Bidding at this auction requires registration in advance

 

For further information, please contact:

Ralph Lexner: +45 8818 1161  · rl@bruun-rasmussen.dk

Charlotte Hviid: +45 8818 1162  · chv@bruun-rasmussen.dk

Alexandra Nilsson: +45 8818 1166  · ani@bruun-rasmussen.dk