THE HODROFF COLLECTION PART II LEADS CHINESE EXPORT ART AT CHRISTIE’S NEW YORK
Chinese Export Art – January 23 at 10am
The Hodroff Collection, Part II – January 23 at 2pm
New York – Continuing on the success of last year’s auction, Christie’s is pleased to offer another fine collection of Chinese Export Art in The Hodroff Collection, Part II on January 23 in New York. Characterized as even higher quality than the last, this sale offers an unrivalled selection of pieces drawn largely from the collectors’ Palm Beach penthouse as well as their Minneapolis home. The Chinese Export Art sale will feature an exquisite array of works from virtually every category of wares made for the China trade from the 17th to the 19th century, including notable private collections of English armorial, Kangxi famille verte, and impressive American market pieces.
The Hodroff Collection
Reflecting an unerring eye for quality and a deep respect for the long tradition of Chinese export art, Leo and Doris Hodroff’s collection is revered as an unparalleled assemblage of porcelains made for export in 17th and 18th century China. Following on last year’s success, the Hodroffs have made a further selection of pieces for auction. Featuring a strong offering of birds, animals and figures, as well as of the armorial, European subject and 17th century offerings, this sale promises to be an exciting event and a must for anyone intrigued by Chinese Export Porcelain.
The sale offers an impressive and rare Pronk Cistern and Cover, circa 1738-40, intricately painted in a Chinese Imari palette (estimate: $40,000-60,000). Each side depicts two elegant Chinoiserie ladies rinsing their hands with water
from a basin, as well as large cobalt blue and gilt trees bearing a profusion of blooms and berries that add to the magnificence of the urns coloration. Highlights also include a pair of Blue and White Kangxi period jars boasting panels of landscapes and antiques (estimate: $25,000-40,000), as well as a large Blue and White Cistern elaborately crafted with a large biscuit Buddhist lion knop seated on top (estimate: $25,000-40,000).
Leading an extensive offering of figures is a remarkable pair of Famille Rose Court Lady Candleholders (estimate: $40,000-60,000). These highly detailed and ornately painted court ladies were very fashionable and used to decorate late 18th century European tables. Animal figures are abundant in the sale with precious works such as a Quianlong Period Famille Rose Crane (estimate: $15,000-25,000), a pair of Quianlong Period Hawks (estimate: $30,000-50,000) and a colorful pair of Quianlong Period Famille Rose Hawks (estimate: $20,000-30,000).
Examples of armorial porcelain bearing English or Continental coats-of-arms, range from a sauceboat (estimate: $800 to $1,200) to a rococo tureen, cover and stand ($8,000 to $12,000). Making a rare appearance on the market is a large Rose Imari ‘Provinces’ dish depicting the arms of Zeelandt ($25,000-40,000).
Various Owner Sale
Leading the various owner sale is an oil painting by the Studio of Lamqua (1865-60) (estimate: $50,000-70,000). Providing a view into the intimate universe of the Chinese Imperial Court, the piece depicts the Empress in a pavilion at her Summer Palace surrounded by individuals and entertained by musicians bearing gifts. This exquisite painting offers a very rare and coveted glimpse of life inside the palace walls.
Very finely enameled with a continuous scene illustrating the waterfront view of the Western enclave at Canton, the ‘Hong’ Punchbowl offered in this sale is an important work and boasts intricate craftsmanship (estimate: $60,000-80,000). The example demonstrates the development of the design and stratagem by Chinese painters to transfer a flat panorama to a circular surface.
A selection of figures and vases is also offered in this sale, including an elaborately and vibrantly decorated pair of Court Lady Candleholders from the Qianlong Period (estimate: $30,000-50,000). Highlights from the vases include a large pair of White and Blue Beaker vases enveloped with panels of birds and flowers (estimate: $10,000-15,000) and a large pair of Turquoise Ground “Mandarin Palette” vases and covers painted with tall panels of court ladies at leisure and covered by gilt Buddhist lion knops (estimate: $10,000-15,000).
A complete Blue and White dinner service – each piece painted with blossoming chrysanthemum growing from weathered rocks on a riverbank – consists of 32 dinner plates, 16 soup plates and a number of platters and additional dishes (estimate: $16,000-22,000).
Auction:
Chinese Export Art January 23 at 10:00am
The Hodroff Collection, Part II January 23 at 2:00pm
Viewing: Christie’s Rockefeller Galleries January 19 – 22
About Christie’s
Christie’s is the world’s leading art business with global auction sales in 2006 that totalled £2.51 billion / $4.67 billion. Worldwide sales for the first half of 2007 totalled £1.63 billion / $3.25 billion, an increase of 32% by £ and 45% by $ from the same period last year and highest half year sales ever in art market history. Christie’s is a name and place that speaks of extraordinary art, unparalleled service, and international glamour. Founded in 1766 by James Christie, Christie’s conducted the greatest auctions of the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries, and today remains a popular showcase for the unique and the beautiful. Christie’s offers over 600 sales annually in over 80 categories, including all areas of fine and decorative arts, jewellery, photographs, collectibles, wine, and more. Prices range from $600 to over $80 million. Christie’s has 85 offices in 43 countries and 14 salerooms around the world including London, New York, Los Angeles, Paris, Geneva, Milan, Amsterdam, Tel Aviv, Dubai and Hong Kong. Most recently, Christie’s has led the market with expanded initiatives in emerging markets such as China, India and the United Arab Emirates, with successful sales and exhibitions in Beijing, Dubai, Mumbai and Russia. Christie’s also offers its clients worldwide access to its sales through Christie’s LIVETM, its unique, real-time online bidding service.
*Estimates do not include buyer’s premium
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