The 204 lots from the J. Louis Binder Collection of Chinese Export Art netted £392,550 and, although more than 40 per cent of entries were bought in during the auction, the raft of aftersales meant there were only a small number of lots left unsold a few days later.
The collection had been built over the last 30 years by Virginia-based American enthusiasts Louis and Gloria Binder who bought both at auction and from reputable American, European and London dealers such as The Chinese Porcelain Company, Vanderven & Vanderven, S. Marchant & Son and Cohen & Pearce.
Like many collectors, the Binders were often prepared to overlook imperfect condition for the quality of painting and rarity of design and, consequently, a number of the pieces had suffered some damage or restoration.
The Chinese have never held Westerners in the greatest esteem, often comically depicting them as unrefined, hairy, big-nosed barbarians. These deeply-held prejudices cannot have been helped by the designs commissioned by some Europeans in the 18th century such as the erotic design on a famille rose barber’s bowl, c.1775, depicting four naked wrestling ladies of ample proportions and probably copying an European engraving.
In good condition other than a shallow rim chip, it sold to a European dealer (possibly on behalf of a collector) at £5500. The pair to this bowl is thought to be in a private collection.
The biggest money was reserved for a ‘Scotsman’ bowl, c.1745, depicting two kilted Jacobite martyrs, Piper Macdonnel and Rifleman Shaw. These typically sell for up to £25,000, but this was in perfect condition and fetched £30,000 from a UK dealer.
After sales keep Export market active
Sotheby’s and Bonhams routinely include sections of Export porcelain in their general Chinese sales but Christie’s specialist Caroline Allen devotes her time solely to this field and it is an area she is keen to develop. To this end, Christie’s</b? (19.5/12% buyer’s premium) gave her the go-ahead to present a single-owner collection of European-subject Export porcelain in an individual catalogue even though it was never going to be a big money-spinning, seven-figure collection.
