Estimated at £60,000-100,000, afresh-to-the-market ‘birthday’ jade boulder leads Woolley & Wallis’ Asian sale in Salisbury on May 16.
The pale celadon jade was bought by Lady Robertson (d.1977) in 1958 for £150 from Asian dealer John Sparks.
Dating to the Qianlong period, the large 8in (21cm) jade is carved in high relief with two figures carrying presents up a hill towards an open terrace of pine trees and two cranes. The reverse is carved with further caves, all beneath stylised clouds. The stone is raised on a reticulated zitan stand carved with rocks, pine branches and blossoms.
A pair of porcelain seals signed by the famous Republican painter He Xuren (1882-1940) stars at Christie’s South Kensington on May 12.
Painted in 1927, each of the squared 4in (9cm) seals depict four landscape scenes, including one of He Xuren’s celebrated winterscapes.
The painter was commissioned to make the seals as a gift for Commander Yi Zhi, a high commander of the Kuomintang and combatant of Sun Yat-Sen. Each calligraphic inscription includes a poetic verse about the river landscape, a date, dedication and signature.
Estimate £30,000-50,000.
