The award for most outstanding work of art from an auction house, sponsored by ATG, was given to Christie’s for the pair of 19in (48cm) high Qianlong ‘daji’ double gourd form plaques, above.
Offered for sale by a direct descendant of the prominent Scottish merchant Daniel Beale (1759-1842) who had acquired them in China in the early 19th century, these were constructed of precious materials (lapis lazuli, jade, rose quartz, stained ivory, coral, kingfisher feathers, zitan and silver wire) to convey numerous auspicious messages.
Monumental figure
The award for the most outstanding work of art from a dealer went to Jonathan Tucker Antonia Tozer Asian Art for the 2nd or 3rd century Gandharan sculpture pictured above.
The monumental 2ft 4in (71cm) high carved schist figure of a long-haired Bodhisattva dressed in the attire and adornments of Kushan royalty comes from an English collection.
