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Asian objects with utmost significance and provenance – Cecilia Nordström lists her favourites


Important Winter Sale Includes Asian objects with utmost significance and provenance

**We have spoken with Bukowskis head specialist within Asian Ceramics & Works of Art about the selection at this season's Important Winter Sale, that will be sold at auction December 10th – 11th. In addition to this, she also takes the opportunity to highlight some of her personal favourites from this viewing.**
**What can we look forward to this season of Important Winter Sale?** – This auction contains just over 300 Asian art objects and antiques such as ceramics, jade, furniture, bronzes, sculptures, paintings and silver objects with a range from 500 AD to the 20th century, there are so many beautiful objects with exciting provenances, you feel the wings of history when you look through the selection. Many of Bukowskis international customers are often amazed by the rich and well-filled Asian auctions in Stockholm. Sweden has had and has very talented collectors, and it is a privilege to gain the confidence to sell their precious objects. **What should you think about if you want to start collecting Asian objects?** – The essential thing, if you are going to start collecting, is to collect what you love. If you like it, someone else will do the same in the future if you want to replace the items in your collection. Familiarize yourself with the objects, materials and history of the objects. Do not be afraid to ask questions to the staff at the auction house, whether you need extra information, a condition report or just some extra pictures. Provenance is very important for more expensive objects and especially older items where there may be restrictions on trade. **How do you decorate with Asian objects?** – The elegant aesthetics of the Asian objects make them fit well in our Scandinavian modern interiors as well as in classic interiors. If you want to start a collection or just invest in a "conversation piece" for your home, - Asian objects is a great start!




Dish in porcelain Qing dynasty with Qianlong's mark



One of the main items in the auction is the magnificent yellow dish decorated with nine peaches in underglaze blue and with Emperor Qianlong's seal mark at the bottom (1736-95). The yellow colour was reserved for the emperor, and it is breath-taking to imagine that the dish was once in the forbidden city by the emperor's side.

That it ended up here in Sweden is through "Postmästare" Erik Nordström who was in China at the fall of the last emperor when many objects came on the market. He was sent to develop the postal service on the recommendation of the Swedish Envoy for China and Japan, Gustaf Wallenberg in 1910. Bukowskis has also previously been entrusted with selling items from his collection.


Explore the dish




Nine Watercolours with motif from the forbidden city, Qing Dynasty, 19th Century



Another lot of this auction that is close to my heart are the nine watercolours that depicts scenes from court life. They give a fantastic insight into everyday life; you see men, women and children from different generations interact. The paintings also give us a picture of how they decorated with furniture, antiques and art in the palace and its gardens, environments that have since been lost.


Explore the work




Chinese Export Painting



Exciting objects paying attention to this auction are the fine export paintings depicting Canton and its Hongs during the 19th century (painting 1), Wampoa Anchorage in the Pearl River outside Canton where the great East India Men lay at anchor and were prepared for the long journey home. Canton was not a deep harbour, so you had to bring the porcelain, tea and all that were to be loaded with sampans to the East India men. (painting2). There are also two paintings from around the year 1800, both with East India Men carrying English flags, one in a fierce typhoon and the other one when the storm or typhoon has subsided. These were probably ordered by a captain or supercargo on board of one of the ships (painting 3a+3b).


Explore Painting 1


Explore Painting 2


Explore Painting 3a + 3b




Pu Hua Watercolour and ink on paper



In recent years, the interest in Chinese painting has increased more and more, one to keep your eye on this auction is the one by Pu Hua (1837-1911), it is dated 1906 and inspired by one of the great painters named Bada Shanren. However, I must say that Pu Hua captured the beauty of the Lotus even better than the artist he cites as a source of inspiration. As in many Asian paintings, there is also a poem, which in this painting can be translated to The sound of dancing lotuses resemble tones of musical instruments and fencing.


Explore the painting


When is the viewing and auction?

Viewing: 4 – 9 December, Berzelii Park 1, Stockholm
Open: Mon–Fri 11 – 18, Sat–Sun 11 – 17
Auction: 10 – 11 December, Arsenalsgatan 2, Stockholm

Asian department is hammered on December 11 from 10 am CET



Explore the entire Asian catalogue


Contact our Specialists

Cecilia Nordström
Stockholm
Cecilia Nordström
Head Specialist Asian Ceramics and Works of Art, European Ceramics and Glass
+46 (0)739 40 08 02
Björn Extergren
Stockholm
Björn Extergren
Head of Consignment and Sales Department, Fine Art. Specialist Antique Furniture, Decorative Arts and Asian Ceramics
+46 (0)706 40 28 61