.jpg?w=1)
FROM THE LEONARD GOW COLLECTION OF JADE, HARDSTONE CARVINGS AND WORKS OF ART (LOTS 1040-1043 INCLUSIVE)
Leonard Gow was born in Glasgow in 1859. His father, also called Leonard, was Senior Partner in the family shipping Company, Gow and Co. Leonard Gow Snr made the strategically important decision of changing the company's fleet from sail to steamers. The company was therefore able to exploit, earlier than most other companies, the huge opportunities that arose through the opening of the Suez Canal and of the far eastern markets including China that significantly developed from the 1860s.
Leonard Gow was a successful businessman in his own right. He became Senior Partner in the expanded family firm of Gow, Harrison and Co. as well as being a Director of Burmah Oil and Chairman of several other companies. However, he studied Moral Philosophy at Glasgow University and was always interested in more than pure business matters
Although renowned for his collection of Chinese porcelain he was also a collector of paintings and etchings especially of Scottish Artists of the 19th Century, some of whose paintings today are classified as of national importance. In the 1960s the family presented to the Hunterian Gallery in Glasgow a collection of prints by the Glasgow artist Muirhead Bone.
Leonard Gow and Sir William Burrell
Leonard Gow and Sir William Burrell were almost exact contemporaries, Burrell being born in Glasgow in 1861. Both were of ship-owning families and both went on to head their family firms. They knew each other very well from an early age, both as friends and rivals. They undoubtedly would have influenced each other as to what they collected.
THREE JADE AND JADEITE CARVINGS
19TH CENTURY
Details
THREE JADE AND JADEITE CARVINGS
19TH CENTURY
The group comprises a jadeite belt hook, carved with a scrolling chilong and a dragon head terminal, the stone with apple green inclusions; a white jade ruyi sceptre incised with stylised mythical beasts and shou character; and a grey jade sword slide, with a long tailed mythical beast in high relief to one side.
The largest 5½ in. (14 cm.) long (3)
19TH CENTURY
The group comprises a jadeite belt hook, carved with a scrolling chilong and a dragon head terminal, the stone with apple green inclusions; a white jade ruyi sceptre incised with stylised mythical beasts and shou character; and a grey jade sword slide, with a long tailed mythical beast in high relief to one side.
The largest 5½ in. (14 cm.) long (3)
Provenance
'The Leonard Gow Collection' labels.
The jadeite belt hook with 'Glasgow Art and Galleries Museums Reg. No.' label.
From the Leonard Gow Collection of jade, hardstone, carvings and works of art.
The jadeite belt hook with 'Glasgow Art and Galleries Museums Reg. No.' label.
From the Leonard Gow Collection of jade, hardstone, carvings and works of art.
If you wish to view the condition report of this lot, please sign in to your account.