A LARGE FINELY DECORATED FAMILLE ROSE PUNCH BOWL

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A Selection of Famille Rose Yongzheng Porcelains from The Nelson Kline CollectionNelson Kline (1936-2017) was a born collector. Raised in Manhattan on the upper west side, he watched as his father collected Japnese netsuke, and then embarked on his first collections of stamps and miniature toy soldiers. After graduating from Cornell University, Nelson pursued a successful career in the woolens industry in New York, and later explored further areas of collecting including first-edition books and military helmets. In the 1980s he visited the legendary London dealer David Howard, and became fascinated by 18th-century Chinese armorial porcelains. Nelson loved learning the family stories behind each coat of arms - an organic extension of his study of history in university. It was this study, however, that led to his discovery of the famille rose enamels that are sometimes found on the borders of armorial services, and from there his real passion took off. While he continued to collect armorial wares, his love of finely potted and enameled famille rose porcelains from the short-lived Yongzheng period (1723-1735) would consume his interest. George C. Williamson’s The Book of Famille Rose, published in 1970, became Nelson’s bible, and he searched for wares from the Martin-Hurst collection or that compared to the luxurious pieces illustrated in this book. Richly enameled peonies, cockerels and bright yellow borders were amongst his favorite motifs. And if combined with a “ruby back,” he considered this perfection. Nelson truly loved and enjoyed every piece he collected, and never tired of discussing their beauty with his many friends in the field. His discerning eye for these luxuriously-decorated wares is reflected in the distinguished selection of porcelains from his beloved collection that Christie’s is pleased to present on the following pages.PROPERTY FROM THE NELSON KLINE COLLECTION, NEW YORK

A LARGE FINELY DECORATED FAMILLE ROSE PUNCH BOWL

YONGZHENG PERIOD (1723-1735)

Details

A LARGE FINELY DECORATED FAMILLE ROSE PUNCH BOWL
YONGZHENG PERIOD (1723-1735)
The bowl is vibrantly enameled on the exterior with an animated scene of the 'Lady Generals of the Yang Family' on horseback. The center of the interior is decorated with a floral spray of roses and peach blossoms.
15 1⁄2 in. (39.3 cm.) diam.

Provenance

Santos, London, 1994.

Conditions of sale

Brought to you by

Rufus Chen (陳嘉安) Head of Sale, AVP, Specialist

asianartny@christies.com +1 212 636 2180

Lot Essay

A bowl decorated with a slightly different version of the same subject with a similar green-enameled arbor, from the Martin-Hurst Collection, is illustrated by G.C. Williamson in The Book of Famille Rose, London, 1970, pl. XLIII (top). The subject of 'The Lady Generals of the Yang Family' appears on other high-quality famille rose Yongzheng-period wares such as one of a pair of large jars and covers from the Tibor Collection, sold at Christie’s New York, 14 October 2020, lot 19.

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