Christie's Jade Auction Highlights

Christie's Offers Stunning Jade Pieces at their Fine Chinese Jade Carvings Auction in September. Photo courtesy of Christie's.   Christie's upcoming jade auction, Fine Chinese Jade Carvings from Private Collections, promises to wow collectors. Featuring over 100 jade pieces spanning the Yuan to Qing dynasties, the auction takes place on September 13, 2018, in New York.  

Christie's Jade Auction Highlights

The sale opens on September 13, 2018. All of the pieces were carefully curated from a number of private Western collections. Lots include intricately carved vessels, scholar's objects, animal carvings, archaistic carvings, and of course, personal ornaments. Some of the most important jewelry offerings in Christie's Jade auction include Lot 951, an unusual white jade hinged belt fitting; Lot 957, a white jade openwork pendant with rotating center; and Lot 971, a white jade dragon and phoenix pendant.  

An Unusual Jade Hinged Belt Fitting

To begin with, we draw your attention to Lot 951, from the collection of Gerard Arnhold. This curious hinged belt fitting was fashioned from white jade. A rectangular jade link, carved in high relief and undercut with a crouching mythical beast, links the two circular portions of this belt fitting. Artisans carved a quatrefoil motif in low relief on the underside of the rectangular link. Meanwhile, both circles feature different designs of chilong (Chinese red dragons). In like manner, ancient comma spirals are carved into the back sides of these circular segments. In addition, one of them features a circular aperture which accommodates a matching button projecting from the reverse side of the other half. Arnhold's friend Roger Keverne illuminates a singular character given to passionate wanderings and generous philanthropy, as well as provocative dealings. It's easy to imagine this gorgeous jade belt fitting displayed amid the "mass of paintings...and Asian art...scattered all over the apartment, in particular his study and gallery room." Click here for images.  

An Openwork Pendant with Rotating Center

Lot 957 is another spectacular jade specimen from the collection of Gerard Arnhold. This thick white jade pendant features a pair of confronted dragons perched above an open oval center. Hinged to the top and bottom of this outer oval rests a central rotating plaque. On each side of the plaque smiles one of the He-He Er Xian. One holds a box and the other a lotus stem. The He-He Er Xian are two Taoist immortals who represent Harmony and Union. Called He and He, the two immortals typically resemble boys holding a lotus flower and a box. These laughing twins bestow particular blessings upon marriages and the opening of new businesses. Click here for pictures.  

A White Jade 'Dragon and Phoenix' Pendant

Lot 971 is a white jade pendant. On one side lives a dragon, carved in relief, its body filling the entire space as it rises. On the reverse side, a phoenix (fenghuang) stands with its head turned away and its tailfeathers swept forward between its legs. The fenghuang is the traditional feminine bird paired with the masculine dragon. Together with the dragon, she brings harmony and balance to yin and yang. Like the He-He Er Xian, this pair bestows marital bliss upon their owners. In fact, the dragon and the phoenix represent eternal love, promising to intervene when times are tough. Just when the fires of love might wane, the dragon and phoenix offer the power to reignite love. This magnificent white jade pendant hails from the collection of Joseph F. Lizzadro. Early in his career, Lizzadro began collecting stones in Upper Michigan. His first finds included Lake Superior agate, thomsonite, and datolite. For a hobby, he learned to cut and polish them to make jewelry for his family and friends. As his business acumen brought him (and his company) prosperity in the 1940s, he expanded his hobby to include collecting jade carvings. He also learned to carve jade himself.   These three superior carved ornaments, and more, take to the block on September 13, 2018, during Christie's Jade Auction. For more information, we invite you to visit their website.