A SMALL IVORY-WHITE CRACKLE-GLAZED VASE, DINGYAO, 13TH-14TH CENTURY

拍品描述

A SMALL IVORY-WHITE CRACKLE-GLAZED VASE, DINGYAO, 13TH-14TH CENTURY China. The baluster body supported on a spreading foot and rising to slender neck with a thick flared rim, delicately potted with three recessed ribs encircling the lower body, covered overall in a creamy white glaze save for the broad foot and countersunk base with illegible inscription. Dr. Wou Kiuan (1910-1997) was a Chinese diplomat and noted scholar of Chinese art. His father, Wou Lien-Pai (1873-1944), was one the leading political figures of early 20th century China, remembered for his role as speaker and leader of parliament during the turbulent years of the Republican era. Dr. Wou himself embarked on an illustrious career in diplomacy until his retirement in 1952, when he settled in London and devoted the rest of his life to the study of Chinese art. It was no doubt fortuitous that Dr. Wou’s years of collecting coincided with an abundant availability of exceptional Chinese art on the London market. From the mid-1950s to the late 1960s he was able to form a collection of well over 1,000 works that together represented virtually every category of Chinese art. At the heart of Dr. Wou’s drive to collect was a burning desire to preserve the relics of China’s rich historical past scattered across Europe, and to promote Chinese art and culture. It is unclear when Dr. Wou conceived of the idea to create a place to house his collection, but in 1968 he opened the doors to the Wou Lien-Pai Museum, named in honor of his father. Over the years the Museum became a ‘must see’ destination for collectors, academics, and visiting dignitaries, and Dr. Wou would delight in leading his visitors through the galleries, recounting stories of China’s glorious history. Dimensions: Height 13.7 cm Auction result comparison: Type: Closely related Auction: Sotheby’s London, 9 November 2005, lot 217 Estimate: GBP 6,000 or approx. EUR 14,500 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing Expert remark: Compare the related cream colored glaze with crackles. Note the similar size, but different form.

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