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CALL FOR CONSIGNMENT
Asian Art Catalogue Auction October 29th 2019 ONE WILLIAM MORGAN DRIVE TORONTO, ON CANADA 416.360.7600 AHWILKENS.COM
O
ver 200 lots of Chinese and Japanese antiques from a Canadian, single-owner collection will be offered this
fall at A.H. Wilkens Auctions & Appraisals. Held privately for 50 years, the core of the collection was acquired through a 1969 deaccession from the Royal Ontario Museum. Many of the objects bear the original identification numbers from George Crofts’ purchases in China during the late 19th and early 20th century. Crofts, a fur trader, was instrumental in helping to build the prominent Chinese art and artifact collection at the Royal Ontario Museum from 1918 onwards, alongside archaeologist Charles Currelly, who was the museum's first director. During his travels to China, Crofts had access to shops, collections, and palace officials as a result of his connections through his fur-trading business. He carefully tracked, photographed, and numbered every piece shipped from China, resulting in a collection in excess of 6,000 objects throughout his career. The original photographs were bound in 21 albums and were donated to the ROM at the end of Crofts’ career in 1921. Today they are held in the Museum library and were referenced for this auction. Crofts’ pieces can easily be identified from the heavy black inked four digit sequences, often found on pieces in this collection and on display in the Museum galleries. Further NA and NB number sequences are marked on many of the pieces, which are identified as ROM accession numbers attained while under the directorship of the University of Toronto prior to the 1960s. Some of these numbers provide additional identifying information, including
the date of acquisition and how the funds were donated for the purchases. A final set of nine-digit numbers (beginning with 9) correspond to the current ROM numbers and can be identified in the collection for sale at A. H. Wilkens Auctions & Appraisals this fall. In 1969, the ROM deaccessioned a portion of their collection, selling off duplicates and non-desirable items for the time, which helped to tighten their core holdings. This was completed with careful consideration under the direction of Peter Swan, whose primary mandate was to create space for the collection. The recent spike in the Chinese market and the collection’s 100year provenance has allowed for these pieces to now become highly desirable. The collection to be offered this fall features a number of porcelain pieces from the Ming and Qing dynasties, Ming lacquered wood Buddhas, and bronzes. The October 29th auction will be posted this fall for live and online bidding. We are still accepting consignments. Please contact Shi Qiu at asianart@ahwilkens.com.
CHINESE MING SANCAI SEATED GUANYIN ON WOOD STAND 明 三彩觀音帶硬木龍紋座 ESTIMATE: $15, 000 - $25,000
OCTOBER 2019
A. H. WILKENS
The stoneware Bodhisattva figure seated in relaxed pose with right leg bent in a resting position, and left leg draped over a dragon theme platform. Her figure clothed in loose fitting green robes tied high above the waist with the upper chest exposed, adorned with beads and jewels, the head with a tall chignon behind a bejeweled crown, glazed in bright green, straw, and yellow enamel glazes highlighted in black. Costume fitted into a two-parted hardwood base carved in open work with dragons. Ming Dynasty figure with Qing dynasty wood stand. H. 102.4cm (40 1/4 in.)
GILT LACQUERED WOOD BUDDHA ON STAND ESTIMATE: $6,000 - $8,000
The Buddha seated in dhyanasana, the right hand in bhumisparsamudra, the left in dhyanamudra. Carved with fine details to dhoti, the shawl, and curls to hair. Sat on a multi leveled lotus platform supported by individually carved columns and gilt lacquered on three sides. Ming to early Qing dynasty, 17th to 18th C. Height of Buddha: 56cm (22 in.) Height on stand: 78cm (30 3/4 in.)
OCTOBER 2019
A. H. WILKENS
TWO GILT LACQUERED WOOD BUDDHA FIGURES ESTIMATE: $6,000 - $8,000
Seated on a red throne, wearing a dhoti and shawl draped over the shoulder. The face with a serene downcast expression. Late Ming to Qing dynasty. Overall Height: 49cm (19 1/4 in.)
FIVE PIECE ALTAR SET WITH BUDDHIST EMBLEMS 明 三彩瓷八寶佛供 ESTIMATE: $20,000 - $30,000
Each glazed in green and yellow, each with a carved ruyi scroll and beaded base supporting a four sided leafy vine motif stem, topped by a lotus platform showing one of the eight Buddhist emblems. Included in this set are a Vase, Lotus, Endless Knot, Chakra wheel, and Umbrella. Ming to early Qing dynasty, 16-18th C. Provenance: The George Crofts Collection. Deaccessioned from The Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto, 1969, museum number present near the base in red.
OCTOBER 2019
A. H. WILKENS
Image from the George Crofts Archives
GILT LACQUERED WOOD TWENTY-FOUR ARMED GUANYIN 晚明、清早期 木漆金二十四臂觀音像 ESTIMATE: $20,000 - $30,000
The standing Guanyin figure carved with jeweled necklace and fine details to robe. Four armed directly carved out of the main body, twenty separate arms carved with traditional wood joints for assembling and disassembly without nails. Ming to early Qing dynasty. Overall height: 140 cm (55 in.) Provenance: The George Crofts collection, part of the Royal Ontario Museum collection before 1969. Deaccessioned from The Royal Ontario Museum in 1969, George Crofts black inventory mark to back.
OCTOBER 2019
A. H. WILKENS
LARGE GILT & BRONZE IMITATION PORCELAIN CENSER 清 仿銅釉雲龍紋瓷香爐 ESTIMATE: $20,000 - $30,000
OCTOBER 2019
A. H. WILKENS
The censer constructed in six separate porcelain parts, including a funnel form top inserted into a domed openwork cover that sits on a planter form body with a pair of detachable handles, all resting on a tripod stand. Body carved with fierce five-claw dragons chasing flaming pearls against a cloud ground, with gilding to dragon and cloud details and glazed in dark bronze imitation colour. Tripod feet fitted on a wood base. Qing dynasty. Overall height: 117cm (46 in.) Provenance: The George Crofts collection, acquired through a palace official, China circa 1900. Purported to have come from a private temple of Empress Dowager Cixi (Tzu Hsi), Zhongnanhai palace, Peking. Part of the Royal Ontario Museum collection before 1969. Deaccessioned from The Royal Ontario Museum in 1969, museum number 925.25.36.
Guanyin vase form floor vase with a black ground highlighted with splash glaze imitating bronze rust. Body carved with fierce five-claw dragons chasing flaming pearl among clouds. Gilt details to surface. Each with a cobalt blue six character Kangxi mark in double rings to base, Qing dynasty. Provenance: The George Crofts Collection. Part of the Royal Ontario Museum collection from 1925 to 1969. Deaccessioned from The Royal Ontario Museum in 1969.
OCTOBER 2019
A. H. WILKENS
PAIR OF LARGE IMITATION BRONZE PORCELAIN VASES 清 康熙六字款仿青銅釉鎏金龍紋大瓷瓶 ESTIMATE: $15,000 - $25,000
FAUX BOIS AND FAMILLE ROSE PORCELAIN BRUSHPOT 清雍正 仿生木紋釉粉彩加墨彩瓷高士圖筆筒 ESTIMATE:$30,000 - $50,000
OCTOBER 2019
A. H. WILKENS
Interior and band near base painted in colors to imitate the appearance of natural wood grains. Exterior body painted in both famille rose enamel palette and remnants of grisaille, showing a scholar with a qin carrying attendant in a natural landscape. Base with a cobalt blue six character Yongzheng (1723-1735) mark within a blue circle, and of the period. H. 12.5cm (4 7/8 in.) Dia. 16cm (6 1/4 in.) Provenance: Acquired from S. M. Franck & Co. in 1911 by The Royal Ontario Museum (911.8.73, Gift of Mrs. H. D. Warren), deaccessioned from The Royal Ontario Museum in 1969. Museum number NA-1609 present near the rim in white.
Overall glazed in a rich light blue celadon glaze, top rim unglazed. Circular bowl with the addition of a flame shaped flange and a circular handle to below. Six character blue Yongzheng (1723-1735) mark in seal script within double blue circles, Qing dynasty. Circular bowl dia. 17cm (6 3/4 in.) Provenance: Deaccessioned from The Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto, in 1969, museum number N-A-685 present near the base in red.
OCTOBER 2019
A. H. WILKENS
RU TYPE CLAIR-DE-LUNE GLAZE PORCELAIN YI WASHER 清 雍正六字款 天青釉瓷匜式洗 ESTIMATE: $8,000 - $12,000
PAIR OF CHINESE BRONZE ALTAR CANDLE HOLDERS 清 铜烛台（一对） ESTIMATE: $2,000 - $4,000
OCTOBER 2019
A. H. WILKENS
Finely cast with a bell-shaped base with relief lingzhi ruyi patterns, wide circular drip pan to middle with floral scrolls to exterior, and ending in a small pricket stand. Each accompanied by a tassel. Qing dynasty. Overall height: 45cm (17 3/4 in.) Provenance: Deaccessioned from The Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto, in 1969, museum number NB-2244 present near the middle in white.
A COLLECTION OF CHINESE MING DYNASTY POTTERY ROOF TILES 明清 三彩建筑构件
OCTOBER 2019
A. H. WILKENS
Including a collection of Sancai and turquoise glazed roof tiles and architectural components showing fierce figures, horse riding warriors and mythical animals. Provenance: Deaccessioned from The Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto, circa 1969.
CHINESE ENAMEL PAINTED PORCELAIN DEER HU VASE 晚清、民國 粉彩瓷山水鹿耳尊 ESTIMATE: $2,000 - $3,000
OCTOBER 2019
A. H. WILKENS
The vase in an archaistic hu form with a pair of deer head handles to neck. Body painted with mountain and river landscape scenes. Each with accompanied with calligraphy inscription of a poem. Base with iron red six character seal script Qianlong mark, late Qing dynasty. H. 32 cm (12 1/2 in.)
CHINESE WOOD CHEST WITH FOUR PORCELAIN PLAQUES 民國 木櫃加四粉彩瓷板畫（汪平 款) ESTIMATE: $8,000 - $12,000
OCTOBER 2019
A. H. WILKENS
The three sectioned chest with a base supported by four legs, and two identical two door chests stacked together. Each door inset with a famille rose enamelled porcelain plaque. Two plaques painted with mountain and river landscape. The other two painted with animals in landscapes, both signed Wang Ping (Wang Yeting) to lower left. Republican period, early 20th C. Overall size height: 98cm (38 1/2 in.) Depth: 46.5cm (18 1/4 in.) Length: 103cm (40 1/2 in.) Visible plaque size: 25 x 38cm (9 3/4 x 15 in.)
LIME GREEN GROUND FAMILLE ROSE PORCELAIN VASE 清 綠松地軋道粉彩花卉紋貼螭龍瓶 ESTIMATE: $3,000 - $5,000
OCTOBER 2019
A. H. WILKENS
The globular body rising to a waisted neck decorated with moulded dragon, body of vase painted with lotus in famille rose and rich lime green background. Qianlong mark and period on the bottom. Qing Dynasty, 18th to 19th C. H. 33.5 cm (13 in.) Provenance: Deaccessioned from The Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto, in 1969, museum number NA-659 present near the bottom in red.
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