A devoted pilgrim and patron to Buddhist Temples, the Qianlong Emperor commissioned a large quantity of Buddhist figures in his life time. Apart from patronising and directly supervising the production of Buddhist images, the Qianlong Emperor had also written extensively on these religious artefacts. It is recorded that the Qianlong Emperor adhered to rigorous standards and would constantly impose adjustments in the production of Buddhist figures.

Exquisitely carved to the smallest details, the present boxwood figure is modelled as a bodhisattva with a serene face and compassionate gaze, seated in rajalilasana and dressed in a robe draped over one shoulder. The lion, with alert eyes and sharp fangs, is caparisoned with a lotus-adorned saddle and decorated further with tasselled harness. Standing by the side guiding the lion is a foreigner with curly hair, with his long-sleeved shirt buttoned up and the lower robe hanging. The base is further decorated with fluent scrolls, creating the illusion of the bodhisattva on a lion back elevated by sacred clouds. The finely carved Buddhist figure is inscribed with a long poetic inscription in clerical script, dated and concluded with a seal.

THE EDWARD T. CHOW ‘BAJIXIANG’ BOWL
This outstanding Xuande covered bowl, superbly painted in vivid cobalt blue with the Buddhist emblems bajixiang and lotus blooms, was formerly in two of the most remarkable collections of Chinese ceramics, those of Edward T. Chow (1910-1980) and T.Y. Chao (1912-1999). Only one other example of this form with a cover, but decorated with a different motif, is preserved in private hands. Following the successful sale of the exceptional Xuande barbed bowl last season, the reappearance of this bajixiang covered bowl on the market after thirty years is a moment of celebration.

AN EXTREMELY FINE AND RARE BLUE AND WHITE ‘BAJIXIANG’ BOWL AND COVER
MARKS AND PERIOD OF XUANDE Overall height 10.7 cm Est. HK$35,000,000 - 55,000,000 / US$4,500,000 – 7,000,000

THREE MASTERPIECES FROM THE COLLECTION OF AN ENGLISH LADY
The sale consists of three outstanding masterpieces of Chinese art from the Ming and Qing dynasties acquired from the 60s to 80s, all with extensive provenance: an exceptional Xuande-marked porcelain jar painted in rich tones of cobalt-blue with a pair of makaras, included in the 1968 Oriental Ceramics Society exhibition, a magnificent Yongzheng period cloisonné enamel tianqiuping decorated with a three-clawed dragon, and a superb Qianlong period zitan box carved with dragons and phoenix.

AN EXCEPTIONAL BLUE AND WHITE 'MAKARA' JAR MARK AND PERIOD OF XUANDE
Height 19 cm Est. HK$30,000,000 - 40,000,000 / US$3,800,000 – 5,100,000

IMPORTANT CHINESE ART
The Important Chinese Art auction is a tightly curated assemblage of fine and rare porcelain and works of art with a particular focus on the Ming and Qing dynasties. Highlights of the sale include two treasures of the Qianlong period from a private collection: a superb white jade teapot skillfully adorned with a cloisonné enamel handle, together with an exquisite doucai and famille-rose moonflask painted with autumn blooms and inscribed with a corresponding poem.

A RARE AND IMPORTANT WHITE JADE AND CLOISONNÉ ENAMEL RAM-HEAD TEAPOT AND COVER
QING DYNASTY, QIANLONG PERIOD Overall height 18.5 cm Est. HK$20,000,000 - 30,000,000 / US$2,600,000 – 3,800,000