Christie's

Gutes Exemplar; Einband stw. leicht berieben. - Englisch. - The Chinese works of art in the collection of Walter and Phyllis Shorenstein are spectacular in their beauty, their technical excellence and their historical importance. They include examples of Chinese glass, imperial porcelain and jade of particular distinction. The Shorenstein's impressively comprehensive collection of glass is one of the most admired and important in America. … One of the beneficiaries of their financial and personal support was the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco. Phyllis Shorenstein was one of the founders of the museum, which opened in Golden Gate Park in 1966, serving as a board member for many years, and being a commissioner right up to the time of her death m 1994. Over a 20-year period the Shorenstein family donated many fine examples of art from China,Japan, Korea, India, and other Asian countries, to the museum. In recognition of all the Shorensteins had done for the Asian Art Museum, m May 1994 one of its galleries was named in honour of the family … Phyllis Shorenstein was a passionate collector of Chinese glass, and amassed a superb collection, which provides a spectacular visual history of Chinese glass from the Han dynasty to the Qing dynasty. The collection includes some very-interesting early pieces of Chinese glass, including a Han dynasty translucent aqua glass cup (lot 2902), which represents a rare early Chinese example ot blown glass. However, it was the glass from the Qing dynasty which particularly appealed to the Shorensteins. and there are some exceptional pieces in their collection. They are exceptional for the clarity and brilliance of their colours, the skill inherent in their manufacture, and innovation of their designs. … One vessel which provides an interesting link with other, earlier, materials, is a small 1 Nth century bluish-green tripod censer (lot 2919). The censer combines the 13 th century Longquan ceramic glazes. The Shorenstein Collection includes a number of beautiful vessels decorated in the 'cameo' style, which became popular in the i8th century. One which exhibits particular refinement is an opaque white vase with a red overlay that has been carved to produce a charming; design of birds perching on and flying above blossoming primus branches (lot 2926). Around the lower part ot the vase ornamental rocks, bamboo, chrysanthemums, peonies and orchids are scattered over the ground. The individual elements ot the design have been kept small, and in places the upper red glass has been reduced to a very thin layer suggesting the translucency of the flower petals, creating an overall impression of graceful delicacy. … (Vorwort) // INHALT : Auction Information ----- International Antiquities, Asian Art and African and Oceanic Art Departments ----- Specialists and Services for this Auction ----- Property for Sale ----- Chronology of China ----- Important Notices and Explanation of Cataloguing Practice ----- Buying at Christie's ----- Conditions of Sale ----- Worldwide Salerooms and Offices ----- Christie's Specialist Departments and Services ----- Absentee Bids Form ----- Bidder Registration Form ----- Catalogue Subscriptions Form ----- Christie's Hong Kong Limited.