A PAIR OF HUANGHUALI 'OFFICIAL'S HAT' ARMCHAIRS, GUANMAOYI
A PAIR OF HUANGHUALI 'OFFICIAL'S HAT' ARMCHAIRS, GUANMAOYI
A PAIR OF HUANGHUALI 'OFFICIAL'S HAT' ARMCHAIRS, GUANMAOYI
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The Dongxi Studio is a rare assemblage of fine works of Chinese jades, ceramics, and paintings amassed by private Belgian collectors. Dongxi signifies “things” in Chinese, but it also has a historical meaning referring to the directions of East and West. The Tang poet, Du Fu, uses the phrase in his poem Ballad of the Army Carts: Even if there are healthy women to handle the hoeing and ploughing,The crops grow in fields but some grow to the East (dong) and some to the West (xi).The naming of the Dongxi Studio comes from this historical interpretation. The collection was started more than three decades ago, when a Belgian couple visited Hong Kong for the first time and fell in love with Chinese art, and thus began a journey of collecting, from ancient pottery and jade carvings to modern and contemporary ink paintings. Their collection consists of Chinese art spanning two millennia and their interests are diverse and they grow in different directions, like the crops in the fields.The gentleman of the Dongxi Studio was an art enthusiast from his youth, attending painting courses at the Academy of Belgium, as well as holding several well-regarded exhibitions of his works in Europe. His wife was interested in studying Chinese works of art, particularly paying keen attention to the exquisite craftsmanship of Song ceramics and jade carvings. Their enthusiasm for Chinese art has led the couple to amass an extensive collection of paintings, ceramics, and jade carvings of exceptional quality.The collectors of the Dongxi Studio originally purchased primarily Delftware, blue and white pottery originating from the Netherlands that was influenced by Chinese porcelain, but as the couple’s captivation with Chinese motifs and details grew, they began to collect Chinese export porcelain and eventually, Imperial porcelain. Shortly thereafter, the couple became fascinated with the expressive power of Chinese jades and ink paintings and, thus, continued to expand their collection.Christie’s is pleased to offer the following superb huanghuali table and pair of chairs from the Dongxi Studio. Also from this collection are a bamboo cup (lot 1339), a bronze ritual gu (lot 1390) and a group of Han to Qing ceramics, lots 1488-1504. Dongxi Studio - Important Chinese Jade and Hardstone Carvings from a Distinguished Private Collection will be offered at Christie’s New York, Thursday, 17 March 2016, 10 AM. The group being offered is a testament to the refined taste and connoisseurship of the collectors, whose focus on quality led to one of the greatest Belgian collections of Chinese art in the 20th century.DONGXI STUDIOPROPERTY FROM A DISTINGUISHED PRIVATE BELGIAN COLLECTION
A PAIR OF HUANGHUALI 'OFFICIAL'S HAT' ARMCHAIRS, GUANMAOYI

17TH CENTURY

Details
A PAIR OF HUANGHUALI 'OFFICIAL'S HAT' ARMCHAIRS, GUANMAOYI
17TH CENTURY
Each has a shaped crest rail supported by the elegantly curving back splat, finely carved with a shaped medallion enclosing a pair of confronting chilong, and rear posts which continue to form the back legs. The arm rails are supported on slender standing stiles and extend beyond the front posts. The rectangular frame encloses a mat seat with molded edge above beaded, shaped aprons and spandrels. The legs are of oval section and are joined by stepped stretchers and a shaped foot rest in the front.
45 ¾ in. (116.2 cm.) high, 23 ¼ in. (59.1 cm.) wide, 21 ½ in. (54.6 cm.) deep
Provenance
Property from the Estate of Fredric Mueller; Christie's New York, 1 June 1990, lot 410.

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