New York – Bonhams, a leader in Chinese art, has been appointed by The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, to sell on its behalf an impressive selection of Qing ceramics and archaistic jades. The auction will be held at Bonhams New York on March 18 during Asia Week New York. Comprising 174 lots, all of which are offered without a reserve, the sale titled Passion and Philanthropy: Chinese Art from The Metropolitan Museum of Art celebrates the passion of the those who bequeathed the objects to The Met as well as their great philanthropy. The material on offer has exceptional provenance hailing from 24 illustrious figures of the Gilded Age such as John D. Rockefeller Jr. (1874-1960), Samuel Putnam Avery (1822-1904), William Rhinelander Stewart (1852-1929), and Samuel T. Peters (1854-1921). The Met annually deaccessions works of art, following comprehensive review with a focus on similar or duplicate objects. The funds from this sale will enable the Museum to further prioritize acquisitions of outstanding works of art.
“It is an incredible privilege to be entrusted with works of such impeccable provenance and present them to a wider audience for the first time in over a century,” said Dessa Goddard, VP and US Head of Asian Art. “Over the last few years, Bonhams has established itself as a world leader in Chinese art and have had resounding success bringing to auction some of the most remarkable collections formed throughout the 20th century. We look forward to this collection from The Metropolitan Museum of Art finding equal success.”
Asaph Hyman, Global Head, Chinese Ceramics & Works of Art, commented: “This historical selection sold by The Met – amongst the great world museums – offers worldwide collectors an exceptional opportunity to add a piece of superb collecting history to their own collection. We are truly honored to have been appointed by The Met to present this fascinating collection, and our entire team, led by Michael Hughes, is very much looking forward to this special event.”
Chinese Art and Philanthropy at The Met
Featuring more than 35,000 objects and encompassing 5,000 years of history, The Met’s collection of Asian art is one of the largest and most comprehensive in the world. Thanks to the generous contributions of numerous philanthropists who have contributed their time, wealth, and passion over the last century and a half, The Met boasts an encyclopedic collection in an abundance that far exceeds what can be showcased in public exhibitions. The upcoming sale presents a unique opportunity for the public to acquire works directly from the Museum and which have impeccable provenance.
One of the founders and lifelong trustees of The Met, Samuel Putnam Avery’s contributions include over 1,300 Chinese and Japanese porcelains to The Met in 1879 – 82 of which are featured in the sale. An art dealer, rare book and print collector, and wood engraver, Avery was dedicated to making sure that every major public collection in the US had Chinese ceramics. His contributions to The Met are exemplified by a massive lime-green sgraffito-ground enameled vase with dragon handles from the Qianlong/Jiaqing period, estimated at US$80,000 – 120,000.
The sale will also present a selection of over 350 jade carvings which were gifted by coal magnate, avid collector, and philanthropist Samuel T. Peters to The Met on three occasions between 1911 and 1916. A Trustee of the museum from 1914 until his death in 1921, Peters and his wife, Adeline Elder Peters (1859- 1943), utilized their discerning taste and deep knowledge to establish one of the early 20th century’s leading collections of Chinese ceramics and jades. Offered in unique groupings, many of the carvings were inspired by early jades dating from the Shang to Han dynasty while others are in the style of the Ming dynasty.
Highlights of the sale include:
- From Samuel T. Peters collection, a string of twenty-six jade beads from the late Qing Dynasty is estimated at US$25,000 – 35,000.
- Acquired from American locomotive magnate Jacob S. Rogers’ estate in 1920 is a large slender blue and white baluster vase and cover, Kangxi, estimated at US$20,000 – 25,000, and in 1918 is a large blue and white ovoid jar and domed cover, Kangxi, estimated at US$10,000 – 15,000.
- Estimated at US$8,000 – 12,000, a pale green and russet jade ‘dragon’ boulder, 17th-18th century, from the collection of Florence (1920-2018) and Herbert (1917-2016) Irving. The second floor of the Museum’s Asian Wing was renamed after the couple in 2004 in honor of their major contributions to The Met.
- An unusual famille verte brushpot, bitong, Kangxi, estimated at US$6,000 – 8,000, and a large vibrant blue and white ‘peacock’ dish, Kangxi, estimated at US$4,000 – 6,000. Both were acquired by The Met from Samuel Avery in 1879.