Top Lots from the 17th June Fine & Decorative Arts Sale

Allard Van Halm's Top Lots

Lot 90 - A group of Worcester and Caughley blue and white porcelain

Lot 130 - A Kangxi blue and white porcelain dish

Lot 130 is a superb example of Kangxi period porcelain. It displays all the hallmarks sought after by discerning collectors for centuries.

The dish features a richly saturated, vibrant deep underglaze cobalt blue, executed with exceptional clarity and control. The painting is highly accomplished, showing confident brushwork and finely balanced composition, while the form itself demonstrates robust, well-proportioned potting typical of early Qing production.

In terms of condition, the piece is notably well preserved. Aside from minor rim fritting, it remains free from cracks, repairs, or restorations - an increasingly rare level of integrity for porcelain of this period.

Lot 153 - A Chinese jade snuff bottle 

With provenance to the renowned 20th-century dealer of Chinese art and snuff bottles, Sydney L. Moss Ltd, this finely carved snuff bottle exemplifies the artistry and refinement of traditional Chinese craftsmanship.

Beautifully tactile and elegantly formed, the bottle demonstrates the exceptional skill of the carver, with a surface that is both visually harmonious and satisfying to handle. Its sculptural quality reflects the aesthetic sensibilities of literati culture, where objects were designed not only to be admired but also to be enjoyed through touch and daily use.

The reverse is carved in delicate relief with a poetic inscription, for which a full translation is available. The poem is titled “The Ideal Pastimes of the Scholar”, further reinforcing the object’s scholarly and cultural associations.