Friday, 9 October 2015

Straits Chinese Porcelain And Antique

How do we define the porcelain ware as "antique"? An antique must show porcelain age signs. It must originate either in the early republic, Qing or Ming dynasties, or earlier. We usually consider anything made after the Qing dynasty (1644-1911) during the 1910s or 20s as early republic, thus for us it ends 1930.

Although there is no extant documentation on the importation and manufacture of Straits Chinese Nyonya wares, various marks inscribed on the underside of the wares - emperor's reign marks, manufaturers's marks and marks expressing good wishes and commendations - provide evidence for dating.

Mark of Qianlong (1736-1795)

Mark of Tongzhi (1862-1875)


Mark of Guangxu (1875-1908)



Mark of Qing Dynasty (1644-1911)

Mark of Xuantong (1902-1912)


References: http://gotheborg.com/marks/straitschinese.shtml

Wednesday, 9 September 2015

Yellow and Blue Painting Sold For $46.5 Million


A Mark Rothko painting sold for $46.5 million at a Sotheby’s auction in New York. The Rothko work "Untitled, (Yellow and Blue)", measuring 2.42 meters by 1.86 meters (about eight feet by 6.1 feet) and completed in 1954, had been estimated at between $40 and $60 million.

Prior to the auction it had been estimated at around $20 million — a hefty sum for an artist Sotheby’s said was virtually unknown until 2011.

Rothko was one of the most successful and famous artists in America before he killed himself in 1970, The Guardian notes.

It was the highest price paid for any work of art sold at auction, Christie's said. I believe everyone are never expect such 2 colors painting potentially worth such price.

Source: http://www.businessinsider.com/afp-rothko-painting-sells-for-46.5-million-in-ny-auction-2015-5?IR=T&

Monday, 7 September 2015

Rare Wine Warmers in Turquoise-Ground


A pair of rare wine warmers in turquoise-ground, with white peach finials of gold gilt upon their covers. They are decorated with pink medallions featuring the phoenix and peonies design, as well as the Eight Buddhist Emblems borders on the edges of the covers and top part of the wine warmers.




The bell shaped wine cups that can be placed inside the wine warmers are decorated with luxuriant pink peonies against a turquoise-ground. Wine warmers are very rare items in Peranakan Chinese (Straits Chinese) homes as the Babas seldom drank Chinese wine or liquor, instead preferring brandy or whiskey like their colonial masters.



Reference: https://www.facebook.com/royale7phoenix.straitschinese.peranakan/


Chupu with Salmon Pink-ground and Apple Green Funnel Finial


Rare in-and-out chupu, such as this museum piece with its salmon pink-ground and apple green funnel finial, would have been specially custom ordered for important occasions. The exterior is decorated with phoenixes and peonies.





The interior features a medallion with a white crane and Flowers of the Four Seasons. The chupu would have been used to contain tonics such as birds’ nest to be served to the bride and groom during their wedding.