A SUPERB CORAL CARVING OF A DRAGON IN FRONT VIEW, LATE QING DYNASTY TO REPUBLIC PERIOD

Expert’s note:
Coral carvings of figures and animals, designed as decorative additions to a scholar's table, are relatively common, but it is extremely rare to find a piece of this outstanding size and quality, let alone with the depiction of a dragon in front view.

Carved in the round as two sinuous scaly dragons writhing around a central flaming pearl amid swirling clouds, the ferocious beasts with bulging eyes and an open mouths revealing long tongues, the back carved with tumultuous cresting waves.


Provenance
: From the Collection R., Paris, France.

Condition
: Very good condition with minor losses, natural imperfections, and few fine age cracks. Hard to find in such a pristine state of preservation. Good, naturally grown patina overall.

Weight: 713.3 g (incl. stand), 499.3 g (excl. stand)
Dimensions: Height 23 cm (incl. stand), 19 cm (excl. stand)

With a fitted cloud-form hardwood base, finely carved in openwork, also dating from the late Qing dynasty to Republic period. (2)


Auction result comparison:

Type: Closely related
Auction: Sotheby’s Hong Kong, 8 October 2014, lot 3655
Price: HKD 750,000 or approx.
EUR 106,300
converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: An imperial coral carving of a dragon, Qing dynasty, 18th century
Expert remark: Compare the closely related subject and manner of carving. Note the earlier dating.


Auction result comparison:

Type: Closely related
Auction: Christie’s London, 8 November 2011, lot 80
Price: GBP 18,750 or approx.
EUR 34,500
converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A coral carving of a dragon, 19th century
Expert remark: Compare the closely related subject and related manner of carving. Note the size (33 cm).


Auction result comparison:

Type: Related
Auction: Bonhams San Francisco, 29 Jun 2009, lot 8089
Price: USD 15,860 or approx.
EUR 20,500
converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A large coral branch carving, 20th century
Expert remark: Compare the closely related subject and related manner of carving. Note the size (28.5 cm).

This item contains ivory, rhinoceros horn, tortoise shell, and/or some types of tropical wood and is subject to CITES when exporting outside the EU. It is typically not possible to export such items outside of the EU, including to the UK. Therefore, after this item has the necessary trade certificate, it can only be shipped within the EU or picked up in our gallery in person.




清末民初珊瑚雕刻雙龍戲珠擺件


珊瑚隨形圓雕蜿蜒蛟龍在雲中戲珠。龍身矯健，大眼圓睜，两首相对，拱形相向，威风凛凛，刻画细腻传神，寓意吉祥。


來源：
法國巴黎R.收藏。

品相：
狀況極好，有輕微損失、自然缺陷和少量細小的老化裂紋。自然包漿。

重量：713.3 克 (含底座), 499.3 克 (不含底座)
尺寸：高23 厘米 (含底座), 19 厘米 (不含底座)

清末民初雲形硬木底座，鏤空精美。(2)


拍賣結果比較：

形制：非常相近
拍賣：香港蘇富比，2014年10月8日，lot 3655
價格：HKD 750,000（相當於今日
EUR 106,300
）
描述：清十八世紀珊瑚鏤雕雲龍擺件
專家評論：比較非常相近的主題和雕刻風格。請注意年代較早。


拍賣結果比較：

形制：非常相近
拍賣：倫敦佳士得，2011年11月8日，lot 80
價格：GBP 18,750（相當於今日
EUR 34,500
）
描述：清十九世紀珊瑚雕龍擺件
專家評論：比較非常相近的主題和相近雕刻風格。請注意尺寸 (33厘米)。


拍賣結果比較：

形制：相近
拍賣：舊金山邦翰斯，2009年6月29日，lot 8089
價格：USD 15,860（相當於今日
EUR 20,500
）
描述：二十世紀珊瑚擺件
專家評論：比較非常相近的主題和相近雕刻風格。請注意尺寸 (28.5厘米)。