Sotheby’s Rare Imperial Zitan Stand and Base Expected to Fetch $180,000
By Alex Neely • Mar 10th, 2010 • Category: Collect, News & Noteworthy
On March 23rd, Sotheby’s is set to auction off a rare imperial ‘zitan’ stand and base, at a projected $180,000 to $250,000.
Highly regarded as one of the most luxurious materials, zitan was only reserved for the upper ranks of the Imperial court. On this specific item, the artwork is nearly identical to one of the Qint Court Collection, in the Summer Palace, Bejing. However, this particular piece features the enhanced use of ‘zitan’ timber, and labyrinthine carving. This intricate form of design carving was purely regarded for imperial purposes. In representing the very best of Qing dynasty furniture craftsmanship, the stand was distinctly meant to hold only jardinières or censers.
Aside from the ‘zitan’ stand and base, Sotheby’s auction will also feature the Rare Imperial Tribute Guangzhou Ivory Fan. One of only a handful of such fans to survive, the item is estimated to auction between $100,000 and $150,000. In addition to this historical highlight, the auction will offer three highly impressive rhinoceros horns. Although each horn is regarded with the highest prestige, it is the Large & Rare Rhinoceros Horn Cup which is receiving the utmost regard.
As in years past, this season will feature classical and modern ink paintings. Among the selected items, Sotheby will auction off “Two Mynas on a Rock”, “Zhang Le Tie”, and “Scholar.”
-Affluent Page
[Sothebys]
