AUCTION FINDS OF THE WEEK- MAY 20TH: CHINOISERIE ON MY MIND
by Kelly Keating on 05/24/13
This week's finds are all grouped under the heading chinoiserie. Chinoiserie "a French term, signifying "Chinese-esque", refers to a recurring theme in European artistic styles since the seventeenth century, which reflect Chinese artistic influences. It is characterized by the use of fanciful imagery of an imaginary China, by asymmetry in format and whimsical contrasts of scale, and by the attempts to imitate Chinese porcelain and the use of lacquerlike materials and decoration." This decorative style is a wonderful and luxurious element that can be added to almost any room in varying degrees. It is a play between East and West and while an artistic style it often speaks to the worldview of the West and how it viewed and treated the Other. The 3 finds this week are all being auctioned at Christie's in New York on June 6.
The first discovery of the week is a Louis XV Ormolu-mounted Chinese Black, Gilt and Polychrome Lacquered Commode, lot 6, with a pre-sale estimate of $100,000-150,000. The chest is dated circa 1750 by Joseph Shmitz. It has a purple veined marble top above two drawers decorated with Chinese figures in pavillions, the angles with pierced mounts, standing on splayed legs and stamped twice J. SCHMITZ and JME on the top. The marble and the lacquer combine to make a rich sumptuous display. The scene on the drawers has all the hallmarks of chinoiserie style- asymmetrical design, contrast of scale and use of lacquer.
This week's second treasure is a pair of Louis XV Ormolu-mounted, Scarlet, Gilt and Polychrome Lacquered Encoignures or corner cabinets, lot 2, with a pre-sale estimate of $20,000-30,000. The pair were made circa 1750. Each chest has a breche d'alep marble top above a bowed door decorated with Chinese figures in pavilions and enclosing two shelves. This door is most likely Chinese in origin and surrounded by probably European decoration.The pair stand on splayed legs with rocaille sabots. The color of this pair of corner chests is superb and delicious and how wonderful to have pieces that fit into the corner of room.
This week's final find is a wonderful George II Rococo Coffeepot with Chinoiserie Decoration, lot 35, with a pre-sale estimate of $5,000-8,000. The piece was made in 1759 by William Tuite in London. It is a baluster form with a shaped circular foot cast and chased with scrolls and foliage. The body is chased with two scenes of Chinese figures in landscapes in which one figure seems to be buying tea or rice from the other. These 2 figures are enclosed by elaborate rocaille, scrolls, foliage and fishscale, with shell and scroll spout and wood scroll handle. The hinged cover has conforming decoration and the body is engraved with a coat-of-arms. How handsome this piece would look on a sideboard of a similar date!
This week we took a small tour through the "Orient" as it was seen and understood by the 18th century Western mind. These objects are gorgeous but also are about transactions of power and how the West depicted and commodified the Other eventually exercising their dominion over that Other in the 19th century. Still I would have any of these objects in my own space, because their "politics" only enriches their artisitic achievement.
Contact me if you are looking for a piece of chinoiserie at [email protected].
Till next week...
Kelly T Keating
