Sotheby's Hong Kong - Spring Sales 2008 Sotheby’s Hong Kong is proud to announce that its Spring Sales 2008 will be held at the Grand Hall of the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre from 8th to 11th April 2008.
in 1988,
one year before he died, and evokes the beauty of E Wei Mountain
in China. It was scripted “once painting here” which refers when
Li painted the Qing Yin Court on E Wei in 1956, the first time
during his painting excursion. The present lot demonstrates a
more developed, sophisticated style and technique rather absent
from his 1950s piece depicting the same scenery. The panoramic
view includes Qing Yin Court and the surroundings, with waterfalls,
pavilions, courts and bridges on both sides. The deliberately
composed layers of features contribute to the very poetic ambience
of Chinese painting. A westernized treatment of light and shadow is apparent in the thick
layering of ink and contrasting light green ink.
MAGNIFICENT JEWELS AND JADEITE SALE
The diverse influences of east and west inspire the collection this season. Comprising over 300
extraordinary pieces with estimated total value of nearly HK$400 million, this sale
promises to be one of the most prominent jewellery auctions in Asia.
“DIF” diamonds of the utmost colour and clarity are scarce. It will
be a special and memorable occasion when Sotheby’s Hong Kong
presents the Extremely Rare D-colour and Internally Flawless
Diamond Necklace that achieves this pinnacle of diamond
perfection (estimate HK$26-33 million). This meticulous piece of
jewellery comprises 43 matching pear-shaped diamonds, totalling
approximately 91 carats. Each diamond in this timeless piece was
graded as DIF (D-colour and Internally Flawless) by the esteemed
Gemological Institute of America (GIA) - denoting they are fine
examples of the highest quality diamonds available.
Sotheby’s Hong Kong also presents a Spectacular Suite of Melo Pearl
Jewellery comprising a necklace, a ring and a pair of earrings
(estimate upon request), including 16 Melo pearls weighing 337.30
carats in total. Coming from the Melo Melo marine snail native to the
waters of the South China Sea and the Bay of Bengal, these highly
prized, vividly orangy-yellow Melo pearls are increasingly rare because
of worsening pollution and, therefore, they are not comparable to more
common cultured mollusk pearls. Even more rare and unique is this suite the first complete suite
of Melo Pearl jewellery ever offered in auction, contrasted with all previous offers of single piece
or in pair.
This elegant design is the brainchild of Dickson Yewn, the renowned Hong Kong jewellery
designer. He associates the colour of Melo pearls with the emperor of all birds, the phoenix, in
Chinese mythology. The shape of a phoenix’s tail resembles ocean waves – reminiscent of the
pearls’ origin in the sea. This association creates graceful curves, embracing the pearls with round
diamonds and jadeites. The contrasting orange-yellow and translucent emerald green conveys a
harmonious duality, the sum of perfection.
Also on offer is a set of Jadeite Gourd and Diamond
Necklace and a Pair of Matching Pendant Earrings
(estimate HK$6-7 million), featuring 13 highly translucent
vivid emerald green jadeites enhanced by colourless fine
diamonds weighing 19 carats in total. Among the auspicious
jadeite gourds which symbolize wealth and luck in the Chinese tradition, the largest
