On December 20th, Clars will present an exceptionally rare Qing Yongzheng Robin’s Egg Glazed hu-form Vase, a contemporary masterpiece by Liu Jiutong, and a variety of other exceptional Asian artworks at its annual Fine Asian Art Auction.
The Chinese Robin’s egg glazed hu-form vase featured by Clars has an elegant and dignified form, showcasing a flared mouth, short neck, elongated curved body, and wide splayed foot, standing at approximately 19 centimeters tall. The mouth, neck, and belly of the vase are adorned with three string patterns, which are simple yet graceful, adding a three-dimensional effect and enhancing the visual appeal of the piece. This design reflects the refined and majestic style typical of Yongzheng porcelain. The base is engraved with a two-line, four-character mark: “Yongzheng Nian Zhi,” further indicating its imperial provenance and outstanding craftsmanship.
The glaze of this remarkable piece features a distinctive blend of red, blue, and purple hues, with the rare “Gaoliang Red” standing out prominently. This reddish-purple tone is a hallmark of Yongzheng Robin’s egg-glazed porcelain, extremely rare and almost entirely absent in pieces produced after the Yongzheng era. According to the Qing-era “Nan Yao Bi Ji” (Notes on Southern Kilns), “The finest Robin’s egg glaze features flowing colors with red specks, followed by blue.” Additionally, records from the Imperial Workshop Archives show that in the tenth year of the Yongzheng reign, the emperor ordered a Robin’s egg glazed vase to be paired with a zitan wood stand, illustrating that these pieces were often reserved for imperial appreciation or court display, underscoring their exceptional status. Today, similar-shaped vases of the Yongzheng Period are mostly found in museum collections, such as the Qing Yongzheng flambe glazed hu-form vase at the Palace Museum in Beijing.
The production of Robin’s Egg glazed porcelain was highly intricate, requiring precise temperature control and expert glaze mixing, resulting in a very low success rate. Well-preserved masterpieces from the Yongzheng period are exceedingly rare. The vase from Clars is in perfect condition, showcasing the natural, rustic elegance characteristic of Yongzheng-era aesthetics. In contrast to the more ornate style favored during the Qianlong period, this piece embodies the subtle and refined taste of Yongzheng, making it exceptionally valuable both artistically and historically.
Contemporary Masterpiece “Watching the Clouds Gather” by
Additionally, Clars will feature an oil painting by contemporary artist Liu Jiutong titled Watching the Clouds Gather. This piece vividly showcases the artist’s unique approach to abstract art, seamlessly blending Western painting materials and techniques with the essence and spirit of Eastern aesthetics, resulting in a distinct personal style. The painting combines delicate and bold brushstrokes, evoking the imagery of Su Shi’s poetry: “Dark clouds swirl like ink over the mountains; white rain leaps like pearls onto boats.” Dated in 2011, this canvas painting measures 110 cm in height and 280 cm in width, bearing Liu Jiutong’s signature in Chinese. The current collector obtained it directly from the artist prior to their relocation from Hong Kong to California.
The auction will also present a variety of other exceptional Asian artworks, including a large Chinese famille rose ‘landscape’ porcelain plaque created in 1939 by renowned Republic Period ceramic artist Zhang Zhitang, a Chinese blue and white vase attributed to renowned Republic Period blue and white porcelain artist Wang Bu, a Chinese white jade landscape carving from Qing Dynasty, and a Chinese kesi-woven ‘dragon’ cushion cover.
At the same time, Clars Auctions will focus on a series of exquisite jade jewelry pieces that incorporate Asian aesthetics on December 20th. Highlight pieces include a pair of ‘A grade’ jadeite, diamond and platinum ear-clips, an ‘A grade’ jadeite and 14k gold choker necklace, an ‘A grade’ jadeite and 14k gold beaded necklace, and a Columbian emerald, seed pearl, diamond and 18k gold necklace, which skillfully integrate traditional Asian elements and craftsmanship. These precious jewelry pieces not only showcase the perfect combination of natural gemstones and outstanding craftsmanship but also reflect the unique charm of Asian art.
We look forward to meeting you at the Fine Asian Art Auction at Clars Auctions on December 20th!
Harry Huang: [email protected] | Wechat ID: harry_xi_huang
Shannon Liu: [email protected] | Wechat ID: Shannon_Liu575