RARE PAIRE DE BOÎTES DE CURIOSITÉ COUVERTES EN ZITAN SCULPTÉ CONTENANT UNE COLLECTION DE DIX JADES DYNASTIE QING, XIXE SIÈCLE |

chacune en forme de pêche de longévité émergeant de branchages noueux feuillagés et incrustations d'argent, les couvercles finement sculptés au centre de phénix sur des rameaux feuillagés en bois clair, chacune renfermant en leurs intérieurs tapissés de soie claire une collection de cinq jades sur des socles en soie rose sur-mesure, l'une comprenant un pendentif en jade céladon et rouille, huang, un personnage en jade brun et céladon, un cheval couché dérangé par un singe en jade céladon et brun et un disque bi archaïsant en jade; l'autre boîte comprenant une perle archaïsante en jade bicolore, deux haches cérémonielles, un embout de manche de dague en jade céladon et rouille, et, un dique bi archaïsant en jade bicolore, accidents (28)

Gifted to the great-uncle of the present owner, a distinguished scholar, professor, Director of the Agronomic Institute at Gembloux and honorary Director of the University of Gembloux, Belgium, in the early 1950s by a young Chinese student who left his country. The professor and his wife had taken care of the young student who in return thanked them with this gift. 

Box #1: There are two patching to interior of the cover (each approx. 2.3x2.5x1.2 cm and 3.5 x 0.4 cm), along with a crack (approx. 12 cm). There are some shallow cracks and a small loss to a branch of the box, which is un-examined to the interior as it is lined with textile fittings for the jades. Box #2 The other cover with some nicks and chips to the extremities, as well as with an infill to the interior (approx. 3 x 2.6 cm) and a restoration to the rim. The box was broken in half and re-stuck, along with some associated cracks and losses. There are some nicks and small chips to the jades (the largest measuring approx. 1.1 x 0.9 cm to the edge of the bigger jade Bi). There are some foxing and discolourations to the textiles, and further creases and losses to the paper border around it.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."