Good selection at Melbourne spring auction

Gibson’s Auctions kicks off its Spring Auction Series from 12pm Sunday November 29 with a Melbourne-based private collection of Chinese and Asian ceramics and works of art including a Han Dynasty green glazed pottery ‘hill’ jar and cover (lot 1) similar to one sold in September 2018 by Sotheby’s New York.

A Tang-style painted figure of horse (lot 2) is another highlight along with a Song Dynasty russet-splashed black glazed bowl (lot 3).

Unusual in this collection is a 19^th century Qing Dynasty rock crystal of Buddha (lot 11) and a pierced gilt wood panel showing warriors both on foot and horseback (lot 19).

It is a varied auction as shown by the two white jade snuff bottles (lot 27), each of flattened and circular form depicting in low relief figures fishing in a lakeside setting, the unusual Qing Dynasty famille-rose wall vase (lot 40) and set of four 20^th century porcelain plaques (lot 39).

A major porcelain highlight is a blue and white Chinese basin (lot 62) from Zhangzhou that was part of the cargo from a Chinese junk that sank in 1608 off the coast of Binh Thuan province in southern Vietnam and discovered in 2001 by fisherman trying to unravel a trawl net caught in the wreck.

There are various jade attractions including a 19^th/20^th century green bixie figure (lot 72), while an unusual 20^th century four-panel lacquer screen decorated with the eight horses of Mu Wang (lot 87) should bring plenty of attention.

There are various examples of Scottish Wemyss (pronounced Weems) porcelain including a tabby cat (lot 105) with a $5000-$8000 catalogue estimate.

Wemyss ware was first produced in 1882 when Scotland’s Fife Pottery owner Robert Heron brought a group of Bohemian craftsmen to the factory. The name Wemyss was given to the new pottery style in honour of the family of the same name who occupied Wemyss castle and were enthusiastic patrons of the ware.  

Glassware and furniture are other drawcards including a 19^th century French flame mahogany bureau (lot 129) and a gothic oak sideboard (lot 158) in the style of Pugin (1812-1852), an English architect, designer, artist and critic remembered for his pioneering role in in the Gothic Revival style of architecture.

The artwork on offer includes a 20^th century large Rococo styled carved giltwood frame oil painting depicting a battle scene (lot 259).