Foreword

Nicolas Chow

Chairman Asia | Worldwide Head and Chairman of Chinese Works of Art

The Yin Xue Tang collection of Chinese art was assembled over the last twenty years, away from the limelight, and represents the pinnacle of classical aesthetics in Chinese art. The collection is the work of an aesthete whose astute eye embraces Chinese art in all its many guises, whether ancient Buddhist sculpture, understated Song ceramics, exquisite Imperial porcelain, lacquer from all periods or historical works of art. An extraordinary sensibility for form, transcending time, medium or purpose, permeates the group and seamlessly flows from the generous, deep arched groove of an early 15th century guri lacquer, down the weathered, cracked cheek of a 13th century bodhisattva, to the elegant contraction of the body of a 12th century stoneware vase, to the drama and chaos of an ancient lingbi rock. Every object unlocks aesthetic possibilities and inspires fascination over the life and mind of the artist who produced it and the worshipper, aesthete or emperor who caressed it. The piece-de-resistance in the first part of the collection that we are offering this season is the extraordinary set of thumbrings so intimately entertwined with Emperor Qianlong’s life, passion for his Manchu heritage and enduring quest for political legitimacy, which offers a unique perspective into the mind of one of the most powerful men to have ever walked the earth.

前言

仇國仕

亞洲區主席 | 中國藝術品部國際主管兼主席

胤雪堂藏，韜光養晦二十載，集萃華夏藝珍，自蘊典雅尚風。堂主品味細膩，慧眼善鑑，從古典的佛教造像、內歛的宋代雅瓷、瑰麗的御窰菁華，以至各朝雕漆及歷史重器，廣納百川。所惜所珍，滲透著一種對形姿的敏感，超越時間、材質與功用，源從十五世紀初剔犀的深溝，留連在十三世紀菩薩臉頰的舊裂，滑過十二世紀瓷瓶那道優雅的弧線，湧入古代靈璧石中的激昴與渾沌。一器一物，解放美學的每個可能，誘發觀者對藝匠身心的好奇，遙想往昔傾慕人、鑑賞家、掌權者摸撫它們時的思絮點滴。今季呈獻專場系列的第一章，首推一組七件御製扳指，與乾隆皇帝的生活密不可分，敍述他對滿洲傳統的摯誠熱忱、對政權統治的不竭追求，以獨特的視角一窺這位歷史上叱咜風雲、權傾天下者的心靈面貎。

For assistance with bidding and registration, please contact:

enquiries@sothebys.com

+852 2524 8121

For all sale enquiries please contact:

Nicolas Chow | Nicolas.Chow@sothebys.com | +852 2822 8128

Senior Director, Chairman, Asia, Worldwide Head and Chairman of Chinese Works of Art

Sam Shum | Sam.Shum@sothebys.com | +852 2822 8125

Senior Director, Senior Specialist, Chinese Works of Art

Carrie Li | Carrie.Li@sothebys.com | +852 2822 8155

Senior Director International, Senior Specialist, Chinese Works of Art

Xibo Wang | Xibo.Wang@sothebys.com | +852 2822 5582

Director, Head of Department, Chinese Works of Art

Amethyst Chau | Amethyst.Chau@sothebys.com | +852 2822 8121

Director, Specialist, Chinese Works of Art

Cristine Li | Cristine.Li@sothebys.com | +852 2822 8122

Deputy Director, Specialist, Chinese Works of Art

Rubie Fong | Rubie.Fong@sothebys.com | +852 2822 9037

Junior Specialist, Chinese Works of Art

Xiaoye Yang | Xiaoye.Yang@sothebys.com | +852 2822 8135

Cataloguer, Chinese Works of Art

Mizuka Seya | Mizuka.Seya@sothebys.com | +81 3 3230 2755

Deputy Director, Specialist, Chinese Works of Art, Japan

Ching Yi Huang | Chingyi.Huang@sothebys.com | +886 2 2757 6689

Deputy Director, Specialist, Chinese Works of Art

Effective February 1, 2023, Sotheby's has updated its terms and conditions for all categories globally excluding Wine & Spirits. Please refer to the Conditions of Business located on the relevant sale page for the updated Buyer’s Premium rates.

由2023年2月1日起，新條款及細則適用於蘇富比全球各地的拍賣類別（洋酒除外）。詳情請參閱相關拍賣頁面所載的業務規則或銷售規則。