Oriental Art
National and international collectors have found Cordy’s to be the most favoured auction house to watch for a broad range of Chinese porcelains, jades, ivories, bronzes and wood. Items of quality and age are met by a knowledgeable audience in our rooms. We also specialise in Japanese ukiyo-e, scroll paintings, textiles, Peking glass and Chinese silver.
An old Chinese cinnabar lacquer circular box,
the lid decorated in relief with an outdoor garden scene including seated and other figures within a distant mountainous landscape. The sides with four various floral cartouches, representing the seasons, on a scrolling floral ground. Black lacquer interior and base. Some chipping to the rims. 310 x 150mm. Provenance: Purchased by our vendor's father in Hong Kong, c.1945, while enlisted in the NZ navy. His ship, the Artifex, was supplying power to the city. Then deposited on loan to the Auckland Museum c.1971. Auckland museum letter dated 1991 available confirming loan deposit change of ownership from our vendor's father to our vendor. Further details regarding the purchase of this box available.
Realised: $16,500
A 19thC Chinese fine watercolour,
of a woman holding back a drape admiring a pair of swallows. Black ink calligraphy marks red seal. 240 x 250mm. Some distress marks. Provenance: Ex. the estate collection of Dr David (Auckland) & M Stephens. Based in Singapore c.1956 - 1975. David was a passionate and knowledgeable collector of jade, porcelain and Chinese items. He was a member of the South East Asian Ceramic Society.
Realised: $4,800
A pair of impressive and well modelled vintage Chinese bronze Foo dogs,
the opposing pair in traditional pose, the male with his right paw resting on a ball representing protection, while the female has a paw resting on a cub or pup representing nurturing and fertility. On decorative bronze bases. 210 x 310 x 450mm.
Realised: $4,300
A good Japanese Edo period aikuchi tanto c.1680,
the hirazukui blade in excellent polish (unsigned) with defined Hamon. Matching koshirae in suite. Kozuka signed and kogatana visible traces. Saya with sculptured wave lacquered motif. L.465mm OA.
Realised: $4,200
An 18thC Japanese shinto period tanto by Masahiro,
blade in good polish signed from Musashi with wave hamon c. 1764. All fittings Fushi,Kashira, Menuki, Tsuba with Kirimon motif on Nanako ground indicating Toyotomi clan. Kozuka with crayfish decoration. L.500mm.
Realised: $3,000
A pair of large 19thC Chinese famille rose vases,
baluster form, with rectangular figured panels on floral ground, shishi and salamanders to the neck and shoulders, flared shaped top rims. Gilt highlights. H.340mm. Provenance: Through English family descent, emigrated to NZ following WWII.
Realised: $2,600
Chinese finely decorated porcelain bowl
relief scrolling red ground enamel with floral highlights, the four circular rondels enamelled in colours with precious objects. Daoguang mark in underglaze blue to the base. Dia.153mm.
Realised: $2,400
An outstanding old Chinese carved elephant tusk,
finely carved detail of temples (one absent), pagodas, trees, and various Ching figures, raised on hardwood stand. L.830mm (tusk).
Realised: $2,400
A Japanese WWII katana sword,
labelled 'Sword from Japanese Army in Singapore'. Leather covered scabbard, plaited cord over the shagreen grip, plain iron tsuba. The tang signed with rubbing in attached envelope detailed 'Sword from Japanese Army in Singapore'. Total length 990mm.
Realised: $2,200
A Tibetan gilt bronze figure of a sixteen headed deity,
in embrace with his consort, standing upon recumbent bodies, raised upon a double lotus plinth base. H.435mm.
Realised: $2,000