Important Ming Imperial Works of Art from The Le Cong Tang Collection

Having known collectors of many types over decades, Mr James Spencer have concluded that three elements make for a great collector. First is a sense of beauty and the good taste that comes and develops with it. Second is the ability and willingness to devote ample resources, including time, to collecting and researching. This is especially true of Chinese art. Third is a willingness to seek out the best advice possible, technical and general, and to pay heed to it. With regard to the Master of the Le Cong Tang collection, these three elements are all present in abundance.

Mr James Spencer have had the good fortune to be in regular contact with the Master of the Le Cong Tang Collection for a number of years and it has been a stimulating experience. It is not an exaggeration to say that there has hardly been a dull moment. His enthusiasm has been infectious. The principal and overriding criterion in forming the collection has been aesthetic quality, irrespective of other factors such as academic importance, rarity or provenance. Nevertheless, the collection has come to include many items with significant provenances that are rare and important as well as beautiful. The thirteen Ming items here clearly demonstrate this.

The Ming porcelain and lacquer offered here will allow collectors to add highly significant items to their collections. The imperial porcelains and lacquer featured in this auction catalogue is up to the standards of any major museum and deserves to be seen and enjoyed by the public.

JAMES SPENCER

Mr James Spencer first joined Christie's London in 1969 and was transferred to the Chinese department in 1971 where he became a director in 1979. He set up the Christie's Hong Kong office in 1983. In 1987, Mr Spencer left Christie's to join the Chang Foundation Museum of Art, Taipei, where he remained a curator until his retirement in February 2017. At present he is a consultant to the Chang Foundation.

Hardcover with slipcase

Book condition: Near Fine. Light general wear to covers. Internally very clean.

Slipcase condition: Very Good. Light general wear to slipcase plus a bump to front and very light foxing to inside. Light dust stain to decorative cover

Dimensions: 24.5 x 32 cm

Print length: 57 Pages (A dazzling Gem of the Eastern Renaissance - The Jiajing Wucai Fish Jar), 113 pages (Important Ming Imperial Works of Art from The Le Cong Tang Collection - evening sale)

Language: English, Chinese

Publication date: 2017

Publisher: Christie’s Hong Kong