Our commitment to offering significant and outstanding works of art from private collections continues in our Sotheby’s London auction, held during Asian Art in London in November. The sale features an exquisite Qianlong mark and period cloisonné enamel tiger waterpot (Lot 400) and a group of archaic bronze ritual vessels (Lots 376-389) from Parbold Hall, the home of Sir Peter Moores, together with outstanding Qing dynasty imperial monochrome wares (Lots 60-77) from the collection of Richard Cartwright. Jades are also well-represented with two private Italian collections formed in the 1970s.

Further highlights from the sale include a wide selection of fine ceramics, such as a remarkable purple-splash ‘Jun’ dish of the Song dynasty (Lot 360), an impressive Yuan dynasty ‘peacock’ jar (Lot 146), a sumptuous Qianlong mark and period doucai jar and cover decorated with bats and clouds, and a pair of blue and white soldier vases with elaborate European stands. Notable works of art include the fine gilt-bronze figure of Amitayus produced during the Kangxi period (Lot 187), large rhinoceros horn carvings of the late-Ming and early-Qing dynasties (Lots 1-6), and a fine huanghuali corner leg table attributed to the 17th/18th century (Lot 36).

Sotheby’s Print Department is pleased to present our auction of American, Modern and Contemporary Prints on October 27th and 28th. We will be offering 14 James McNeill Whistler prints from a Private Collection, a wonderful group which includes the 1879 etching Nocturne. The selection of Picasso prints is highlighted by two large female portraits; the lithograph Figure au Corsage Rayé and the linoleum cut Portrait de Jacqueline. Within the Contemporary portion of the sale you will find Chuck Close’s large scale pressed paper pulp portrait of Georgia, a very fresh impression of Jasper Johns Painting with Two Balls and Andy Warhol’s iconic Ads portfolio, still in the original box.

There are three rare dinosaur skeletons within the 85-lot Natural History sale at Sotheby’s Paris. Each has been confirmed by Eric Mickeler, Sotheby’s consultant, and certified by experts Dr. Oliver Rauhut of the Bayerische Staatssammlung München, Dr. Roberto Zorzin of the Musée d’Histoire Naturelle of Verona, and paleontologist Pete Larson.

Shown here is Prosaurolophus maximus, which exhibits important examples of fossilized skin. It is joined by one of only two known specimens of Suuwassae Emiliae: a sub-specie of the herbivorous Diplodocus, and a Tenontosaurus. The latter is only partially cleared for exhibit to allow for further study, as the skeleton remains 98 per cent intact.

The sale will feature first editions, presentation copies, letters and manuscripts from the mid-sixteenth century to the present day.

This will include a series of presentation copies of the works of the Brontë sisters, given to their close friend Ellen Nussey, the second folio edition (1632) of Shakespeare’s Comedies, Histories and Tragedies, first and inscribed editions of the works of Thomas Hardy, Oscar Wilde and Graham Greene, a very rare item of early postal history and fine illustrations.

We are very pleased to present our first-ever evening sale of prints, Important Contemporary Prints from an American Collection, to be held on October 27th at 6 PM. The 37 lots include six complete Warhol portfolios purchased directly from the artist’s studio, including Campbell’s Soup I, Mao and Myths.  Other highlights comprise iconic images by Jasper Johns, such as False Start and the Seasons set, four examples from Roy Lichtenstein’s Reflections series and all five of Robert Rauschenberg’s Bellini prints from the late 1980s.