Page 18 - Dr Yip April 2017 Poprtable Treasures
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Painting of original Ancestral Shrine in Foshan county, Guangdong
after Ye Cheng Jian zhupu Family Tree of Ye Cheng Jian, Nanhai 2006
葉氏大宗祠舊貌圖
錄自《葉正簡族譜》南海，2006年
Portrait of Prime Minister Ye Cheng Jian
Southern Song Dynasty 12th century
after Ye Cheng Jian zhupu Family Tree of
Ye Cheng Jian, Nanhai 2006
葉正簡 葉顥
錄自《葉正簡族譜》南海，2006年
I achieved initial success when I rounded up 68 pieces in on the subject, plus a network of sourcing that has helped me
three years, and exhibited them at the Chinese University of Hong build a large collection of superb pieces. It encompassed all the
Kong Art Gallery, catalogued them. I invited Mr. Wang Shixiang, major categories, as well as many variants and rare pieces. Some
a doyen of Chinese Ming furniture to come down from Beijing extant ones that have survived are the only ones left and unique
to open this exhibition and chair an international symposium. He in the world. I shall comment on them individually at the end of
was excited and praised that this was a first catalogue of a private this essay after Grace’s expert catalogue entries. From the careful
exhibition of Chinese furniture in the world, and gave me a stanza selection of the furniture pieces by Grace Wu, for a comprehensive
of poems for my catalogue. group, it shows that I have not held back any piece because of
sentiment, rarity or favouritism, and is meant for everyone to enjoy!
This was the first of my three catalogues, in 1991, 1998 All pieces exemplify the excellent craftsmanship of Ming furniture,
and 2007 to show my passion of collecting, amassing some 150 and I have collected them for both the quality of the wood and a
pieces over 25 years. good state of preservation.
As I regard that Ming furniture is a premier Chinese I hope this selection for auction will be a feast for your eyes,
sculptured art form with foremost craftsmanship and a unique especially when you understand my passion for collecting Ming
assembly of joinery, the most ingenious amongst the furniture furniture, my dedication in publishing them in three volumes,
movements in the world, I dedicated myself in exhibiting them accompanied by essays, and devotion in showing everyone in
all over the world, over twenty times from among Hong Kong the world by exhibiting them in Asia, the U.S. and in Europe
Museums, as well as being invited to exhibit at the Asian over 25 years. Of course, it is very emotional for me to part with
Civilization Museum in Singapore, the National Museum of them, but with old age of over 80, I think it wise after witnessing
History in Taiwan, Macau Museum of Art, Denver Art Museum, great collectors like Wang Shixiang and Robert Ellsworth had to
Arthur Sackler and freer Gallery in Washington D.C., Institute eventually disperse their pieces. However, I take great comfort to
of Contemporary Art, London and Museum für Asiatische Kunst, share with everyone my pieces if they think what I have done in my
Berlin and they were generally well received and given good life journey is worthwhile. I am sure that the furniture will be well
comments. taken care of by the new owners, and for them, their families and
their friends to enjoy. And I shall always be part of that legacy.
I was ably assisted by the foremost Ming furniture dealer in
the world, Grace Wu Bruce, with continual advice from Wang Yip Shing Yiu
Shixing in Beijing, Grace has been called by the nickname of
“Queen of Huanghuali”. She was true to the reputation, with
her command of knowledge of the craftsmanship and expertise
16 SOTHEBY’S 蘇富比
