Page 65 - Christie's Fine Chinese Paintings March 19 2019 Auction

Marchant

a Family Legacy

irca 1969, when Richard Marchant bought this extremely rare and Richard Marchant（理查德）約莫在1969年購入此極為珍罕華麗的青花碗，
beautiful bowl, London, as well as the rest of the United Kingdom, 當時的倫敦及英國各地可見許多亞洲藝術品，即當時慣稱的東方(Oriental)藝術
C was a rich source for Asian, or as they were known at the time, 品。亞洲藝術品不僅出現在各種拍賣會，不論是專攻亞洲藝術或是涉獵範圍較
Oriental works of art. Not only were they ofered at the various auction 廣的一般藝術商號亦可見其蹤影。除此之外，哈洛德百貨公司、萊坊（Knight
houses, but at the numerous dealers, both those specializing in Asian art, Frank＆Rutley）和Druce等零售商行也銷售許多亞洲藝術品。
and those of a more general nature. At the time, the possible sources also
included retail establishments such as Harrods, Knight Frank & Rutley and 1960年代，中國古代器物的價格出現明顯變化，尤以唐宋瓷器和明初的青花瓷為
Druce. 最。到了1960年代末期，明初青花瓷的價格佔據市場主導地位，在拍賣會上比任
何瓷器都能賣出更高的價格。傑拉德·瑞特林格(Gerald Reitlinger)在《品味經濟
During the 1960s, those in the feld of Chinese art had seen marked changes 學》第三卷《1960年代的藝術市場》（1970年，倫敦，435-444頁）記錄了這些
in the prices for early wares, especially Tang ceramics, Song ceramics and 變化，並按年份列舉明代各種器物的拍賣價格。列表中出現三個同類型的碗，也就
fne, early Ming blue-and-white wares. By the end of the 1960s, the prices 是當時俗稱的「骰碗」，（如同Marchant收藏的此宣德碗）各具不同紋樣：一件
for early Ming blue-and-white porcelain dominated the market, fetching the 蓮紋碗在1965年以1,995英鎊賣出、一只花卉紋碗在1967年以4,200英鎊賣出，而
highest prices of any porcelains sold at auction. Gerald Reitlinger in The 最後一件歲寒三友紋碗以11,000英鎊賣出。他指出這些賣價遠超過1937年三件碗
Economics of Taste, vol. III, The Art Market in the 1960s, London, 1970, pp. 的賣價總值，146英鎊。
435-444, records these changes and lists, by year, the prices achieved at
auction for various wares of Ming dynasty date. Included in the list are three 1953年，理查德和父親悉尼（Samuel Sydney Marchant）將其古董公司改名為
bowls of the same type, often referred to as “dice bowls”, as the Marchant S. Marchant & Son，想當然爾，他們對此市場變化瞭若指掌。理查德加入後，S.
Xuande bowl, but all with diferent designs: one with lotus scroll sold in 1965 Marchant & Son 開始專攻明代（1368-1644）和清代（1644-1911）御器，特
for £1995, one with composite fower scroll sold in 1967 for £4200 and a 別是瓷器、玉器和掐絲琺瑯 ，充分反映出理查的興趣所在。除了造訪倫敦的古董
third with the “Three Friends” sold in 1968 for £11,000. He notes that these 商、頻繁參加東方藝術品拍賣會以外，理查每月走遍英國各地搜求明清瓷器。有
prices far exceeded the cumulative total of £146 paid for three bowls of this 時，他出發時身上帶著300英鎊，三天內就滿載古董而歸。在那個一件明末清初的
type in 1937. 筒瓶要價約10英鎊的年代，他的尋寶之旅總是充滿樂趣，報酬率又高。1960年代
初期，理查德也開始前往香港和日本，從而熟捻亞洲市場。結合豐富經驗和專業知
Richard Marchant, having joined his father Samuel Sydney Marchant in his 識，理查德深知這些偶然蒐得的器物之稀有性和價值。眼見此類青花碗價值一路攀
newly re-named antiques business, S. Marchant & Son, in 1953, would have 升，理查德預見未來還會繼續升值。考慮到這一點，並且心中掛念兩個年幼的兒子
been well aware of these changes. Shortly after his arrival, S. Marchant & 司徒特和布魯斯（Stuart and Bruce），理查決定將這件罕見的宣德青花「花果
Son began to focus on Imperial wares of the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing 紋」碗贈予兒子們，許他們一個光明的未來。
(1644-1911) dynasties, especially porcelain, jade and cloisonné, a refection of
Richard’s interest in these areas. In addition to visiting the London dealers 佳士得顧問 Patricia Curtin
and attending the frequent auctions of Oriental art, Richard traveled around
Britain monthly in search of Ming and Qing porcelains. Setting out with
£300, in three days he would fll his car with antiques. With a transitional
sleeve vase costing about £10 at the time, these trips were enjoyable and
richly rewarding. In the early 1960s, Richard also began traveling to Hong
Kong and Japan, thus becoming familiar with the Asian markets. These
combined experiences and expertise meant that Richard was well placed to
realize the rarity and the value of his fortuitous fnd. Having watched the rise
in prices for bowls of this type, Richard could also foresee that they would
only continue to appreciate in value. With this in mind, and thinking of his
two young sons, Stuart and Bruce Marchant, Richard made the decision to
make a gift of this superb and very rare Xuande blue and white “fruit spray”
bowl to his sons and to their future.
Patricia Curtin, Consultant, Christie’s

Richard Marchant, circa 1970
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