Page 270 - September 23 to 24 Important Chinese Art Christie's NYC

THE PROPERTY OF A LADY
980
A PAIR OF BLACK-GROUND CLOISONNÉ ENAMEL JARDINIÈRES world, accompanied by his adopted daughter Olive Risley. Miss Risley and
19TH CENTURY Seward wrote the book that accompanies this lot, which documents William
Each has deep rounded sides decorated with butterflies flying amidst Seward’s travels.
scattered flower roundels on a black ground with gilt-wire-inlaid wan
emblems, all between scrolling waves above the shallow foot and a band of ruyi According to family history, this pair of jardinières was gifted to Seward by
heads below the rim. Together with a book entitled Willam H. Seward's Travels Prince Kung, the sixth son of the Daoguang Emperor (r. 1821-1850). A report
Around the World, by William H. Seward and Olive Risley Seward, First Edition, of the meeting of Seward and Prince Kung was included in the Daily Alta
1873, which notes the gifts of the Chinese court to William H. Seward. (California) newspaper on 12 February 1871. A short list of princely gifts
presented to Seward is noted on page 221 of Miss Risley’s book, including
9¡ in. (23.8 cm.) diam. (3)
“one pair of enamelled fish jars,” presumably the present pair. While in
Beijing, Seward’s travel group was overseen by Rear-Admiral John Rogers,
$5,000-7,000 commander of the US Asiatic squadron. When Seward left China to continue
on his world tour, family accounts note that he left the gifts in the care of
PROVENANCE: John Rogers. By the time that Rogers returned to the US at the end of his
Prince Kung (1880-1936) collection, circa 1871 (by repute). tour Seward had died and the objects remained within the Rogers family. The
William H. Seward (1801-1872).
Rear-Admiral John Rodgers (1812-1882). sequence of succession within the family is noted in the provenance above.
Vice Admiral W.L. Rodgers (1860-1944).
William Ledyard Brewster (1906-1972). 私人珍藏
Henry Hodge Brewster (1912-1993) and thence by descent to the present owner.
清十九世紀 掐絲琺瑯蝴蝶紋花盆一對
來源:
The American provenance for this pair of cloisonné enamel jardinières can 恭親王，1871年前後（傳）。
be traced back to the 19th century. William H. Seward was a prominent
American politician and statesman leading up to the Civil War and was a William H. Seward (1801-1872年)。
fierce opponent of slavery. Having served in various positions, including the Rear-Admiral John Rodgers (1812-1882年)。
New York State Senate and as governor of New York, he became President Vice Admiral W.L. Rodgers (1860-1944年)。
Lincoln’s Secretary of State in 1861. Seward was wounded in part of the plan
to assassinate Lincoln, and went on to serve as Andrew Jackson’s Secretary William Ledyard Brewster (1906-1972年)。
of State. In his later years he traveled to China as part of a trip around the Henry Hodge Brewster (1912-1993年) ，後家族傳承至現藏家。