Page 6 - Christie's Fine Chinese Paintings Auction September 11, 2018

Chinese Paintings from

The Collection of Stephen Junkunc, III

(Lots 1-12)

he name Stephen Junkunc, III is one of the most renowned amongst
Tcollectors of Chinese ceramics and works of art. His father, Stephen
Junkunc, II, was a tool-and-die maker from Hungary, who emigrated to
Chicago and founded the General Machinery & Manufacturing Co. in
1918. The company opened its frst premises on South Aberdeen Street in
Chicago, and in 1933 moved to North Keeler Street which is still its home
today.
With the outbreak of World War II, GMMCO converted the shop to help in
the war efort and began manufacturing various aircraft parts, specializing
in aircraft engine seals. Their devotion to quality and service led to
commissions to manufacture critical parts for cutting-edge jet engines. After
nearly 100 years, GMMCO is still a family business.
The highest standards of accuracy and quality can also be seen in the
collection of Chinese ceramics and works of art amassed by Stephen
Junkunc, III. The collection itself was kept securely in a World War II bomb
shelter at his home. Entering these rooms was compared to the legend
of Aladdin entering the cave: the visitor was immediately awed by the
porcelain, jades, Buddhist sculptures and other treasures on display.
Stephen Junkunc, III began collecting in earnest in the 1940s. His collecting
was always informed by diligent study – he kept libraries at both his home
and his ofice and read voraciously, whether quickly over a short lunch break
or at a more leisurely pace into the small hours of the morning.
In pursuit of an object, Stephen Junkunc, III was indefatigable. He acquired
much of his collection from the most renowned dealers of the mid-20th
century, including Bluett & Sons, Sparks, Yamanaka and C.T. Loo, and
Nagatani in Chicago.
A true connoisseur-collector of Chinese ceramics and works of art, Stephen
Junkunc, III described his passion as one which: “becomes a disease. But it’s
the one thing in the world that never pales or becomes static. It always holds
the challenge of more to learn.”
Stephen Junkunc, III, circa 1940
The legacy of Stephen Junkunc, III has been preserved through his
generous donations to institutions throughout the United States. The
interest in Chinese art was continued by his son, Stephen Junkunc, IV,
who has judiciously overseen that the next generation of connoisseurs
and enthusiasts would have the opportunity to enjoy many items of the
collection.
Christie’s has been honored to have handled numerous outstanding works
from this extraordinary collection, including a highly important Northern
Song Ruyao dish (Fig. 1) and a 13th-14th century painting, Travelers in
Autumn Mountains, in the style of the 11th century painter Guo Xi. (Fig. 2)
In addition to the following paintings, a selection of Chinese works of art
from the Stephen Junkunc, III Collection will be ofered in the Fine Chinese
Works of Art sale, Thursday-Friday, 13-14 September, lots 1115, 1133-1137,
1150-1169.

(Fig.1)
A RARE AND IMPORTANT RUYAO DISH
NORTHERN SONG DYNASTY
(AD 960-1127)
4
Christie’s New York, 3 December 1992, lot 276