Page 216 - Bonhams Fine Chinese Art London Nov. 2019

Property from the Collection

of Quek Kiok Lee (1921-2018)
郭克禮珍藏

Lots 167 - 179

Quek Kiok Lee (1921-2018) - who always asserted that he was ‘born Inspired by the remarkable art collections that some of these eminent
to collect’ - arrived in Singapore as an impoverished 17 year old non persons possessed, he embarked on what was to become his lifelong
English-speaker from Swatow (Shantung) in 1938. Over the next passion for Chinese works of art. Whilst establishing himself as highly
two years, this young man topped his school at both the Junior and successful businessman, banker, entrepreneur and investor, Mr Quek
Senior Cambridge exams with grades 1 and A, respectively. He was voraciously spent much of his free time meeting with (and poring over
then appointed Assistant Secretary by the Chinese Chambers of the artefacts of) collectors and dealers; visiting museums; attending
Commerce, which was ‘home’ to the leaders of Singapore’s Chinese auctions and exhibitions around the globe; and studying whatever
community, including preeminent business luminaries such as Lee he could get his hands on to build up his expertise on a subject that
Kong Chian, Lien Ying Chow, Tan Chin Tuan, Tan Kah Kee, Quek quickly grew to become his pleasurable obsession. Besides acquiring
Bak Song and Tan Siak Kew. Mr Quek’s impressive performance property in Asia and the UK as well as building a multi-million-dollar
in his role included successfully persuading the British post-war investment company, Mr Quek enthusiastically invested in building
administration to treat - and compensate accordingly - the time up his collection of Chinese antiques. In due course, he became
served during the Japanese occupation by Singapore civil servants well known to the premier auction houses and leading authorities on
(who had till then worked for the British) as continuous British service. Chinese art for both his expansive knowledge of the subject and his
Such accomplishments favourably brought him to the attention of collection, which was to grow for over 70 years. He also served as
the aforementioned tycoons. Consequently, a few approached him to Acquisitions Advisor on Chinese antiquities to the Singapore University
join their businesses – and their families. This began Mr Quek’s rapid Museum for 6 years (3 terms) until 2000. Even to the very end of
ascension in business and in society. his very rich and colourful life, he loved spending time admiring and
handling his beloved collection.

167 *
TWO RECTANGULAR ‘ELEGANT GATHERING’ INK-CAKES The sides are also inscribed ‘臣汪近聖呈按易水法虔製’, which may be
translated as ‘Minister Wang Jinsheng presents this [ink-cake] made
Qianlong eight-character marks dated and possibly of the period
One red, the other dark grey, both finely moulded on one side with a according to the methods of Yi [County]’. Yi refers to the Yizhou, a
scene of an elegant gathering of scholars engaged in various pursuits centre for ink-cake production.
including painting, calligraphy, playing the qin and looking at antiques,
the reverse sides with long essays beside two scholars engaged in The motif and essay on these pair of ink-cakes refer to the ‘Elegant
conversation by water. Gathering in the Western Garden’, a famous gathering that took place
The larger, 28.7cm (11 1/4in) wide (2). during the Northern Song dynasty. According to tradition, in 1087
sixteen famous statesmen, literati, and artists gathered in the capital
Kaifeng at the Western Garden of Wang Shen (1036-after 1089), who
£800 - 1,200 was the son-in-law of the Yingzong emperor (reigned 1064-1067).
CNY7,100 - 11,000 Important guests included the poet and calligrapher Su Shi (1037-
1101), the eccentric Mi Fu (1051-1107) and the famous painter Li
清乾隆 西園雅集圖貢墨兩錠 Gonglin (1049-1106), all of whom have long been considered cultural
「大清乾隆御覽之寶」陽文楷書款 heroes and models of scholarly virtue. Li Gonglin was believed to
have recorded the gathering in a painting. The subject of the ‘Elegant
Provenance: Quek Kiok Lee Collection (1921 – 2018), Singapore, Gathering in the Western Garden’ has been interpreted as an ideal
and thence by descent or imaginary meeting that celebrates the cultural heroes of the Song
dynasty, rather than as an actual event. Featuring the leading figures of
來源：新加坡郭克禮（1921 – 2018）舊藏，並由後人保存迄今 poetry, calligraphy, and painting, as well as Confucians, a Daoist, and
a Buddhist, the group represents the highest philosophical and artistic
achievements during a period perceived as a high point in Chinese
civilisation. Over the centuries, this legendary gathering became a
frequent theme in Chinese art.

Compare with an imperial circular ink-cake, Qianlong mark and of
the period, also inscribed by Wang Jingsheng, which was sold at
Sotheby’s New York, 22 March 2000, lot 42.

For details of the charges payable in addition to the final Hammer Price of each Lot
214 | BONHAMS please refer to paragraphs 7 & 8 of the Notice to Bidders at the back of the catalogue.