Chinese Qing Porcelains the George Davies Collection

Collection

of

Old Chinese Qing Porcelains

formed by

GEORGE R. DAVIES, Esc/.

Formerly of Hartford, Cheshire,
and now of Parton, N.B.

Chinese Qing Porcelains and an Unusual Story

A selection of full page images of select Chinese Qing Porcelains from the collection of George R. Davies.  The catalog shown below was published in 1913 after the Davies collection was purchased by the controversial dealer Edgar GORER  for a reported 220,000 pounds and was exhibited at the exclusive Dreicer & Co in New York City at 560 Fifth Avenue. The exhibition and sale drew enormous controversy including some outspoken criticism from the legendary James Henry Duveen, resulting in a lawsuit from Gorer, demanding $75,000 in damages.

Unfortunately Gorer never had his day in court, on May 1, 1915 he and then legendary London dealer Frank Partridge boarded the SS Lusitania. Seven days later the ship was torpedoed by the German submarine U-20 off the coast of Ireland. The ship sank in 18 minutes, Frank Partridge survived, Edgar Gorer was killed after giving his life vests to others without them. One of the beneficiary of his selfless act was then Opera Singer Josephine Brandell

Below are some of the examples from this exceptional collection.

21o. An incense-burner, probably the largest and finest specimen of reticulated work in existence. The sixteen quadrangular panels on the cover and base show pierced hexagons in yellow, with figures in reserves. On the top of the cover Shou-Lao, seated under a pine tree, is receiving a peach from a disciple. In the eight upper panels are figures of the immortals with their attributes standing upon clouds. In the lower panels are eight boys playing. These panels, with borders of rice-stars outlined in black under a green glaze, are separated by a broad yellow band containing a formal flower and leaves. The rim of the cover, outlined in black basket-work on an aubergine ground, is relieved by coloured flowers. This design is repeated on the top of the bowl, forming a double band round the middle. Above the broad black band at the base is another of apple-green, bordered with inverted Joey heads below, and above by a yellow band, surmounted by another band of black scrolls on an aubergine ground. Ming period. Height 16 inches. (See Illustration, Plate XV., facing page 46).

217. An oviform vase with short neck, decorated with two four-clawed dragons, one in aubergine with mane and crestings in green, the other in green with mane in aubergine. The horns of both are white, and between them on either side is a sacred jewel with flames in aubergine. The whole finely drawn on a soft yellow back¬ground. Kang-He period. Height 9 inches. (See Illustration, Plate XX., facing page 63).

Finely glazed Kangxi Langyao vase baluster vase, 17" tall.

An oviform black ground vase, the body covered with a delicate brocade design with flowers in colours and green foliage, upon minute scroll work outlined in black, covered with a green glaze. This is relieved with two long panels, one showing a finch upon a flowering branch of the prunus tree, the other a golden pheasant perched upon a tree above peonies and foliage; between these panels on each side is a round reserve containing insects and plants, and a leaf-shaped reserve with cocks. On the shoulder is another brocade design with coloured flowers and foliage, relieved with four white reserves containing alternately gold and red carp. The brocade on the neck is similar to that of the body, and is relieved with two leaf-shaped panels decorated with landscapes. At the rim are two borders in black and green with the Grecian key and scroll diaper designs, the latter being repeated at the base of the neck, where it is followed by a narrow band of another brocade. Dividing the shoulder from the body of the vase is a narrow border of brocade design, terminating in a band of Joey heads. At the base is a narrow border in black and green, surmounted by a wide band of godroons with a ground of pale green containing pendeloques. A marvellous and unique example. All in fine famille-verte colours on a white ground. Kang-He period. Height 17 inches. (See Illustration, Plate XXV., facing page 78)