Empress Cixi (1835-1908)

Connoisseurship, a millennia-old tradition in China, was generally the purview of men, and the leader of the collecting community was the Emperor himself. But one hugely powerful Chinese woman achieved distinction in the field, as well as in the field of power politics— Cixi (1835-1908), known as the Empress Dowager and the de facto ruler of China for decades. She took the baton from the Daoguang Emperor and became the most important patroness of late Qing court art.  Her regency would last until she died in 1908, and her power parallel to that of the British Empire’s Queen Victoria. 

The Imperial Porcelains of the Qing Dynasty

When it comes to the Imperial porcelains of the Qing dynasty, scholars and collectors celebrate eighteenth-century accomplishments. Recent research however has revealed several groups of highly sophisticated late Qing imperial wares that are comparable to the earlier wares, the majority of which were commissioned by the Daoguang Emperor (1820- 1850) and Empress Dowager Cixi. Even rarer and more symbolic of the ambition and achievement of the late Qing imperial kiln, under Cixi’s leadership, is the group of plates inscribed with Chu Xiu Gong Zhi in seal script. This unique commission was placed in 1889 for the Chuxiugong Palace, another palace in the Forbidden City’s inner court area where Cixi lived. The patroness demanded 256 pieces, but their large sizes posed great challenges to the imperial kiln, forcing it to divide the commission into three shipments in two years.

The Collection of Arthur Stedman Cotton

Dreweatts is thrilled to offer the family collection of Arthur Stedman Cotton (1873-1952). Arthur Cotton was commissioned second lieutenant in the Royal Artillery on 11th September 1893. He was promoted to lieutenant on 14th September 1896, Captain on 28th July 1900, and Major on 24th September 1910. He served in the Boxer Rebellion in 1900.

The collection (Lot 154-160) comprises a rare and magnificent light brown glazed ‘Dragon’ dish bearing the Chu Xiu Gong Zhi mark (Lot 158), a Mandarin’s silk dragon robe embroidered with Cixi’s favourite colours (Lot 154), and other examples of Qing textiles and imperial porcelain. 

Auction Highlights

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Auction Details

Wednesday 13 & Thursday 14 November, 10.30am GMT
Donnington Priory, Newbury, Berkshire RG14 2JE

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VIEWING:

• Viewing at Dreweatts London (highlights):
  • Sunday 3 November: 11am-3pm
  • Monday 4 November: 10am-4pm
  • Tuesday 5 November: 10am-4pm
• Viewing at Dreweatts Newbury (full sale) :
  • Sunday 10 November: 10am-3pm
  • Monday 11 November: 10am-4pm
  • Tuesday 12 November: 10am-4pm
  • Wednesday 13 November: 9am-1pm