Bonhams to Offer Exceptional Reid Collection of Archaic Bronze and Early Chinese Ceramics

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Bonhams announced the sale of the Reid Collection of Archaic Bronzes and Early Chinese Ceramics, to be offered in two parts with Bonhams Sydney and London in May 2018. The collection comprises a very rare archaic bronze food vessel, ding, from the Late Shang Dynasty, estimated at £180,000 – 240,000 (AU$330,000 – 440,000), in addition to more than 40 early Chinese ceramics dating from 8th to 14th century, as well as other Chinese works of art. The Reid Collection carries a pre-auction high estimate of £850,000 (AU$1.7 million).

The Reid family has, over the years, formed a fine art collection which spans numerous cultures and eras. The highlight of the collection, the archaic bronze ding from the late Shang period, is estimated at £180,000 – 240,000 (AU$330,000 – 440,000), and was previously exhibited in the Art Gallery of South Australia, Adelaide and on loan to the Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney. It was previously in the renowned collection of J. T. Tai in New York, and William Bowmore in South Australia.

Archaic bronze vessels of this type were among the most highly prized and technically sophisticated objects produced in early China. Reserved for use by the most powerful families of the time, they carried the offerings presented to the ancestors during the performance of elaborate rituals.

The Reid Collection of early Chinese ceramics has a focus on Song and the Five Dynasties, a period regarded by many as the apogee of simple yet sophisticated ceramic making, and the collection exemplifies many of the different types produced in those eras.

Yvett Klein, Asian Art Specialist Bonhams Australia commented: “It is rare to see such important and superbly cast archaic bronze ritual vessel on the market. We are delighted to be offering the Reid Collection in both Sydney and London and look forward to displaying the pieces at Bonhams Sydney for preview in May. “

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