We are pleased to offer a varied spectrum of Chinese works of art in our Summer exhibition. We have always sought to offer for sale rare, unusual and thought-provoking works of art and ceramics and we hope to have succeeded this time.

The subject of archaic jades has become somewhat troublesome over recent years and many of the objects that have emerged on the international art market are reproductions and pastiches of originals. We are, therefore, fortunate to be able to offer for sale a group of archaic jades with impeccable credentials, having been released for sale by a major museum.

Many of the exhibits have come from private collections and in some notable cases have a Chinese imperial pedigree and history. Some previous owners wish to remain anonymous but we are gratified to have objects formerly in the following distinguished collections: Avery Brundage, Sir Harry and Lady Garner, The Idemitsu Museum of Art, Carl Kempe, Otto Kümmel, Enid and Brodie Lodge and Professor Max Loehr, among others.

I would like to thank the following people who have worked hard to bring the catalogue to fruition: Ken Adlard for the photography, Amanda Brookes for the design, Miranda Clarke for the catalogue preparation, Anthony Evans for translations and research, Philippa Fergusson for co-ordinating the exhibition, Paul Forty for the proofreading, Richard Owers of Beacon Press for the printing, and Verity Wilson for her research on no. 126.

Roger Keverne

Previous online catalogues ... Winter 1999 Summer 2000 Winter 2000 Summer 2001 Winter 2001 Summer 2002 Winter 2002 Summer 2003 Winter 2003