Fine Chinese ceramics from the Alfred Beit Foundation come up at Sotheby’s in London on November 6. The 20 ceramic pieces to be sold in 14 lots estimated at £300,000-350,000 are being sold to help secure the long term future of Russborough. The group being sold is surplus to the main collection and has been in storage for many years.
They were assembled by Sir Alfred Beit (1903-1994) and purchased through Chinese art dealer John Sparks in the 1950’s.
Robin Bradlow of Sotheby’s fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art department said: “Sir Alfred Beit was a discerning collector with a marvellous eye for exquisite pieces of Chinese porcelain”.
Commenting on the sale, a representative of the Alfred Beit Foundation, said: “The group of ceramics is surplus to the main collection, has been held in storage for many years and was rarely on public view. Its sale will help secure the long term future of Russborough, its demesne and its diverse collections so that the visiting public from both Ireland and abroad may appreciate and enjoy it for many decades to come.”
UPDATE: The 14 lots from the Beit Foundation were 100 per cent sold and brought in £1,079,ooo. The Yongzheng black ground Famille Rose bowl achieved the highest price in the group and sold for £434,500. Overall the sale brought a total of £14,486,600.
A Rare Coral Ground Famille-Verte Bowl
Yongzheng mark and period (1723-1735) (£80,000-120,000). UPDATE: THIS SOLD FOR £104,500
A Black-Ground Famille-Rose Bowl
Yongzheng Mark and Period (1723-1735) (£80,000-120,000). UPDATE: THIS SOLD FOR £434,500