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Lot 191

A RARE AND LARGE CHINESE PALE WHITE JADE CARVING OF MAGU RIDING A PHEONIX, JIN/MING DYNASTY, 13TH/15TH CENTURY
It's finely carved with a magu wearing a phoenix crown and riding a phoenix with the left hand is holding it's long crest, the right hand holding a scroll, amongst ruyi head clouds.

Compare to a jade phoenix formed hair ornament, which has similar features of this present phoenix, the tail feathers are also carved in openwork, see Christie's New York, 19 Mar 2015, lot 619. In addition, also see, the phoenix form hair ornament illustrated by James C. Y. Watt, Chinese Jades from the Collection of the Seattle Art Museum, 1989, p. 63, no. 37.

金至明 白玉雕「麻姑乘鳳」擺件
麻姑戴鳳冠,騎鳳而行,左手持鳳冠羽飾,右手持卷軸,環繞如意雲紋。

類似鳳凰形玉髮飾見:2015年3月19日紐約佳士得拍賣,第619號拍品;另見James C. Y. Watt編《西雅圖美術館藏中國玉器》,1989年,頁63,編號37

源流:
W.Y. Thomas Kwok 遺藏,1980年代初購於香港


13cm high; 12.5cm wide

Estimate $5,000 - $8,000

Sold for $4,600

Overall in good condition.


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The opinions expressed in the condition reports are a guide only and should not be treated as a statement of fact. Prospective buyers are encouraged to seek further information or request additional images during our pre-sale period where Leonard Joel staff are available for advice. Please note condition reports can be amended during the pre-sale period, so we strongly suggest any interested bidders check the published condition report available on the website before the auction commences. Leonard Joel makes no guarantee of the originality of mechanical or applied components. Absence of reference to such modifications does not imply that a lot is free from modifications.


The Estate of W.Y. Thomas Kwok, acquired in Hong Kong in the early 80s.

Born in Macau, Mr. Kwok studied architecture in Melbourne and built a four-decade career with Wong & Ouyang, shaping Hong Kong's skyline. His collecting began with Japanese occupation stamps (1941-1945), issued during Japan's wartime administration of Hong Kong and other territories. Gradually, his passion shifted to jade, inspired by visits to auction houses.

At the time, Hong Kong's auction scene was emerging-Sotheby's debuted in 1973, Christie's in 1986. By the late 1980s, Kwok was attending smaller sales, joining the city's first generation of serious collectors. His jade holdings embody not only technical excellence and cultural symbolism but also the personal evolution of a connoisseur whose interests bridged philately, architecture, and Chinese art heritage.

郭偉仁先生(Kwok, Thomas Wai Yan)1944年出生於澳門,青年時在墨爾本攻讀建築專業並開啟了建築設計的事
業。1984年,Thomas加入香港著名建筑师事务所WONG & OUYANG (HK) LIMITED 王歐陽(香港)有限公司
担任董事,并于1992至1995年间,担任香港注册建筑师委员会主席。在1980年前后,苏富比和佳士得首次进入香
港。郭偉仁先生对于玉器收藏的热情随之得到了滋养,逐渐形成了自己的品味和收藏体系。郭偉仁先生是香港最
早开始收藏的初代收藏家之一。

Important Chinese and Asian Art

AUCTION
Sale: LJ8791
11:00am - 2 November 2025
Hawthorn

VIEWING
Thur 30 Oct - Sat 1 Nov, 10am - 4pm
2 Oxley Rd, Hawthorn VIC

CONTACT
Luke Guan
asianart@leonardjoel.com.au


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