Rare Kangxi Period Wine Ewer from Alexander Collection to Be Auctioned

A rare Chinese wine ewer from the Kangxi period is set to be auctioned for the first time in over a century. This unique piece comes from the private collection of William Cleverley Alexander, a renowned British art connoisseur and philanthropist. The ewer, which dates back to the Kangxi period (1662-1722), has been in the Alexander family since its purchase in 1907. It will be auctioned alongside a vase from the same era.

Alexander was known for his discerning eye, choosing quality over quantity for his collection. Each piece was meticulously researched and documented, complete with original invoices and drawings. Woolley & Wallis, the auction house handling the sale, is excited to offer this ewer due to its esteemed provenance and the auction house's history of selling high-value Chinese art. In 2015, they sold a Chinese Yuan dynasty vase from the Alexander collection for £3 million, far exceeding its estimate.

John Axford, Asian Art Specialist and Chairman of Woolley & Wallis, expressed his honor in handling the sale. He highlighted the ewer's craftsmanship and quality, reflecting Alexander's passion for art from this period. The ewer is expected to attract global interest due to its high quality and well-documented history.

The wine ewer is from the Kangxi period, a time of artistic resurgence following the Ming dynasty's collapse. This era saw significant advancements in ceramics, making Kangxi pieces highly prized. The ewer is shaped like the Chinese characters Fu Lu Shou, symbolizing good fortune, prosperity, and longevity. Such ewers were used in various contexts, from rituals to celebrations.

During the Kangxi Emperor's reign, wine played a significant role in Chinese culture. Huiquan Wine, a yellow rice wine, was popular among the affluent and even served at the Imperial court. Another esteemed wine was qióng jiāng yù yè, mentioned in the Complete Tang Poems, a respected 18th-century collection.

Axford noted that the ewer's design, featuring characters and a blue-glazed Buddhist lion finial, is a testament to the Kangxi period's innovation. The ewer is estimated to fetch between £4,000 and £6,000 at auction.

Alongside the ewer, a rare underglaze meiping vase will also be auctioned. This vase is decorated with squirrels and grapevines, featuring lotus flowerheads and leaf scrolls. It is estimated to sell for £20,000 to £30,000.

William Cleverley Alexander was a prominent figure in the art world. Born into wealth, he used his resources to build an impressive collection of Asian art. His collection reflected Victorian Britain's fascination with Chinese and Japanese aesthetics. Alexander's patronage helped popularize Asian art in Britain and supported emerging artists, including James McNeill Whistler, an American painter based in the UK.

Alexander was a member of the Burlington Fine Arts Club and a founding member of the National Art Collections Fund. He often loaned his collection to museums, sharing his passion with the public. Roger Fry, a British painter and art critic, praised Alexander as a significant figure in the art world. In an obituary, Fry described Alexander as unpretentious, noting his remarkable taste and generosity in sharing his collection.

The upcoming auction of the Kangxi wine ewer and vase offers a rare opportunity to acquire pieces from a distinguished collection. These items not only represent exceptional craftsmanship but also reflect a rich history of art appreciation and philanthropy.