Nine Chinese Blanc de Chine Porcelain Figures of Buddha, Confucius, Sages and Dignitaries
20th CENTURY
Heights 5 2/4 to 13 ½ inches.
Note:
By all accounts, Michael Hall, actor, collector and art dealer, was a memorable character who led a truly remarkable life. Michael delighted in being outrageous - frequently the life of the party, always with an entertaining repertory of anecdotes and jokes. Michael was also a very serious collector with an inquisitive nature, extremely passionate and opinionated concerning his chosen field of Renaissance and Baroque Works of Art, and was always willing to share his vast knowledge.Michael was mentored by Wilhelm Valentiner, a specialist in Italian Renaissance Art and then a consultant to what would become the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. Through Valentiner, Hall was introduced to Sir John Pope-Hennessy and Sir Kenneth Clark, and formed friendships with a number of authorities including Rudolf Wittkower, H.W. Janson and Francis Watson. In 1963, Hall moved to New York, and with William Mills, opened a gallery at 6 East 79th Street. His clients grew to include among others, Charles and Jayne Wrightsman, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Museum of Fine Art, Boston, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, and the Detroit Institute of Art.In later years, Michael and his husband, Thomas divided time between their Florida, New York and Connecticut residences, but never stopped enjoying and collecting decorative arts. Those who knew Michael would agree his passion for collecting knew no bounds.
Property from the Michael Hall Collection, Miami Beach, Florida
Condition
Bearded man on scroll base: small loss to hand, lacking small finger and thumb on the other; chips to his right shoulder; man with top knot on scrolled base: lacking hand; two small chips to edges of scrolled base; man seated on fu-lion- lacking sword and attachments to face and headdress; figure carrying large coin and fruit: loss just above the coin, chips to two fingers on the other; large figure on scrolled base: lacking one hand; four fingers chipped; small chip to ribbon in hair; small chips to scrolled base. All other figures in good condition.
For condition inquiries please contact palmbeachcr@hindmanauctions.com