Morland single-owner Chinese ceramics collection comes to Dorset auction

The Chinese Ceramics & Works of Art sale staged by Semley in Shaftesbury on November 7 includes the Martin Robert Morland CMG collection.  

Morland (1933-2020), who served in the Grenadier Guards before becoming a diplomat, was descended from the extinct Barons Lindley, and the Fraser, Lords Lovat. His father had been British ambassador to Japan and Indonesia.

The highest-valued lot from the 36 on offer a pair of blue and white dragon and phoenix bowls, underglaze blue, with Yongzheng six-character marks and of the period (1723-35), estimate £15,000-25,000, followed by a blue and white sleeve vase, Transitional period, mid-17th century, guided at £10,000-15,000.

However, plenty is available at ‘more affordable’ pitches - here are five suggestions.

Go camping

This Chinese blue and white bottle vase (pictured top), Transitional period, mid 17th century, painted with six figures outside a tent in landscape, restored rim section, 14.6in (37cm) high, is estimated at £1000-1500.

View thesaleroom.com to bid for this Chinese blue and white bottle vase, Transitional period.

Turkish Islamic style

Chinese blue & white shallow dish, Kangxi period (1662-1722), painted in the Turkish Islamic style - estimate £500-700 at Semley on November 7.

Estimated at £500-700 is a Chinese blue and white shallow dish, Kangxi period (1662-1722), painted in the Turkish Islamic style, 13.45in (34cm) diameter. Morland purchased it at ARPAD, Georgetown, on July 17, 1980.

View the Chinese blue and white shallow dish, Kangxi period at thesaleroom.com

Dragon delivers wine

Chinese blue and white ewer or wine jar, Kangxi period (1662-1722) - estimate £1000-1500 at Semley on November 7.

Bought at Harcourt, 1977, this Chinese blue and white ewer or wine jar, Kangxi period (1662-1722), with dragon form handle, measures 9.5in (25cm) high. Estimate £1000-1500.

Check thesaleroom.com to see the Chinese blue and white ewer or wine jar, Kangxi period.

Dish bought Down Under

Chinese wucai dish, underglaze blue, with Wanli six-character mark and of the period (1573-1619) - estimate £3000-5000 at Semley on November 7.

This Chinese wucai dish, underglaze blue, with Wanli six-character mark and of the period (1573-1619), is estimated at £3000-5000.

It is painted with two figures to the centre, within a border of scrolling lotus, the exterior painted with precious objects, and measures 6.5in (17cm) in diameter. The dish was purchased from Raymond & Victoria Tregaskis, Sydney, Australia (original receipt included).

To bid for the Chinese wucai dish, underglaze blue, with Wanli six-character mark and of the period, try thesaleroom.com

Shipwrecked saucer

Chinese blue and white tea bowl and saucer, circa 1725, from the Ca Mau shipwreck - estimate £50-100 at Semley on November 7.

Estimated at just £50-100, this Chinese blue and white tea bowl and saucer, c.1725, comes from the Ca Mau shipwreck, Binh Thuan, and was sold at Sotheby's, Amsterdam, in 2007. The saucer measures 4.5in (12cm) in diameter and is offered together with a Ming Dynasty provincial blue and white bowl, 4in (10.5cm) diameter .

The Chinese blue and white tea bowl and saucer can be viewed via thesaleroom.com