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I.M. Chait to Offer Important Chinese Ceramics and Asian Works of Art Saturday, March 27 at Fuller Building in NYC.
Chait Gallery/Auctioneers will hold its fourth annual New York City Asia Week auction on Friday, March 27 in a new location and with an elite collection of Important Chinese Ceramics and Asian Works of Art. The exhibition and sale will be conducted in the famed Fuller Building, 41 East 57th Street, 5th floor gallery, which is a major Asia Week participant.
The catalog of nearly 300 items, features exceptional collections of Chinese Porcelains and Pottery, Sino-Tibetan Deities, Ivory Carvings from the M. Douglas Trust, Japanese works of art and a special section of lapidary items and fine jewelry.
Among the Chinese Ceramics, an important Xuande ritual water sprinkler (Lot 151) is the marquee item. The 8” blue and white ewer of Islamic form is decorated with typical foliage and lotus blossoms. From the early Ming Dynasty, this piece carries the Xuande mark . It is expected to bring $250,000 or more.
The collection of fine porcelains offers collectors and dealers alike values at mid- to high-range levels. Lot 150, for example, is a large Yuan blue and white porcelain charger with a central design of fruit, squash, blossoms and vines flanking a palm-like plant. From an important private Japanese collection, it is estimated at a high of $60,000. Lot 147 is a dramatic 18th Century Qianlong dragon dish with a red dragon in the center of a blue and white ground. It is expected to bring as much as $24,000.
Leading the collection of Sino-Tibetan deities is an elaborate 15th Century gilt bronze Bodhisattva. The superbly crafted figure, seated in mudra, with intricately cast jewelry and detailed headdress, has generated much interest since it began appearing in I.M. Chait ads. Bearing a Xuande Mark and of the period, the Bodhisattva is expected to command far in excess of $250,000.
Other antiques in the collection represent a full range of deities. Lot 182 is a tall gilt bronze figure of Tara wearing an ornate crown, beaded garlands inset with turquoise, coral and glass cabochons. The 19” tall figure is estimated at a high of $26,000. Lot 183, a tall Nepalese four-armed figure of Lakshmi-Narayana has an upper body depicting both Vishnu and his consort Lakshmi. It should fetch between $5,000 and $7,000.
Chinese Pottery, which has again proven its collectability in several recent I.M. Chait auctions, is well represented in this sale. Lot 195, is a magnificent pair of Sancai glazed Tang Dynasty parade horses wearing floral decorated saddles. They are among the most desirable of the pottery offerings. Two feet tall and standing four-square on hooves of white, the chestnut bodied horses sport green, amber and white moulded foliate adornments and trappings. Each carries an Oxford TL test certificate. The catalog low estimate for the pair is $120,000 and they might bring significantly more.
Among the more unique Chinese pottery items are a pair of Song Dynasty baby boys (Lot 205). Both are seated: one dressed in robes and holding a pomegranate; the other with outstretched legs, wearing a hat and with its hands in little fists. Both carry Oxford TL test certificates. The pair carries a low catalog estimate of $30,000.
Lot 209 is a pair of Chinese tax collectors, just in time for April 15th while Lot 210 is a group of seven Tang Pottery Musicians to help us all face the music.
The Carved Ivories in the sale are also excellent representations. Lot 218 is an antique carved tusk entitled Procession, in which warriors, equestrians and travelers trek through foliage towards the top. The 19th Century carving carries a Norwegian inscribed silver plaque. It is valued at about $30,000.
Lot 219 is an important antique carved Rhinoceros Horn libation cup of fully openwork foliate design. Standing 17” tall and set on a matching antique wood stand, the Rhino Horn libation cup should command much more than the $15,000 low estimate.
Another category that I.M. Chait (i.m.chait.com) has helped popularize over the years is Carved Jades. This collection conveys all the craftsmanship and desirability that collectors look for. For instance, Lot 230, a massive carved jade mountain, over two feet in length, depicts a jovial Budai and two children carrying another inside a peapod. The verso has stairs and pavilions tucked among the piney rockery landscape. It is estimated at between $45,000 to $60,000.
Other jade carvings include Lot 233, a pair of fine jadeite covered vases formerly in a San Francisco collection and attributed to the Early 20th Century Master, Chang Wen Ti. The pair is valued in the $15,000 to $20,000 range. Lot 236 is a Moghul style celadon jade vase with a highly reticulated design of scrolling lotus. It too is in the $15,000 plus range.
Lapidary items, or carved jades in miniature, are also represented in the jewelry offerings. Lot 247 is a finely carved pair of Chinese jadeite peapod pendants with tendrils and foliage in relief. The desirable pair is estimated at $18,000. Also beautiful, Lot 248, a rectangular pair of archaistic jadeite earrings is valued at $5,000 to $7,000. These are just a few examples from the 19 lot jewelry collection.
Two previews will be held for I.M. Chait’s March 27th Asia Week auction. The Beverly Hills preview is March 2nd through the 6th, 11 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., or by appointment, at the I.M. Chait Gallery, 9330 Civic Center Drive.
In New York, the collection can be viewed at the Fuller Building, 5th floor gallery, 41 East 57th Street, from March 22nd through the 26th, 10 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., or by appointment. Please call (800) 775-5020 for details and to schedule appointments.
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