FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Josh Chait
310.285.0182
josh@chait.com

EXQUISITE QING AND TANG DYNASTY ARTIFACTS, INTRICATE SILK RUGS, AND SUPERBLY-CRAFTED WOODEN FIGURES AND FURNITURE HIGHLIGHT I.M. CHAIT GALLERY/AUCTIONEERS ANTIQUES AND ESTATES SALE ON AUGUST 22

View Sale

Lot 208

Beverly Hills, CA August 13, 2004 - I.M. Chait Gallery/Auctioneers, one of the leading pioneers in international art and collectibles will host an array of fine wares from across the magnificent Asian continent.

China’s Emperor Kangxi (ruled 1661-1722 CE), led the second and notably one of the most flourishing periods during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911 CE). The third son of Fu-lin and Empress Hsiao-k’ang, Kangxi spawned a great advancement in learning, military traditions adapted from the Manchus, foreign relations, and strict moral and ethical codes. During this period, the empire flourished with great wealth, and a relatively constant peace and prosperity was enjoyed across the land.

The Kangxi Period also presented what is recognized as one of the finest ages of Qing porcelain. Ts’ang Ying-hsuan arrived as director of the imperial factory at Jingdezhen in 1683, and the provenance of these luminous porcelain creations took flight. From a more robust presentation to a quieter elegance, the style changed throughout the sixty-year span, yet all remain part to one of the most sought-after periods in fine porcelain.

Several exquisite pieces reign from this grand period. One is a 17th Century Porcelain Box. This piece is relatively large in size, and the blue and white cast an equestrian narrative with stylized clouds all over. The piece is expected to fetch between $800 and $1,200.

The region of Sumampan in Bali, Indonesia, is renowned for its wood carvings. The local artists use domestic woods such as Mahogany wood, Teak wood, Beach Hibiscus wood, Coconut wood and Jackfruit wood. The blocks are carefully prepared with a natural drying process prior to being carved to protect against the drastic changes in weather conditions. Once the wood is prepared, the carver creates his work in four simple steps.

The first step, called nyalonan, literally translates to “figure to be.” This step entails the carver to create a preliminary figure from a large block via the use of an axe and large chisel. Once this is accomplished, he then follows with more detail using a smaller-size chisel, and then a knife local’s call “pengutik.” The pengutik is used to shape the delicate flow of cloth on a statue. The final process is sanding the object to create the desired effect.

This sale offers a beautiful carving of a lady with rice sifter and pestle from the Sumampan region. Delicate and intricate in design, the 45” high figure, signed W. Serog Sumampan is estimated at $600 and $800.

China’s Tang Dynasty (618-907 CE) represents a high point in Chinese civilization. During the height of its prosperity, the Tang Empire is noted as the largest, richest, and most sophisticated state in the world. It dominated in the field of politics, economics, military power and foreign relations. Buddhism became permanently ingrained in Chinese traditional culture, and the advent of block printing led to the proliferation and massive distribution of the printed page.

Several items up for auction date back to this golden age. One is a finely modeled painted pottery horse standing upright, with a well-featured face. Its estimate is placed between $2,250 and $2,750.

Other highlights of this month’s auction include:

A pair of large and well-detailed Indonesian paintings on canvas: multi-figural court procession in a forest, painted in various green shadings; and a market scene with farmers offering various goods; both signed lower right. Each is estimated to fetch $1,000 and $1,500.

A Chinese Elmwood cabinet with three shelves, old ornate carved panels applied to doors and top, showing court scenes, children and flowers, gilt accents, and metal handles to sides ($800-$1,000)

A very finely-woven silk rug with classic Persian designs of intricate floral and scrolling foliage centering a medallion flanked by heart motifs. ($2,000-$2,500)

This collection previews daily from 11:00am to 5:00pm, from August 18 through the 21st. The Antiques and Estates Auction will be held on Sunday, August 22, 2004, at 1:00pm. The auction offers in-room, absentee, phone, and live on-line bidding. The I.M. Chait Gallery/Auctioneers is located at 9330 Civic Center Drive, Beverly Hills, CA. For more information, or to order a catalog, kindly call (310)285 0182, or visit us on the Web at www.chait.com.