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

FLAMBOYANT AMERICAN ARTISTRY, RARE CHINESE TANG AND YUAN DYNASTY TREASURES, FINE ANTIQUE FURNISHINGS AND SCORES OF AMAZING ARTIFACTS FROM ACROSS THE GLOBE ARE FEATURED IN I.M. CHAIT GALLERY/AUCTIONEERS INTERNATIONAL FINE ARTS AUCTION ON SEPTEMBER 19

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Lot 184

Beverly Hills, CA, August 19, 2004 - I.M. Chait Gallery/Auctioneers, leading experts in fine objects and artifacts from all corners of the world will host an array of great finds in the much-anticipated International Fine Arts sale scheduled for September 19th.

“American Impressionism” is a label often used to describe the vibrant, energy-infused works of Leroy Neiman. Arguably one of the most popular living artists in the United States, Neiman has spilled his psychedelic colors onto the collective psyche of a global pop-culture.

Born in 1921 in St. Paul, Minnesota, Neiman joined the St. Paul Gallery and School of Art in 1946 shortly after his return from the army. He furthered his studies at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, where is also taught as a member of faculty for ten years. In the 1950’s, Neiman created the Femlin symbolic character, which reigned in the pages of Playboy for 45 years. He served as the official artist at five Olympiads, capturing many moments of glory for the competing athletes.

From his sketches of the Bordeaux wine country, racing at Longchamp, paintings of the Kirov and Bolshoi ballets in Russia, observing the nightlife at London pubs: he has cataloged over a half-century of life and the lives of many notable people including Frank Sinatra, Liza Minnelli, Sammy Davis Jr., Earvin “Magic” Johnson and Larry Bird, to name a few. He has unveiled his work in one-man shows across the world; from Caracas to Paris to Helsinki- everybody wants a piece to the puzzle of the artist that is as much a work of art as the work he creates.

Neiman’s genius has spawned in the form of etchings, lithographs, sculptures, paintings, and silkscreen prints that can be found in rooms of gallery’s and collectors across the world. One of his great works is up on the auction block: a signed serigraph entitled “Trotters”, depicting a horse race in brilliant colors and energy of line, 1973, Artist’s proof.

Also featured on September 19th are Japanese antiques including numerous Netsuke and Inro. An inro is a small, multi-tiered Japanese box usually made of wood coated in lacquer with gold and silver. It is hung from an obi (sash) and is held together by braided silk cords, which in turn is secured by an ojime (literally, “bead”) and ended in a toggle piece called a netsuke. Literally, inro means “box of stamps,” but its original purpose was to hold medicine.

Originally utilitarian in nature (Japanese kimono did not have any pockets), inro and netsuke were also worn as fashion accessories for men from its beginnings in 18th century Japan. During this time, the Tokugawa Shogunate and the feudal lords and aristocrats commissioned lacquer artists to craft these fine pieces, which were prized for their artistry and elegance. By the 19th century, successful merchants and people of wealth also began to wear them, and it became known as a status symbol as well as a fashionable accessory.

After the Meiji revolution in 1868, the Japanese demand for inro and netsuke diminished as the nation turned its eye towards western fashion, culture, and ideas. But foreign interest in the items began to grow, as more and more people outside the country regarded and admired them as miniature works of art. Before too long, netsuke and inro were exported and manufactured by the thousands to meet the massive demand for them. Today, many of the superior inro and netsuke belong to museums and collections outside of Japan. Collectors are drawn to the sophisticated lacquer work. Bead enthusiasts marvel at the intricacy and refinement of the ojime, and the netsuke themselves are admired for their sculptural nature and ingenious miniature designs.

This auction features numerous examples of such fine and exquisitely crafted pieces. One is a masterfully carved, contemporary boxwood netsuke by Clive Hallam (Irish b. 1965) of a finely detailed rooster, with black ivory inlays and double inset eyes, well-featured claws, and superb ukibori of the cock’s comb. It is signed by the netsuke-shi (artist), and is expected to fetch between $5,000 and $6,000. Another is an extremely pristine and well crated antique gold lacquer four-case inro with two ladies in elaborate dress and seashells on front, the verso with a single lady; together with coral ojime, antique stained ivory netsuke of a two-tiered, well detailed boat, in a partial wood box. It is estimated between $3,500 and $4,000.

Chinese antiques are well represented by pottery examples from the Tang Dynasty. China’s Tang Dynasty (618-907 CE) represents a high point in Chinese civilization, marking one of the richest and most opulent periods in the its thousands of years of history. During the height of its prosperity, the Tang Empire is noted as the largest, wealthiest, 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.

Every aspect of art was flourishing. Painting, pottery, calligraphy, sculpture, music, dance and literature were all equally receiving great attention. But one of the age’s greatest artistic contributions is three-color ware, or sancai. No other Dynasty before or since has been so prolific in the development and production of this magnificent art form. Tang sancai is a polychrome lead glazed decorated pottery. Potters began experimenting with mixing of different glazes, a technique that grew out of the practice of using monochrome lead glazes during the earlier Dynasties. Painted pottery figures can be found as far back in Chinese culture as the Neolithic Period, and yet those created during the Tang Dynasty remain among the most vivid and beautifully painted examples of fine pottery.

This auction will include a finely modeled and beautifully sancai glazed Chinese Tang Dynasty pottery equestrian group; the amber horse with a splash colored saddle, the figure mostly green with well molded features. Experts say that it should fetch between $12,000 and $15,000.

Other highlights of next month’s International Fine Arts sale include:

An extremely rare and elaborately carved, antique Chinese rhinoceros horn bowl in form of a lotus blossom, the flaring rim shaped as thick and plastic petals, or circular waisted foot, 17th/18th Century (estimate 6,000-$8,000)

A well-carved, Chinese celadon jade reticulated koro and cover of globular form on wide circular foot, with allover floral and foliage motif, loose tings on elaborately formed foliate handles, dome cover; L: 7 ¼” (estimate $7,500-$9,000)

A rare Yuan blue and white porcelain ewer, beautifully detailed in underglaze blue with floral designs, Chinese 14th Century Yuan Dynasty, with unusual moulded crayfish handle and double spout; H: 5 ¾” (estimate 10,000-15,000)

A color lithograph by Francisco Zuniga (Costa Rican, 1912-1998), entitled “The Lure of the Boat”, signed and dated 1977. (2,000-$3,000)

A pair of Mongolian silver elephants with elaborate livery encrusted with turquoise and coral allover, mother-of-pearl and lapis lazuli on one, each with an ornate vessel springing from its back, having animal head double handles and tiers of hardstone rings; each trunk supporting a candle holder. (estimate $3,000-$5,000)

An Antique American lowboy on cabriole claw feet, containing three large drawers surmounted by five smaller drawers, elaborately carved bas-relief decoration showing palmets, scrolls, and shell decoration, delicate brass handles, 18th Century. (estimate $5,000-$6,000)

A thirteen-piece dining room set, decorated with urn- and pillar-shaped high relief, lion feet and bands of acanthus leaves, including: dining room table with crossed stretchers, two additional leaves, coverpads, extended L: 108”; cabinet holding two large compartments and two drawers; buffet, three doors in rosette design; and ten red velvet upholstered chairs, one armchair. (estimate $3,500-$4,500)

The collection previews daily from 11:00am to 5:00pm, September 14th through September 18th. The International Fine Arts auction will be held on Sunday, September 19, 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.