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

EAST MEETS WEST IN A MARRIAGE OF RARE BEAUTY DURING I.M. CHAIT GALLERY’S FEBRUARY 20, 2005 INTERNATIONAL FINE ART SALE!

View Sale

Lot 200

Beverly Hills, CA, January 23rd 2005 - I.M. Chait Gallery will present an array of stunning and rare items during next months’ International Fine Art auction. There is something for everyone in this treasure-filled sale: Important Imperial Ming Wanli Blue and White porcelain Meiping; exotic and unusual Ancient bronzes;Antique samurai swords from the 16th Century; fine Jades; an oil painting by acclaimed Spanish painter Emilio Grau Sala, and much, much more.

The samurai sword reflects the spirit and history of Japan and the Japanese culture. Along with The Sacred Mirror and the Comma shaped beads, the Samurai sword is said to be one of the Three Sacred Treasures of Japan. Hand-forged and crafted, the countless hours spent to create a Samurai blade are considered to be a sacred act. It represented purification and asceticism for the masterblacksmith.

Samurai literally translates to “the one who serves.” The Samurai warrior carried two sabers located to the left of his belt. The daito (long saber) is called the Katana. The shoto (short saber) is a wakizashi. The combination of these two is called Daisho, an abbreviation of daito and shoto.

It was during the Edo Period in Japan (1603-1867) that the merchant class was allowed to carry a sword but not a daisho, which remained the sole right of the Samurai. Many years of peace reigned during the Edo Period. At this time in Japan, under the rule of the Tokugawa shoguns, the samurai warrior was educated in martial arts, literature, philosophy and the Tea Ceremony. Popular culture flourished and new art forms such as Kabuki and Ukiyo-e took flight. Neo-Confucianism was practiced stressing education, morals and a strict hierarchical order in government and society. The social hierarchy of this order stressed a four-class system with the Samurai on top, followed by the peasants, artisans and merchants.

There are different eras for the samurai sword. Prior to the 1600’s, the saber is called KOTO, which literally translates to ancient sword. There are several that followed after this: the SHINSHINTO (new saber/1600-1780), SHINSHINTO (new saber/1780-1876), GENDAITO (modern saber), SHINKEN (new sword/contemporary). Samurai swords that were used in warfare during the 20th century carry the name GUNTO (war saber).

To this day, Samurai swords are revered by historians, sword collectors and the public alike. I.M. Chait Gallery has several of these glorious treasures up for auction to the public. One Samurai long sword (KATANA) dates back pre-1596 (Koto Katana). It boasts of a quality two piece gold foil habaki, mei: Kane-yoshi, Muromachi era Circa 1450, accompanied by an August 2004 Nihon Bijutsu Token Hozon Kai, "Hozon" origami; with a second older shirasaya with sayagaki held together by a "tsunagi", at or around Heian or Kamakura era.

The Ming Dynasty reigned from 1368 to 1644. Emperors that ruled throughout this period were members of the Zhu family. Historians argue that during this period, the Empire experienced a renewed cultural blossom. Bounties of books were printed using movable type, a printing press technology allowing the re-use of an individual letter.

During the reign of The Wanli Emperor (1563-1620), the empire was indeed flourishing with a massive army and navy of over a million standing warriors. Scores of Chinese merchants explored the entirety of the Indian Ocean and the porcelain industry experienced a great boom. Of particular interest to this day are the gorgeous blue and white porcelain of this grand era.

The International Fine Art sale has such an artifact. An unusually large, Chinese 16th Century Ming Dynasty, Imperial blue and white porcelain Meiping vase with dramatic writhing five-clawed dragon amid scrolling floral designs and bordered by stylized cloud lappet bands (luting line), six-character Wanli Mark and of the Period. This beautiful piece is estimated to generate between $60,000-$80,000. Of the many 20th century Spanish painters, Emilio Grau Sala is one of the acclaimed artists that separate from the pack. Born in 1911, Sala is known for his colorful still life and figure paintings and created many wonderful works until his death in 1975. This sale offers a wonderful oil on canvas painting by Sala. Entitled “Honfleur”, it depicts an open window through which a figure is sitting in a garden. Signed on the lower left and dated 1963, this stunning piece is estimated to generate between $20,000-$25,000.

Other items of interest for this sale are:

Lot 205
XUANDE IMPERIAL DRAGON DISH

Chinese Ming Dynasty Xuande mark and of the Period, imperial blue and white dragon dish, with central medallion of writhing dragon, the exterior with two dragons amid clouds; D: 7 3/4".

Estimate $15,000 – 20,000

Lot 206
IMPORTANT YUAN JUNYAO CENSER

Important Chinese Yuan Dynasty junyao tripod censer with wide mouth, bulbous body, upright rectilinear handles and moulded floral details, with purple splashes on turquoise (restoration to one handle, minor glaze frits); H: 7"

Estimate $18,000 – 22,000

Lot 297
CHINESE JADEITE CRAB BASKET

Well carved and with fine light and apple green, together with rust color, Chinese jadeite "crab basket", crabs walking amid foliage, wood carved wave-form stand

Estimate $2,000-3,000

Lot 322
MASSIVE CHINESE JADEITE GROUP

Large Chinese carved jadeite group of boys playing amid lotus, fungus and barrel overflowing with “money” taels; with a barber off to one side cutting the hair of one of the boys; L:13 1/6” massive wood stand

Estimate $3,500 – 4,000

Lot 336
CARVED WHITE JADE LION

Very finely detailed and of very fine even color, Chinese carved white jade model of a lion with cub, good detailing allover, fine wood stand

Estimate $3,500 – 5,000

Lot 163
PAIR ADORNED IVORY ELEPHANTS

Pair of well carved ivory models of caparisoned elephants, each in ornate 14K gold strappings, inset with various semi-precious stones including turquoise, coral, lapis lazuli, emeralds and rubies, with chairs and umbrellas (one tusk repaired); each L: 4", wood stands, lucite box

Estimate $3,000 – 4,000

Lot 96
ANTIQUE FLINTLOCK PISTOL BY DURS EGG

Antique flintlock pistol by Durs Egg (British, 1748-1831), original and fully functional with engraved details and D. Egg, accompanied by two powder horns and silver oil bottle in a case, all of later date; (small flaws and dent to powder horns)

Estimate $2,000 – 2,500

Lot 93
ANTIQUE FRENCH NAPOLEONIC INFANTRY OFFICERS SWORD

Antique French Napoleonic Infantry Officers Sword from the first Empire Period, mounted with a single "D" guard, lion head pommel and ebony grip, the curved blade engraved with unit designation and retaining most of the original bluing and gold; leather scabbard is brass fitted (small flaws to scabbard); L: 29" (blade), 36" (overall)

Estimate $1,800 – 2,400

The International Fine Art auction will be held on Sunday, February 20th, 2005, at 1:00 PM. 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, California, 90210. For more information, or to order a catalogue, kindly call (310) 285-0182, or visit our website at www.chait.com