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

STUNNING WARRING STATES ARTIFACTS, IMPERIAL JADE JEWELRY AND CARVINGS, FINE ANTIQUE JAPANESE SCREENS, BUDDHIST BRONZES AND SCROLLS, EUROPEAN FURNITURE, SILVER AND PAINTINGS HEADLINE THE I.M. CHAIT GALLERY MAY 29TH INTERNATIONAL FINE ART SALE!!

View Sale

Lot 199

Beverly Hills, CA March 31 2005 - The I.M. Chait Gallery/Auctioneers is known for carrying only the finest antiques for collectors of the most discerning tastes. The Gallery’s May 29th, 2005 Asian and International Fine Art auction promises to preserve this well-deserved reputation.

Rare and valuable vases, porcelain wares and carvings from China, most dating back centuries, are available to bidders who desire to own these precious cultural artifacts.

The Warring States Period (475 BCE-221 BCE) is a time in Chinese history that seven Kingdoms, known as the “Seven Overlords” sought to gain power and reign victorious across the land. The kingdoms, namely the Qi, Chu, Zhao, Han, Yan, Wei and Qin hoped to expand their forces and territories, but it was not as bloodied and barbaric as often portrayed.

During this period, there were a number of ideas and practices that flourished. It was a time of empire-building and strengthening. New and improved administrative systems were developed, as well as technological improvements for soldiers such as the casting of individual weaponry. Prior to this time, participation in battle was done by the ruling elite on chariots. Confucian philosophers Hsun-tzu and Mencius gained popularity and the vision for “One China” grew as the years passed. In 223 BCE there were two final kingdoms vying to rule, and during this year the kingdom of Qin in the north conquered the southeast kingdom of Chu. The Qin Empire lasted for just a few years and was finally axed by the ruling family of Han, thus ending the period of the Warring States in China and the marked beginning of the Han Empire.

This sale offers a few magnificent artifacts from this great time, starting with a rare Chinese Warring States/early Han Dynasty archaic bronze lamp in the form of a recumbent animal, his back opening to form the lamp with a height of 4 ¾”. This piece is estimated between $3,000 and $3,500. Another artifact from this period that is generating much interest is a massive Chinese Warring States archaic bronze tripod ding and cover, with two upright, slightly flared handles with bands of stylized interlocking geometric scroll pattern, the domed cover with three small loop handles. This beautiful piece has a width of 22," and is expected to generate between $30,000 – 35,000.

Also featured on May 29th 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, antique boxwood netsuke in the form of a well carved "swimming" catfish with curled tail, wide mouth, and long whiskers, inlaid eyes; circa 19th Century. This wonderful piece is estimated between $600-$800. This sale also features a very finely carved antique single-case wood inro set. This beautiful offering has an elaborate dragon design with some inlays, matching ojime and matching dragon manju netsuke, inlaid eyes, unsigned, 19th Century. The set has a height of 3 ¼” and is estimated between $1,000 and $1,500.

Snuff bottles are the Chinese equivalent to snuff boxes which first developed in the West. Both were used as containers for powdered tobacco, or snuff. Tobacco was originally brought to Europe from the Americas, and was subsequently introduced to China by traders and missionaries. Craftsmen used jade, precious and semi-precious stones, glass, porcelain and metals, and organic material such as ivory, amber, tortoiseshell, and wood to create these miniature works of art. Snuff bottles became a status symbol for the nobility and the sophisticated elite.

The International Fine Art sale offers several of these intricate pieces. In particular, an antique Chinese carved rock crystal snuff bottle in the form of a recumbent swan with its head bent back, incised “feathers”, and a stopper with a delicate chain. This piece is estimated between $1,000 and $1,500. Also featured in the sale is a finely carved, Chinese black jade Suzhou School-type Snuff Bottle with a monkey hanging from a peach tree and reaching for ryui fungus carved out of the white/grey inclusions, coral stopper. This piece has a height of 3 1/4" and is estimated between $2,000 – 3,000.

Another guaranteed crowd pleaser will be the stunning Japanese screens. The Asian and International Fine art auction has a few of these fine offerings. In particular- A Pair of very well detailed and beautifully painted six panel Japanese screen of colors on paper, with figural panels depicting the Twenty-Four Paragons of Filial Piety, reserved on gold-leaf ground and flanked by vine foliage. This piece is from the 17th century and is estimated between $25,000-$30,000.

Other items of interest are:

Lot #119
ANTIQUE SINO-TIBETAN GILT BRONZE

Small, 17th Century Sino-Tibetan Buddhist gilt bronze model of a Bodhisattva seated on lutus base; H: 5”

Estimate $1,000-$1,200

Lot #122
ANTIQUE JADEITE INKWELL

Antique Chinese jadeite with apple-green suffusions carved as a coupe with twin chilong circling the exterior in high relief, the cover with crouched cat; mounted as an inkwell with gilt sterling base and hinged interior with removable cup, base stamped with Edward I. Farmer, New York, Sterling; L: 5 1/2"

Estimate $3,000 – 5,000

Lot #128
ANTIQUE FLINTLOCK PISTOL

Antique Middle Eastern, probably Turkey, flintlock pistol with silver and iron inlay in designs of scrolling foliage all over. 18th Century; L: 14”

Estimate $1,800-$2,200

Lot #169
18TH CENTURY LACQUER BOX

Very well carved, large Chinese lacquer box of circular form, the elaborate cover with deity and character flanked by dragons amid clouds, above Buddhist emblems, the sides with figural panels and foliate borders reserved on diaper pattern ground, Qianlong mark on base; D: 13 1/2"

Estimate $3,000 – 4,000

Lot #178
ELABORATE LAVENDER JADE VASE

Elaborately carved, Chinese lavender jade covered vase with allover openwork grapes and vines, with two crickets atop cover, some light, icy-green suffusions; H: 8 3/4"

Estimate $5,000 – 7,000

Lot #189
FIVE EARLY MING POTTERY TOMB FIGURES

Set of five, Chinese early Ming Dynasty painted pottery tomb figures, probably from a royal procession, each very finely detailed with tunics and hats, removable heads and hands, and standing on base with much remaining pigment. H: 11”

Estimate $3,000-$4,000

Lot #190
FOUR YUAN POTTERY FIGURES

Set of four rare, Chinese Yuan Dynasty high-fired painted pottery figures with well detailed features and robes; three females and one male; all approx. H: 10"-10 1/4"

Estimate $4,000 – 5,000

Lot #193
RARE WANLI MING BLUE AND WHITE CENSER

Extremely rare, Chinese 16th Century Ming Dynasty, Wanli Mark and of the Period, blue and white porcelain tripod censer; elaborately molded allover with raised hydra amid flowering vines. H: 7 3/8”

Estimate $5,500-$6,500

Lot #199 (pictured)
IMPERIAL JIAJING FAMILLE ROSE DISH

Rare and beautifully detailed, Chinese Qing Dynasty Famille Rose enameled porcelain dish of foliate shape, the center with poem bordered by bands of floral design on yellow ground, gilt accents, Jiajing Mark and of the Period; L: 6 1/4"

Estimate $25,000-30,000

Lot #228
FRENCH ART DECO GILT FIGURAL GROUP

French Art Deco gilt metal figural group of a woman riding a rearing horse, on a marble base, inscribed C. Charles and with circular Le Verrier/Paris mark. L: 24”

Estimate $2,500-$3,000

Lot #245
MOGHUL-STYLE JADE BOX

Very thinly carved and delicate, Chinese Moghul-style translucent celadon jade circular box and cover, with floral loop handles on body and on cover, with loose rings, seal mark; D: 5 1/2", matching wood stand

Estimate $8,000 – 10,000

Lot #258
SILK AND WOOL PERSIAN (TABRIZ) RUG

Fine silk and wool Persian (Tabriz) rug; with a dark rose colored ground and central medallion framed by stylized foliage and borders with foliage and rosette patterns. Approx. 6’ 10” x 9’ 8”

Estimate $ 2,000- $3,000

Lot #268
PAIR STEUBEN ETCHED PLATES

Pair Steuben etched plates: with a ruffled grouse; and with an osprey in flight clutching a fish; both signed and mounted in metal stands; D: each 10"

Estimate $1,500 – 2,000

Lot #306
CHINESE EXPORT SILVER MUG

Well cast, Chinese Export silver "presentation" mug of tapered form with bamboo-like foliage and butterflies in relief, the handles decorated as a bamboo stalk, incised "W.D.B. from his brother Robert, 1st June 1847", pseudo hallmarks and "YS" maker's mark; 10 troy oz; H: 4"

Estimate $800 – 1,200

Lot #309
LAVENDER JADE, DIAMOND, AND AMETHYST RING

Large lavender jade oval cabochon, diamond and amethyst ring set in a yellow gold mount

Estimate $1,500 – 2,000

The International Fine Art auction will be held on Sunday, May 29th, 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.