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

RARE STAR MEMORABILIA AND ANTIQUES FROM THE ESTATE OF GEORGE BURNS AND GRACIE ALLEN TO BE AUCTIONED OFF IN BEVERLY HILLS!

View Sale

Lot 200

Fine Chinese Ceramics, Jades and Snuff Bottles; fine jewelry, silver and paintings; Antique European Furniture and furnishings; an important Arizona Collection of Modern Art and Sculptures, together with West and Pre-Columbian Ceramics and Peruvian Pottery, and much more.

Beverly Hills, CA, October 28th, 2005: The I.M. Chait Gallery/Auctioneers is preparing for a special Celebrity and International Fine Art sale to be held on November 13, 2005. This sale will feature an elegant and eclectic gathering of art and artifacts from the estates of two Hollywood legends: comedic genius George Burns and the enigmatic Noel Toy Young, among other great pieces from across the world. “I am very pleased that my Gallery was chosen to represent such a beloved Hollywood legend,” offers Isadore Chait. A portion of the proceeds from this sale will be donated toward assisting in Katrina relief.
At the forefront of the sale are items from the estate George Burns and Gracie Allen. George Burns (January 1896-March 1996) was arguably one of the greatest vaudeville comedians of the 20th Century. His career captured audiences in the world of radio, movies and television. The longevity he experienced in one of the toughest businesses was amazing in itself, but the star surprisingly became more beloved and well-known in his 80’s and 90’s than in earlier years.

The November 13th sale offers numerous personal Effects, photographs and honors, in addition to a lovely Chinese Carved Ivory Guanyin with an estimate of $1,000-1,500; a beautiful Lalique Ispahan Crystal Vase (estimate of $1,000-1,500); and a Fine Hirschfeld Lithograph (of George Burns) with an estimate of $2,000-4,000. The Gallery has received much interest for these items and Mr. Chait is confident that the memorabilia and artifacts should generate far beyond projected estimates.

Noel Toy Young (December 1918-December 2003) gained immense popularity over sixty years ago 60 at the Forbidden City, a fabulous Asian nightclub in San Francisco. Wearing nothing more than ostrich plumes, Noel Toy was the nation’s first Chinese-American Fan dancer. The exposure she received presented numerous acting projects in Hollywood, including: "Anne of the Indes" (1951) with Jean Peters, "Soldier of Fortune" (1955) with Clark Gable and Susan Hayward, "How To Be Very, Very Popular" (1955) with Betty Grable and Sheree North, "The Left Hand of God" (1955) with Humphrey Bogart, Gene Tierny and Agnes Moorehead, the Blake Edwards comedy "S.O.B." (1981), and the action-packed "Big Trouble in Little China" (1986). Her last screen appearance was playing 'Bea' in the independent-film "Midnight Temptations 2" (1997).

The Chait Gallery offers numerous items from the Noel Toy Young estate, including: three exquisite Antique Chinese Imperial guard/officer uniforms with estimates: $3,000-4,000, $2,000-3,000 and $2,000-3,000; A lovely Antique Fur-Trimmed Gown (estimate $600-800); Chinese 19th Century Framed Tri-fold Mirror and 18th/19th Painting (estimate $2,000-2,500).

Other items of interest include:

Lot #71
CARVED BLACK JADE SNUFF BOTTLE
Finely hollowed and rare, carved Suzhou School-type black jade snuff bottle with scene of a man leading a bull outside a pavilion, in high relief picked out of the lighter grey inclusions, verso with landscape, red coral stopper; H: 3 1/2"
Estimate $2,750-3,250

Lot #102
OUTSTANDING MEIZAN SATSUMA BOWL
Superbly decorated, Japanese Satsuma bowl; the interior with Arhats, various panels, the exterior with continuous design of deities, children, birds, etc., other intricate designs allover, signed in gilt seal mark Meizan, Circa 1900; D: 4 3/4"
Estimate $4,000-5,000

Lot #198
LARGE MING WANLI 100 CRANES JAR
Massive, fine Chinese Ming Dynasty blue and white porcelain jar, stoutly potted form, with design of "100 Cranes", Wanli Mark and of the Period 16TH CENTURY; H: 14"
Estimate $12,000-15,000

Lot #200
MASSIVE WHITE JADE MOUNTAIN
Massive and very elaborately carved, Chinese white jade "mountain" with Buddha seated in a grotto amid openwork pine and rockery, flanked by attendants; H: 13", on ornate carved wood stand of pine branches
Estimate: $25,000-30,000

Lot #203
WATERCOLOR BY JOSE CLEMENTE OROZCO
Watercolor and mixed media on paper by Jose Clemente Orozco (Mexican, 1883-1949), depicting a portrait of a woman in profile with red hair, executed in a painterly style, signed lower right, 19 1/4" x 12", gilt frame; Provenance: Purchased directly from Gabriella Orozco by the present owner
Estimate $12,000-15,000

Lot #207
IMPORTANT ARMORIAL CHINESE EXPORT PORCELAIN
Important antique armorial Chinese export porcelain centerpiece, the large dish with a frog cover, both the dish and frog bearing MacDonald accollée with the Forbes family; depicting two foliate gilt branches, with grapes and sepia leaves, joined by a banner, 18th Century; L: 17 1/4"; Provenance: S. Marchant & Son, London; Literature: Howard, David S., Chinese Armorial Porcelain, Fig. F11, p. 279
Estimate $4,000-5,000

Lot #208
LARGE TIFFANY STERLING SILVER TRAY
Large Tiffany & Co. Sterling Silver octagonal shaped tray with an elegant stylized band of gadrooning below a flaring edge, the two handles of conforming motif, signed on base; total weight: approx. 188 Troy oz.; L: 30 1/2"
Estimate $10,000-12,500

Lot #246
MASSIVE WHITE JADE GUANYIN
Finely carved and massive, Chinese white jade model of a Guanyin in the position of Royal Ease; with ruyi scepter on stylized lotus base, flanked by lotus blossoms and leaning against a large lotus pad; H: 12 1/2", carved wood stand in the form of "waves"
Estimate $7,000-8,000

The International Fine Art auction will be held on Sunday, November 13, 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.