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

A THRILLING MENAGERIE IS STAMPEDING, FLYING AND GALLOPING INTO BEVERLY HILLS!

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Beverly Hills, July 16, 2006 - I.M Chait Gallery/Auctioneers is thrilled to showcase for their upcoming auction a host of rare International and Asian antiques many of which are centered on various animal forms. The most impressive items included in the auction represent mythical and realistic creatures, which had utilitarian, militaristic and religious significance in the ancient world. The sale incorporates free standing terracotta statues of horses and camels as well as Asian porcelains that depict battling dragons. The International sale of East meets West provides collectors, novice collectors, and connoisseurs alike the unique opportunity to accumulate items from countries that span the globe.

In the tradition of the Chait gallery, the sale provides a wide variety of porcelains; each of which demonstrates the skill of the artisan through the intricate details of the works. One piece that stands out lot 192 is a Famille rose Yen Yen vase. The 18th Century Chinese vase depicts a battle scene and dates from the Yongzheng period. Using a minimalist technique the vase focuses the viewers’ attention on the warriors’ animals. The horses’ bright red color both lures the viewer into the scene while also complementing the warriors’ flags. The emphasis on horses highlights the traditional belief that these creatures had the ability to fly and through this skill could maintain the survival of the Chinese people. The estimate is $10,000- 12,000

Lot 192

The horse attained an essential role in Chinese society beginning in the Han Dynasty (206 BCE- 220). Under Emperor Wudi the Chinese began to import better horses to use for military purposes. Movement from the war chariot to the mounted cavalry sparked the necessity for horses and their importance in Chinese culture. An impressive piece in this collection is lot 206 a massive Han Dynasty pottery horse (over 5 feet high) that highlights China’s dependence and worship of this creature. The horse is modeled in a prancing pose with its mouth gaping, emphasizing the lively nature of the animal. (est. $25,000-30,000)

Lot 206

Ancient Chinese folklore closely ties the horse to its legendary counterpart, the dragon. This bond is showcased in this sale through pieces such as a traditional-style Chinese blue and white porcelain vase. Surrounded by flora, the elongated dragons provide the piece with a harmony it is otherwise missing. Vases in this blue and white style are associated with the Ming Dynasty. This vase lot 200 was made in the 16th Century during the reign of Emperor Wanli and bears his mark. It stands high at 21 1/4” and displays many exceptional contrasts in shape, round versus long and image, foliage versus beast. This piece is expected to bring $50,000-60,000

Lot 200

Alongside military victory and ideas of sovereignty emerged the expansion of commercial markets, which reached its zenith in the Golden Age of the Tang Dynasty (618-907). While horses during this era were being domesticated and used in transportation, camels also became essential in the movement of goods across mountain and desert terrain. Accompanying the colossal horse in the auction is a pair of Tang pottery camels, lot 207 These figures also have their mouths agape but are smaller and might have been placed in a tomb as a symbol the deceased wealth. The glaze used is called san cai or “three-colored glazing,” in which the colors could run together freely and provided a fluid approach to painting the pottery. (est. $15,000-20,000)

Lot 207

Wealth and opulence is not limited to the Chinese elite and many items in the sale include Western forms of affluence. Lot 211 a Pre-Columbian gold “bowl” is a ceremonial piece that requires delicate handling and would not have been used on a daily basis. (est. $20,000-25,000) A more modern use of precious metals is lot 283 a complete set of Tiffany sterling silver flatware. Inspired by classical architecture, the Hampton design triggers an association with lavishness and the luxury class. ($5,000-6,000)

Lot 211

Other Items of Interest Include:

Lot 198 IMPERIAL JIAQING FAMILLE ROSE DISH
Rare and beautifully detailed, antique Chinese Qing Dynasty, Imperial Famille Rose enameled porcelain dish of foliate form; the center with poem bordered by bands of floral design on yellow ground, gilt accents, Jiaqing Mark and of the Period L: 6 ¼” (est. $25,000-35,000)

Lot 199 MING HONGZI PORCELAIN DISH
Extremely rare and unusually pristine condition; Chinese Ming Dynasty, monochrome yellow glazed porcelain dish; Hongzhi Mark and of the Period; D: 8 5/8” (est. $35,000-45,000)

Lot 201 SUPERB QIANLONG JAR AND COVER
Rare, large and of fine ovoid form, 18th century Chinese, Quanlong Mark and of the Period; blue and white jar and cover; allover design of fully opened lotus blossoms amid scrolling foliage, the tall domed cover with peach knop; H: 20” (est. $30,000-50,000)

Lot 209 QIANLONG BLUE AND WHITE CUP STAND
Very finely detailed, Chinese Quanlong Mark and of the Period, blue and white porcelain cup stand, with bands of lappets and stylized floral scroll; bulb-form top with a wide and evenly modeled catch rim/plate; D: 6 ½” (est. $7,500-8,500)

Lot 210 QIANLONG GUAN-TYPE VASE
Large Chinese Quinlong Mark and if the Period, Guan-type crackle glaze vase of attractive urn-form with wide opening, two moulded stylized elephant handles, all set on a foliate base; H: 14 ½” (est. $15,000- 20,000)

Lot 72 FINE JADEITE SNUFF BOTTLE
Finely hollowed and polished, jadeite snuff bottle of rounded form; of light lavender coloration with some bright green suffusions, hardstone stopper; H: 2 3/4" (est. $1200-1500)

Lot 236 MASSIVE SPINACH JADE BODHISATTVA
Well carved and massive, Chinese spinach green jade model of a Bodhisattva holding emblems in both hands with ornate jewelry and crown in relief; H: 29"; atop large stepped hardwood base with openwork railings and inlaid wire designs. (est. $10,000-12,000)

Lot 263 JAPANESE SCREEN BY KAKUTEI
Japanese six-panel screen with ink and color on silk by Asano Kakutei, of a recumbent water buffalo resting beside very large sunflowers and leafy foliage (torn hinges and some flaws to verso), signed and seal mark; H: 67 1/2"; Provenance: Christie's New York, September 2002, Sale # 1114, Lot #198 (est. $4,000-5,000)

Lot 273 JAPANESE IVORY OKIMONO
Well carved, Japanese ivory okimono of a man peddling his finely crafted wares of baskets, masks, and drums of various sizes, all hanging from a bamboo pole on his shoulder, signed; H: 10" (est. $1,800-2,200)

Lot 293 ANTIQUE CORAL AND JADE NECKLACE
Well carved and antique, Chinese necklace of openwork coral beads of rounded form: each with scrolling chilong; suspending a circular celadon jade pendant, with movable floral center; D: 2 1/4" (pendant) (est. $1,500-2,500)

Lot 302 CARTIER PANTHERE GOLD WATCH
18K yellow gold and stainless steel Panthere wristwatch by Cartier; white dial with black Roman numeral hour markers, quartz movement with date, matching Cartier bracelet and double deployant buckle (est. $2,000-3,000)

Lot 331 PAIR MALACHITE AND ORMOLU VASES
Pair Continental gilt ormolu mounted malachite covered vases of tall: elongated form with scrolled foliate handles above herms, on squared base with eagles as feet; each H: 30" (est. $10,000-12,000)

Lot 333 ANTIQUE VICTORIAN SETTEE
Antique American Victorian settee with sinuous crest carved with foliage and rosettes centering a floral spray; foliate swags and details along armrests ending in carved head terminals; apron with flowers; front legs on ball and claw feet; and upholstered in yellow velvet, late 19th Century; L: 80" (est. $2,000-3,000)

Lot 360 LARGE PRE-COLUMBIAN POTTERY FIGURE
Very large and quite well modeled, Mexican Pre-Columbian (Veracruz, 550 - 950 A.D.), pottery standing figure with arms outstretched and wearing ceremonial headdress and jewelry in relief; H: 38" (est. $6,000-7,000)

Lot 381 MASSIVE PARCEL-GILT BRONZE CENSER
Massive Chinese parcel-gilt bronze censer; of rectangular form with elaborate writhing dragons and pearls as handles, atop ball and claw feet extending forth from lion head terminals, raised-gilt inscription to the front and verso; L: 27" (est. $2,500-3,500)

The International & Asian Fine Arts Auction will be held on Sunday, July 16, 2006, at 1:00 PM PDT. Preview begins July 11th and is open to the public. The auction offers in-room, absentee, phone, and live on-line bidding. I.M. Chait Gallery/Auctioneers is located at 9330 Civic Center Drive, Beverly Hills, California, 90210. For more information, please contact (310) 285-0182.

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