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

I.M. Chait’s Mid-Summer Auction Features A Collection of Fine Landscape Paintings,An Important American Painting and Oriental Treasures of Historic Proportions.

View Sale

Lot 209

BEVERLY HILLS, CA - With properties ranging from Neolithic to contemporary times, I.M. Chait’s July 22 auction promises to be a sale of historic proportions. As expected at any I.M. Chait event, the strength of Chinese porcelains, Japanese and Tibetan antiques cannot be overstated. However, the inclusion of several fine American and European paintings, English miniatures, magnificent jewels, and an exceptional Eighteenth Century Dutch clock gives this sale strong crossover appeal.

Americana collectors will find interest in Lot 300, an outstanding painting commissioned by J.P. Morgan. "Porch of the Caryatids, Athens, Greece", by Charles J.G. Dyer (1836-1912), an oil on canvas. This is being sold to benefit Occidental College in Los Angeles. It is expected to fetch upwards of $15,000.

Lot 300

Several remarkable landscapes by Chinese master Huang Jung Bi (1899-1991) offer a harmonious counterpoint. Of impeccable provenance, the ink and wash paintings, Lots 208-220, carry palatable estimates ranging from $1,500 to $6,500. It should be noted here that Master Huang Jun Bi’s talents were so valued that he was engaged as a painting instructor to Madame Chang Kai Chek.

Lot 215

Harkening back to the very foundations of Chinese culture is a Neolithic pottery vessel accompanied by a TL Test certificate. Marked Lot 166, the vessel is composed of a tapering bulbous body and “human” head, the mouth of which is a spout. Also recalling early history is Lot 135, a bronze ritual tripod wine vessel (jue) from the Shang dynasty, more than 3,000 years ago.

Lot 166

As mentioned in recent articles about the Bower Museum’s upcoming exhibit of Chinese pottery, early pottery items were generally ritualistic and religious in nature. During the Han dynasty (100 B.C. to 100 A.D.), for instance, fabulous beasts were designed to carry the deceased on their journey. Several outstanding Han pottery lots make an appearance in this sale. is a pair of gray pottery equestrians, each with an attendant in long sleeved robes. Lot 174 is an unglazed pottery model of house and animal pen. Lot 179 is an unusually large (48” tall) Sichuan pottery figure of a Shaman with tongue rolling out and over the torso Later pottery items from the Tang dynasty (which is largely regarded as the most cosmopolitan of the early dynasties) include Lot 176, an unglazed prancing horse, 20” high, and Lot 177, an unglazed Bactrian camel with an aloof expression and removable saddle.

Lot 179

As evidenced by the sale’s star lots of antique porcelains, aesthetics reflected the tastes of the Imperial Rulers of each successive dynasty. Such style is epitomized in Lot 199, an 11 ¼” tall Yuhuchunping vase from the Fourteenth Century Yuan dynasty, which was characterized by the reign of Mongol emperor Kublai Kahn. Of swelled pear-shape and flared rim, the neck of the vase has foliage above lappets and cloud forms. Its body is a continuous design of flora. It carries an estimate of $20,000 to $30,000. During the Sixteenth Century of Ming dynasty rule, porcelain production was standardized by the Imperial Bureau of Design. Lot 200 meets all the criteria of the era. A large 27 ½ inch high palace vase, it is of tall slim form. The top is decorated with dragons amid clouds. The bulbous center features a phoenix and florals and the lower section is embellished with stylized waves and large cherry blossoms. The vase carries the Wanli emperor’s reign mark and is of the period. It is expected to command as much as $50,000. On a more intimate scale, Lot 201 is a late Fifteenth Century Ming Chenghua period blue and white tripod porcelain censer. The eight immortals embellish its cylindrical form in a somewhat "windswept" design. Set on small bulbous feet and measuring 7 3/8” tall, this Ming censer may fetch as much as $20,000.

Lot 200

Also exemplifying exquisite Chinese craftsmanship is Lot 204, a pair of large white jade table screens, finely carved. Measuring 25 ½” overall, the screens are carved with matching figural scenes set in landscapes with waterfront pavilions. Of stunning visual quality, the lot is valued at a high of $30,000. Lot 205, a beautiful antique five-piece cloisonné altar set that includes incense burner, a pair of beaker vases and candlesticks is expected to exceed $15,000. Lot 206 takes the art of cloisonné to an apotheosis, featuring a pair of bronze reclining elephants with stands and saddle blankets of cloisonné enamel. The elephants carry cloisonné urns topped with ornate bronze finials embellished with squirrels.

Lot 206

An impressive collection of jade carvings ( Lot 188– Lot 195) from Sacramento, San Diego and Florida collections will command strong interest from collectors worldwide. Lot 194, is an elaborately carved Moghul-style celadon jade vase that stands 7 ¼” tall. Its reticulated surface is awash in ornate lotus blossoms and vines. Lot 192, a fine jade scepter, 16” long, of translucent grayish-white jade with ruyi head, has two small birds in high relief and flowering plum blossoms. Lot 193 is an unusual carved dragonfly dish of somewhat translucent celadon jade. The high relief center carvings feature a dragonfly and flowers. Four openwork dragonfly "handles" along the rim complete the Qianlong style dish. Lot 195 takes carving to a more capricious though highly skilled level with a jadeite sculpture of two mandarin ducks beneath a lotus. A lily pad and frog are carved out of brilliant, deep apple green suffusion coloration, all above waves. The center section is lavender. Good apple green mottling occurs throughout.

Lot 195

Among the Japanese items are netsuke, inro, brush pots, ivory okimono, and a fine collection of Satsuma and cloisonné.

Lot 252, an ivory okimono, finely carved and polychromed, of ladies and children with flower basket and sticks is outstanding. Lot 255 is a late Nineteenth Century Japanese carved ivory covered brush pot of naturalistic form with realistically rendered writhing dragons battling two tigers. The cover is incised with tigers and has a knob of gourd and eggplant form.

Lot 252

Fifteen lots of Satsuma vases, boxes, cups and saucers, flasks, bowls and dishes make for interesting collecting. Lot 259 is an unusual, flask-form vase: the front with a panel of Arhats with mandorlas. The verso features quail, flowers and millet. Lot 266 is a Kinkozan Satsuma vase of squared form with four panels: two of ornate young women; one with flowing wisteria; and one with lilies and chrysanthemums.

Lot 259

Spiritual items include a fine collection of antique Buddhas, Bodhisattva and Tantric deities. Mostly grouped in Lot 230 through 236, they are exquisitely fashioned of gilt bronze. Lot 234 is enhanced with cloisonné.

Lot 234

Offerings from Tibet include three rare Eighteenth Century Thanka paintings. Lots 227, 228, 229 are well executed and quite moderately estimated at less than $2,500 each.

Lot 227

The sale concludes with several lots of fine estate furniture, the standout of which is Lot 343 an Eighteenth Century Dutch longcase clock of burr walnut. Its classic brass face is surmounted by a rolling moon. At 9 feet tall, it is estimated to go off at about $9,000.

Lot 343

For details on all the items in I.M. Chait’s July 22 sale, Please call (800) 775-5020 or (310) 285-0182. Full color catalogs available for $35.00 plus postage ($5.00 domestic, $15.00 international).