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

I.M. CHAIT KICKS OFF FALL SEASON WITH CHINESE PORCELAINS, JAPANESE SWORDS, KOREAN ANTIQUES AND GALLE AND TIFFANY ART GLASS.

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Lot 203

BEVERLY HILLS, CA. With a reputation for offering comparable goods at realistic estimates, I.M. Chait's fall opener is set to go off exactly five days after New York's "big two" slug it out with competing sales on the same day. Mid-level collectors and dealers put off by skyrocketing prices elsewhere will revel in the fine selection of Chinese, Japanese and Korean antiques at Chait's September 23rd sale. The auction also features a fine selection art glass by Galle and Tiffany.

Properties come primarily from an important Coachella Valley collection, the estate of Lillian Norberg, Oklahoma's "First Lady of Libraries," and the estate of jet propulsion scientist Carl T. Norgren of Ohio.

The catalog cover lots are five remarkable jade carvings. The largest, measuring 10" long, is Lot 203 (above), a white jade mountain. Carved into the precious stone is a bearded sage who, with his ox, is fording a river. The verso features a man carrying a bundle of bamboo on his back. Both sides are detailed with additional landscape scenes. Set on a finely carved wooden base, the white jade mountain carries a high estimate of $15,000. (It is but one of several jade and lapis lazuli mountains detailed in the catalog.)

Four smaller jades of rare "chicken bone" mottled tone, none bigger than 4", epitomize the striking artistry of ceremonial artifacts. The rare, variegated jade hues are probably the result of fire, which the artifacts probably experienced during rites symbolizing the transformation of the spirit. Lot 204 is a recumbent phoenix of the Song/Yuan Dynasty. Crafted of Chinese black jade imbued with shades gray and chicken bone, the phoenix, which has its head turned back and a bamboo branch in its beak, is estimated at $5,000 to $6000. Lot 236 is an early Yuan/Ming Dynasty lion carved of white jade with acquired rust markings. In a crouching pose, the lion is estimated at $2,500 - $3,000. Lot 237, a Ming "qilin" of classic chicken bone coloration is posed looking backward. The qilin is estimated at $2,000 - $2500. Lot 238 is a finely detailed kneeling elephant made of black jade through which can be seen traces of celadon. Of the Ming period, the elephant carries a high estimate of $5000.

Lot 204

Also unique for their size but of much larger scale is a collection of ceremonial pottery models from the Tang and Han dynasties. Positioned at the auction's midway point, Lot 200, is a 40" tall pair of Tang painted pottery Bactrain camels. Each with separately modeled saddle blanket and bearing curious looking foreigners with saddlebags, the camels have open mouths and wide legged stances. The pair is estimated at $70,000 - $80,000. Coming to the turntable a few moments earlier, Lot 199 is a pair of Tang court beauties. Thirty-two and one half inches tall, one "fat lady" cradles a small dog in the crook of her elbow while the other gestures with graceful hands. Estimate for the pair is $45,000 - $50,000. Two 23 ½" tall Han dancing ladies ( Lot 198) with optimistic expressions and hair pulled back appear to move in tandem. With one robed arm extending upward while the other curves downward, they are the picture of kinetic articulation. The pair carries a high estimate of $30,0000.

Lot 200

Tops among the excellent selection Chinese porcelains is Lot 196, a Northern Song Dynasty Junyao bowl. Superbly glazed with a large splash of purple enlivening the interior, the unusually wide bowl is expected to fetch $30,000 - $35,000. Lot 194 is a 14 ½" tall Northern Song Dynasty cizhou glazed meiping vase. Elegant of form, it has three bands of design, each of loosely painted florals. High estimate is $35,000. Lot 197 is a stellar blue and white porcelain Guan featuring galloping equestrians beneath cloud formations. Circa 1500, its expected high is $24,000.

Lot 197

Additional important Chinese porcelains include Lot 195, a rare Northern Song sgraffito carved Cizhou jar. Of well-potted, bulbous form, it has a dramatic central band of meandering foliage on brown ground, with a small band of combed details above. ($15,000 - $20,000). Lot 193 is a magnificent blue and white porcelain box from the Sixteenth Century Ming dynasty with a birds on a branch decorating the cover. With a Wanli mark, the box carries an $18,000 to $20,000 estimate. Lot 188, a pair of Eighteenth Century Imperial QianlonG Famille Rose enameled wine cups depicting bats and Buddhist flowers on a plum background, with QianlonG mark, should command $12,000 - $15,000.

Lot 195

Snuff bottles from the Nogren collection, assorted netsukes and inro, the intricately crafted "smalls" of Asian art, makes strong presentations with estimates ranging from several hundred to $5000. A selection of brush pots offers compelling argument for the strong interest in the intimate forms. While most carry modest estimates, there is one exception. Lot 245, a large green jade, with extensive carvings of sages and a boy, is expected to bring $8500 - $10,000.

Lot 245

Among the four Japanese sword offerings, Lot 269 is a standout. The antique samurai long sword (koto katana), circa 1590, is attributed to Dontanuki Hyobu of the Shinto Period school in Higo Province. Certified by the Society for the Preservation of the Japanese Sword (NBTHK) with Tokubetsu Kicho Token papers, the lot is valued at between $6,000 - $7,000.

Lot 269

From Korea, Lot 289, an antique five-panel screen featuring flowers, rockery and butterflies, standing 33 ½ inches tall, is expected to command $2000 - $3000.

Lot 289

Underscoring the strength of the auction is the art glass. Lot 343, a signed Galle chandelier, art nouveau in style, consists of a circular bronze base and five cameo-carved glass shades of yellow with orange and red overlay foliate designs, each shade is signed Galle in cameo overlay. The chandelier is estimated at $8,000 - $10,000. Three lots of Tiffany favrille, all vases and numbered 299, 300A and 300, show the depth of color Tiffany workshop produced. All signed, the vases carry a low estimate of $850 and a high of $3000.

Lot 343

The gallery preview opens on Monday, September 17 and runs through Saturday, September 22. Full color catalogs are available for $35.00 plus postage ($5.00 domestic, $15.00 international). Please call (800) 775-5020 or (310) 285-0182.