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Lot 200 Sold for $60,000

BEVERLY HILLS, CA - It was billed as the antidote to New York's "big two Fall slug fest," so when serious collectors and a strong showing of international dealers turned out to view Asian and International properties from at least five prominent American estates, no one was surprised. But when the results of I. M. Chait's September 23rd sale showed that a high percentage of estimates had been broken, the point was made that the buyers were happy to wait for quality.

As anticipated, anchor lots performed at or above their catalog estimates. Leading the pack was Lot 200 (pictured above). The remarkably well-modeled pair of large Tang Camels bearing foreigners was hammered down for $60,000. Coming in second as the result of a bidding war was Lot 197, a large blue and white Ming jar, circa 1500. Shown in the catalog with a high estimate of $24,000, the porcelain Guan featuring galloping equestrians found its market value at $36,000. Lot 202, a tall lavender jadeite Guanyin, inspired spirited competition before eventually topping off at $27,000, $10,000 higher than its published estimate. Lot 195, a rare Northern Song dynasty sgraffito carved Cizhou jar, brought $13,200. The cover lot (203), a white jade mountain fetched $18,000. Interestingly, these star lots proved to be only the tip of the iceberg in their respective categories.

Lot 202 Sold for $27,000

Small and historic items proved to be the sale's strong suit. Included in this category was Lot 322, two Sandy Koufax autographed items. The Rawlings baseball bat presented in a Lucite display box together with a black and white photographs depicting the scoreboard of the 1962 Mets-Dodgers game on June 30, 1962 – the first Koufax no hitter – went to a fan for $6,000, far exceeding the catalog's high estimate.

Lot 322 Sold for $6,000

Snuff bottles, an I.M. Chait specialty usually presented during the first part of the auction, had collectors lined up and waiting to start the bidding. While the first hour's lots commanded respectable prices, Lot 75 saw bidders square off for the win. Carrying a high catalog estimate of $700, the 19th century antique white jade snuff bottle with incised gilt flower plants eventually topped off at $3,840. Just a few moments prior, Lot 63, a multicolor overlay snuff bottle, more than tripled its high estimate to come in at $2,040. Lot 68, an antique double overlay snuff bottle of snowflake glass, carved with red and black dear, more than doubled it its high estimate at $2,604.

Lot 63 Sold for $2,040

Guanyins and deities of all sizes commanded strong attention too. Lot 262, a tall carved zitan figure, heavily robed and standing on wavy base and lotus, with inscription and seal mark on the back, brought $6,000, four times its expected high. Lot 100, a carved ivory Guanyin, also outdid its $600 catalog high, to fetch $1800. One of the best deals of the day, however, was Lot 232, a pair of tall Chinese gilt bronze Guanyins, each with open work mandorla and lotus base, that went for $5,400, well within range of its low estimate. Other spiritual figures commanding strong interest included Lot 84, a well-carved Chinese amber figure of Budai, which brought a surprising $5,400. Lot 221, a Ming Carved wood Bodhisattva, seated and holding lotus blossom, exceeded its high estimate of $2,500 to fetch $4,800.

Lot 84 Sold for $5,400

Among the fine selections of carved jade, several lots were standouts. Lot 244, a tall Moghul-style vase of whitish celadon jade brought $9,000. Lot 245, a large green jade brushpot, carved with continuous landscape scene, brought $7,200. Lot 248, a carved white jade vase with jade chain linked to openwork double-hydra went off at $4,200. Lot 126, a jade mountain into which is carved a sage leaning by river, commanded $5,400. Lot 249, a Chinese carved celadon jade group, featuring large hibiscus amid leaves with smaller daisies by the base and various birds, found a home at $4,200.

Lot 245 Sold for $7,200

Collectors of Chinese porcelain, another Chait specialty, appeared to be attracted by the colorful properties. Lot 186, a rare Kangxi Famille verte vase, went for just over its low estimate at $9,000. Lot 159, an 18th century yellow dragon bowl with green dragon and flaming pearl design, exceeded its high to make $4,200. Lot 184, a Qianlong yellow glazed vase, with Qianlong mark and of the period, brought $6,000. Lot 154, four Guangxu bowls of monochrome yellow porcelain with lemon peel texture, flew over the $1800 high estimate to bring $4,200.

Lot 186 Sold for $9,000

In the collection of zitan objects, several fulfilled the fancies of collectors. Lot 352, a large appliqué zitan screen with carved jade and hardstones on a matching zitan stand with Buddhist emblems and bats brought $7,200. Lot 359 a large zitan brushpot appliquéd with ivory, jade, coral and hardstone designs fetched $6,300. Lot 354, a pair of appliqued zitan table screens, went off at $4,800.

Lot 359 Sold for $6,300

Among a rare offering of art glass, Lot 298, a pair of Lalique Art Deco frosted and clear glass vases with molded nudes, trees and flowers in relief and signed "R Lalique France" was hammered down at $4,200. Lot 300, a Tiffany red Favrille glass vase, commanded $3,600.

Lot 298 Sold for $4,200

I.M. Chait Gallery/Auctioneers is scheduled to have their next Asian and International Fine Art sale on November 4, 2007. I.M. Chait Gallery/Auctioneers is located at 9330 Civic Center Drive, Beverly Hills, California, 90210. For more information on this auction, future sales, consignments or to order a catalogue, please call (310) 285-0182, toll free (800) 775-5020, email us.