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

$1.5 MILLION MING JAR LEADS I.M. CHAIT'S ASIA WEEK SALE IN NEW YORK CITY.

View Sale

Lot 212

BEVERLY HILLS, CA March 20, 2008 - With its second New York City sale set for March 20, I.M. Chait is featuring a collection of Chinese Ceramics and Asian works of art that may well be the culmination of the auction gallery's 40 year history of excellence in these categories. The star of the sale is a Chinese porcelain Ming guan (jar) estimated at $1.5 million.

Other outstanding examples of Chinese porcelains and pottery as well as Southeast Asian and Sino-Tibetan bronzes, and ivory and jade carvings are expected to drive competition well into the six figure range. Properties will be on view at Chait's Asia Week headquarters at 267 Fifth Avenue as well as their Beverly Hills headquarters.

Lot 212 (pictured above), the Ming jar from the 14th Century Hongwu period, is distinguished by a heart shaped body, flared notched rim and red underglaze detailing. The vessel is decorated with twin sprigs of lotus, peony, chrysanthemums, winter plum and day lilies. Together they form a graphic rebus that wishes the emperor a long life, prosperity and many sons. Authentication of the 22 ½" tall guan was carried out by Chait's internal staff of experts as well as Mr. William Chak of Hong Kong, who, it was recently announced, is serving as a consultant to the I.M. Chait organization.

Expected to fetch the second highest price is Lot 216, a blue and white early Ming era ritual ewer, casually referred to as a "water sprinkler." Protruding from the pear shaped body is a long squared spout. Covered with an uninterrupted design of scrolling foliage and lotus blossoms, the ewer bears the Xuande period mark. It is expected to go off at between $250,000 and $300,000.

Lot 216

Continuing the high end's extraordinary depth is Lot 217, an early Ming dynasty blue and white "wash basin." Of well potted form and everted rim, the interior is adorned with the Eight Precious Objects, each displayed in the center of petals that emanate from a center circle. Surrounding the primary design is a scrolling lotus with foliage to the sides. Florals then continue around the exterior. The 12" basin carries a horizontal Xuande mark. It is catalogued with the reference: "an unmarked Yongle basin sold Christie's Hong Kong November 28, 2006; Lot #1510," and carries a high estimate of $150,000.

Lot 217

Lot 172 is a magnificent 18th Century enameled Famille Rose Buddhist pagoda with a bulbous body that opens to reveal a seated gilt Bodhisattva. It is topped by a ringed spire. Set on a lotus-petal base, the pagoda is enameled with scrolling blossoms on a ground of turquoise and maroon. Of the Qianlong Period; the pagoda carries a catalog high estimate of $120,000.

Lot 172

In addition to these offerings, the sale is anchored by Chinese porcelains in the low to mid-five figure range. Traditionally, the Chaits have excelled in offering fine quality at affordable prices.

Of the ancient pottery offerings from the Han, Song and Tang dynasties, the highlight is Lot 124. It is a pair of fine Tang Dynasty glazed sancai horses together with their grooms. Standing four-square and with human hair manes, one horse is chestnut, the other cream colored with a greenish cast. The grooms have "animated" arms. The set carries a catalog estimate of $60,000 to $80,000. Representative of other fine properties in the collection is Lot 126, a pair of Tang ladies, estimated at $40,000, and Lot 116, a set of Han dancing figures estimated at $20,000.

Lot 124

Leading the important bronzes is Lot 111, a massive tripod covered vessel, also called a ding, from the Warring States Period. The ritual vessel's has upright handles on an exterior of sharply cast designs of interlocking geometric "chilong." Some turquoise and malachite patination is still visible. Measuring 19" across, the ding is expected to fetch $80,000 to $100,000. Among the moderately estimated Sino-Tibetan gilt bronzes, Lot 89 stand out. It is an 18th century figure of a seated deity with elaborate headdress and necklace. Inset with turquoise and coral, at 18'' tall it is estimated at $20,000 to $25,000.

Lot 111

Coming off of recent successes of monumental carved ivories, this sale follows up with similar properties. Lot 103 is a large three-piece Buddhist altar set. Atop each carved ivory pedestal is a Bodhisattva riding a fabulous animal. With attendants to either side and a warrior groom for each animal, the 27 ½" tall trio carries a high estimate of $30,000. Also in this group, Lot 104, a pair of 60" tall ivory tusks, feature a gracefully exquisite Shoulao holding a tall and ornate openwork staff in one hand. Richly articulated with small figures and auspicious intertwined symbols, the figures have at their feet a boy holding a peach and riding a deer. The pair is estimated at $20,000 to $25,000. Four more monumental ivories are expected to bring between $7,000 and $25,000 each.

Lot 103

Towards the front of the sale is a group of desirable jade carvings in the form of vessels, mountains and figures that range in estimate from $2,500 to $7,000. Collectors of netsuke and inro will find excellent properties ranging in estimate from $1,000 to $3,000.

The 275 items in I.M. Chait's New York City sale will be on preview at 267 Fifth Avenue (29th Street) from March 17 – March 20. The Beverly Hills preview runs February 26 – March 1, at the I.M. Chait Gallery, 9330 Civic Center Drive. Complete details are on-line and a full color catalog is available also.