A RARE CARVED RHINO HORN LIBATION CUP LEADS I.M. CHAIT’S JUNE 27 AUCTION OF ASIAN AND INTERNATIONAL FINE ARTS.

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

A Rare Carved Rhino Horn Libation Cup Leads I.M. Chait’s June 27 Auction of Asian and International Fine Arts.

BEVERLY HILLS, CA. The time to buy at auction is NOW. Come September when competition for high profile collections is strong, prices on even moderately valued items will soar. The place to begin your summertime value hunting is at I.M. Chait’s Asian and International Fine Arts Auction on Sunday, June 27.

The Beverly Hills auction gallery is featuring fine collections of Chinese porcelains, carved jades and ivories, antique Japanese netsuke, inro and lacquer as well as fine scroll paintings. The final third of the auction features luxury Swiss wristwatches, European decorative arts and American sterling silver.

As with all I.M. Chait Asian and International Fine Arts auctions, the featured item is a treasure from China’s rich heritage. It is an intricately carved antique Rhinoceros horn libation cup. The openwork carving features elite members of Chinese society, sages, equestrians, and attendants acting out their roles within a cloud-shrouded landscape that also nurtures deer, fruit and peonies. The rhino horn libation cup, Lot 185 carries a catalog estimate of $50,000 - $70,000.

Notably, the June 27 auction tells a porcelain story that began long before the Europeans learned how to make hard-paste. Chief among the rarities is a 14th Lot 184 Century Yuan Dynasty blue and white charger, decorated with fruit, squash and blossoms on vines surrounding a palm-like plant. It is expected to fetch $60,000 or more. lot 183 is a fine Yuan Dynasty red underglaze vase, or Yuhuchunping, decorated with cranes in flight. Taken from the same important Japanese collection as the charger, it carries a high estimate of $25,000.

Other Chinese porcelains include Lot 136 flambé glazed eagles, Lot 170 antique Famille Rose vases and Lot 175 a Kangxi porcelain bowl. All at estimates of $5,000 to $6,000. A small collection of Japanese ceramics includes Lot 306 a pair of antique Arita chargers and Lot 307 a massive Imari charger. Each is expected to fetch around $1200.

Known worldwide for their collections of carved jades and carved ivories, the Chaits have positioned Lot 187 an outstanding jadeite Guanyin, estimated at $30,000, The sculpture is carved from an unusual stone, mostly pale green with apple green suffusions. The dramatic brilliant green sections are worked in the form of a lotus leaf that the deity holds in one hand. In the other, she holds a pearl. An attendant and a carp cavort at her side and below. Overall, the 16-inch statue makes a powerful statement.

lot 188, A pair of massive carved jade table screens of spinach green coloration tell complementary narratives of workers and travelers in front of a housing complex. On the verso of each, poems carved in archaistic characters tell their tales. The screens are mounted in openwork hardwood frames. Their value is estimated at $18,000 to $20,000.

Other highlights of the sale include Japanese items from the Estates of Lee Younggren and Tsetuko Judson. Seventeen desirable antique Japanese scroll paintings precede collections of bronze sculptures and lacquer ware items.

Among the jewels in this sale is a collection of luxury brand wristwatches for both men and women and several pocket watches. Lot 315 a Rolex Presidential-type watch of yellow gold with a diamond encrusted face should command far more than the $10,000 catalog estimate. Lot 316, A men’s vintage Rolex Daytona Cosmograph with a Christie’s provenance, is estimated to go off at $12,000 to $15,000. Ladies brand name watches include Lot 322 a Cartier Tank and Lot 324 a ladies’ Baume & Mercier Classima with gold dial and diamond markers on a gold mesh band.

The June 27 sale will take place at Chait's Beverly Hills salesroom at 1PM. Preview begins June 22nd - 26th 11AM - 5PM or by appointment. For complete details on the near 500 lots in I.M. Chait's Asian and International Fine Arts Auction, visit www.chait.com or in person at I.M. Chait Gallery/Auctioneers, 9330 Civic Center Drive, Beverly Hills, CA 90210. Beverly Hills