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 Century Yuan Dynasty blue and white charger (Lot 184), 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 flambé glazed eagles (Lot 136), antique Famille Rose vases (Lot 170) and a Kangxi porcelain bowl (Lot 175), all at estimates of $5,000 to $6,000. A small collection of Japanese ceramics includes a pair of antique Arita chargers (Lot 306) and a massive Imari charger (Lot 307). Each is expected to fetch around $1200.
Known worldwide for their collections of carved jades and carved ivories, the Chaits have positioned an outstanding jadeite Guanyin, estimated at $30,000, at Lot 187. 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.
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 (Lot 188) 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. A Rolex Presidential-type watch (Lot 315) of yellow gold with a diamond encrusted face should command far more than the $10,000 catalog estimate. A men’s vintage Rolex Daytona Cosmograph (Lot 316) with a Christie’s provenance, is estimated to go off at $12,000 to $15,000.
Ladies brand name watches include a Cartier tank (Lot 322) and a ladies’ Baume & Mercier Classima with gold dial and diamond markers on a gold mesh band (Lot 324).
For complete details on the more than 400 items in I.M. Chait’s June 27 auction, please visit www.chait.com
