CHICAGO – Imperial Auctioneers, specialists in fine-quality Asian art will conduct an auction on Tuesday, September 10th, 2013 beginning at 7PM CST.
Highlights of the auction start with a very good selection of Contemporary Chinese paintings. The star lot being Lot 30, a fine oil on canvas painting attributed to the important artist Wu Guanzhong (1919-2010). Signed on both the front and back this exquisite painting comes from a private Chinese collection that has been formed over the last 30 years. Pre sale estimate is $20,000-$40,000.
From this same collection comes a number of other paintings in the auction including Lot 38, a fine garden scene painting attributed to Zhu Qi Zhan (1892-1996) with a pre sale estimate of $3,000-$5,000, and Lot 4, a fine landscape scene painting attributed to Lin San Zhi (1898-1989) with a pre sale estimate of $1,200-$2,500. Both paintings were purchased directly from the artist by repute.
The recently deceased Zou Wou Ki (1921-2013) is represented with a vintage print from the “illuminations” Series Of Watercolors, lot 30A. Taken From The Club Francais Du Livre and Published In 1966 for the 20th Anniversary the edition was printed by Imprimerie Union In Paris, August 31st, 1966. Pre sale estimate for this individual print is $500-$800.
With approximately 40 lots of paintings there is a good cross section of contemporary artists and styles represented.
From a retired Michigan Judge comes a very fine selection of cinnabar items (lots 55-59). Collected over many years by a passionate and thoughtful collector the collection is unusual for its excellent quality and rarity. Of particular note is Lot 56, a rare cinnabar umbrella stand. Estimated at $5,000-$10,000 this exceptional piece is modeled after a Chinese Landscape painting with it’s superbly carved rendition of mountains, pine trees, clouds, fisherman, villages, dwellings and travelers. Much like a painting it also has a poem inscribed on the top with two seal marks. Measuring over 20 inches in height with a Qianlong mark on the base and probably of the period this is a rare piece that auction director of Asian Art, Hao Ji has never seen on the market: “Some years ago I appraised a similar umbrella stand but it was a floral carving and there was no writing. Seeing a landscape scene is far more impressive especially considering the quality of the carving.”
Another fine cinnabar piece is a large double Gourd vase (lot 57) finely carved in relief depicting a blooming garden scene. Measuring 19 inches in height it is quite impressive. Pre sale estimate is $3,000-$6,000. Rounding out the cinnabar offering are a couple of large finely carved boxes and a charger.
Also from the same collection of a retired Michigan Judge is a nice assortment of snuff bottles including a very fine inside painted snuff bottle (lot 69), attributed to Ye Zhongshan (1869-1945) and dated 1941. The unusual shape of the body shows the influence of Han style pottery with opposing sworles modeled on each side. The bottle is excuisitely painted to depict a Chinese landscape scene and is signed by the artist with two seal marks. Pre sale estimate is $400-$800. Other noteworthy snuff bottle lots include lot 69B, a fine green jadeite snuff bottle (pre sale estimate: $400-$800) and lot 70, two jade pebble form snuff bottles (pre sale estimate: $300-$600). Both lots are of very good quality materials and carving.
The small but nice selection of Bronzes is also expected to attract bidder interest. Of particular note is lot 61, a large gilt bronze Buddha, 17th/18th Century. Measuring 10.2 inches in height the well cast bronze is estimated at $6,000-$9,000. Other bronzes in the auction include two bronze censers as well as some other Bronze figures.
An item that has received a considerable amount of buzz leading up to the sale is lot 39A, a Ming-style huanghuali side table. Dating from the Qing Dynasty this table is a fine example of Huanghuali furniture from this period. Pre sale estimate is $15,000-$25,000.
Among the porcelain lots to be auctioned is a good representative group of Ming Dynasty blue and white porcelain pieces (lot 65, 66, 68, and 68A) and a porcelain dragon bowl (lot 67) with a Guangxu mark and of the period (estimate: $1,500-$2,500).
Rounding out the auction is a selection of jade items. A number of jade bangles are expected to draw bidder interest as is the good and varied selection of decorative jade items and a couple of pieces of jewelry. Lot 45A is a very fine 19th Century Chinese jade export necklace with fancy silver filigree. It is expected to reach beyond the pre-sale estimate of $800-$1,200. Also of note is a wonderful imperial jadeite Guanyin pendant (lot 45B) with 18K gold and white diamonds. The carving and materials are of excellent quality. Pre sale estimate is $2,000-$4,000.
A public preview will take place on September 7th and 8th from 1-5PM. To view a full listing of lots online please visit Imperial Auctioneers on:
Artfact: http://www.artfact.com/catalog/searchLots.cfm?scp=c&catalogRef=B0LZCUDBD6
Or,
Live Auctioneers: http://www.liveauctioneers.com/catalog/42770_fine-asian-art/page1
Inquiries are encouraged. For questions about any lot in the sale, please email [email protected] or call toll-free 1-866-886-7912.
Website: www.imperialauctioneers.com