An auction focussing on Asian works of art, and featuring an impressive gilt-bronze "parrot jar", is to be held on the afternoon of December 23 in New York.

Featuring a host of striking art works and culturally significant artefacts, the "parrot jar" is the top catalogue lot and carries a $180,000-200,000 presale estimate. The lidded jar, which is in good condition, is decorated with traditional images of birds and blooms, thus its nickname. 

Will the jar exceed its $200,000 high estimate in what is proving to be a strong market?

Other notable lots include several valuable hanging scrolls, among them examples by Qi Bashi and Xu Beihong. The Qi Bashi signed scroll, which measures 13 x 38 inches and depicts a traditional Chinese tea service, carries a $60,000-70,000 estimate. The Xu Beihong hanging scroll, which has been given a matching valuation of $60,000-$70,000, displays a sprightly pair of black and white roosters.

China's passion for repatriating its artistic heritage is being felt around the world.

China now boasts 1.4m millionaires - the world's third highest number, having added 193,000 over the course of a year, according to Boston Consulting Group's 2012 Global Wealth Report.

Barclays' 2012 Wealth Insights report reiterated Chinese interest in the collectibles markets, observing that the country's wealthiest individuals have 17% of their wealth placed in treasure assets, compared with 9% in the US.

Whether or not the "parrot jar" will put in a strong performance at auction is yet to be seen, however the market for Asian art in a larger sense is in good health.

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