On Thursday, November 24, 888 Auctions will present Imperial Chinese Jades and Works of Art, a sale that will provide an excellent opportunity for collectors and connoisseurs of Asian Art to acquire finely carved imperial Hetian jade, dynastic porcelains, gilt bronze cast Sino-Tibetan deities, and vintage wine. LiveAuctioneers will provide Internet live bidding.
Highlighting the sale will be a rare and important 18th-century imperial white jade seal (Lot 188).
Safely enclosed within a jade housing and supported on a square platform, the cylindrical seal is finely carved and surmounted by an openwork relief carved dragon finial with incised script calligraphy on its sides. It is expected to easily surpass its estimate high of $15,000.
Continuing the trend of rare and important imperial jade carvings in the sale, Lot 187 showcases an 18th-century Chinese spinach green jade vase. Well hollowed and beautifully carved in baluster form, the ovoid body features lotus blooms with attendant branches with foliate-shaped leaves in relief.
 The fine Chinese Qing Dynasty imperial white jade seal with dragon finial |
A scrolling lotus motif often portrayed on blue and white dynastic porcelain is finely portrayed on this deep spinach green jade vase. Lot 187 carries an estimate high of $4,000.
Following close behind is a set of four Chinese Hetian imperial jade pieces, consisting of a belt hook, buckle, hilt and pommel piece (Lot 189). Charming Chilong dragons carved in relief dominate the motif on all four pieces.
Each piece is of fine translucent white tone. The entire set of four pieces is estimated at $10,000-15,000.
From the Ming Dynasty to the Republic Period, collectors will be happy to find a superb collection of blue and white glazed porcelain as well as elaborately decorated Famille Rose and Wucai enameled ceramics.
Leading the superbly glazed blue and white porcelain is a Ming Dynasty Meiping vase (Lot 293). The beautifully tapering body features auspicious scrolling design of six detached fruiting branches and vines, including peach, pomegranate, longan, lychee, persimmon and grapes.
With great interest being shown in the finely potted blue and white Ming Dynasty porcelain on the auction floor already, it is expected to exceed its estimate high of $3,500.
888 Auction is proud to feature a wealth of items finely potted and decorated with auspicious designs in Famille Rose and Wucai enameling. A fine example can be found at Lot 343: an 18th-century Chinese Wucai jar.
 The magnificent Chinese Ming Dynasty bronze figure of Amitayus |
Bearing a six-character Ming Jiajing Mark, the ovoid body features dragons amid stylized ruyi-head cloud scrolls decorated in over-glazed polychrome enamels. This Qing Dynasty Wucai enameled jar is expected to fetch over $5,000.
From the collection of finely casted Sino-Tibetan deities can be found an absolute standout at Lot 444. This rare and important Chinese Ming Dynasty gilt bronze figure of Amitayus is shown seated in vajrasana atop a typical double lotus pedestal.
Measuring 65 cm (26 inches) tall, the slender figure is ornately dressed in shawls that are decorated with a detailed and incised classic scroll at the hem. Deep in thought and meditation, the deity is shown holding a ghanta, a Buddhist ritual bell, and a vajra, in its left and right hand respectively.
This Ming Dynasty gilt bronze figure of Amitayus carries an incised script mark on the base flanked with a pair of fu lions and carries an estimate of $40,000-60,000.
All eyes will be on the sale following the fantastic results of 'Asian art week', notably at Bonhams (see links below). Watch this space for the results.
Recent and related articles
• Bonhams dominates Asian Art Week with $48m Chinese & Japanese sales | 15 November 2011
• Imperial Chinese jar recalling 'Emperor's adopted 100th son' sells at Bonhams | 6 November 2011
• Chinese carvings and quality art auctions at Elite Decorative Arts, Florida | 3 November 2011
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Images: 888 Auctions
