DALLAS, TX.- An important dated Imperial panel is expected to compete for top-lot honors at
Heritage Auctions' Fine & Decorative Asian Art Auction June 29-30 in Beverly Hills, California.
A Fine Chinese Inscribed and Embellished Lacquer Panel Inset with Jade and Hardstone Mounts, Qing Dynasty, Qianlong Period, circa 1735-95 (est. $20,000-30,000) has high-relief carved cinnabar border in red, blue, black and brown at the top. Beneath the border is an amber-colored lacquered ground with inscribed prose to the left by the sixth emperor of the Manchu-led Qing dynasty and the fourth emperor to rule over China. The inset zitan pagoda is surrounded by jade, coral, agate and hardstone people, animals and rocky outcropping.
"The poem is from Qianlong Emperor (1711-99), who was the longest-reigning ruler in Chinese history," Heritage Auctions Asian Art Consignment Director Clementine Chen said. "He wrote more than 40,000 poems in his life, and was famous for putting his poetry on national treasures. The poem on this panel, which we believe is imperial, was written when he was 71 years old."
The Fine Chinese Carved Celadon Jade Ruyi Scepter in Glass Display Case, Qing Dynasty, 18th century (est. $50,000-80,000), from the estate of Philip Cardeiro, measures 20 inches long, and has russet skin integrated into the carved bat and pomegranate branch motifs. The scepter ends with a silk ornament on one end that splits into two tassels.
A Zhang Daqian (1899-1983) Chinese Ink and Watercolor Scroll (est. $20,000-30,000) is a stunning piece from one of the best-known Chinese artists of the 20th century whose style evolved from traditionalism to impressionism and expressionism. From a private collection in Silicon Valley, this scroll measures 37-1/2 inches high by 15-1/2 inches wide, with an overall size of 85-1/2 inches high by 22 inches wide.
A Rare Chinese Blue and White Porcelain Brush Pot with Prose, Qing Dynasty, Kangxi Period, circa 1662-1722 (est. $20,000-25,000) harkens back to the Kangxi Emperor, who ascended to the throne while still a child and took over his state at the age of 15. His path to earning respect included extensive study of Chinese history and culture, part of which included his revival of imperial porcelain factories at Jingdezhen. One characteristic of Kangxi porcelain is the powder blue glaze seen on this lot.
A Chinese Gilt Bronze Seated Vairocana Buddha, Ming Dynasty (est. $15,000-25,000), from the Estate of Philip Cardeiro, features a seated dhyanasana on a rounded base. The soles of the figure's feet are incised with Wheels of Transmigration, with hands presented in mudra positions. The flowing robe on the 11-1/2-inch figure is open in front, revealing a ribboned dhoti to stomach, san symbol incised to chest, surmounted by an elaborate five-pointed pierced headdress interspersed with seated deities.
Other top lots include, but are not limited to:
· A Japanese Samurai Armor, Edo Period, 18th-19th century (est. $8,000-10,000)
· A Chinese Carved Clair de Lune Glazed Porcelain Jar with Stand, Qing Dynasty, 18th-19th century (est. $8,000-10,000)
· A Large Japanese Wire and Musen Cloisonné Enamel Raven Plaque by Namikawa Sosuke (est. $5,000-8,000)
· An Indian Bhagavata Purana Gouache Folio Illustration Depicting Krishna and Balarama Battling the Horse Demon Keshi, North India, late 18th-early 19th century (est. $4,000-6,000)
· A Yu Youren (1879-1964) Chinese Calligraphy Scroll (est. $3,000-5,000)