NEW YORK, NY.- Beginning with Classical Chinese paintings and continuing through collections of bronzes, ceramics, stone seals, and teapots, Gianguan Auctions’ June 17th sale takes collectors deep into their favorite categories. Newcomers to the gallery will discover the quality, consistency, and accessibility Gianguan Auctions has stood for since 2002.

Among the outstanding smalls is a set of scholar’s garniture in cloisonné. The five pieces–an inkstone warmer with cover, brush holder; brush washer with ladle, and a weasel bristle pen–have a vibrant sapphire-blue ground decorated with a yellow Wan character above and amid a front-facing dragon in pursuit of a flaming pearl. Each piece bears the Qing Dynasty, Qianlong four-character mark and is of the period. Lot 154 is estimated at upwards of $40,000 USD.

A rare, polychromed lacquer box with sixteen lobes is an outstanding example of the tianqi method of coloration. Finely incised on the fitted lacquer cover is a central lotus bloom surrounded by scrolling Ba Jixiang (Eight Buddhist Emblems). The flower comes to life in shades of red, turquoise blue, burnt amber and green. Of the Qing Dynasty with an incised Qianlong six-character mark, Lot 71 is of the Period. At 15.5” in diameter and 7” tall, it is valued at more than $10,000.

Further attesting to the creativity of scholar’s items is a well carved floral cup carved from a bamboo root. The flower is surrounded by smaller buds on a stand. At just 4” tall, the cup’s surface has been patinated to a dark caramel brown. Lot 78 is expected to bring more than $1,500.

The marquee votive is a massive Zitan Guanyin with child clutching a lotus. Carved from a single piece of wood (with mandorla added on) the deity presents as the Bodhisattva of Infinite Compassion. Set above rough waves that symbolize the deity’s willingness to rescue those in need and answer the prayers of the infertile, the face exudes serenity. Lot 170 is 38” tall. Its value is $60,000 or more.

Contrasting is a naturalistic, root-carved grotto housing a Guanyin. The knotty stumps of the tree root flow in free-form around the deity seated within. The cowl and loose robes are in keeping with her peaceful countenance. This is Lot 157, $4,000 upwards.

A porcelain Bodhisattva of Mercy is glazed in classic blue and blanc-de-chine. Of the Yuan Dynasty (12th–13th C), the long flowing robes are open at the chest. The hands are in mudra, with the left holding sutra. Lot 160 is nearly 30” tall; bidding begins at $20,000.

A jade seal within a Zitan box surmounted by an elaborately carved dragon in flight is outstanding with Chinese and Manchu script on sides. The seal has three script marks. Of the Qing Dynasty, Lot 104 is estimated at $3,000 or more.

Shoushan stones decorated with Bixie and Young knops follow. There are more, of reddish Juxie stone, Furong and Tianhuang, as well as a delightful collection of boulders carved with mythical creatures and fantastical motifs. Heights range from 4.5” to 8.5.” Values start at $800

A favorite of Gianguan regulars are teapots. Within a collection of twelve are an octagonal melon-form Yixing Zisha teapot with conforming bud finial by Chen Mansheng. A diminutive Yixing Zisha Burl teapot with a Knot-tie finial on the cover is by Gao Jianfang. A massive Yixing Zisha teapot by Chen Wenbo is polychromed with a stylized landscape scene. The artist’s mark is on the base. Teapots are Lots 237 - 248 and span $800-$1,500.

Highlights of ceramics include a famille rose vase with peony motif. The slender form with bulbous base and garlic head mouth is in perfect proportion to the 16” height. Of the Qing Dynasty, with the Yongzheng six-character mark within double circles, Lot 118 is of the period. At $150,000 upwards, it is worthy of a museum or private collection.

At entry level is a famille rose Qing bowl with protruding mid-area decorate in highly detailed florals. Gilt lip and base lines add detail. It was produced by the Gu Yue Xuan Studio of the Qing Emperor Guangxu’s reign and t bears the Qing Dynasty, Guyuexuan Mark. Lot 129, starting at $6,000..

The magic of the copper red glaze is apparent in a Ming peony jar with cover. Of crushed-raspberry tones with dull gray, it is decorated with scrolls of flower sprays and scroll bands. The Yongle period jar is Lot 227. Starting bid is $10,000.

The Song Dynasty (10th-12th C.) produced a lavender glaze that, in the best instances, has held its vibrancy. Such is case with a Junyao, splayed-tripod leg censer with the numeral Shi. The glaze incorporates drips of blue and purple that fade towards the bottom of the legs to expose the buff brown wash. Lot 224, at 5.5” tall, will find great interest at $6,000-$8-000.

“Lady with Fan” leads a selection of four paintings by Zhang Daqian that display his virtuosity and mood in the mid to late 1940s. Zhang Daqian heightened the interest in this statuesque portrait of a courtly maiden by focusing on the detail in the back of her golden silk robe. The face, done in flesh tones with white makeup, is a beguiling three-quarter portrait. Dated 1949, it is Lot 166, inscribed and signed Zhang Daqian, with three artist seals and one collector seals. Estimate is upwards of $80,000.

Cranes, the prince of birds often associated with longevity and peace, are depicted in symbolic guises in four panels by Lu Kuchan (1898-1983). The tour de force shows pairs under pines, among peonies, in greenery and flying. In each panel, one bird looks upwards while the other tends to more earthly matters. Each scroll is inscribed and signed Kuchan and carries three artist seals. Lot 120 is estimated at more than $60,000.

The masterpiece that deserves mention and will be the measure of more accessible landscapes is “Scholar in the Mountain” by Qing Dynasty painter Shi Tao (1630-1724).Reaching beyond the world of mortals, it embodies the transcendental aspirations of the scholar couched in a fold of the mountain. Dated 1686, inscribed and signed Shi Tao, with one artist seal, Lot 109 will command $150,000 or more.

Meanwhile, there are many accessible paintings by such known artists as Fu Baoshi, Cheng Shifa, Wu Guanzhong, Wu Changshuo, Liu Danzhai. They range in value from $3,000 upwards.

For details on these and all the properties in Gianguan Auctions June 17th sale, please visit www.gianguanauctions.com and download the catalog. For inquiries, call 212 867-7288. Previews open Monday, June 10, 2019. The sale will be conducted live in Gianguan Auctions’ New York headquarters beginning at 6 p.m. on Monday, June 17.