VANCOUVER.- Maynards will be hosting an International & Asian Art Auction on March 12 – 13.

The auction will offer a unique range of jades, ceramics, other antiques and fine arts. Combined, the collections are valued from $1 to $1.5 million. Maynards is hoping to surpass last year’s outstanding jade auction which resulted in a several pieces going for $1.3 million.

This year, Maynards is proud to feature pieces from the collection of the late philanthropist and prominent Iranian business man, Mr. Habib Sabet. Several of Mr. Sabet’s pieces will be up for auction on Wednesday March 13th from 9:20 p.m. onwards. They include:

· Lot 584 & 587; Two Chinese jade vases of very pale celadon colour, valued $40,000 to $60,000

· Lot 585; Chinese light celadon jade incense burner and cover, valued $40,000 to $60,000

· Lot 586; A Chinese spinach green jade potpourri holder, valued $40,000 to $60,000

· Lot 588; A Chinese imperial jade table screen, valued $40,000 to $60,000

· Lot 589; A finely crafted Chinese mutton fat green jade potpourri holder, valued $80,000 to $120,000

“We are delighted to offer a diverse array of international art pieces” says Hugh Bulmer, Vice President and specialist in Asian ceramics, “Mr. Sabet was an astute collector of Chinese jade antiques and his pieces showcase fine jade of the period.”

The Sabet family antique collection includes pieces with exquisite craftsmanship from both the eighteenth century French decorative arts and Chinese jades. Habib Sabet was a successful businessman who founded more than 40 corporations and introduced the first television network in Iran, collected these pieces throughout the duration of this life. He spent his last years based in Paris, France tending to his extensive collection. Though many pieces in the collection remain in the Sabet family, many of the rarer and unique pieces now reside in some of the world’s most prestigious museums including the Louvre and Getty Museum.

In addition to the Sabet family’s collection, Maynards’ auction also includes an “Order of the Double Dragon” medal awarded to a Scottish missionary, Dr. Dugald Christie, by the Emperor of China. Dr. Christie was awarded the medal for his work in dealing with the 1912 Plague in China. Dr. Christie’s medical service to China has been documented in several books including the Thirty Years in Moukden 1883-1913.