ALAMEDA, CA.- Chinese painting master Zhang Daqian’s hanging scroll “Prunus and Bamboo” leads fine artworks in the December Asian auction (lot 8400, $100,000-150,000).  Zhang Daqian remains one of the most celebrated Chinese artists of the 20th century.  His introduction to Pablo Picasso in 1956 in Nice, France was publicly touted as an artistic meeting of east and west, paying homage to the level of artistry Zhang Daqian had achieved.  His chameleon-like ability to emulate and reproduce various artistic styles has garnered him notoriety and praise from the finest of art connoisseurs.  The ink on paper scroll for sale has remained for generations within the private family collection of a prominent Kuomintang government statesman.  From this estate collection is yet another Zhang Daqian scroll offered in “Horse” as lot 8399 at an estimate of $50,000-70,000.  The artist dedicated the painting to the statesman’s daughter, who had a fondness for equestrian activities.  The depiction of a lone horse is a stark departure for Zhang Daqian, leaving the scroll an extremely rare piece from the artist.  Additional artworks at sale include an album of fifty-six fan paintings and calligraphy by various artists (lot 8367, $30,000-50,000), two scrolls by Huang Junbi also from the statesman’s estate collection (“Pine and Waterfall,” lot 8395, $30,000-50,000 and “Eagle,” lot 8396, $20,000-30,000) and a group of four Japanese woodblock prints by Kawase Hasui (lot 8497, $1,200-1,600).

Superb decorative items abound in the sale, with a lengthy list of noteworthy pieces.  Handsome vessels are found in a wide range of price points, with a top example presented in a finely painted cloisonné enamel square form box (lot 8279, $20,000-30,000).  Also available is a pair of Qianlong period champlevé enamel and gilt-bronze jardinieres (lot 8273, $10,000-15,000), a sky blue glass spittoon from the esteemed Ina and Sandford Gadient collection (lot 8245, $8,000-12,000), a Xu Tianmei glazed and enameled baluster form vase (lot 8442, $6,000-8,000) and a pair of Kangxi period famille verte jars of ovoid form (lot 8477, $6,000-8,000).  Decorative pieces at decidedly conservative price points are also available, seen in a Chinese pumpkin shaped sterling silver sweet meat box (lot 8310, $4,000-6,000), two yellow glazed altar vessels of rectangular and oval shapes (lot 8431, $2,000-3,000) and a Republic period famille rose vase fashioned with pierced dragon-fish handles (lot 8474, $1,000-1,500).

A variety of decorative lots of choice materials will provide bidders with many quality works at auction.  A set of twelve famille rose porcelain plaques depicting historical figures will be sold as lot 8470 ($24,000-30,000), joined by another refined porcelain piece in an iron red famille rose plaque crafted as a nod to the one-hundred variations of the longevity character (lot 8475, $1,500-2,000).  Lot 8340 is a pair of jade and hardstone embellished lacquer wall panels ($10,000-15,000), preceded by lot 8313, a salmon red carved coral group of a beauty accompanied by her attendant ($6,000-8,000).  Delightful and highly collectible silver miniatures are grouped in renditions of a pair of lanterns, a fan and an armchair as well (lot 8294, $1,500-2,000).  A complete twelve volume set of “Oriental Ceramics: The World's Great Collections,” will also be sold, providing the perfect accompaniment to any well-rounded collection (lot 8418, $6,000-8,000).   Bronzes are highlighted by a massive model of Daoist divinity Zhenwu (lot 8264, $20,000-30,000); an archaic form koro inlaid with gold, silver and copper (lot 8513, $3,000-5,000); and a censer of bombé form with twin elephant head form handles (lot 8258, $1,500-2,000). 
    
Rounding out the auction collections are select textiles and various figure forms.  A colorful woven robe with dark blue velvet edgings is owned and was once exhibited by Jon Eric Riis in the Arts of Pacific Asia Show in San Francisco in 2009 (lot 8354, $10,000-15,000).  A thangka depicting Chakrasamvara and Vajravarahi stems from the personal estate of Senator Theodore Francis Green (lot 8288, $8,000-12,000).  Green once served as a Democratic governor and U.S. senator from the state of Rhode Island.  He held a seat in the U.S. senate from 1936 to 1961 and was also selected by then President Harry Truman to serve as a delegate to the 7th General Assembly of the United Nations in 1952.  Yet another robe will be auctioned as lot 8357, in a 19th century blue background brocade piece with dragon decoration ($2,000-3,000).  Highlighted figure depictions will present numerous characters at auction, with a gilt bronze Yama (lot 8285, $8,000-12,000), gilt bronze Manjushri (lot 8286, $5,000-7,000), a set of famille rose Star Gods (lot 8488, $4,000-6,000) and a set of gilt silver filigree and enamel female warriors (lot 8311, $4,000-6,000) up for auction.