ALAMEDA, CA.- Michaan’s June 20, 2016 Fine Asian Works of Art auction brings an outstanding modern work to the marketplace in Pang Jiun’s (b. 1936) oil on canvas Wild Chrysanthemums at an estimate of $40,000-60,000. Appearing as a snapshot of an unassuming arrangement of largely yellow chrysanthemums bursting from a cylindrical vase upon a red mat, the piece delights with a natural spontaneity. Although the chrysanthemums take precedence in space and form, a sense of joy continues to be felt even upon the background, as playful, yet subdued, dotted strokes cover the space. Acquired directly from the artist in 1982, the piece is signed and dated upon the lower right, measuring a square 23 by 23 inches (lot 9236). Jiun was recognized as a Shanghainese art prodigy, graduating from the China Central Academy of Fine Arts (CAFA) in Beijing at eighteen years of age, marking him as their youngest graduate. Jiun is known for painting in a modern Western style that echoes with Chinese elements, widely collected by institutions and private buyers alike. Some of the most prestigious recognition bestowed on him during his career includes the 21st Century Award for Lifelong Achievement from the International Biographical Centre in Cambridge, England in 2004 as well as being listed as one of their Top 100 Artists of the World in 2007. Wild Chrysanthemums will be joined at auction by a Ding Yanyong ink on paper entitled Bamboo, Orchid, and Chrysanthemums as well, with this highlight carrying an estimate of $5,000-7,000 (lot 9223).

Artfully and skillfully crafted interior pieces of superior materials at auction include a pair of slight huanghuali cabinets of the Republic period, measuring approximately 24 ½ x 18 x 12 ¾ inches ($10,000-15,000). Acquired in Tianjin, China during the Republic period, the finely crafted furnishings are uncomplicated in form as they are largely unadorned, letting the natural beauty of the huanghuali wood take precedence. Simple brass hinges and drawer pulls on the exterior open to reveal two miniature drawers at the center of the interior, with the pair listed as lot 9141. Also available is a four panel wood screen, inset with meticulously painted porcelain plaques. Each panel holds four plaques of differing landscape scenes and shapes, finely and richly painted in famille rose enamels (lot 9195, $8,000-12,000). A pair of framed hanging porcelain plaques by Chen Baochang is listed at an estimate of $4,000-6,000 as well, with the traditional landscape scenes bearing poetic descriptions and seals of the artist (lot 9196).

Decorative vessels will provide bidders with a variety of beautiful pieces at sale, with highlighted lots crafted of fine porcelain and bronze. Exceptional porcelains include a charger of iron red double dragons (lot 9189, $4,000-6,000) a large ‘phoenix tail’ vase of layered glazes resulting in desirable color striations (lot 9162, $3,000-5,000) and a pair of geometric late Qing dynasty beaker form vases, delighting in nature scenes of vibrant color in low relief alongside borders of vertically oriented dragons (lot 9186, $1,500-2,000). A large bronze censer with a Xuande mark circa the 18th/19th century (lot 9076, $4,000-6,000) and yet another censer with ornate elephant motifs and openwork details (lot 9085, $3,000-5,000) are also highly collectible pieces to be noted in June. Also among the bronze sale section will be a significant and dramatic model of an embracing Paramasukha-Chakrasamvara and Vajravarahi, with the assembled deities fitting into a pierced stand (lot 9125, $5,000-7,000).