NEW YORK, NY.- Gianguan Auctions captures the best of the autumn Asian art season with a mixed sale that offers multi-million dollar Chinese paintings, Chinese ceramics and carved jades. The top lots are supported by collections of contemporary jewelry and decorative items. The sale is slated for Saturday, September 17.

A sumptuous Qing Dynasty Famille rose vase headlines the Chinese ceramics. Standing 22 1/2-inches tall, the long necked bottle presents a ground of sacrificial blue against which four tian bai panels are decorated with stylized prunus, peonies, chrysanthemum, phoenix and birds. Overall, the vase feature nine layers of decoration, each painted and fired individually, in a range of emblems and florals. Of the period, the vase is authenticated by a blue reign mark, the Qing Dynasty and Qianlong Six Character mark. Lot 241 is valued at $1,500,000 to $2,000,000.

The Song Dynasty work of art entitled “Gong Kai Draws on a Bat for Good Fortune,” by Gong Kai (1222–1307) leads the paintings. A Song military official, Gong Kai went into exile during the Yuan Dynasty and became a scholar/amateur artist. This work depicts a large, unkempt man in loose robes surrounded by small, balding apparitions. All appear frantically animated as they peer upwards towards an unseen bat. The ink-and-color on paper is most likely a protest statement against Mongol rule. The work is signed by the artist. Provenance is provided by eight Emperors Seals, twelve Collectors Seals, and Colophons by Weng Peng and Zheng Fu. Lot 203 valued at $1.3M to $2.8M.

At the top of the collection of seals, and Inch-for-inch the most valuable property in the auction, is an imperial spinach-green seal carved with a recumbent mythical ox-head mythical beast. Drama weighs heavy in the scaly body, furled ears and bifurcated mane. Of the Ming Dynasty, the 4-inch square seal is of even tone, weighs 2609 grams and is carved in relief, zhuwen, with the Hongwu Imperial six script seal. It is Lot 199, valued at $1,000,000-$2,000,000.

Adding to the charm of this sale is a single-owner collection of Warring States garment hooks. Acquired over many years by a California collector, the daigous are crafted of gilt bronze inlaid with gold and silver, turquoise, jade and mother of pearl. Their form alludes to dragons, qilin, and tigers. Catalogued individually, the collection begins at Lot 140 and continues through Lot 155. The catalog high estimate for the whole collection is upwards of $30,000.

Highlights of the paintings, which are interspersed throughout the catalog, include a masterpiece by Zhang Daqian titled “Lotus.” A symbol of purity that emerges from mud to bloom for nearly a week, the Lotus has a revered place in Buddhism and lore. In this rendition of the ancient theme Zhang chose gold flecked paper as the backdrop for a blossom of brilliant red with a blue center. The contrasting windblown leaves and sinuous stems are of dark tonality. Inscribed and signed Zhang Daqian with two artists seals, frontispiece by Song Wenzhi and colophons by Xie Zhilu, Song Wenzhi and Xiao Ping, Lot 169 is expected to command $180,000 to $280,000. (It is one of five figurative paintings and one calligraphy by Zhang Daqian in the sale.)

Meanwhile, “Longevity,” a 1942 work by Qi Baishi, leads a collection of works by the artist. In this depiction of mother and child, the mother, seen from the back, is rendered in bold brush strokes. The child, with top knot of black hair and ruddy cheeks, peers out over her shoulder to see from whence they have come. Clad in a red shirt, the infant holds a branch with two blossoms. Lot 121 is inscribed and signed “Baishi” and has four artist seals. It is valued at $150,000 to $200,000. (Six more Qi Baishi paintings run from $10,000-to $80,000.

Li Keran’s legendary ability to evoke emotion is on display in “Laughing Monk,” a full frontal depiction of an open-shirted monk caught in a moment of mirth. The work is entitled, inscribed Keran and bears two artist seals. Lot 127 is expected to command $40,000-$50,000.

In Cui Zifan’s “Autumn Color," the artist employs a powerful a style of brushwork to evoke the colors of fall as stylized butterflies remind us of the ephemeral quality of all life. Lot 210 bears a modest price of $3,000 to $4,000

A pantheon of archetypal Chinese beasts are depicted in a semi-translucent carved jade wine pot. A phoenix-head spout erupts from the ovoid body that is embellished with writhing dragons while a curled bixie handle balances this. An archaic dragon commands the domed cover. In an unusual move, the antics put the reign mark on the cover’s rim. The stone is buff-white with russet inclusions. Lot 192 will fetch $80,000-$120,000.

The catalog cover lot is a carved jade sculpture of a pig nestled inside a coop basket with handle. The obverse of this Ming symbol of wealth and prosperity is an intricate basket-weave pattern adorned with a with Shou character. The sculpture is 7 1/2 wide X 3 inches tall. It weighs nearly six pounds. It carries the Lot 136 will command $30,000-$40,000.

Bowing to aesthetics, bidders will relish a rare spinach green jade censer with flaring strap handles and cover. Of the Qianlong period, it is carved in narrow bamboo sections that stand as concentric rows of petals. A single ruyi decorates the cover. At 5 1/4-inches tall, Lot 197 is set to go off at $40,000-$50,000.

Magnificent examples of Chinese ceramics span dynastic tradition. Of the Song Dynasty, a pear shape, lobed Guanyao vase displays the era’s slightly bluish gray-green glaze suffused with a network of luminous lavender crackle. It bears the mark of Xiuneisi kiln at the Phoenix Mountain on the recessed bottom.
Lot 158 carries a pre-sale value of $60,000-$80,000.

Similar in design and workmanship to two masterpieces in China’s Palace Museum in Beijing and Shanghai Museum is a blue and white dragon vase, 15-inches tall. As the symbol of Imperial power, the dragons on the vase compete for flaming pearls. Although a familiar theme, these dragons are rendered with strong expression and stance. Finely potted with two rims at the neck, the artistic measure of the vase is evident in the freehand flourishes of the master painter. Of the Qing Dynasty, with Kangxi Six Character Mark and of the period, Lot 157 is set to sell for $50,000-$60,000.

Smaller, more manageable ceramics include a pair of translucent Famille-rose bowls decorated with prunus branches and bamboo shoots. Enameled in pink, yellow, brown, green and black on a white ground, the round bowls are of the Qing Dynasty, bearing the Yongzheng Four-Character Double Circles Mark. Lot 146, they are $8,000-$15,000.

The technique of producing copper red culminated during the Qing Dynasty, inspiring the archaistic shaped pair of dragon vases that appear at Lot 149. With angular sloping shoulder above rounded base, the pair is decorated with dragons and key frets. They have blue and white reign mark and the Qianlong six character marks. The value is $6,000-$8,000.

Long China’s national treasure as well as personal trophies, jade jewelry at all price points will attract buyers. Lot 1 is a jade leaf pendant valued at $2,000. Lot 25, a jadeite and diamond leaf pendant cum ring will reach $15,000. Lot 21, a jadeite leaf ring, is expected to command $4,000-$5,000.

Rounding out the sale are collections of cloisonné snuff bottles, Shoushan stone seals, Neolithic earthenware ewers and jars, brush washers and scholars items. For complete details, please visit the online catalog at www.gianguan auctions. Previews begin Friday, September 9, the first day of New York’s autumn Asia week. The auction takes place Saturday, September 17 in the Gianguan Gallery at 39 West 56th St, 3rd floor and online at www.gianguanauctions.com. For more information: 212 867-7288 or email info@gianguanauctions.com