NEW YORK, NY.- Gianguan Auctions is giving international buyers an early opportunity to shop Asia Week by holding their sale on Saturday, March 11 at the gallery, 39 W. 56 Street, New York City. Previews run Friday, March 3 through Friday, March 10. Carved jades and historic scroll paintings take the podium in a display of exceptional properties that include Chinese ceramics and jewelry.

Once prized more than gold, silver or bronze, jade has not lost its appeal. Lapidary techniques mastered by Neolithic craftsmen deliver some of the most desirable carved jades in the sale. For example, Lot 123 is a Warring States ritual vessel of polished dark brown jade with variegated hues. Modeled after a bronze pan, the exterior of this shallow water dish is incised with dragon patterns. Its rarity warrants a starting bid of $12,000. Meanwhile, Lot 124 is a flanged jade disc of the Dawenkou culture once used as a symbol of heaven and power. It is valued at upwards of $10,000.

Personal items and jade jewelry kick off the auction. GIA certified properties include, Lot 7 an elegant, cylindrical jadeite bangle of translucent green with vivid emerald streaks. It is valued at $20,000. Lot 8, a handsome jadeite and diamond ladies’ ring, is set to go off at $12,000. Lot 9, a jadeite bamboo pendant with an auspicious silver squirrel atop, will fetch about $5,000.

Carved in concert with their natural form, small jade sculptures and touchstones resonate with creativity and skill. Lot 20, white with green inclusions, shows the three generals from “Romance of The Three Kingdoms” holding court. Lot 23 is a yellow jade pen-lick carved with two wreathing dragons chasing pearl. The bidding on each begins at $2,000.

Also notable, Lot 159, a lavender agate carving, depicts a dragon emerging from a cresting wave set within the water chamber of a carved seashell. Bidding on the small but intricate carving starts at $6,000.

Cinnabar, often called Chinese lacquer, makes an appearance at Lot 160 in the form of a sixteen-lobed box with cover. Reminiscent of examples now on display at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the box is carved with pigmented dragons that gambol amidst clouds. Of the Qing period, it is expected to go off at upwards of $8,000.

The catalog cover lot is a magnificent painting, “Gathering Beneath the Sycamore Tree,” by Qiu Ying (1495-1552). It is painted in the gongbi (realistic) style and evokes a slice of life among women of the Ming court who have gathered in a garden for tea. The portrayal is colorful, detailed, and a joy to view. It also surfaces, in the vapid expressions of the beauties’ faces, the inherent submissiveness in the role of women of the time. Signed Qiu Ying, with one artist seal, seven emperors’ seals, six collectors’ seals and colophon by Gao Shiqi, Lot 72 is estimated at $1.3M.

Leading the landscapes is “Visiting Friends,” by Tang Yin (1470-1523), the painter and poet, one of the “Four Masters of the Ming Dynasty”. Set against a mountain range, this monochromatic ink-on-paper offers viewers a peek into a humble, rural house occupied by a solitary soul who is about to receive the guest entering the gate. It is Lot 103, inscribed and signed Tang Yin with two artist seals, twelve collectors’ seals and six emperors’ seals. Colophons are by Pan Zhengwei, Liang Shizheng and Qian Chenqun. It will bring upwards of $500,000.

Twentieth century artists taking their turn at the podium include Zhang Daqian, represented by no less than nine works. At the high end, Lot 141 “Tibetan Girl with Mastiff,” dated 1945, is a full length portrait of a woman in a red coat leading her dog. It is signed with two artist seals, and expected to bring $150,000. Lot 139 is “Lotus in the Wind,” 1946, a more abstract work with bold dark splashes and strategically placed color is inscribed, signed, and has three artist seals. The bidding starts at $46,000.

Works by Li Keran range in value from $10,000 to $60,000. The Qi Baishi collection has estimates of $40,000–$60,000. Through out the collection of scrolls are landscapes, calligraphy, animals, and Buddhist paintings.