DALLAS, TX.- A monumental triple gourd vase, dramatic bronze figures and exquisite porcelain highlight the offerings at the inaugural Asian Art Signature Auction held by Dallas-based Heritage Auctions on April 2. Standing nearly 3-1/2 feet tall the Chinese blue and white triple gourd vase (est. $30,000-50,000) which features floral and foliate motifs on the upper baluster segment, dragons, leaves and blossoms in the midsection with chrysanthemums and dragons featured on the lowest portion was purchased by John Pierpoint Morgan, as the American iconic financier amassed one of the finest and largest Asian art collections in the world. The beautiful piece is a two-piece construction with Morgan Collection labels on the underside and interior neck.

“I am happy and proud to help present Heritage Auctions’ inaugural Asian Art Signature Auction,” said Richard Cervantes, Heritage Auctions Asian Arts Consignment Director. “The variety of fine Chinese, Japanese and Southeast Asian works of art represented in this sale that originated from private estates and family collections demonstrates Heritage’s ability to source important property from throughout the United States and beyond.”

“J.P. Morgan’s well-documented and vast collection of Chinese ceramics is well known to collectors and connoisseurs of antique porcelain. This Kangxi-period masterwork of both pottery and painting is a rare piece evoking the grandeur of two ‘kings,’ the first great ruler of the Qing Dynasty and this nation’s most powerful financier,” added Cervantes.

A rare Chinese Blue and White Dragon Dish (est. $10,000-15,000) from the Ming Dynasty, period circa 1506-21 also will be available. This important piece shows only one of two known iterations with two dragons to the interior cavetto depicted either to the left/right or above/below of the central dragon. An identical version of the present design was donated to the British Museum by British diplomat Sir John Addis, who collected Ming porcelain.

There are a number of dramatic bronzes featured, but a copper-inlaid bronze and silver mounted figure of Wrathful Vajrapani Bhutadamara (est. $20,000-30,000) should capture the attention of savvy collectors. The Qing Dynasty, Qianlong Period piece stands nearly 10 inches tall.

A large visually stunning Japanese Cloisonné-Enameled Cockerels Vase ($30,000-50,000) from the Meiji Period standing over 16 inches high also will draw attention and interest.

Other top lots include but are not limited to:

• A hanging scroll by Zhang Daqian, Plum Blossoms, 1972: est. $50,000-80,000

• A large and rare Chinese Blue and White Porcelain Windswept Jar: est. $30,000-50,000

• A fine and large Pair of Japanese Parcel Gilt and Patinated Bronze Vases, Meiji Period: $30,000-50,000

• A rare Chinese Cinnabar Lacquered Peach Box, Qing Dynasty: est. $20,000-30,000

• A likely late Qing Dynasty Chinese Porcelain Hundred Deer Hu-Form Vase: est. $20,000-30,000