04 NOVEMBER 2011 – IMPERIAL CHINESE JADES & ASIAN WORKS OF ART

888 Auctions’ November 24th Sale to Showcase Important 18th Century Imperial White Jade Seal

Richmond Hill, ON – On November 24, 888 Auctions presents IMPERIAL CHINESE JADES & ASIAN WORKS OF ART. The sale will provide an excellent opportunity for collectors and connoisseurs of Asian Art to acquire finely carved imperial Hetian jade, dynastic porcelains, gilt bronze cast Sino-Tibetan deities, and vintage wine.

Highlighting the sale will be a rare and important 18^th Century imperial white jade seal (Lot 188).

Safely enclosed within a jade housing and supported on a square platform, the cylindrical seal is finely carved and surmounted by an openwork relief carved dragon finiale with incised script calligraphy on its sides. It is expected to easily surpass its estimate high of $15,000.

Continuing the trend of rare and important imperial jade carvings in the sale, Lot 187 showcases an 18^th Century Chinese spinach green jade vase. Well hollowed and beautifully carved in baluster form, the ovoid body features lotus blooms with attendant branches with foliate-shaped leaves in relief. A scrolling lotus motif often portrayed on blue and white dynastic porcelain is finely portrayed on this deep spinach green jade vase. Lot 187 carries an estimate high of $4,000.

Following close behind is a set of four Chinese Hetian imperial jade pieces, consisting of a belt hook, buckle, hilt and pommel piece (Lot 189). Charming Chilong dragons carved in relief dominate the motif on all four pieces. Each piece is of fine translucent white tone. The entire set of four pieces is estimated at $10,000-15,000.

From the Ming Dynasty to the Republic Period, collectors will be more than happy to find a superb collection of blue and white glazed porcelain as well as elaborately decorated Famille Rose and Wucai enameled ceramics. Leading the superbly glazed blue and white porcelain is a Ming Dynasty Meiping vase (Lot 293). The beautifully tapering body features auspicious scrolling design of six detached fruiting branches and vines, including peach, pomegranate, longan, lychee, persimmon, and grapes. With great interest being shown in the finely potted blue and white Ming Dynasty porcelain on the auction floor already, it is expected to exceed its estimate high of $3,500.

888 Auction is proud to feature a wealth of items finely potted and decorated with auspicious designs in Famille Rose and Wucai enamelling. A fine example can be found at Lot 343: an 18^th Century Chinese Wucai jar. Bearing a six-character Ming Jiajing Mark, the ovoid body features dragons amid stylized ruyi-head cloud scrolls decorated in over-glazed polychrome enamels. This Qing Dynasty Wucai enamelled jar is expected to fetch over $5,000.

From the collection of finely casted Sino-Tibetan deities can be found an absolute standout at Lot 444. This rare and important Chinese Ming Dynasty gilt bronze figure of Amitayus is shown seated in vajrasana atop a typical double lotus pedestal. Measuring 65 cm tall, the slender figure is ornately dressed in shawls that are decorated with a detailed and incised classic scroll at the hem. Deep in thought and meditation, the deity is shown holding a ghanta, a Buddhist ritual bell, and a vajra, in its left and right hand respectively. This Ming Dynasty gilt bronze figure of Amitayus carries an incised script mark on the base flanked with a pair of fu lion and carries an estimate of $40,000-60,000.

With such a high demand for wood carved works of art dating back to the dynastic periods of China, collectors may be ecstatic over the inclusion of a massive 19^th Century Chinese zitan brush pot at Lot 465. Cyclically dated 1896, the very large brush pot is carved with a scene of the Eight Daoist Immortals in a mountain grotto with the back carved to emulate gnarled burl wood. This outstanding piece features a carved signature and seal and is expected to fetch far more than its estimate high of $15,000.

From the collection of natural history items which have become commonplace in the sales of 888 Auctions, Lot 498 showcases a 22” ivory tusk capped with a bronze case. Weighing 2.6 kg, this well preserved piece carries an estimate of $2,000-3,000.

With the sale of the rare Moutai in its last auction, many bidders will be delighted to hear the presence of two additional vintage Chinese Kweichow Moutai Grain wine. Lot 534 features an unopened and sealed Moutai Wine bottle and includes the original packaging and box. It is expected to surpass its estimate high of $2,600.

Preview will be held Monday, Nov. 21, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Tuesday, Nov. 22, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Wednesday, Nov. 23, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Thursday, Nov. 24, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

For details visit www.888auctions.com or call 905-763-7201.