14th-century Chinese Yuan Dynasty jar could top $1 million at Mar. 17 auction

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif., March 13, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- An extraordinary 14th-century Chinese porcelain treasure is headed for the auction block March 17th at I.M. Chait Gallery in Beverly Hills, and international buyers of Asian art are paying close attention. The designated auction headliner is a Yuan Dynasty blue and white ovoid porcelain jar decorated with an equestrian warrior scene from the Yuan zaju drama, "The Savior Yuchi Gong."

The story describes how General Yuchi Gong saved the Tang Emperor Taizong from assassination. I.M. Chait founder Isadore M. Chait, an internationally renowned expert on Chinese and other Asian art, said the vessel is "highly important" and came from a distinguished European private collection. Chait believes it could reach or exceed one million dollars at auction.

Some Chinese art dealers and collectors bound for Asia Week in New York are planning to stop in Los Angeles en route to their destination specifically to inspect the jar and either attend the auction in person or bid by phone or via the Internet on auction day.

"Asian art buyers have become one united community, and the location of our annual Asia Week auction is of far less importance now, thanks to new technologies and the various bidding methods that have been made available to buyers. Since we were unable to participate in Asia Week this year due to the unavailability of a suitable auction space in New York, we opted to conduct our sale right here at our Beverly Hills gallery," Chait said.

The second-highest estimate in the auction is for an early 15th-century Ming Dynasty gilt bronze Bodhisattva of Manjushri. The figure wears an elaborately detailed crown, necklaces and earrings, and has a six-character Yongle mark under its base. Estimate: $200,000-$300,000.

The sale also includes a premier Park Avenue (NYC) collection of carved jades, early Chinese bronzes, ivories and fine ceramics. Ming Dynasty porcelains (including 15th/16th-century examples) and carved jades from a second prestigious East Coast collection join rare contemporary carved netsuke and Ojime pieces in rounding out the auction offering.

I.M. Chait's Asia Week Important Chinese Ceramics & Asian Works of Art Auction will take place at the Chait gallery on Sunday, March 17, commencing at 1 p.m. Pacific Time. All forms of bidding will be available, including live via the Internet through LiveAuctioneers.com.

Information: call 800-775-5020 or 310-285-0182; e-mail [email protected]. Online: www.chait.com.

SOURCE I.M. Chait