Portrait of an Official,(detail). China, made for export to the West. 19th century. Oil on canvas. 16.2 x 12.8 inches (41 x 32.5 cm). Alan Kennedy (Santa Monica, CA) 

NEW YORK, NY.- March 10th kicks off Asia Week New York, the extraordinary ten-day extravaganza that animates New York with a glorious array of prized Asian works of art. 

Originating from every corner of the Asian continent, the artworks will be shown throughout Manhattan by international Asian art specialists starting March 10 through March 19. In the museum-quality presentations by 45 galleries, art lovers can take in the rarest and finest examples of painting, sculpture, bronzes, ceramics, jewelry, jade, textiles, prints and photographs from all over Asia. 

"Each year at this time, just as the flavor of spring arrives in the air, another phenomenon electrifies the atmosphere of New York: Asia Week!" exclaims Lark Mason, Chairman of Asia Week New York 2016 and owner and founder of iGavel Auctions. "And each year, in-the-know aficionados look forward to this 10-day event with great expectation. And why shouldn't they? Asia Week, now celebrating its seventh anniversary, is more exciting than ever." 

Organized by category and region, here is a roundup of the not-to-be-missed exhibitions by the participating galleries:

BERWALD ORIENTAL ART 
Transitional Treasures and a Selection of Works from the Tang to Qing Dynasties at 3 East 66th Street, No. 8B, encompasses a 50-year period that saw the decline and eventual fall of the Ming dynasty. A noteworthy highlight is a brush pot depicting a Daoist paradise. Standing slightly more than eight inches, the pot is unusual, perhaps even unique, in that it has three related scenes, whereas most pots show only one scene.   

Daoist Paradise Brushpot. Chongzhen period 1628-1644. Height : 20.8 cm.  8 1/5 in. Diameter: 18.8 cm.   7 3/8 in. Berwald Oriental Art (London, UK)

Transitional Ovoid Jar and Cover. China, circa 1640. Porcelain. Height: 10 3/4 inches (27.2 cm).

Detail of porcelain transitional ovoid jar and cover from China, circa 1640. Courtesy of #asiaweekny 2016 dealer Berwald Oriental Art.

RALPH M. CHAIT GALLERIES, INC. 
Based on an archaic Shang dynasty ritual bronze form, this venerated Chinese archaistic bovine gong vessel from the 16th or 17th century makes a strong impression in the Spring Collection of Chinese Art at Ralph M. Chait Galleries, Inc., The Crown Building, 730 Fifth Avenue, 12th floor. Of the Song type (although possibly Ming), the interior has an inscription that says, "Precious Wine Vessel Made by Su."  

Chinese Archaistic Bronze Gong (Bovine) Vessel, Song type though possibly Ming/ early Qing, ca: 16th/ 17th century. Height: 7 ½ inches. Length: 8 ½ inches. Ralph M. Chait Galleries, Inc. (New York, NY)

CHINA 2000 FINE ART 
An ink and color on paper work by Zhu Qizhan titled Autumn Gourds draws attention at 177 East 87th Street, Suite 601, in Select Paintings of Zhu Qizhan on the 20th Anniversary of his Death. A symbol of mystery and magic, the gourd has been called the universe in a nutshell, and Master Zhu (1892-1996) captured these with a radiance and brilliance that invigorates and transforms the subject matter.  

Zhu Qizhan (1892-1996), Autumn Gourds, 1984. Ink and color on paper. China 2000 Fine Art (New York, NY)

FITZGERALD FINE ARTS 
Jade Mountain, an ink-on-silk painting from 2012, beautifully couples symbolic myths and legends with a stylized naturalism of the Western Chinese landscape. It is a unifying focal point of the exhibition Practice and Medium on view at Arader Galleries, 1016 Madison Avenue. 

GISÈLE CROËS SA 
One of the oldest musical instruments in China, bronze nao bells are rarely, if ever, on the market. However, there is a stunning example from the late Shang dynasty (circa 1600-1050 BC) at Masterworks from the Chinese Past at Gagosian Gallery, 980 Madison Avenue.   

Bronze bell, Nao. Period: Late Shang dynasty (circa 1600-1050 BC). Material: Bronze with green and blue patina, malachite and azurite encrustation. Dimensions: Height 57,4 cm (22 10/16 in.) - Width 37 cm (14 1/2 in.). Gisèle Croës s.a. (Brussels, Belgium)

Set of four qiangjin lacquer armchairs (detail, two of four). Qing dynasty (1644-1911), early 18th c. Ht. 110 cm (43,3 in.) - W. 54 cm (21.3 in.). Gisèle Croës s.a. (Brussels, Belgium)

Archaic bronze vessel, You, in the form of two addorsed owls. Late Shang dynasty (1600-1050) - circa 12th century BC. Bronze with green patina; malachite and cuprite encrustation. Ht 24,5 cm (9 3/4 in.) - Dp 19 cm (7 1/2 in.). Photo Studio Roger Asselberghs - Frédéric Dehaen

NICHOLAS GRINDLEY WORKS OF ART LTD. 
A tiny 17th-century stone ovoid-shaped stone water pot carved in the form of a lotus leaf commands attention at the exhibition at Hazlitt, 17 East 76th Street. The leaf is curled up on itself to form the washer and is carved with two crabs, one climbing up the side and a larger one within. The water pot was owned by the late Ian Wilson, an eminent scholar of Chinese art.   

A tiny duan stone ovoid shaped waterpot, carved in the form of a lotus leaf decorated with crabs, on a foliate openwork stand, Chinese, Late Ming/early Qing dynasty, 17th century. Length: 2 inches (5 cm). Nicholas Grindley Works of Art Ltd (Brooklyn, NY)

Circular ink cake after a design published by Fang Yulu in the Fang Shi Mopu in 1598. Dated 1621. Diameter: 4 9/16 inches (11.6 cm). Nicholas Grindley Works of Art Ltd (Brooklyn, NY)

Impression made from circular ink cake dated 1621, after a design published by Fang Yulu in the Fang Shi Mopu in 1598. Courtesy of#asiaweekny 2016 dealer Nicholas Grindley Works of Art Ltd.

MICHAEL C. HUGHES LLC 
The extraordinary clarity of the material employed for a rare massive rock crystal vase and cover from the Qing Dynasty (1644-1912) is the primary reason it is not to be overlooked as part of the exhibition, Chinese & Korean Art, held by Michael C. Hughes LLC at the Shepherd W & K Galleries, 58 East 79th Street. If it were not for the clear coldness of the material and the occasional, though barely visible, misty inclusions, one might assume this vase is made of glass-or pure ice! It is astonishing that such an uncompromising stone could have been so cleverly manipulated by the lapidary.   

A rare massive rock crystal vase and cover, Qing Dynasty (1644-1912), (probably 18th century), 10 1/2 inches high x 7 1/2 inches across. Michael C. Hughes LLC (New York, NY)

ANDREW KAHANE, LTD. 
A rare early Chinese gilt bronze figure of a striding dragon from the late Six Dynasties-early Tang Dynasty, 6th-7th century, from a prominent New York collection, is included in Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art at The Mark Hotel , 25 East 77th Street. It is possible that the dragon was created for the Daoist tou longjian ceremony, but the two pierced scroll elements to be used for attachment make it more likely that it was a vessel support.  

An Early Chinese Gilt Bronze Figure of a Striding Dragon, Late Six Dynasties-early Tang Dynasty, 6th-7th century, 6 1/2 inches (16.5 cm) long. Andrew Kahane, Ltd. (New York, NY) 

KAIKODO LLC 
A Ming dynasty porcelain abacus from the early 17th century is one of the rarest works of art this gallery, currently celebrating its 20th anniversary, has ever offered. Produced in China for the Japanese market, it is a type that appears to be unknown in any major museum East or West. Collectors will have the opportunity to cast their eyes on it at the exhibition Embracing Antiquity, 74 East 79th Street, Suite 14B.  

Unusual Kosometsuke Underglaze-Blue Decorated Porcelain Abacus, Late Ming dynasty, Early 17th century. Length: 29.9 cm. (11 3/4 in.). Width: 13.9 cm. (5 1/2 in.). Height: 7.5 cm. (3 in.). Kaikodo LLC

Song Cao (1613?-1692?). Poem in Xing-Style Calligraphy. Hanging scroll, ink on paper. 61 1/4 x 19 1/8 inches (155.6 x 48.6 cm). Kaikodo LLC

Japanese Stacked Lacquer Box with Painted and Inlaid Mother-of-Pearl. 19th century. 11 3/4 x 9 inches (30 x 22.8 cm). Kaikodo LLC

Underglaze-Blue & Red Decorated Porcelain Bowl. Qing dynasty, Kangxi period, 1662-1722. 7 3/4 x 3 5/8 inches (19.7 x 9.2 cm). Kaikodo LLC

Kunii Obun (1833-1887), Skull Amidst Grass. Kaikodo LLC 

ALAN KENNEDY 
Made in 18th century, a longevity woven textile from China engrosses discerning collectors at Chinese and Japanese Paintings and Textiles at the James Goodman Gallery, 41 East 57th Street, 8th Floor. The gallerist knows of only one other related textile, and it is currently on display at the Metropolitan Museum. In both instances, the weavers were able to re-create the look of calligraphic Chinese written characters in spite of the grid-like nature of a woven textile.  

Longevity Woven Textile, China. Silk and gold, 18th century, 87.8 x 45.7 inches (223 x 118 cm). Alan Kennedy (Santa Monica, CA)

Anonymous court artist. A portrait of the Empress Dowager Cixi as Guanyin. China, late Qing dynasty. Ink and colors on silk. 49.7 x 25.5 inches (126.5 x 64.5 cm). Alan Kennedy (Santa Monica, CA)

Portrait of an Official. China, made for export to the West. 19th century. Oil on canvas. 16.2 x 12.8 inches (41 x 32.5 cm). Alan Kennedy (Santa Monica, CA)

J.J. LALLY & CO. 
A Shang dynasty (circa 1600-1027 B.C.) jade blade is one highlight of the 75 jades in Ancient Chinese Jade from the Neolithic to the Han, 41 East 57th Street, 14th floor. Although shaped exactly like the bronze blades used by soldiers in battle, jade blades were never used in warfare. They were precious symbols of power and status, used in court ceremonies and buried in tombs. Similar jade blades are in museums in China and around the world, but large examples in fine condition are rarely seen on the market.   

 A Large Ancient Chinese Jade Blade, Shang Dynasty, circa 13th Century B.C.. Length 12 3/8 inches (31.5 cm). J. J. Lally & Co. (New York, NY)

An Archaic Jade Peacock Plaque, China, Western Zhou Dynasty, 11th – 10th Century B.C. Width: 2 1/4 inches (5.3 cm). J. J. Lally & Co. (New York, NY)

A Neolithic Russet-Brown and Yellow Jade Cong, Liangzhu Culture, circa 3300–2250 B.C. Height: 3 inches (7.6 cm). J. J. Lally & Co. (New York, NY)

A Jade Notched Disc (Yabi). Late Neolithic Period-Shang Dynasty, circa 2000–1500 B.C. Diameter: 4 1/4 inches (10.8 cm). J. J. Lally & Co. (New York, NY)

M. SUTHERLAND FINE ARTS LTD. 
The two large hanging scrolls entitled Floating Without End are masterpieces created by Hung Hsien (aka Margaret Chang). Painted in Chicago in 1970, the forms are abstracted visions of water and rocks realized on paper in ink and mineral pigments as if caressed by the artist's brush.This piece, and the others in this exhibition Hung Hsien: A Retrospective, represent the golden years of Hung's painting career and can be seen at 55 East 80th Street, 2nd Floor.   

Hung Hsien, Floating Without End (1970). Ink and color wash on paper, 70 3/4 x 71 1/2 inches, two hanging scrolls. M. Sutherland Fine Arts, Ltd. (New York, NY)

Hsia Ifu, Mountain Landscape, No. 2, 2005. Ink on album leaf, 16 x 12 in, framed. M. Sutherland Fine Arts, Ltd. (New York, NY)

Hung Hsien (aka Margaret Chang). Ocean Rocks (detail). USA, 1970. Hanging scroll, ink and color wash on paper. 86 x 43 inches. M. Sutherland Fine Arts, Ltd. (New York, NY)

Hung Hsien (aka Margaret Chang). Valley After the Rain (detail from two hanging scrolls). USA, 1971. Ink and color wash on paper. 56 x 28 inches. M. Sutherland Fine Arts, Ltd. (New York, NY)

PHOENIX ANCIENT ART 
Decorated with 10 monkeys, a bronze buckle from the Western Han Dynasty, 206 B.C.-9 A.D. is one of the most well preserved of its kind. And it couldn't hurt to note that this Chinese New Year is the Year of the Monkey. The buckle is spotlighted as part of Glories of China, 47 East 66th Street, Ground Floor.  

Buckle with Ten Monkeys in Relief, Chinese, Western Han Dynasty, 206 B.C. –9 A.D. Bronze. D: 12.85 cm (5 in). Phoenix Ancient Art (New York, NY)

Inlaid Mirror. Chinese, Warring States, 4th - 3rd century B.C. Bronze, inlaid with Gold and Turquoise. Diameter: 7 inches (18 cm). Phoenix Ancient Art (New York, NY)

Bronze Incense Lamp Inlaid with Gold and Silver. Chinese, 5th – 3rd century B.C. Height: 12 ¼ inches (31.20 cm). Phoenix Ancient Art (New York, NY)

Kneeling Court Lady from China, Western Han Dynasty. On view at @phoenixancientart for ‪#‎AsiaWeekNY‬ 2016.

ZETTERQUIST GALLERIES 
Capturing the viewer's attention in the exhibition Early Chinese Ceramics with Selections from the Feng Wen Tang Collection is a Longquan celadon vase with bamboo neck sitting on a straight foot rim. It was created during the Southern Song Dynasty, 1127-1279 A.D and can be viewed at 3 East 66th Street, Suite 1B.  

Longquan Celadon Vase with Bamboo Neck, Southern Song Dynasty, 1127-1279 A.D., China. Height: 14.5 cm. Zetterquist Galleries (New York, NY)

Barbed-Rim Ding Plate. China, Jin Dynasty. Porcelaneous stoneware. Diameter: 13.8 cm. Zetterquist Galleries (New York, NY)