Lot 200. Rare blue and white porcelain brushwasher, Yongle period (1403-1424), ex Wolch Collection. Estimate $200,000-$250,000. © I.M. Chait Gallery/Auctioneers

BEVERLY HILLS, CA.- On Sunday, March 26, the management and staff of I.M. Chait Gallery of Beverly Hills will greet international buyers en route home from Asia Week New York with this year’s edition of what many say is the most rewarding Asian-art buying opportunity of the entire year. The company’s Important Chinese Ceramics & Works of Art Auction has become a mandatory last-chance stopover for connoisseurs of fine Asian art, and perennially draws raves from Asia-based dealers and collectors who traverse the United States to attend Asia Week events. 

After they’ve concluded their week of shopping in New York, Asian buyers look forward to the comfortable sanctuary and warm hospitality that awaits them at family-owned Chait gallery. “Stopping over and spending time in Beverly Hills before concluding their journey home is a relaxing way to break up what otherwise would be at least a 14-hour flight,” said Josh Chait, director of operations at I.M. Chait. “We make sure all of our guests feel welcome at our gallery, with Chinese translators on hand for any who may require assistance. Some auction guests have been our good friends for many years – some even going back to when my father, Isadore Chait, started the business in 1969. We always look forward to their visits.” 

No stone is ever left unturned in preparing for the annual event. “We choose carefully and offer pieces that are historically significant, which is what Chinese buyers prefer,” Josh said. This year’s auction headliners include a Yongle blue and white charger, a Yongle brushwasher, and a 15th-century Imperial Jiaqing famille rose dish. Also, the sale features exquisite fine jewelry, silver, luxury goods, and both Asian and European decorative art.  

An especially strong selection of Chinese ceramics is led by a rare and important form, the abovementioned porcelain brushwasher from the Ming Dynasty Yongle Period. Of a wide, compressed form, its circular design incorporates six floral sprays of lotus, chrysanthemum, peony, rose, plum and magnolia blossoms. With provenance from the Wolch Collection of Los Angeles, the early 15th-century vessel carries a $200,000-$250,000 estimate. 

Lot 200. Rare blue and white porcelain brushwasher, Yongle period (1403-1424), ex Wolch Collection. Estimate $200,000-$250,000. © I.M. Chait Gallery/Auctioneers

mportant and of rare form, Chinese Yongle Period, blue and white porcelain brushwasher; of wide, compressed circular form, with lipped rim and on a short foot; the exterior with design of six floral sprays including lotus, chrysanthemum, peony, rose, plum and magnolia blossoms;

Provenance: The Wolch Collection, Los Angeles; D: 7 3/4" (approx.)

A massive and wonderfully detailed Ming Yongle Period blue and white charger displays a central motif of willowy lotus blossoms, with a lavishly decorated border of scrolling foliate and floral embellishment. Measuring 17¼ inches in diameter, the charger is expected to sell for $80,000-$100,000.  

Lot 199. Important blue and white charger, Yongle period (1403-1424). Estimate: $80,000 - $100,000. © I.M. Chait Gallery/Auctioneers

Massive and finely detailed, important early 15th Century Chinese, Ming Dynasty, Yongle Period, blue and white porcelain charger; of wide shallow form with classic central design of a tied spray of willowy lotus blossoms, bordered by scrolling foliage and flowers, further flanked by waves to the flared rim, the exterior also showing lotus blossoms; D: 17 1/4"

Another Ming treasure, a wucai enameled porcelain bowl of squared form, is whimsically decorated with images of sea life. A single sinewy carp surrounded by sea plants appears on the interior face of the bowl, while additional swimming carp attractively adorn each of the four exterior sides. The pre-sale estimate is $50,000-$60,000.  

Lot 201. Fine wucai enameled porcelain bowl,  Jiajing mark and of the period (1522-1566). Estimate: $50,000 - $60,000 © I.M. Chait Gallery/Auctioneers 

Fine Chinese Ming Dynasty, Jiajing mark and of the Period, wucai enameled porcelain bowl of squared form; the interior with a single carp amid sea plants, a border of green and red scrolling beneath the rim; the exterior with four carp, one to each side, swimming amid green plants all on a coral red ground; W: 4 7/8"

A rare and beautifully detailed Chinese Qing Dynasty famille rose enameled porcelain dish presents to the viewer a poem written in coral-hued Chinese characters. Translated, it pays tribute to a “tea of the first picking” and describes the atmosphere in which the drink to “dissipate the early winter chill” is being prepared. Bordered by bands of scrolling floral design on a yellow ground, the scalloped dish holds immense eye appeal. With a Jiaqing mark and of the period, it is estimated at $30,000-$40,000.  

Lot 198. Imperial Famille Rose enameled porcelain dish, Jiaqing Mark and of the Period (1796-1820). Estimate: $30,000 - $40,000. © I.M. Chait Gallery/Auctioneers

Rare and beautifully detailed, Imperial Chinese Qing Dynasty, Famille Rose enameled porcelain dish of foliate shape with scalloped gilt rim and raised on four conforming feet; the center with poem written in coral red, bordered by bands of scrolling floral design on yellow ground, with lines of gilt detailing, Jiaqing Mark and of the Period; L: 6 1/4"

Poem translation by Stephen W. Bushell, in Oriental Ceramic Art, London, 1981, p. 239, as follows:

Finest tribute tea of the first picking
And a bright full moon prompt a line of verse.
A lively fire glows in the bamboo stove.
The water is boiling in the stone griddle,
Small bubbles rise like ears of fish or crab.
Of rare Ch’i-ch’iang tea, rolled in tony balls.
One cup is enough to lighten the heart,
And dissipate the early winter chill.

The connoisseur’s selection of jewelry includes such highlights as a fine, unmounted 6.25-carat cushion-shape diamond, J color and SI1 clarity, $90,000-$100,000; a superb platinum ring with a squared, cushion-shape solitaire diamond, approximately 5.30 carats, of J color and VS1 clarity, $70,000-$80,000; and both gentlemen’s and ladies’ watches, including models by Rolex, Jaeger-LeCoultre and Audemars Piguet. A sparkling Art Deco bracelet with 19+ carats of diamonds has star quality written all over it and comes to auction with a $30,000-$35,000 estimate.  

 Lot 305. Fine unmounted 6.25-carat cushion-shape diamond, J color and SI1 clarity. Estimate: $90,000 - $100,000. © I.M. Chait Gallery/Auctioneers

A fine unmounted diamond, of modified brilliant-cut in a cushion shape, weighing 6.25 Cts., and measuring 11.25 x 9.75 x 6.70mm approx.; with GIA report stating J color and clarity of SI1

Lot 304. Superb platinum ring with a squared, cushion-shape solitaire diamond, approximately 5.30 carats, of J color and VS1 clarity. Estimate: $70,000 - $80,000. © I.M. Chait Gallery/Auctioneers

Lot 307. Exceptional Art Deco Platinum and Diamond Bracelet. Estimate: $30,000 - $35,000 © I.M. Chait Gallery/Auctioneers

Beautifully crafted, exquisite Art Deco platinum and diamond bracelet; comprised of three wide, articulated rectangular panels connected with three notched rings; centering three marquis-cut diamonds together weighing approx. 1.3 Cts.; and surrounded by an additional approx. 19.0 Cts. of pavé-set white diamonds in various cuts of baguettes, smaller marquis, and rounds; hinged foldover clasp stamped P9590; L: 7 1/4"

Two matching Chinese huanghuali-wood stacked rectangular cabinets are finished with handsome bronzed-metal hardware. The doors to each of the cabinets open to reveal a shelf with two shallow drawers and other storage compartments. They are a pair and will cross the auction block with a $25,000-$30,000 estimate; while a circa-1790 English George III mahogany dining table with eight Hepplewhite dining chairs will be introduced with a $20,000-$30,000 estimate.  

Lot 308. Pair of fine huanghuali-wood stacked rectangular cabinets. Estimate: $25,000 - $30,000. © I.M. Chait Gallery/Auctioneers

Pair of massive and heavy, elegant Chinese huanghuali wood cabinets; the stacked rectangular forms each with two large simple doors opening to reveal a shelf with two shallow drawers, with two small doors covering the storage compartment at the base sections; and each topped with two-door upper sections; the wood finely figured, and with circular bronzed metal lockplates and hinges; H: 94" (each approx.)

Lot 396. George III mahogany dining table with eight Hepplewhite dining chairs, circa 1790. Estimate: $20,000 - $30,000. © I.M. Chait Gallery/Auctioneers

Fine and antique, English dining set: large, expandable George III mahogany table of traditional, rounded-end form, and set on fourteen slightly tapered-form, straight legs; Circa 1790; together with a set of eight Hepplewhite chairs, Circa 1870: six side, and two carved armchairs, each with ornate foliage motif to the openwork splats, crests, and aprons; all front legs of cabriole form set upon ball and claw feet; later upholstered in satin cream damask silk, edged by metal hobnails

Also for the home, the auction offers a Chinese scholar’s desk pieces, including carved jades; dynastic Chinese pottery (Tang, Ming and Sui), and a collection of Japanese cloisonné enamel vases. There are also ancient antiquities, including Egyptian, Roman and Greek wares. Noteworthy in this group is masterfully carved 1st century A.D. marble torso of Venus, estimate $20,000-$40,000. A large collection of vintage African and Oceanic carvings from the Los Angeles estate of Ralph Turner is sure to be of interest to buyers of ethnographic art.  

 Lot 395. A carved marble torso of Venus, 1st century A.D. Estimate $20,000-$40,000. © I.M. Chait Gallery/Auctioneers

Very finely modeled, marble figural sculpture; representing the torso of Venus, the Roman goddess of love and fertility, in realistically rendered curves, the stone imparting a soft brown patina; showing intact encrustations at leg break and underarm; probably ancient Roman, 1st Century AD; Provenance: Mid-West collection; H: 13 1/2"; tall marble plinth. 

The Sunday, March 26, 2017 auction will begin at 11 a.m. Pacific Time (2 p.m. Eastern), with Internet live bidding available through Live.Chait.com or LiveAuctioneers.com. The gallery preview will be held from Tuesday through Saturday, March 21-25 from 11-5 (or by appointment). Also on Saturday, from 10-5, there will be a free appraisal session at the gallery for Asian and international art, antiques, fine jewelry and gems; and other objects of quality.