DALLAS, TX.- Heritage Auctions’ inaugural participation in Asia Week New York 2019 debuts with the Chenn Family Collection of fine Chinese paintings and calligraphy. First assembled by the early Chinese Republic scholar and political reformer Chen Guoxiang, the important collection spotlights significant fine Asian Art offered March 19 in New York. 

“Heritage’s Asian Art department may be young, but we feel we are capable of establishing our New York auction as one of the premier Asian market events held in the United States,” said Richard Cervantes, director of Asian Art at Heritage Auctions. “We are honored to be a part of Asia Week New York.” *

A notable figure in Chinese politics, Guoxiang (1871-1919) was an organizer of the Progressive Party in 1913 and served in the National Assembly of the Republic of China. With Liang Qichao, General Cai E and other compatriots, Guoxiang planned and supported the National Protection War of 1915-16 that successfully opposed Yuan Shikai’s reestablishment of the Chinese monarchy.  

The family’s collection of paintings were passed to the family of Chenn’s son, a railroad executive, and were relocated along with subsequent generations of the family to Taiwan in 1949, and then the United States. Peony, Bottle Gourds, and Loquats, Dingzi, 1917, by artist Wu Changshuo (est. $300,000-$500,000) is a stunning work with impeccable provenance: the artist gave the four artworks of ink and color on paper to Guoxiang, and the family cherished the heirloom for nearly 100 years. 

Lot 78329. Wu Changshuo (Chinese, 1844-1927), Peony, Bottle Gourds, and Loquats, Dingzi, 1917. Four works, ink and color on paper; 53-1/4 x 12-3/4 inches (135.3 x 32.4 cm) (work, each), 60-3/8 x 16-1/8 inches (153.1 x 41.0 cm) (frame, each). Each signed and dated, with two or three seals of the artist. Estimate: $300,000 - $500,000. © Heritage Auction

Provenance: Chen Guoxiang (1879-1919), gifted by the artist;
Chen Guan (1895-1990) and Zheng Ying (1898-1990), by descent from the above;
Chenn Family, by descent from the above.

Translation:

Sweet fruits from Duanyang are ripe in the
warm breeze,
Its color as shining as gold.
I displayed the painting with the pomegranate
blossom,
and the naughty kid was drooling.

(Yang Guifei and Emperor Xuanzong) Leaning
on the baluster of the Chenxiang Pavilion.

The peony blooms in the way like pagodas and
pavilions arise from plates made of ruby.
(I) painted the peony in the second month of
the year of Dingzi to learn from earlier artists
without subservience.

Bottle gourd or bottle gourd!
Are you doing your job?
I should cut you in half,
And fill you with wine in my tiny room.

The wave surrounds my dwelling.
The boat leaving to visit a friend drifts alone.
I read aloud in a lonely night,
With the air chilled my bones.
The beauty named Hong Xiao walked in and
added scent in the censer.
Painted in yushui, the year of
Dingzi when the fresh rain dropped and my
orchid bloomed.

A beautiful 18th century fan leaf titled Calligraphy after Dong Qichang (est. $50,000-$70,000) is signed Xiang Guang with three seals of the Emperor Qianlong (1711-99). 

Lot 78303. Aisin Gioro Hongli, The Emperor Qianlong (1711-1799), Calligraphy after Dong Qichang (1555-1636). Fan leaf, ink on paper with gold leaf, 21-3/8 x 9-1/2 inches (54.3 x 24.1 cm) (work), 14 x 24-1/2 inches (35.6 x 62.2 cm) (frame). Signed Xiang Guang, with three seals of the Emperor Qianlong. Estimate: $50,000 - $70,000. © Heritage Auction

Provenance: Chen Guoxiang (1879-1919), gifted by the artist;
Chen Guan (1895-1990) and Zheng Ying (1898-1990), by descent from the above;
Chenn Family, by descent from the above.

Translation:

Spring raindrops rest on the trees.
The dark mountain hides in the mist at dusk,
where the beautiful lady dwells,
And the stream divides the town.

Ladies in Garden, 1532, is one of the Chenn collection’s most astounding masterworks. The 234-inch-long handscroll is divided into four dynamically composed and highly detailed scenes depicting women in a garden during each of the four seasons. A poem accompanies each woman, as originally composed by the handscroll’s artist and noted calligrapher, Wang Chong (1494-1533).  

Lot 78315. Attributed to Qiu Ying (Chinese, 1482-1559), Ladies in Garden, 1532. Handscroll, ink and color on silk, 143 x 11-3/8 inches (363.2 x 28.9 cm) (work), 234.625 x 11.75 inches (595.9 x 29.8 cm) (overall). Signed by the artist and calligrapher Wang Chong (1494-1533) and dated Winter 1532, with one seal of the artist, one seal of the calligrapher, and two collector's seals of Qin Xi. Estimate: $30,000 - $50,000. © Heritage Auction

The handscroll, executed in Qiu Ying's characteristic gongi style, with the composition divided into four dynamically composed and highly detailed scenes that depict women in a garden during each of the four seasons, each accompanied by four poems by Wang Chuong (Chinese, 1494-1533).

Provenance: Qin Xi, son of Aisin Gioro Keying (Chinese, 1781-1858);
Chen Guoxiang (1879-1919);
Chen Guan (1895-1990) and Zheng Ying (1898-1990), by descent from the above;
Chenn Family, by descent from the above.

Translation:

Swallows fly between blossomed branches in this quiet garden.
Orchids rest on rocks.
Walking along the path,
Swinging in the fresh breeze,
(the girls) feel so soft and delightful like bees,
In the scent of roses.

Willows dance with the breeze.
Lotus blossoms in the pond.
Lovely nude ladies are picking lotus seed pods and buds to their fickle partners,
And even lotus leaves cannot cover their jade-like bodies.
Parasol trees cast shade.
A lotus root is chopped in half,
Yet its fibers still remain.
Don't keep missing him.
The dusk has come with the passing breeze.
The crescent moon is hanging on the branch,
Another beautiful night.
Fragrance of sweet osmanthus fills the garden,
Just good time to play some music.
My husband out in the battlefield,
His sword shines like star light.
I miss him when we are separated geographically.
But the moon still casts its light on the same land.

Camellias blossom and plums follow.
Ladies are playing cuju delightfully,
Casting shadows in the crystal clear pond.
Their robes fly in the air and dainty shoes dancing.
Although with the smile on her face,
She leans on he branch and misses her lover.
Tears fall.
Flower petals fly.
Snow melts and disappears in the wind.

In addition to the Chenn collection, the auction includes two important cultural artworks by renowned artists. 

Beauty, 1939 by Zhang Daqian (est. $120,000-$150,000) is from the estate of Yu Youren, regarded as one China's modern masters. The former educator, scholar, calligrapher and politician in the Republic of China (1912 and 1949) presents a delicate portrait of a maiden among low-hanging branches. 

Lot 78352. Zhang Daqian (Chinese, 1899-1983), Beauty, 1939. Ink and color on paper, 40-3/4 x 15-3/8 inches (103.5 x 39.1 cm) (work), 47-3/4 x 17-3/4 (121.3 x 45.1 cm) (mount). Signed and dated, with three seals. Estimate: $120,000 - $150,000. © Heritage Auction

From the Estate of Yu Youren.

Examples of Asian mastery of metal casting and ceramics include a Pair of Chinese Cloisonné Enameled and Gilt Metal Tripod Ewers with Covers (est. $90,000-$100,000) and a Chinese Gilt Bronze Guanyin Figure on Stand, from the late Ming Dynasty (est. $30,000-$50,000).  

Lot 78228. A Pair of Chinese Cloisonné Enameled and Gilt Metal Tripod Ewers with Covers, Qing Dynasty, Qianlong period (1736-1795); 16 x 12-1/2 x 8-1/2 inches (40.6 x 31.8 x 21.6 cm) (each, overall). Estimate: $90,000 - $100,000. © Heritage Auction.

Lot 78209. A Chinese Gilt Bronze Guanyin Figure on Stand, late Ming Dynasty, 13-3/4 x 17-3/4 x 5-1/2 inches (34.9 x 45.1 x 14.0 cm). Estimate: $30,000 - $50,000. © Heritage Auction.

Additional highlights include, but are not limited to: 

Lot 78288. An Important Chinese Polychrome Stucco Fresco Panel Depicting Celestial Deities and Attendants, Yuan Dynasty; 65-1/2 x 39 inches (166.4 x 99.1 cm). Estimate: $80,000 - $120,000. © Heritage Auction.

Property from the Collection of William and Kathleen Cavanaugh,Canton,Ct.

Purchased from Gallery Owner and U.S. Diplomat C. Edward Wells.

Distinguished in the fields of retail, finance and manufacturing since the 1960s in Hartford, CT, William and Kathleen Cavanaugh opened their Oriental Art Gallery, Phoenix Apollo Gallery, in Farmington, CT. They counted among their clients leaders in the insurance, financial and medical fields. Furthermore, the Cavanaughs assembled a fine personal collection of Chinese paintings and decorative arts and were benefactors and donors in Asian art to both the Herbert F. Johnson Museum at Cornell University and the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.

Lot 78350. Zhang Daqian (Chinese, 1899-1983), The Three Friends of Winter. Ink and color on paper, 53 x 17-3/4 inches (134.6 x 45.1 cm) (work). Signed, with four seals of the artist. Estimate: $40,000 - $60,000. © Heritage Auction.

Provenance: Collection of Dr. Ding Zhongying (1886-1978), Menghe, China and San Francisco, California, gift of the artist;
The Ding Zhongying Family Collection, by descent from the above.

Lot 78433. Korean School, Joseon Dynasty, Seated Avalokitesvara (Suwol Gwaneum). Ink, color, and gold on silk, 27 x 16-1/2 inches (68.6 x 41.9 cm) (work), 37 x 25 inches (94.0 x 38.1 cm) (frame). Estimate: $25,000 - $35,000. © Heritage Auction.

The painting depicts Water-Moon Avalokiteshvara (Korean: Suwol Dwaneum), a poplar subject in Korea during the late Goryeo Dynasty. Worshipped for her ability to prevent disaster and disease and protect travelers, Water-Moon Avalokiteshvara is depicted as a female deity, resplendently dressed with rosary beads in her hands and seated on Mount Potlaka above a body of water replete with coral and a lotus flower that supports her left foot. Her head and body are surrounded by a nimbus and a mandorla, signfying her divinity. Sudhana (Korean: Seonjae Dongja), the pilgrim boy, stands on an outcrop in the foreground in a pose of adoration. 

Heritage Auctions’ first auction as participants of Asia Week New York, the Fine & Decorative Asian Art Auction, is March 19.