An Indian Miniature Painting Depicting Krishna with Gopis

DALLAS, TX.- An extraordinary selection of artwork from Chinese artist Qi Baishi and an impressive array of Indian and Himalayan art are among the top draws in Heritage Auctions' Fine & Decorative Asian Art auction March 16, an event in which Heritage will expand its footprint in Asia Week New York.

“Heritage Auction's Consignment Directors Moyun Niu and Clementine Chen shared their excitement to celebrate New York Asia Week with over 300 fine and decorative Asian Art pieces, comprised of Chinese, Japanese and Korean ceramics, calligraphy, painting, sculpture, furniture and more,” Heritage Auctions Asian Art Consignment Director Moyun Niu said. “Among the many fine treasures, they highlight, are a group of fine snuff bottles from a private California collection, a large white jade ruyi scepter from a major Dallas collection, a pair of large painted grey pottery guardian figures, Tang Dynasty from a New York collection, a Chinese scroll painting after Lu Zhi, three Qi Baishi fan paintings, and so many more.”

“As a painter famed for his portrayal of small animals, Qi Baishi mastered the art of painting chicks fairly late in life,” Heritage Auctions Asian Art Consignment Director Clementine Chen said. “Not until his early 60s did he fully grasp the technique to use various tones of black ink to illustrate the flocculent feathers of a young chick. His paintings of chicks, like Qi Baishi (Chinese, 1864-1957) Chicks (estimate: $40,000-60,000), became one his most sought-after works.

“He also produced a series of beautiful fans, from a single collection in upstate New York, two of which – DragonflyandOrchids – are offered in the sale, each with an estimate of $15,000-25,000 and a Landscape fan with an estimate of $20,000-30,000. As a pioneer in the modern Chinese watercolor movement, the artist focused his works heavily on secular subjects, namely farmscapes and farm animals, rather than traditional literati landscape paintings, which makes the current landscape fan exceedingly rare.”

“The sale includes an assortment of exquisite Chinese ceramics. One example is a Large Chinese Yellow-Ground and Iron-Red Decorated Enamel Dragon Fishbowl (estimate: $30,000-50,000) that is enameled in iron-red on a yellow ground with five-clawed dragons racing around in pursuit of flaming pearls amid auspicious clouds,” Niu said. “A Chinese Wucai 'Eight Immortals' Dish (estimate: $20,000-30,000), from a private New York collection, bears a scene depicting the Eight Daoist Immortals, holding their attributes, accompanied by Shoulao, the Star God of Longevity, seated and flanked by his crane, deer and an attendant, all in a garden setting under pine trees.”

After Lu Zhi (Chinese, 1496-1575) Chrysanthemums and Calligraphy(estimate: $30,000-50,000), with 15 red seals, comes from a private collection California. Lu Zhi (159-192) was an ancient Chinese general, government official and scholar during the Eastern Han dynasty.

A Pair of Large Painted Grey Pottery Guardian Figures, Tang Dynasty (estimate: $25,000-35,000) was created under the imperial dynasty that ruled from 618-907. Pottery created during the Tang Dynasty was known for low-temperature glaze that is among the most popular of ancient Chinese ceramic firing techniques. The offered figures stand 16 inches tall.

The event features an assortment of Japanese cloisonné-enamel vases, created in the ancient technique for decorating metalwork objects with colored material held in place or separated by metal strips or wire, normally of gold or silver. Top Japanese cloisonné-enamel lots include, but are not limited to:

• An Important Japanese Cloisonné-Enamel Vase, Namikawa Yasuyuki, Meiji Period (estimate: $6,000-8,000)

• An Exceptionally Fine Moriage Enamel Bottle Vase, Ando Jubei (1876-1953), circa 1920 (estimate: $5,000-7,000)

• A Fine Japanese Cloisonné-Enamel Pedestal Vase, Ando Jubei (1876-1953), Meiji Period (estimate: $3,000-5,000)

The event features a dozen lots of Indian art, highlights of which include:

• An Indian Miniature Painting Depicting Krishna with Gopis (estimate: $15,000-20,000)

• An Indian Carved Wood Ganesha Relief from the Dallas Estate of Stuart Cutshall (estimate: $10,000-20,000)

Other top lots include, but are not limited to:

• Wang Rong (Chinese, 1896-1972) Landscape(estimate: $15,000-25,000)

• A Chinese Jade and Hardstone-Inlaid Wood Six-Panel Screen, Qing Dynasty, 19th century (estimate: $15,000-20,000)

NEW YORK, NY.- Christie’s announces Asian Art Week, a series of auctions, viewings, and events, from March 4-19. This season presents seven auctions featuring over 750 objects from 5,000 years of art spanning all epochs and categories of Asian art from Chinese archaic bronzes through Japanese and Korean art to modern and contemporary Indian painting.

Highlights include Shang: Early Chinese Ritual Bronzes from the Daniel Shapiro Collection led by The Luboshez Gong, an exceptional and highly important bronze ritual wine vessel and cover from the late Shang dynasty, 13th-12th century BC ($4,000,000-6,000,000). Also featured in the week of sales are important Gandharan sculptures from a private Japanese collection, including a magnificent 3rd to 4th-century gray schist figure of Buddha Shakyamuni ($1,500,000-2,500,000); a significant painting by the pioneer of Indian modernism Tyeb Mehta, titled Confidant and painted in 1962 ($600,000-800,000); an important and highly exhibited work by Katsushika Hokusai titled Mitate Asazuma bune (The Parody of Boat Asazuma) from the collection of the Japan Ukiyo-e Museum ($400,000-500,000); an exceptionally rare huanghuali incense stand from the Yunwai Lou collection ($800,000-1,200,000) and Chinese works of art from the celebrated Junkunc collection. From rare huanghuali furniture to a collection of works by respected artist and teacher Benodebehari Mukherjee, treasures from every category of Asian art wait to be discovered.

Following the success of the September 2020 season, Chinese works of art sales on March 18-19 will be presented in New York and simultaneously in Hong Kong for increased phone bidding and streamed live on WeChat. Christie’s continues to leverage digital tools to extend access to key bidding areas and provide global audiences with opportunities to view auctions.

All works will be presented in an exhibition by appointment from March 12-18 at Christie’s New York.