SAN FRANCISCO, CA.- Bonhams in San Francisco announced its two day auction of Fine Asian Works of Art and Asian Decorative Art to be held June 19-20. With more than 700 objects on the auction block, this two-day event will present enticing works of art in every category.
The first day of the auction will be devoted to Bonhams biannual auction of Fine Asian Works of Art. Highlights of this 500-lot session will include a fine Chinese eight-panel cinnabar lacquer and hard stone overlay screen of the Eight Immortals, 19th century (est. $150,000-200,000) from the Estate of Elinor Majors Carlisle; an exquisitely carved cinnabar lacquer table (est. $10,000-$15,000) and a well-carved cinnabar lacquer chair (est. $15,000-$20,000), both 19th century. Also on offer will be an unusual set of 12 painted and embroidered hanging scrolls of an imperial audience scene (est. $50,000-$80,000) and a Korean 10 panel screen painted to depict a celebration honoring the venerable Chinese general Guo Zuyi (697-731), late Joseon dynasty (est. $20,000-$30,000).
A select group of fine ceramics will be featured, including a set of four polychrome enameled figural plaques of the Republic Period (est. $40,000-$60,000); a small Junyao lotus bud jar, Jin dynasty, 12th/13th century (est. $30,000-$50,000); and a sancai glazed earthenware sculpture of Guanyin in a rocky grotto, Ming dynasty (est. $30,000-$50,000).
A Qianlong mark and period canton enamel floriform covered box with two fitted halves closing to form a compressed flower of 12 petals (est. $20,000-$30,000) will headline the section devoted to Chinese scholar’s objects. In addition, fine jade carvings will comprise a significant part of the sale’s first day. Included will be an 18th century fine nephrite double-sided rectangular landscape plaque (est. $50,000-$70,000 and an 18th century carved jade cylindrical cup and cover (est. $35,000-40,000). A small collection of fine jade, hardstone and inside painted snuff bottles will also be a featured attraction of this session.
An array of choice works of art will be available in every category of collecting. An embroidered yellow silk twelve-symbol dragon robe (est. $50,000-$70,000) will be featured among the fine Chinese robes and other textiles to be offered. An ink and pencil on paper drawing by Zao Wou-ki (b. 1921) titled Vision du Reve (est. $25,000-$40,000) will be among the more than 60 lots of Chinese paintings to be sold, in addition to works by the renowned artists Wu Changshuo and Ren Yi. A select group of Indian, Himalayan and Southeast Asian Art will feature an 18th century Tibeto-Chinese gilt copper alloy repoussé figure of a Tibetan king, possibly Trisong Detsun (est. $30,000-$50,000). Also of note will be a small but fine offering of Korean ceramics, highlighted by a late 18th/early 19th century large blue and white porcelain dragon jar from the Joseon dynasty (est. $40,000-$60,000). An important collection of Chinese reference books from two private collections will also be offered.
The second day of the sale will be dedicated to Asian decorative arts. Headlining the more than 400 lot sale will be an exceptional assortment of Chinese ceramics, including a 19th century five-piece millefleur porcelain garniture set (est. $10,000-15,000).
There will also be a good selection of over 60 decorative jades and snuff bottles available, including a large spinach jade brush washer with chilong dragons (est. $8,000-$10,000) and a fine white jade pebble snuff bottle, 1820-1880 (est. $8,000-$12,0000).
The sale’s illustrated catalogue will be available online in the preceding weeks, for review and purchase at www.bonhams.com.
Auction Preview: June 16-18, San Francisco
Auction: June 19-20, San Francisco
