New York – During the annual Asia Week New York this March, Bonhams will present four live sales – Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art including the Bernard and Francine Wald Collection of Snuff Bottles, Part I, Classical and Modern Chinese Paintings, Indian and Himalayan Art, and Fine Japanese and Korean Art – celebrating expertly crafted works of art from across Asia.

"Asia Week New York is always an exciting time of year and we are thrilled with the strong slate of sales we will present at Bonhams, featuring important and impressive works of art from across the continent," said Dessa Goddard, Senior VP and US Head of Asian Art. "We are continuing our track record of bringing notable collections to auction with part one of the Francine and Bernard Wald collection of fine Chinese snuff bottles as well as beautiful huanghuali furniture and ceramics from a private collection in Greenwich, Connecticut. Additionally, we are also honored to be entrusted with the sale of seven lots of Chinese porcelain from the Philadelphia Museum of Art."

Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art
March 17

A rare and important blue and white copper-red 'dragon' tianqiuping vase, Qianlong seal mark and of the period (1736-1795), is the highlight of the Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art sale on March 17. Estimated at US$400,000 – 600,000, this celestial sphere vase with a slightly compressed body and long straight neck represents the antiquarian movement in the early Qing dynasty, paying homage to the high style and technological achievement of the 15th century Ming dynasty imperial porcelains. The painterly 'dragon and cloud' motif was derived from the Song dynasty (960-1279) ink paintings in the Qing Court Collection. A true masterpiece of its type, the only known comparable work is in the collection of the Beijing Palace Museum.

The sale will also feature a curated selection of huanghuali furniture from private collections, as well as an outstanding selection of ceramics from the Tang to the Qing dynasties. The standout from the private Connecticut collection is an 18th century huanghuali square table, estimated at US$60,000 – 80,000. The highlights from an important private collection include a rare Kangxi imperial Falangcai bowl, decorated with stylized flowers and leafy foliage over a yellow ground, estimated at US$120,000 – 180,000 and a magnificent set of eight famille rose Buddhist emblems, estimated at US$350,000 – 500,000.

Additional highlights include:

• A rare carved celadon-glazed 'phoenix' bottle vase, Yongzheng seal mark and of the period (1722-1735) is estimated at US$400,000 – 600,000. Modeled after the Han dynasty (202 BC – 220 AD) bronze prototype of 'garlic-head' vase, this 18th century Yongzheng example is elegantly proportioned and decorated with archaistic 'twin phoenix' design. A very close pair to this work is in the collection of the Palace Museum, Beijing.

• A 17th Century huanghuali yokeback armchair is estimated at US$200,000 – 300,000. One of the classic huanghuali forms, the armchair features elegant lines and grand proportions.

• A pair of 18th Century huanghuali low-back chairs usually referred to as 'rose chairs' (meiguiyi) is estimated at US$180,000 – 250,000.

• A superb and rare Dingyao 'persimmon'-glazed cupstand, Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127), is estimated at US$60,000 – 80,000. The exceptional potting coupled with the luxurious reddish-brown glaze and a touch of iridescent shine making this cupstand the best example of its type coming to the auction block.

• An extremely rare Dingyao incense stand, Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127), is estimated at US$25,000 – 35,000.

Classical and Modern Chinese Paintings
March 18

On March 18, the Classical and Modern Chinese Paintings sale will explore the dynamic history of this great tradition with paintings and calligraphy that span centuries. One highlight of the sale is Portrait of an Imperial Guard painted circa 1760 attributed to Ai Qimeng (Ignaz Sichelbart, 1708-1780) and Jin Tingbiao (Active 1757-1767), a European and Chinese court artist working collaboratively in the Qianlong Imperial atelier, estimated at US$400,000 – 600,000. Depicted on silk, the subject of the painting was one of a hundred brave warriors and exemplary officials whose portraits once lined the walls of Ziguang Ge (Hall of Purple Brightness), the Qianlong Emperor's military hall of valor in the Zhongnanhai compound in Beijing.

Accompanying the Imperial Guard, several other lots dating from the Ming and Qing dynasties (1368-1911) further explore the evolution of portraiture in Chinese painting. From a rare pair of Ming dynasty ancestor portraits of a Military officer and his wife, estimated at US$25,000 – 40,000, to a Portrait of Seated Manchu Confucian Scholar Leisurely Reading from the 17th/18th century, estimated at US$25,000 – 40,000, the paintings not only carefully capture the sitters' visage, but the rich tapestry of material culture and fineries of the day that surround them. Additionally, Portrait of a Distinguished Feline attributed to the Ming Dynasty master Qiu Ying (1494-1552), estimated at US$10,000 – 15,000, illustrates humanity's perpetual fondness for animal friends.

Additional highlights include:

• Lotus and Bird after Shitao (1642-1707) and Zhu Da (1626-1705), 1974 by Zhang Daqian (1899-1983) is estimated at US$100,000 – 150,000. One of the most prolific and renowned artists of the 20th century, Zhang Daqian drew his inspiration for this dynamic composition from two 17th century masters. Dedicated to Chang Pe-chin (Zhang Bojin, 1897-1988), the painting is one of several from the Tien Yin Tang collection on offer in this sale.

• Poem by Jiang Kui (ca. 1155-1221) in Running Script by Yu Youren (1879-1964), a scholar and master of Chinese calligraphy, is estimated at US$80,000 – 120,000. One of the largest calligraphic compositions to come to market by this highly collectable 20th century calligrapher, it is one of several lots written by Yu Youren offered in this sale.

Indian and Himalayan Art
March 19

A 15th century gilt copper alloy figure of Mahachakra Vajrapani will lead an impressive group of statues and thangkas depicting deities and teachers of Tibetan Buddhism which will be offered in the Indian and Himalayan Art sale on March 19. This three-faced, six-armed depiction of Mahachakra Vajrapani embracing his consort gained prominence in 15th-century Central Tibet, a period marked by a heightened interest in more erotic and fierce representations of tantric deities. As the largest known sculptural example of its kind, it serves as a significant testament to the evolution of tantric Buddhism in Tibet. The figure is estimated at US$500,000 – 700,000.

Additional highlights include:

• A portrait thangka of Sangye Yarjon (1203-1272), the third abbot of Taklung Monastery in Central Tibet from circa 1236-1296, is estimated at US$180,000 – 220,000.

• A rare 15th century wood and gilt copper repousse sutra cover is estimated at US$100,000 – 150,000.

• A 15th century thangka of Kunzang Gyalwa Dupa, a finely painted example of a Bon deity, is estimated at US$30,000 – 50,000.

Fine Japanese and Korean Art
March 20

Closing out the week, the Fine Japanese and Korean Art sale will offer a range of works from rare pottery to a fine selection woodblock prints as well as a group of outstanding inrō (medicine case) from the collection of Alan and Simone Hartman. The sale also features works from the modern era with a fine assortment of contemporary ceramics by forerunners in the field such as Kakurezaki Ryuichi (b. 1950) and Kato Yasukage (1964-2012). The top lot in the sale is a large Joseon-dynasty white porcelain jar painted with landscape roundels in cobalt blue, estimated at US$200,000 – 300,000.

Additional highlights include:

• A solid gold tea pot, crafted from a heritage collection of gold koban coins minted by the Shogunate government in the 18th century, is estimated US$50,000 – 70,000.

• A rare woodblock print by British ex-pat Charles Bartlett (1860-1940) which depicts surfers riding the crest of a wave and is estimated at US$10,000 – 15,000.

• An outstanding Juyo-ranked katana made by the swordsmith Magoroku Kanemoto from the Muromachi Period is estimated at US$50,000 – 70,000.

• A six-panel screen painted in colors on gold leaf depicting a variety of birds on an old willow tree is estimated at US$30,000 – 50,000.

Running concurrently during Asia Week, the department will offer additional works online with the Arts of the Samurai sale, a wide array of impressively crafted katana, single-edged swords once carried by Japanese warriors.

(Press Release)