Imperial Auctioneers presents long-held Asian art Jan. 24

Property in the auction comes from several sources including the family of a gentleman and scholar of Asian art, who acquired the collection in the early to mid-20th century in China. Additional items are from a prominent Canadian philanthropist and from a distinguished collector and scholar of Southeast Asian art, who acquired them in Southeast Asia in the 1970s. There will also be items from private collections from Chicago, San Francisco and Ontario, Canada.

"We are very pleased with the offering in the auction," said Mr. Hao Ji, the director of Asian Art for Imperial Auctioneers. "There is a broad selection of quality items with good provenance that have been off the market for a number of years."

Topping the list is a monumental cloisonné enamel charger circa 1900 (estimate: $10,000-$20,000). Measuring 30 inches in diameter with a beautiful mille-fleur design, this striking presentation piece is an example of the high level of cloisonné craftsmanship in Japan during the Meiji period. It is the property of a man who received it as a gift from a government delegate in the 1970s.

Another rare item is a porcelain vase that depicts birds and flowers with an en verso lithophane of Chairman Mao Zedong. The 15-inch vase bears calligraphy on the back and is imprinted with the national emblem of the People's Republic of China on the inside. Marked and dated, Jiangxi Company of Ceramic Industry, 1962, it carries an estimate of $10,000-$12,000. Vases of this type were made by order of the Chinese government and presented as gifts to dignitaries, however, examples of this quality are quite rare. It is the property of a man who received it as a gift directly from the Chinese consulate in the 1970s.

A fine piece purchased in Hong Kong in the 1980s is a 13-inch ruyi scepter made in the 18th/19th century. Exquisitely carved in high relief, the wooden scepter depicts scholars and attendants amid pine, bamboo and plum: "The Three Friends of Winter" (estimate: $4,000-$6,000).

A fine painting on silk is attributed to Qian Weicheng (1720-1772). A painter during the reign of Qianlong, Weicheng is known for his landscape paintings as well as calligraphy. This painting, 30 inches by 18 inches, is estimated at $10,000-$20,000.

Fine older paintings in the auction are from the collection of a scholar of Asian art. Purchased in China in the early to mid-20th century, the paintings have been in the possession of the family for over 50 years. From this same family collection are a couple of rare Zhou Dynasty "Warring States" bronze vessels. Well cast and elaborately decorated both items are fine examples of the bronze work from this period.

Three paintings by Lian Xue Ming (b. 1969) are in the auction. With an excellent artistic sense and great technical skill Lian Xue Ming is an important talent and an artist to watch in the current crop of fine contemporary Chinese painters, said the auctioneers.

A rare and large amber scholar's rock standing 8 inches tall and weighing more than 650 grams is estimated at $5,000-$10,000. It displays hues of golden yellow to darker brown natural colors with excellent translucency.

A collection of fine bronze Buddhas, acquired in Southeast Asia in the 1970s by a scholar of Southeast Asian art, will be in the auction. This collection features three Thai Buddhas in the "Touching the Earth" mudra, all over 24 inches in height and ranging from the 16th century onwards; a rare pair of Sino-Tibetan bronze oil lamps, 18th century; and a large (33 inches) 19th century parcel-gilt bronze Kuan Yin.

Another highlight is a fine and interesting selection of jade bangles including two jade bangles from the 18th/19th century of even, white colored stone, finely polished and carved in the form of two facing dragons with a pearl at the center (estimate: $3,000-$5,000); a couple of rare 19th century rhinoceros horn bangles (estimate: $1,500-$2,500); a finely carved jade bangle with a translucent white and blue tone (estimate $1,000-$2,000); a Ming Dynasty celadon jade bangle (estimate: $700-$1,000); and a green hardstone bangle, Han Dynasty or later (estimate: $500-$800).

Rounding out the auction will be a number of jade pieces, scholar items, ivory statues, rhino horn cups and porcelain.

Based in Chicago, Imperial Auctioneers is dedicated to the research, acquisition and sale of Chinese paintings and Chinese fine arts. The company was founded on the promise of high-quality expertise. Specialists Hao Ji and Aaron Liu are well-respected experts in the field of Asian Art. They are sought after as consultants and lecturers for private and institutional clients. With a focus on Asian Art, coupled with a serious scholarly interest in the subject and exacting professional standards, Imperial Auctioneers pledges a level of service and expertise beyond what is usually found in traditional auction houses.

For more information phone 866-886-7912 or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

View the fully illustrated catalog and register to bid absentee or live via the Internet by logging on to www.LiveAuctioneers.com.

View the fully illustrated catalog and register to bid absentee or live via the Internet as the sale is taking place by logging on to www.LiveAuctioneers.com.