NEW YORK, NY.- Bonhams is now presenting a strong series of sales in celebration of Asia Week New York this September highlighted by a rare and important embroidered silk of the Buddhist deity, Ichiji Kinrin. The sales will include Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art on September 18, Fine Chinese Paintings on September 19, and Fine Japanese and Korean Works of Art on September 20.

On September 18, Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art will present more than 200 works including a selection of fine snuff bottles from two private collections. Of particular note is an 18th century Imperial jade-inset Zitan ‘Da Ji’ double-gourd table screen, estimated at $50,000 – 70,000. The screen was previously held in the collection of the Prince Gong Mansion, Beijing's largest and best-preserved Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) princely mansion.

Additional highlights:

• A rare and large Longquan celadon charger with barbed rim from 14th or early 15th century, estimated at $60,000 – 90,000.

• A kesi mandala fragment with Imperial portraits from the Yuan dynasty, estimated at
$40,000 – 60,000.

• An iron-red and gild-decorated two-handled tripod censer, estimated at $40,000 – 60,000.

• A rare and fine dated and inscribed ‘lobed-columnar’ square grey jade seal inscribed Daoguang twenty-first year, corresponding to 1841, estimated at $40,000 – 60,000.

From September 15 – 25, the department will present nearly 100 additional works including snuff bottles, furniture, and decorative arts in Chinese Works of Art Online.

Fine Chinese Paintings on September 19 will feature a full spectrum of Chinese paintings including examples in the classical tradition once a part of the Qing Imperial Collection along with the most desired 20th century masters such as Zhang Daqian, Qi Baishi, and Pu Ru, as well as Contemporary ink. A highlight of the sale is an album of twelve fan paintings by Yun Shouping (1633-1690), estimated at $300,000 – 500,000. A Chinese calligrapher and painter, Yun Shouping is regarded as one of the "Six Masters" of the Qing period and these paintings, dated variously from 1665-1686, span his most important years of creative output.

Additional highlights:

• Autumnal River in Sunset by Qi Baishi (1864-1957), estimated at $120,000 – 180,000. A striking example of the artist’s landscapes, the painting bears a dedication to Lao She (1899-1966), a famous author and playwright, who, along with Qi Baishi held high status as a cultural hero in 1950’s Beijing.

• Landscape, 1940 by Zhang Daqian’s (1899-1983) is estimated at $200,000 – 300,000. The painting is a long handscroll demonstrating the artist under the aesthetic influence of 17th century masters Shi Tao (1642- c1707) and Zhu Da (1626-1705).

• Green Mountains Distant Shores, 1958 by Pu Ru (1896-1963) is estimated at
$250,000 – 400,000. Impressively sized, the painting expresses the artist’s personal style on a grand scale.

To coincide with the live sale, the department will also present Chinese Painting | 20th Century & Beyond online from September 12 – 22. The sale will feature artists such as Qin Feng (b. 1961), Shiy De-Jinn (1923-1981), Zao Wou-ki (Zhao Wuji, 1921-2013), and Han Meilin (b. 1936).

A rare and important 14th/15th century embroidered silk icon of Ichiji Kinrin from the Kamakura (1185-1333) or Muromachi period (1333–1573) is the highlight of the Fine Japanese and Korean Works of Art on September 20. Estimated at $500,000 – 700,000, the textile depicts Ichiji Kinrin, one of the deities worshipped in Esoteric Buddhism, bearing a serene facial expression and standing on a double lotus pedestal. Additionally of note is a 7th century gilt-bronze figure of Miruk Bosal (Maitreya) in meditation from the Unified Silla period (668-935), estimated at $200,000 – 300,000.

During the Three Kingdoms period (57BC-668AD) in Korea constant warfare inspired belief in a savior deity and a cult sprung up around Maitreya, the Buddha of the Future, whom it was believed would return to earth 570 million years after the death of the historical Buddha to save humankind.

Additional highlights:

• A fine 13th century standing figure of Jūichimen Kannon, the eleven-headed Kannon, Ekadashamukha Lokesvara, from the Kamakura period (1185-1333) is estimated at $200,000 – 300,000.

• A Large and Impressive Pair of Inlaid-Bronze Vases attributed to Sato Kazuhide (1855-1925) from the Meiji era (1868-1912), circa 1885 is estimated at $70,000 – 90,000.

• A fine early 20th century lacquer Suzuribako (writing box) from the Taisho era (1912-1926) is estimated at $10,000 – 15,000.

Alongside our Asia Week New York sales, Bonhams will exhibit a unique collection from Jules Speelman, one of the world’s leading collectors and dealers of Asian Art. This exceptional collection featuring 28 Tibetan, Nepalese and Chinese bronze Buddhist figures and vessels from the 11th to the 18th century will be toured globally before being auctioned at Bonhams Cornette de Saint Cyr in Paris in June 2024.