NEW YORK, NY.- Lark Mason and Associates and iGavelAuctions announced that a three-part 800-lot blockbuster sale of Chinese, Japanese and other Asian Works of Art will open for bidding during Asia Week New York on September 12th and run through October 3rd on iGavelAuctions.com.

Says Lark Mason, “We’re expecting considerable interest in these sales, particularly in the collection of Michael Quigley, which represents the collector’s passion of a lifetime of collecting Japanese swords, fittings and objects of personal adornment.”

Kicking off Asia Week New York is Asian Paintings and Prints, which opens for bidding on September 12th and runs through September 26th. Among the highlights is an ink-on-paper hanging scroll painting Scholar and Attendant at the Base of a Tree (Estimate: $10,000/15,000), by Pu Ru (1896-1963), one of the most celebrated 20th century Chinese artists. He was the cousin to the last Emperor of China, Puyi, and might have succeeded him to the throne if the dynasty had not been overthrown. When the communists took power in mainland China, Pu Ru fled to Taiwan and was appointed by Chaing Kai-shek as a Manchu representative in the Constitutional Assembly, all the while making a living as a professor and selling his paintings. He painted landscapes to celebrate his love of his homeland, and this work is an example of this genre.

The second sale: Chinese and Other Asian Works of Art, opens for bidding on September 14th to September 28th with over 300 lots represented by iGavel Associate Sellers, including Lark Mason Associates in both New York and Texas. Among the standout lots are a Pair of Large Chinese Enamel Decorated Porcelain Plaques, each with a seal for Wang Qi (1884-1937), Republic Period (Estimate: $100,000-150,000). Wang Qi was a celebrated porcelain artist, a respected literati figure and a central figure in the group of porcelain painters known as the Eight Friends of Zhushan, who were some of the best porcelain painters in China from the late 19th to mid-20th century.

Other offerings include a Chinese Archaic Bronze Wine Vessel, Zun, Late Shang Dynasty (Estimate $30,000-50,000). This zun was made during the late Shang Dynasty, the late Chinese Bronze Age, and dates to circa 12th-11th Century BCE. The central section is decorated with a detailed taotie mask on leiwen ground. When viewed on a global scale, these bronzes were very sophisticated for the period. They were used in ancestral ceremonies, where food and drink were offered to both the living family members and to dead ancestors. The ceremonies were meant to honor ancestors and when the owner of a ritual vessel passed away, he would be buried with his vessels so he could continue to pay his respects in death.

Additional noteworthy lots include a Pair of Japanese Mixed Metal Figural Acrobat Form Vessels and Covers, Signed Miyao-sei (Estimate: $5,000-8,000)–a fine example of the Meiji period craftsman’s attention to detail and exceptional realism. Also included is a 17th century Chinese Huanghauli Brushpot (Estimate: $10,000-15,000), a 17th century Chinese Brass Mounted Huanghauli Box (Estimate: $8,000-12,000), a 17th century Chinese Blanc de Chine, figure of Guanyin (Estimate: $7,000-10,000), and a Tibetan Jade Mounted Silver Wire Ewer (Estimate: $3,000-5,000).

Rounding out the trio of sales is Japanese Swords and Other Works of Art from the Collection of Michael J. Quigley, which goes live on September 19th to October 3rd. Quigley, a life-long Japanese art enthusiast and sword collector, was instrumental in organizing the San Antonio Sword Show in his hometown. His collection comprises more than a thousand items and includes a wide variety of Japanese blades ranging from Samurai swords to Russo-Japanese WWII officers’ weapons. While known for his sword and fittings collection, the sale also includes over 60 years of Quigley’s interests in works of art from Japan, China, and Korea.

This extensive sale comprises over 400 lots of his collecting areas including over 50 Komai gold and silver inlaid boxes, silver cigarette cases and other objects. Highlights include a Japanese Echizen Sukehiro Katana in Shirasaya, 1666, Tokubetsu Hozon (Estimate: $25,000-35,000); a Juyo Gold Menuki, Fugen and Monju, by Hagiya Katsuhira, 1860 (Estimate: $10,000-20,000); a Handachi Daisho Japanese Aogai Lacquer Saya with Shakudo Nanako Fittings (Estimate: $20,000-30,000); Chinese Imperial Semi-formal Blue Ground Ceremonial Jifu, Guangxu (Estimate: $4,000-6,000); and a Korean Metal Mounted Red and Black Lacquered Wood Accessory Box, late Joseon Dynasty (Estimate: $3,000-5,000).