NEW YORK, NY.- On the occasion of Asia Week New York, Brussels-based art dealer Gisèle Croës is presenting “ Masterworks from the Chinese Past” at Gagosian Gallery. She has collaborated on exhibitions with Gagosian Gallery since 2014, in New York and Hong Kong.

For this exhibition Gisele Croës has carefully selected a number of rare and highly representative works of art ranging in date from the Neolithic period to the Qing dynasty, all of them illustrating the supreme artistic achievement of the period. Visitors will admire a truly extraordinary set of five Neolithic Longshan black pottery dating back to the 3 rd millenium BC. The eggshell thinness of the stemcups testifies to the high level of ceramic technology attained in this early age.

Over the years, ritual bronzes have come over the years to be considered as signature pieces of the Gallery. They have pride of place in this selection once again.

One will notice a very beautiful Nao bell dating from the late Shang dynasty (1600-1050 BC). Bells of this type are among China's earliest percussion instruments. In southern China, these large bronze bells had more importance than bronze vessels in the eyes of the local aristocracy.

The exhibition also includes a bronze vessel Gu from the 12th-11th century BC with a remarkable pictogram, and a double-owl shaped vessel You from the late Shang dynasty (1600-1050 BC).

In addition to the ritual vessels, Gisele Croës will also present a collection of outstanding bronze weapons. They include a bronze dagger and a bronze axe from the Shang dynasty (1600-1050 BC). One must also mention a ladle from the Shang dynasty with a superb dragon decor as well as a remarkable bronze bow-shaped fitting.

Other stand outs in this show are two masterpieces of Buddhist sculpture: a stunning and incredibly expressive wooden figure of Guanyin dating back to the Liao period (907-1125) and a stone Song figure of Avalokitesvara (960-1279). Also featured in the exhibition is an exquisite set of lady musicians and dancers dating back to the Tang dynasty (618-907).

Visitors will also discover an impressive collection of ancient Chinese gold dating from the Jin dynasty (265-316) to the Tang dynasty (618-907). Especially noteworthy is a beautiful ensemble of turquoise inlaid gold ornaments from the Tang dynasty (618-905). These official rank insignia illustrate the highly sophisticated craftsmanship of the time.

Last but not least, from the late Kangxi period (circa 1720-30) comes an extraordinary set of four imperial throne chairs with an elaborate qiangjin lacquer decoration.

For the past forty years, Gisèle Croës Arts d’Extrême-Orient has promoted the understanding and appreciation of Oriental Art. Since 1976, Gisèle Croës has participated in major international fairs such as the Biennale des Antiquaires, Paris; The European Fine Art Fair, Maastricht; or Asia Week, New York.

Knowledgeable, well-designed catalogues accompany her exhibition program. Between November 2015 and January 2016, Gisèle Croës collaborated with Gagosian Hong Kong on “The Shape of Time”, a presentation of Ancient Chinese Art with modern and contemporary works.

Gagosian Gallery was established in 1980 by Larry Gagosian in Los Angeles, California. Since that time, the gallery has expanded onto three continents, with branches in New York, Los Angeles, London, Paris, Rome, Geneva, Athens, and Hong Kong and an unparalleled program of exhibitions by some of the world's most acclaimed modern and contemporary artists. The exhibitions are accompanied by beautifully produced scholarly catalogues and monographs.