On April 18th, Clars Auctions will present a series of exquisite collectibles at its Spring Fine Asian Art Auction for collectors. This auction will feature a multitude of valuable artworks, spanning categories such as furniture, porcelain, embroidery, modern contemporary art, and miscellaneous high-quality items.

The furniture section is led by a pair of 18th-century Chinese Huanghuali Southern official hat chairs. The official hat chairs originated in the Song Dynasty and became popular during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Due to their outstanding appearance and positive symbolism, they have long been favored by officials and scholars and are also loved by people worldwide. The name “official hat chair” comes from its design, where the back is high and the front low, resembling the ancient official’s hat. In fact, chairs with armrests generally have this shape. Today, artisans in Beijing often refer to chairs with both the backrest and armrests protruding as “Four-headed official hat chairs,” while those with non-protruding are called “Southern official hat chairs.” Clars presents a pair of official hat chairs with the distinctive style of the Jiangnan region. The piece features a rare three-section backrest design, with clean, flowing armrest lines, and no use of stretchers, showcasing the classic charm of craftsmanship.

The porcelain section prominently features a Chinese yellow-ground famille rose foliate jardiniere and stand. Both the jardiniere and stand are elegantly shaped like a chrysanthemum, with the jardiniere having relatively deep walls featuring two round holes; the stand has low, shallow side walls and is without holes. Both pieces are supported by four ruyi-cloud-shaped feet. The exteriors are meticulously painted with lotus patterns and the eight Buddhist symbols’ motif. The base is marked with the iron-red Jiaqing six-character mark.

This season, we will also introduce a series of selected embroidery pieces, with the highlight being an 18th-century Qing dynasty imperial yellow satin brocade robe, chuba with gold dragon patterns among colorful clouds. From the end of the Tang dynasty, China’s relationship with Tibet evolved with continuous political and religious exchanges during the Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties, sending precious court-manufactured silk fabrics to Tibet. Initially reserved for the imperial court, these fabrics later became significant gifts for Tibetan nobility and high-ranking monks. In the 18th century, the Qing court custom-made luxurious silk garments for Buddhist ceremonies, granting many dragon robes, which gradually became traditional attire for Tibetan nobility.

This Chuba-style robe was custom-made in Tibet from 18th-century Chinese yellow ground brocade, adorned with a five-clawed golden dragon clutching a fiery pearl amidst colorful clouds in pink, blue, green, and ochre, with a terrestrial map motif at the hem. The collar and trim are in pale blue silk depicting original wave-like edges, measuring 55 inches in height and 70 inches in width. This robe not only showcases the exquisite craftsmanship of the Qing court but also serves as an important physical testament to the historical exchanges between China and Tibet.

The contemporary Asian section will feature two important works by Chuang Che (Zhuang Ze), a Chinese-American abstract artist. The first work, Seasons Page, was created in 1971 using mixed media on canvas and measures 33 inches in height and 49.5 inches in width, with Zhuang’s signature in Chinese at the lower left corner. This piece was exhibited at the DuBose Gallery in Houston, Texas, in 1972, and comes with Zhuang’s handwritten signature and an exhibition catalog, making it highly collectible. The second piece, Untitled Abstract Landscape, an oil painting on canvas, features the artist’s signature in Chinese at the lower right corner, framed dimensions are 39.25 inches in height and 49.5 inches in width. This painting was acquired from a San Francisco gallery in the early 1980s and originates from a private collection. Chuang’s art style blends Eastern and Western aesthetics, interpreting Chinese cultural themes through Abstract Expressionism and is highly regarded in the international art scene.

Additionally, a Chinese polychrome painted wood figure of Guanyin from the Ming dynasty also make its appearance at this auction. The statue stands approximately 1.1 meters tall and is depicted in a relaxed and casual pose seated on a rock, with the right leg bent and resting against the right arm, and the left leg stretched out, stepping on a base. The sculpture is vivid and lifelike, with Guanyin wearing an exquisite, jeweled crown, displaying a serene and compassionate demeanor, and a richly detailed, delicate face. The neck and chest are adorned with a beautifully carved necklace and lavalier decorations, with elegantly flowing robe patterns, and faintly visible colors, fully reflecting the leisurely and comfortable artistic style of Water Moon Guanyin that has been prevalent since the Song and Yuan dynasties, possessing significant historical and artistic value.

We look forward to meeting you at the Spring Fine Asian Art Auction at Clars Auctions on April 18th!