Highly provenanced Chinese art, ancient to modern, highlights the first sale at Gianguan Auctions new Manhattan gallery at 39 W. 56th Street. Other fine collections include Buddhist art, Chinese porcelains, stone seals, teapots and carved jades. All come come to the podium on Saturday, December 19th, beginning at 11:00 a.m.

Fine art collectors who appreciate the company they keep need only view the thirteen Emperor seals, twenty-two collectors’ seals and colophon by Emperor Qianlong that adorn Lot 117, the Northern Song Dynasty painting by Fan Kuan (950-1032). A masterpiece of tonality, the ink on paper captures the high rising river and plateaus of a mountain while a troupe of travelers in the foreground groom their water buffalo and attend to daily chores. The estimate on Traveling Troup is $15,000,000-$20,000,000.

The deep collection of landscapes continues with Spring Outing by Tang Yin (1470-1523), and ink-on-paper portraying rockery in the foreground of a bridge with two foot travelers, all set above a pavilion by the river’s edge filled with people. An inscription, signature, one artist seal and seven collectors’ seals support the $3,000,000-$4,000,000 estimate.

River’s End by Wang Shimin (1592-1680), a highly stylized undulating landscape depicting bridge over river and varieties of lichen, evergreens and blue leafed trees, is dated 1668. It is signed by the artist and bears two artist seals, nine Emperors’ seals and three collectors’ seals. Bidding starts at $200,000.

Fast forwarding to mid-century, Lot 100, Spring Trees by Wu Guanzhong (1919-2010) makes a strong abstract statement with a ground of colorful ink splashed overlaid with bold black strokes. Signed, with one artist seal, it is set to go off at $40,000-$60,000.

Florals, animals, fruit, scholars and maidens all bring the Chinese lifestyle and beliefs into the visual dimension. Artists Qi Baishi, Ru Pu, Li Keran, Li Kuchan and others are represented with works that range in value from $20,000 to $200,000. For instance, Lot 89, Crabs and Cabbage by Qi Baishi (1864-1957 is a masterful painting in spare strokes that will bring $25,000-$40,000 while Lot 115, Road to Riches, captures in few strokes a worker with rake and basket. Dated 1947, it is signed, with three artist seals, and will go off at $150,000-$200,000.

Among the more majestic paintings is Horse and Attendant by Ru Pu (Xin Yu – 1896-1943), a modem rendition of the black stallion obedient in the hands of a handler in blue. The 1945 ink-on-silk is valued at $15,000-$30,000.

The attributes of scholars are poignantly portrayed in Lot 126, Louhans Crossing by Zhang Daqian (1899-1983), that shows a wizened old man supported by attendant crossing water will fetch $50,000-$80,000. Study Group, 1951, also by Zhang Daqian, captures two men pouring over a book. It is inscribed and signed with three artist seals bringing the auction to $40,000-$50,000. Both pair nicely with Lot 30, a golden shoushan stone boulder carving of nine Luohans moving between heaven and earth. It is $2,000-$4,000.

Chinese paintings have been a strength of Gianguan Auctions since its founding thirteen years ago. Many have found their way in private and public collections. For details on the collection of Chinese scroll paintings in the December 19th sale, please visit www.gianguanauctions.com

Gianguan Auctions is now at 39 West 56th Street, near from the Museum of Modern Art. Previews begin on Friday, December 11 and run through December 18th. Hours for viewing are 11:00 a.m. till 7:00 p.m. For further details, please view the online catalog at www.gianguanauctions.com.