Door Knockers, whether crafted out of bronze, as in England in medieval times, or in Jade, as in Chinese Palaces, are devices to ward off Evil. Although modern homes utilize electric bells, a Knocker increases the elegance of the front door in addition to Good Feng Shui.

For the October 27 auction, Gianguan has gathered an excellent collection of moderately valued Asian Works of Art for this sale. Encompassing an unusual pair of auspicious Jade Door-knocker, Lot 28, intricately carved depicting bats in flight with hinged qilin ring knocker, to ward off evil to a set of ten jade cups, in plain form, Lot 73, for taste or appreciation. Jade carvings, the art of lapidary large and small, are well represented in this catalog. Often the decorative motifs translate into a rebus, with auspicious meanings, as in Lot 106, Hetian white jade carving of a recumbent horse, biting at its hind hoof, Madaochenggong, translates to success arrives with the horse, bringing forth good fortunes to its owner. Highlights of jade carvings also includes Lot 115, A Fine Jade Tripod Ding Censer, with key-fret pattern border on a luminous body raised by three mask-head supports.

The scholars’ items feature a Rare Duan Inkstone, Lot 113, with thirteen ‘eyes’, utilizing the natural texture of the stone to sketch a thunderous scene of wispy cloud; A Huanghuali Brush Pot with Pine and Crane as longevity symbols, Lot 118 and a few Zitan Trunk-form Brush Pots, with God of Longevity for prosperity, and Hehe Immortals, as blessings in marriage, respectively Lot 37 & 143.

Notable among the Yixing Zisha teapots are Lot 153 Gu Jingzhou’s, Teal-Blue Teapot moulded with bamboo section and poem inscription and Lot 151, His Hexagonal Teapot in sections with a well-fitted lid separating a curved handle and spout.

Song Ceramics, timeless with subtle silhouettes and refined forms with sophisticated designs are well represented here with Lot 57, A Rare Green-Glazed Marbled Pottery Lamp with Handle; Lot 102, A Yaozhouyao Celadon Glazed Reverse Flow Flask Ewer, a small hole on the underside through which water is filled. Often monochrome glazed, another good example of Song ceramic is Lot 53, Purple Splashed Junyao Tripod Censer with Upright Handles with its vibrant opalescent effect and the copper tint resulting in the magneta splashes.

Catalog on Liveauctioneers: https://www.liveauctioneers.com/catalog/128037_fine-and-decorative-chinese-works-of-art/

Gallery previews begin Wed. 10/24 through Sat. 10/27 with auction starting at Sat 6PM, EDT. Gianguan Auctions is at 39 W 56th St. NYC

Tel 212 867-7288 or www.gianguanauctions.com for enquiry