Richmond Hill, ON – 888 Auctions’ October 20th sale of Important Chinese Ceramics & Asian Works of Art in Richmond Hill will showcase over 600 lots of an exciting array of Chinese porcelains and Asian works of art.

Highlighting the autumn sale will be an Important 15th Century Chinese Blue & White Reverse Dragon Charger, Xuande Period, Ming Dynasty (lot 502). This exceptional porcelain charger painted in deep cobalt blue features a central medallion of a reverse design of a carved writhing dragon. Surrounded on the cavetto with a continuous band of lotus blossoms borne on a single undulating stem with lobed leaves and continuous scroll work on the exterior and the sides, it is expected to exceed its high estimate of $250,000.

The important and rare offerings of exquisite ceramics from the Ming and Qing Dynasty do not end there; featured at lot 501 are A Large Pair of 17th Century Rouleaux Vases, Kangxi Period, Qing Dynasty. Marked with its typical Kangxi Double Ring Reign Mark and of the Period, the pair of Famille Verte vases is estimated at $20,000-30,000.

Collectors need not wait long for the prestigious items to be placed on the block. Featured at lot 37 is A Finely Carved Agate Ruyi Scepter, Shunzhi Period, Qing Dynasty. This 16” fully carved agate scepter is unusual in its auspicious bat longevity motif with inlaid script of ruyi; alongside three inset agate beads near the handle with Shunzhi tongbao copper coins underneath each agate bead, this rare item is expected to command over $30,000. Another stone carving expected to command immediate attention can be found at lot 36. Estimated at $10,000-15,000, this sublime Rare Water Agate Sculpture carries a natural water bubble preserved perfectly inside the agate sculpture.

A fine example of cloisonné enamelling is represented by a Large and Important 15th Century Imperial Cloisonné Enamel Censer, Ming Dynasty (lot 284). Elaborately decorated with all three significant and auspicious flowers, this exceptional Imperial Cloisonné Censer features an enclosed yellow ground cartouche of lotus, peony, and chrysanthemum sprays on an undulating stem with attendant lobed foliate-shaped green leaves. Supported by tripod cabriole legs in the form of an elephant and finished with phoenix finiale handles and surmounted by qilin on the rounded rectangular cover, this majestic cloisonné censer truly exemplifies the sprawling courts of the Ming Dynasty and estimated at $25,000-50,000.

Leading the Natural History collection is a Full Walrus Skull with Two Ivory Tusks from a private Canadian collection. With one tusk measuring 20” alone, this magnificently well preserved walrus skull has been garnering a great deal of awe and excitement in the showroom. Pictures alone cannot begin to describe the size of the skull. Lot 581 carries a $10,000-15,000 estimate.

Collectors and connoisseurs of wine will be delighted to find two Vintage Chinese Kweichow Moutai Grain Wine at lot 605 and 614 (dated Circa 1980 and Circa 1970 respectively). Moutai has traditionally been used by families as gifts and it received additional exposure when it was presented to US President, Richard Nixon in his 1972 visit to China. Unopened with its original seals and tags attached, both are expected to realize over $5000.

Preview will be held Monday, Oct. 17, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Tuesday, Oct. 18, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Wednesday, Oct. 19, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Thursday, Oct. 20, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Register to bid absentee or live in real-time at www.888auctions.com. Telephone bidding is also available; please call 888 Auctions at 905-763-7201.