Chinese paintings, Tibetan and Buddhist Art, Carved Jades–the traditional categories of art and artifacts from China- are on preview starting today at Gianguan Auctions, West 56th Street off of 5th Avenue. The 18th running of Gianguan's annual spring sale, timed to coincide with Asia Week, takes place Monday, March 18th at 6 p.m.

A few of the highlights on view for collectors and curators to see include the following:

•  In honor of Year of the Pig, three carved jade pigs. The highlight is a Ming smiling pig recumbent in a woven basket with handle.  The back of the basket carries the Shou sign. At 7.5” wide, and 3” tall, the white-with-russet jade carving weighs 2,808 grams. It is Lot 63.

• A magnificent Kangxi ruyi scepter in the form of a lingzhi fungus leads a strong collection of Qing jade carvings. It is Lot 55.

• "Pomegranates in Bamboo Basket”  by Dr. Yuhua Shouzhi Wang, currently active. The ink-and-color on paper is signed Yuhua, with one artist seal. Lot 138.

• Song Meiling (1898-2003), Madame Chiang Kai-shek, is represented by “Sun Moon Lake,” a 1956 chiaroscuro hanging scroll that recalls a romantic outing. Lot 141.

• Best-selling artist Qi Baishi 's “Shrimps.” Signed “at 89 Baishi,” the hanging scroll has two artist marks. It is Lot  157.

• 13th/14th century Tibetan gilt bronze thangka frieze of the Avalokiteshvara with coral and turquoise. The back is embossed with Tibetan letters, possibly a mantra. Lot 131.

• Ming statue of seated Guanyin leaning on a stack of sutra, sacred scriptures. The base is sealed with a plate inscribed with a varja. Of the period, the 22” tall statue is impressed with the Yongle six character mark. It is Lot 135.

• A blanc-de-chine ceramic statue of Guanyin by He Chaozong,  17th c. master working in the style of the Dehua kilns. Lot 100.

• A pair of hexagonal hu-form vases with enameling of flowering trees and rockery bordered with archiastis scrollwork on sky blue panels. Lot 208.

For details on these and all the properties in the Gianguan Auctions March 18 sale, please visit www.gianguanauctions.com. Better yet, visit the gallery preview at 39 W. 56th Street.   (Bidding is now open on Artron.net, invaluable.com, and liveauctioneers.com.)