Collectors of Asian art and antiques around the world will have to chance to bid live online via Artfact Live! at I.M. Chait’s Asian & International Fine Arts Auction July 10, 2011.  Featured lots include a bevy of dynastic porcelain; rare and exquisitely carved figures of ivory and jade; and much more.  For additional information, or to bid live online from anywhere in the world on Artfact Live! please visit www.Artfact.com.

Highlighting the auction is an important 14th Century Yuan Dynasty blue and white charger.  This large and beautifully painted porcelain charger boasts an ornate center design with fruit, squash and blossoms flanking a palm-like plant.  Two exterior rings surround the design, with lotus blossom and diaper patterns.  The Yuan Dynasty was founded by Kublai Khan, grandson of the infamous Ghengis Khan, and lasted from 1271 to 1368.  This rare charger, a fine example of porcelain from the period, is expected to bring $45,000 - $50,000. 

Also featured in this exciting auction lineup are a number of celadon jade items.  A large Chinese celadon jade double brushpot, adorned with crane and plum blossom designs, is estimated $20,000 - $25,000; a carved celadon jade incense burner with flori-form handles is estimated $18,000 - $20,000; and a massive 27-inch wide celadon jade figure, carved to resemble a mountain range, is estimated $15,000 - $20,000.  Additional celadon jade items are offered in the sale, and can be searched by keyword online at Artfact.com.

A large hand-carved ivory tusk is also included in the sale.  This carved tusk exhibits intricate openwork with figures spread across a rocky landscape of tress and pavilions.  At the center of the piece is a large multi-tiered temple.  The tusk measures 52 inches along its outer curve, and includes a lacquered wood stand.  It is estimated to sell for $12,000 - $18,000. 

Collectors of ancient and antique games will jump at the chance to bid on a rare Indian carved ivory chess set.  This extremely rare set includes 32 meticulously carved ivory pieces.  The kings and queens of the set sit perched in regal “howdahs” atop lavishly caparisoned elephants, while their subjects flank on camels and horses.  The tallest pieces measure 4.5 inches, and the entire set is stored in its original presentation box, accompanied by an ivory and wood inlaid board.  This superbly carved and completely unique chess set is expected to bring $10,000 - $12,000.

With over 450 lots in total, the auction features wide variety of additional Asian and international antiques, including porcelain, potter, jadeite figures, fine jewelry, polychromed ivory and more.  A full-color catalog of the sale is available at www.Artfact.com. 

In addition to this exciting auction, Artfact Live! also offers live online bidding at premier auctions around the world.  Artfact Live! bidders benefit from an enhanced, easy-to-use bidding console; a comprehensive auction database; and a powerful search engine that allows bidders to search consignments by keyword, auction house, artist name and more.  To register to bid at this or any other Artfact Live! auction, please visit www.Artfact.com.

Artfact.com is the largest global marketplace of fine and decorative arts, antiques, collectibles, and estate auctions.  In 2009, Artfact launched two live online bidding platforms, Artfact Live! and Invaluable Live! In the UK, allowing users to bid in real-time on auctions held around the world reaching a community of more than 10 million knowledgeable collectors and dealers worldwide. In 2010, Artfact merged with AuctionZip.com, increasing the reach of their platforms to include thousands of auction houses around the country.  Artfact's industry leading database includes more than 57 million complete auction results totaling more than $204 billion in value, including information on more than 500,000 international artists.

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