Fall Asia Week in New York will bring to the fore the impact that Buddism, mythical beasts and floral symbols have had on Chinese artisans through the ages. Nowhere will this be more apparent than in the Decorative Arts session of Gianguan Auctions' sale on Saturday, September 12.

The highlights begin with a rare piece of Buddhist art. It is Lot 253, a painted clay-coated linen figure of Guanyin draped in robes. The statue has a rich-red lacquer finish.  It is defined as “bodiless” because all that remains of the original clay mould is lacquer coated linen. The effect is achieved by dissolving the clay in water and removing it. The seated figure is draped in robes and has an overall rich-red lacquer cast. Its value: $8,000-$15,000.

The archaic peoples had their own rituals, about which little is known. Lot 195, for instance, is a Taotie mask with pictogram on an animal bone. Of the Liangzhu culture, it is believed to be a Royal Decree used to more troops. The shallow relief is carved on the obverse and reverse. It’s price: $10,000-$20,000.

Exceptional antique ceramics are highlighted by Lot 214, a Qing Doucai Bajixiang double-gourd vase on which polychrome clouds scroll up and around the body highlighting the Bajixiang emblems. A countersunk base is turquoise with and underglazed blue reign mark. The Qing six-character mark is visible. Bidding begins at $120,000 and may soar to as much as $180,000. 

The marquee carved jade item is Lot 233, a Mughal style bowl. Translucent and rising from a short foot to a slightly flared rim, the exterior is carved in low relief with ruyi trefoils, acanthus-leaf scrolls and meandering blossoms skirted by petal lappets. Six-inches in diameter and two-inches tall, the bowl is $15,000-$30,000. 

Chinese animals, flowers and mythological creatures dominate the decorative arts portion of the auction. Lot 17 is a Warring States yellow jade hair ornament carved with a vulture. Its estimate is $8,000-$15,000. Lot 273 is a large pottery painted ox of the Han Dynasty. Hollow moulded, standing foursquare, it retains original gray pigment on the body and red and white swirling clouds. The price for the large creature is $3,000-$5,000. 

Han Dynasty carved jades further the quest into the mysterious. Lot 36 is a rare white jade mythical beast rhyton with Qilins. It is embellished with gold wire and stones. The Han reign Mark is impressed on the underside. It will bring $15,000-$30,000. Lot 24 is a white jade Qilin with cub on its back. Of even tone with russet inclusions, its estimated is $5,000-$8,000 Lot 143 offers a jade Bixie with its head turned backward.  It too has the reign mark on the underside and is valued at $6,000-$8,000 

The powerful dragon makes a dramatic appearance at Lot 167 in a set of nine chasing flaming pearls across the bodies of a massive pair of egg-yellow Meiping. The dragons are green and aubergine. The green and aubergine dragons are set amidst flaming clouds and flame motifs encircled by ruyi. Inscribed with the Ming Dynasty Kangxi six-character mark, and of the period, the vases are $30,000-$40,000.

Lot 255, a Ming blue and white ovoid vase features two phoenixes, king of birds and symbolic of good fortune and opportunity. Of the period and bearing the Xuande six-charter mark the price is $30,000-$40,000. 

Representative of the scholar’s quest is Lot 270, a rare Ji-Yun tortoise shell box. Its rectangular shape is overlaid with tortoise shell. A poem is inscribed in gilt on the top. The interior is fitted with a shallow upper tray that slides. It has a brass plate and latch. Of the Qing Dynasty, the box bears the Jiaqing four-character mark. A collector will be lucky to get it for $5,000-$8,000.

For the complete line up of properties in the sale scheduled at Gianguan Auctions onSaturday, September 12th, please visit www.gianguanauctions.com.  

The auction will be conducted live at Gianguan Auctions New York gallery, 295 Madison Avenue. Online bidding takes place on invaluable.com, Liveauctioneers.com, and on the Gianguan website. For details and condition reports, please call 212-226-2660.