As New York’s premier independent Chinese auction gallery, Gianguan Auctions approaches its 15th annual fall auction on September 8th with an array of properties that will please both seasoned and mid-stage collectors.

Among the marque items is a pair of Warring States ritual Dou that rise 19” inches tall on spindles emanating from the backs of ferocious looking Bixie. Adding to the drama–and once testing the anonymous artisan’s craftsmanship–are Kui-dragons that encircle the risers and dare clutch the horn of the stealthy-looking, muscular beasts below. All components are inlaid with silver and gold in geometric patterns and scrolling. The Dou are Lot 81,expected to fetch more than $200,000. 

Long recognized as a leader in presenting connoisseur-level scrolls and albums, Gianguan has curated an exceptional collection of both. The highlights are

• Tang Dynasty calligraphy by Liu Gongquan (Lot 98, $2M-5M)
• A Yuan landscape by Huang Gongwang (Lot 131,  $600,000-$1.2M).

The taste for classic works will be whet by several Xu Beihong scrolls of horses. “Horse Standing” is a 1940 work offering a three-quarter profile of a black horse on a green and tan field. It is Lot 107, expected to go off at more than $50,000. Several more Xu Beihong paintings illustrate his magnificent way with horses and carry appropriate estimates. 

Modern paintings include Yangyong Ding's “Frogs” (Lot 77), “Cat and Butterfly”(Lot 78) and “Chrysanthemum and Insects” (Lot 79), each masterfully imparting power with few brush strokes, are excellent bargains at upwards of $3,000. 

At the top tier of porcelains is a large silver glazed zun of the Qing Dynasty. It is carved and molded in low relief with a central band of Cicada lappets in geometric patterns below a scroll of taotie medallion flanked with two beast-head mock handles. (Lot 165, $20,000-$30,000). 

The ceramics feature several examples of blue and white from the Ming to Qing Dynasties such as Lot  127, a rare fish plate, estimated at $40,000-$60,000. Outstanding Famille Rose offerings include Lot 174, a Qing enamel bat cup with Luohan, expected to command $20,000-30,000.

To experience the pure joy of color, collectors  will find excellence in a selection of purple splash ceramics. Among them, a Song Dynasty junyao tri-pod censer with a soft blue ground. It is Lot 62,$1,000-$3.000. 

Gianguan’s best-selling categories are...

• Zisha teapots, Lots 261-274
• Chinese seals of Shoushan, Furong and Tianhuang stone,  Lots 37-42 and 45-52
• Snuff bottles, Lot 1 through Lot 14.

The Gianguan Auctions catalog can be viewed at www.gianguanauctions.com. Live previews run Wednesday, August 29 - Friday, September 7 (10 a.m.-7 p.m. EDT) at Gianguan Auctions gallery in New York City. The auction will be conducted live on Saturday, September 8, beginning at 10 a.m. EDT.  Bidding is live, online at invaluable.com, liveauctioners.com and epailive.com.