Pretty, Shiny 'Asia Week' Treasures

For most people a Ming vase, dating from the 1500s, is prohibitively expensive. But Ming-style vases, made in China in the 1700s, are far cheaper. Bidding for this 15-inch-high vase starts at about $10,000 at Doyle New York on Monday, March 21. Overall, this is the city's busiest 'Asia Week' in years. 

British artist Hugo Tillman photographed prominent Chinese artists on a surreal stage set designed based on their philosophies, fantasies and childhood memories. The series of works is on view at Nohra Haime Gallery at 730 Madison Avenue through April 5.

Tang-dynasty horses are, in a certain collecting set, over. Dealer Michael Hughes is offering a huge, striding glazed camel instead, plus a rare, colorful Earth spirit formerly in the Tsui Museum of Art, Hong Kong. Both date to the Tang Dynasty (618-907 A.D.), a period known for its expansion of China's borders and power.

One of the most expensive and rarest items for sale during Asia Week is this figure of the Emaciated Siddhartha, or 'Fasting Buddha', dating from the 3rd or 4th century. It will go up for auction at Christies on March 22. The deity, evocatively carved, is shown seated on grass over a pedestal, his emaciated torso revealing the ribcage, gaunt cheeks and deep-set eyes. Estimates go up to $10 million.

Known for its swanky openings, the Chinese Porcelain Company on Park Avenue is a target destination as many socialites as scholars.  Their special exhibition will feature ink paintings. This one, by contemporary artist Jin Ling Liu Dan, is offered at $98,000.

This screen attributed to Kano Naizen (1570-1616), will go up for auction Wednesday, March 23 as part of Christie’s auction house's Japanese and Korean Art sales The screen presents the historic moment when East met West around 1600. Constructed of gold and gold leaf on paper, it is expected to sell for around $4 million.

Dealer Joan Mirviss, a longtime specialist in Japanese material, will show avant-garde ceramics on East 78th street in a show dubbed "Birds of Dawn."

A pair of Chinese Huanghuali (it's a rare type of rosewood) cabinets will go on auction at Doyle’s auction house March 21. Rectangular, with two panel doors and carving on three sides, the pieces are expected to fetch up to $180,000.

Sotheby’s is hosting five Asian-themed auctions to coincide with Asia Week. One special item, featured in its Indian and Southeast Asian Works of Art series on March 24, is a rare bejewelled Indian canopy, almost 150 years old. Decorated with over 500,000 pearls as well as sapphires, diamonds and emeralds, it is expected to sell for up to $5 million.

Dealer Carlo Cristi, one of several dealers hosting an open house this weekend as part of Asia Week, specializes in artworks from the Himilayas; this 6th to 7th-century "Durga" is Indian and made of red clay.

British dealer Sue Ollemans is visiting from London for Asia Week and will be taking a space at 960 Madison Avenue for her show of Indian jewelry.

One of the best-known Asian art dealers is the London-based Giuseppe Eskenazi; he's bringing silver and gold metalworks made in China. This silver melon-shaped box, more than 1,000 years old, will be on view at his exhibition at 2 East 79th Street. The price: About $400,000.

This sculpture depicts Benkei, a legendary 12th-century Japanese warrior monk who died defending his Shogun. It's at Sydney L. Moss Gallery's exhibition at the Fuller Building. (For more info on events: www.asiaweekny.com)