Zhang Daqian to Headline 888 Auctions' Asian Antiques & Estates

Online, April 4, 2012 (Newswire.com) - Richmond Hill, ON - 888 Auctions will conduct an Asian Antiques & Estates auction on Thursday, April 26th. The 450 lot sale will be held at 888 Auctions' saleroom gallery and will begin at 2 p.m. Eastern.

The auction will showcase an enticing collection of Asian art and antiques including but not limited to paintings, porcelains, bronze cast Buddhist deities, finely carved zitan furniture, and Tianhuang and jade stone carvings. Items have been meticulously selected for their fine historical value and exceptional provenance.

Highlighted in the sale is an outstanding Zhang Daqian watercolour painting at Lot 56. Framed and in fine condition, the watercolour painting boasts exceptional provenance having been in the private collection of the owner of Tuck Shing Antiques (1969-1989), an antique shop on the famed antique hotspot of Hollywood Road. It is expected to surpass its estimate high of $300,000.

Chinese antique furniture continues to be in high demand for many collectors and 888 Auctions is proud to feature a zitan carved opium bed at Lot 227 hailing from a private Canadian collection. Clearly built to last with no nail construction and in fine condition, it dates from the 17th or 18th Century. Carved in relief are period designs of vases, censers, and floral sprays. The 17th/18th Century carved zitan opium bed carries a $25,000-45,000 estimate.

With the plethora of stone carvings on the market, collectors and connoisseurs will be quite surprised to find a truly unique piece at Lot 168: a 19th Century set of five Tianhuang shoushan stone seals enclosed within a Huanghuali carved box. The finely incised and minute detailed inscriptions on all five shard-form stones must be seen up close to be truly appreciated. It is accompanied by a document bearing the seal marks and signed by Emperor Guangxu. It is dated in the third of his reign. The richly light honey toned stone seals fresh to the market carries a $2,000 estimate.

The breadth of property offered at 888 Auctions' Chinese Asian Antiques & Estates is not only varied, but also of excellent quality. Buyers should feel comfortable knowing they will continue to find exceptional fresh to market items at fair prices.

Preview will be held Monday, April 23rd, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Tuesday, April 24th, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Wednesday, April 25th, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Thursday, April 26th, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

For details visit www.888auctions.com or call 905.763.7201.