From Imperial Treasures to Modern Masters: Freeman’s Presents Asian Works of Art in New York
Lot 42 | Zhang Daqian (Chinese, 1899-1983), Landscape | Estimate $100,000 – 150,000
Freeman’s will present the Asian Works of Art auction on Friday, March 27 at 10AM ET in its New York saleroom, as part of Asia Week New York.
Featuring more than 200 carefully curated lots, the sale spans centuries of artistry—from Chinese archaic jades of the Hongshan culture to significant 20th-century masterworks—offering collectors a dynamic cross-section of Asian art.
This season’s sale is distinguished by notable private collections and estates, including Chinese paintings and rare books from the Estate of General Han-Chien Chueh; Chinese silver jewelry from the RenLu Collection; and 30 fine Chinese snuff bottles from the Estate of Dr. Thomas A. Klein, M.D., sold to benefit Thomas Jefferson University Hospital. The auction is further enriched by Himalayan gilt-bronze figures from a private Colorado collection, early Korean ceramics and bronzes from a distinguished New York collection, and finely painted Indian miniatures from the Private Collection of Dr. Augusta Rubin.
Annie Wu, Vice President and Head of the Asian Art department, shares: “We are thrilled to participate in our second Asia Week as an official member. This season, we have curated an exceptional selection of fine Chinese porcelain, paintings, and snuff bottles, alongside outstanding Himalayan Buddhist art and early Korean ceramics and bronzes. The breadth of the sale is remarkable, offering compelling opportunities for collectors at every level.”
FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: Lot 38 Pu Ru (Chinese, 1896-1963) | Estimate $30,000 - 50,000 | Lot 90 A Chinese Ruby Enameled White Glazed Porcelain 'Chilong' Vase, Possibly 18th Century | Estimate $10,000 - 15,000 | Lot 28 A Chinese Yellow Kesi Dragon Roundel Robe, Late 19th Century | Estimate $6,000 - 8,000
Auction Highlights
Lot 27 | A Chinese Pearl, Jadeite, and Hardstone Ornamented Court Headdress (Dianzi), 19th Century
Estimate: $10,000 – 20,000
This resplendent Qing dynasty court headdress, complete with headband, box, and four hairpins, exemplifies the opulence and refined craftsmanship of imperial workshops. Adorned with pearls, jadeite, and hardstone embellishments, the piece was originally created for a court lady and survives as an exceptionally rare, near-complete set—an uncommon feat given the fragility and dispersal of such adornments over time. Its preservation offers collectors a vivid and intimate glimpse into the splendor of Qing court attire and ceremonial life.
Lot 28 | A Chinese Yellow Kesi Dragon Roundel Robe, Late 19th Century
Estimate: $6,000 – 8,000
Woven in luminous yellow kesi tapestry, this dragon robe is decorated with roundels of five-clawed dragons pursuing flaming pearls amid cloud scrolls and scattered “shou” characters symbolizing longevity. The lower register features dynamic rockwork rising from crashing waves above a lishui hem, reinforcing imperial cosmology and authority.
Lot 38 | Pu Ru (1896–1963), Crane and Pine Property from the Estate of General Han-Chien Chueh, Taiwan, thence by descent.
Estimate: $30,000 – 50,000
Depicting a crane beneath pine branches—symbols of longevity and integrity—this elegant composition by Pu Ru embodies the artist’s scholarly refinement. The work carries distinguished provenance from the Estate of General Han-Chien Chueh, a celebrated Nationalist commander and accomplished calligrapher. Preserved by his family and consigned by his grandchildren, the painting represents both artistic excellence and an important chapter in modern Chinese history.
Lot 42 | Zhang Daqian (1899–1983), Landscape Collection of Hui Yihan and thence by descent.
Estimate: $100,000 – 150,000
A mesmerizing example of Zhang Daqian’s celebrated blue-and-green “splash” technique, this vibrant landscape showcases the bold color contrasts and expressive abstraction that defined his late career. Exemplified by this work, Zhang’s splashed-ink and saturated mineral pigments transformed traditional landscape painting into something boldly expressive yet rooted in classical philosophy. The painting comes from the collection of Hui Yihan, former Director of Taiwan International Radio and a close personal friend of the artist, and has descended within the family since. Its impeccable provenance and dynamic composition position it as one of the true highlights of the sale.
Lot 72 | A Chinese Blue and White ‘Odes on the Red Cliff’ Square Vase, Kangxi Mark and Period, circa 1690s
Estimate: $12,000 – 15,000
Kangxi blue and white porcelain remains a cornerstone of major global auctions, and this exceptional vase exemplifies the category’s enduring appeal. Of tapering square section with a waisted neck and flared lip, the vessel is finely painted in rich cobalt blue with expansive river landscapes depicting figures on a cliff, a bridge and pagoda, a fisherman below, and a boating party beneath a towering precipice with pine, crane, and full moon. The two remaining sides are inscribed with Su Shi’s Former and Latter Odes on the Red Cliff—literary classics that reflect on history, the passage of time, and transcendence—and the underside bears a six-character Kangxi mark in a recessed square. Its impressive scale, elegant brushwork, and celebrated scholarly subject matter make it a highly desirable example of the finest Kangxi wares.
Lot 90 | A Chinese Ruby Enameled White Glazed ‘Chilong’ Vase, Possibly 18th Century Property from a Gentleman, Montreal, Quebec.
Estimate: $10,000 – 15,000
This elegant bag-form vase is covered in a luminous transparent glaze and adorned with a ruby-enameled chilong encircling the shoulder. Bearing a “Yu Xiu Xuan Zhi” mark on the underside, the piece aligns with rare and highly regarded comparable examples that have appeared in major international collections and auctions. Its refined form, vibrant enamel detail, and strong art historical parallels enhance its appeal for collectors of fine Chinese ceramics.
Lot 100 | A Chinese Eight-Panel ‘Figural’ Coromandel Floor Screen, 18th Century From a Museum Collection.
Estimate: $6,000 – 8,000
Finely carved and painted, this monumental eight-panel screen presents a continuous narrative scene of elegant figures gathered on terraces and within pavilions. Bordered by foliate scrolls and fan-shaped panels enclosing scholars, the composition rests above medallions of mythical beasts. The reverse features inscriptions detailing the “Eighteen Scenic Spots of Jinling,” accompanied by auspicious motifs. Formerly in a museum collection, the screen combines decorative grandeur with literary and historical depth.
Lots 132–161 | Chinese Snuff Bottles from the Estate of Dr. Thomas A. Klein, M.D.
Sold to benefit Thomas Jefferson University Hospital.
This thoughtfully assembled group of 30 snuff bottles reflects more than four decades of dedicated connoisseurship by Dr. Thomas A. Klein, whose collecting was guided by scholarship, discernment, and a deep appreciation for craftsmanship. A distinguished physician and longtime leader at Jefferson Hospital, Dr. Klein approached his collection with the same rigor that defined his medical career, favoring quality, artistry, and historical significance over accumulation. Highlights include a Japanese Embellished Lacquer Snuff Bottle (Lot 149, estimate $2,000 – 3,000) and two interior-decorated glass examples by Ma Shaoxuan (Lot 160, estimate $2,000 – 3,000), a master of the late Qing period whose works remain highly sought after by collectors worldwide. Offered to benefit Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, the collection unites refined collecting with philanthropic purpose.
Lot 189 | A Japanese Cloisonné and Moriage Enamel ‘Lilies’ Vase, Ando Jubei Workshop, Meiji/Taisho Period
Estimate: $4,000 – 6,000
This refined vase from the Ando Jubei workshop features gracefully shaded lilies rendered in silver wire, musen, and moriage enamels against a luminous pale blue ground. The meticulous craftsmanship and delicate dimensional detailing exemplify the technical sophistication of late Meiji and Taisho period cloisonné. Bearing the workshop mark to the underside, the vase represents a superb example of Japanese enamel artistry at its height.
Asia Week New York Exhibition
Select highlights from the March 27 auction will be on view at 32 East 67th Street beginning March 20 as part of Asia Week New York. Freeman’s will host a special spring reception on Tuesday March 24 from 5:00PM – 7:00PM. The event is open to the public and offers an opportunity to preview top lots ahead of the sale.
Public Exhibition: Friday–Saturday, March 20–21: 10:00AM – 5:00PM Sunday, March 22: Closed Monday–Thursday, March 23–26: 10:00AM – 5:00PM
Auction Date: Friday, March 27, 10AM ET
Location: 32 East 67th Street New York, NY 10065
For more information or to browse the full catalogue, visit freemansauction.com.
How to Bid
The Asian Works of Art auction will be offered on March 27 in Freeman’s New York saleroom. Bidding will be available in person, over the phone, and via absentee or live online bidding. For more information, please visit freemansauction.com.
About Freeman’s Freeman’s is a premier American auction house offering services in multiple categories including fine art, jewelry, design, books and manuscripts, furniture, decorative arts, antiquities, couture, and Asian works of art. With 16 regional locations nationwide, the firm provides auctions, appraisals, private sales, and art advisory services, connecting clients to the global art market. Freeman’s strives to bring art, history, and design to life by connecting people with extraordinary objects through exceptional service and expertise.