I.M. Chait Gallery

1410 South Olive Street, Los Angeles, California 90015
310-285-0182

About Auction House

Two years after he started selling Chinese antiques from his living room in 1967, Isadore Chait opened his first gallery of Asian Art. Today, I.M. Chait Gallery/Auctioneers has expanded into their 20,000 square foot facility and auction room, conducting 20+ auctions a year and is consistently referred to as the premier boutique auction house of Beverly Hills.

Auction Previews & News

8 Results

Auction Preview

Akio Takamori Stoneware and Asian Art Available in I.M. Chait Sale

A Japanese-American ceramic sculptor, Akio Takamori (1950-2017) carved characters from both rural and urban settings. Takamori’s works were inspired by Japanese culture and largely drew from his childhood years in his homeland. Akio Takamori’s stoneware sculpture of two figures is among the highlights of I.M. Chait Gallery’s upcoming Asian Art, Antiques, & Estates auction. The painted sculpture depicts two women. One rests her arm on the shoulder of the other. A polychrome ceramic figure by Ralph Bacerra (1938-2008) will be available as well. Bacerra’s artwork is acclaimed for its eye-catching color combinations, which he achieved with a multi-stage overglazing technique. The available sculpture features intricate geometric patterns inspired by Imari and Kutani ware of Japan, Tang ceramics of China, and Persian miniatures. The auction also offers a 1922 black lacquer finish parlor grand piano from Steinway & Sons. To view the complete catalog and register to bid online, visit Bidsquare.

I.M. Chait Gallery
Auction Preview

I.M. Chait Gallery’s Upcoming Auction Features Celadon Ceramics

Day two of I.M. Chait Gallery's upcoming sale will feature a selection of Korean celadon ceramics. Celadon ceramics are typified by their jade-like color and smooth glaze. First produced in ancient China, celadon ceramics quickly gained popularity across Korea and Asia. Initially, the Korean celadon ceramics were relatively crude, but by the 12th century C.E., Korean pieces were considered the finest. Among the celadon ceramics in this sale is a Korean glazed vase with a dark blue floral theme. A Rolex Zenith Patrizzi Daytona watch will also be featured in the upcoming event. In 2005, the Italian auctioneer Osvaldo Patrizzi recognized that the sub-dials of the Rolex Zenith Daytona ref. 16520 change color over time. Rolex used Zapon, an organic varnish, on Zenith Daytona dials made between 1994 and 1995. Undetected at the time, the Zapon did not fully cover the dial, resulting in the oxidation of the tracks. These color changes are progressive and do not settle with time, making the dials unique. Later, Rolex renamed Zenith Daytona to Rolex Zenith Patrizzi Daytona. Other available Rolex pieces include Sea-Dweller, GMT Master II, and Submariner watches. Those interested in these lots can register to bid on Bidsquare.

I.M. Chait Gallery
Auction Preview

Upcoming I.M. Chait Auction Brings Asian Art, Antiques, & Estates

Challenging the aesthetics of classical art is an oil painting titled You Like Me, Why Not from Liu Wei. He is a Beijing-based artist and a significant contributor to Conceptual art. Liu’s works are driven by personal ideas or concepts and often go through an extensive process of tinkering and manipulation. The aforementioned painting is available in the upcoming Asian Art, Antiques & Estates auction. The I.M. Chait sale will include over 600 lots of Asian and European art, antiques, jewelry, automobiles, furniture, sculptures, ceramics, and more. A well-preserved Apulian fish plate is highlighted in the auction. It features three fish painted in vivid colors. Rich in archaeological history, Apulia is located along the coastline of Southern Italy. Colonized by Mycenaean Greeks, the place is famed for its azure water, olive cultivation, and food. A GIA-certified pink sapphire ring is also among the featured lots. The sapphire weighs approximately 4.4 carats and is surrounded by numerous round-cut diamonds. Considered rare, pink-colored sapphires symbolize trust and loyalty in many cultures. To view the full catalog and bid, visit Bidsquare.

I.M. Chait Gallery
Auction Preview

No Reserve Single Owner Los Angeles Collector, Session II

In ancient China, powdered tobacco was widely used as a treatment for mild illness. This tobacco was stored in snuff bottles. In the 18th century, these bottles appeared as a status symbol and were manufactured at a much greater volume for the public. The second session of the Single Owner Los Angeles Collector auction, offered by I.M. Chait Gallery, presents eight sets of snuff bottles in porcelain, jade, and agate. The sale will also present a Chinese embroidered silk robe that dates back to the 19th century. In 1759, the dragon robe became a mark of stature, worn only by members of the Imperial family. The available cobalt blue robe was designed with mountains and dragons. The dragons are surrounded by ling zhi clouds. Also featured in the auction is an enameled porcelain figure of the revered artist Liu Hia. A pioneer of Chinese modern art, Liu was counted among “The Four Great Academy Presidents.” Register on Bidsquare to find more information and bid for these items.

I.M. Chait Gallery
Auction Preview

No Reserve Single Owner Los Angeles Collector, Session I

The production of porcelain decorative art reached its height during the Chinese Ming dynasty. These porcelain pieces, particularly moon flasks, were often made in a traditional style. Moon flasks were mainly designed with symbolic floral motifs that reflected the passing seasons. A blue-glazed moon flask vase is among the highlights of the upcoming Single Owner Los Angeles Collector auction, presented by I. M. Chait Gallery. This piece has a circular body with a narrow cylindrical neck. The front shows a dragon motif in white. Another key lot is a Japanese painting in the style of Utamaro. A printmaker and painter, Utamaro was known for his skillful portraits of women. He was also one of the most prominent artists in the ukiyo-e genre. Utamaro’s style blended elements from the emaki (picture scrolls) produced in the Kamakura period with the mature decorative style of the Tokugawa period. The featured painting is a portrait of a geisha, a traditional entertainer who attends to guests during meals, banquets, and other occasions. To view the complete catalog and register to bid online, visit Bidsquare.

I.M. Chait Gallery
Auction Preview

Los Angeles Collection | No Reserve

The Kangxi emperor was among the most prominent Chinese emperors of the Manchu Qing dynasty. The imperial kilns at Jingdezhen, overlooked for almost 60 years, were reopened during his reign. With the help of Jesuit missionaries, the emperor introduced new technologies to manufacture commercial and imperial porcelain. Kangxi-period porcelain especially popularized the famille verte and blue and white color palettes. The upcoming I.M. Chait Gallery auction presents a tall, Chinese Kangxi-style porcelain vase. The available famille verte vase has enameled overglaze decoration that shows trees and birds. The vertical registers, along with landscape scenes on the neck, are painted in the Kangxi color palette of translucent yellow, green, and black. These glassy colored enamels create a light iridescent or halo effect. The auction also highlights a Chinese wucai porcelain covered vase with figural motifs. Wucai porcelain evolved during the Ming dynasty and was a predecessor of Kangxi porcelain. The available vase portrays Chinese market scenes with blue outlined underglaze. This Los Angeles collection also offers Han-style urns, Japanese Satsuma ware, Zhi and Hu vases, and Chinese lacquered furniture. Interested collectors can explore the full listings and register to bid online on Bidsquare.

I.M. Chait Gallery
Auction Preview

Asian Art, Antiques & Estates

Amedeo Simonetti was a famous Italian painter known for his Orientalist paintings. The watercolors completed by his uncle, Ettore Simonetti, served as inspiration for the artist's compositions. Simonetti later went on to study at the Accademia di San Luca and learned the techniques of en plein air painting. The Eastern scenes depicted in Simonetti’s work were a reconstruction of the paintings and photographs he collected. His seascapes and landscapes are particularly rare. The upcoming auction, offered by I.M. Chait Gallery, will include a watercolor painting by Simonetti. It shows the intense research involved in composing these Eastern scenes. Another highlight is a floral glass vase by Daum Nancy made using the company’s signature acid-etching technique. The process involves the application of wax on a vase before submerging it in acid to create a pattern from the empty spaces. Enamel paints are applied on top. These vases are among the popular designs by the Daum Nancy studio. The auction also offers Royal Vienna painted portrait plates, Cartier jewelry, and Louis XV-style furniture. Interested collectors can explore the full listings and register to bid online on Bidsquare.

I.M. Chait Gallery
Auction Preview

Los Angeles Collection | Single Owner

A gu vessel is a Chinese container that was used for wine or ritual offerings during the Shang and Zhou dynasties. The tall and slim vessels have a flared and tapered base and a wider mouth. The high stem cups used during the Neolithic age were an inspiration for the gu vessels. The upcoming I.M. Chait Gallery auction presents gu vases with elaborate and distinct motifs. One highlight is a tall Chinese peach bloom porcelain vase. Created using sectional pottery techniques and joined in the middle, the cylindrical red glazed flaring vase has a trumpet mouth. The auction features a Chinese yuhuchun porcelain vase with a scrolling floral pattern. Also called yuhuchunping, these pear-shaped vessels were first used as holy water vases in temples during the Tang dynasty. Yuhuchun vases have a slightly flared rim, a linear neck with a broad end, and a large bottom structure. Showcased in this sale is a Chinese four-faceted Zun-vase decorated with floral and bird designs. It has a square shape and side flange. Chinese porcelain Guanyin figurines, bronze sculptures, enameled and lacquered porcelain ware, and gilt decorated woodenware will be available as well. Interested collectors can explore the full listings and register to bid online on Bidsquare.

I.M. Chait Gallery