Chinese treasures go on block in auctions

Chinese fine paintings, archaic bronzes, sculptures and ceramics were scheduled to go under the hammer at Christie's and Sotheby's Asia week auctions in New York this week.

Highlighting a rare bronze ritual food vessel, Zuo Bao Yi Gui, from the early Western Zhou Dynasty (c. 11th century-771 BC), the auctions will include eight themed sales offering more than 900 objects, which also include contemporary Indian painting.

The food vessel, which was once in the collection of emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), might be one of only 15 four-legged examples known to exist, according to Tong Lingao, a specialist at the Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art Department of Christie's.