Chinese vase rose to top of John Moran’s Traditional Collector sale

Large Chinese silver and cloisonne enamel vase by Wang Hing, $50,000

MONROVIA, Calif. – John Moran’s Traditional Collector sale took place on September 28, and delivered a captivating array of genres and materials ranging from silver, textiles, and furniture to decorative objects and timepieces.

The sale started strong with a large Chinese silver and cloisonne enamel vase by Wang Hing, a famous Chinese silver export retailer established in Canton in the late 19th century. This impressive vase sold for $50,000, significantly above its $10,000-$15,000 estimate.

A Chinese silk and metal thread area rug offered a glittering display of golden silk. The elegant rug, enlivened with blue accents, was estimated at $600-$800 but realized $15,000, 25 times its low estimate.

Textiles were a popular category in this Traditional Collector sale. A Belgian woven wool tapestry performed well, exceeding its $1,500-$2,500 estimate to sell for $7,150.

Kazak Karabagh area rug, $3,125

The dazzling colors and elaborate geometric patterns of the Kazak Karabagh wool area rug caught bidders’ eyes and realized $3,125, surpassing its $800-$1,200 estimate.

Chinese embroidered silk robe, $2,925

Rounding out the selection of textiles was a Chinese embroidered silk robe dating to the second-quarter of the 20th century. Bidders could not resist this pink damask silk wrap-front robe, trimmed with exquisite silk floss embroidered panels of black silk with multicolored floral and insect motifs, which was estimated at $600-$800 but achieved $2,925, nearly five times its low estimate.

Timepieces likewise proved to be highly sought-after acquisitions for buyers. Adorned with sprightly putti, the French gilt-bronze and marble mantel clock retailed by Tiffany & Co. received a considerable amount of attention and sold for $11,875, though it was estimated at $6,000-$8,000.

Monumental Meissen-style relief-decorated porcelain table clock, $5,850

Similarly ornamented with a plethora of putti, a monumental Meissen-style porcelain table clock evokes a sense of delicate whimsy with its pastel color palette despite its majestic size. The table clock was estimated at $2,000-$4,000 but sold for $5,850.

Both historical and mythological figures captivated bidders, with numerous examples far exceeding their low estimates. An English marquetry buffet featuring portrait roundels of Athena and Artemis with mother-of-pearl inlay sold for $8,125, outperforming its $2,000-$3,000 estimate.

Louis Haghe, ‘The Duke Andre Dandolo Departing for the Crusade from St. Mark’s Cathedral, Venice,’ $6,091

Louis Haghe’s striking watercolor and gouache painting The Duke Andre Dandolo Departing for the Crusade from St. Mark’s Cathedral, Venice was estimated at $3,000-$5,000 but achieved $6,091.

C. L. Romoli, ‘Apollo dancing with the nine muses,’ after Baldassare Peruzzi, $5,625

Lastly, C.L. Romoli’s oil on gilt-lacquer panel composition depicting Apollo dancing with the nine muses, after Baldassare Peruzzi, was estimated at $2,000-$4,000 but sold for $5,625.