Pair of very large elephant ivory tusks, both on 15-inch bases. Estimate: $100,000-$150,000. Image courtesy Elite Decorative Arts.
The sale will be conducted by Elite Decorative Arts, at the firm’s spacious gallery facility located in the Quantum Town Center at 1034 Gateway Blvd. (Suite 106-108) in Boynton Beach. LiveAuctioneers.com will provide Internet live bidding.
Over 800 lots of Asian antiques—including ivory, jade, coral, stone carvings, porcelain, bronze, silver, art glass, artwork and furniture—will be sold, starting both days at 6 p.m. Eastern.
The rhino horn libation cup (circa 18th/19th century) has been masterfully relief carved throughout and depicts trees, people, pagodas, clouds and rock formations. The piece measures 4 inches in height, weighs 333 grams and includes a fitted reticulated teakwood base. It is difficult to overstate the desirability of such cups to collectors, who will pay fantastic sums to own one.
The Imperial quality Chinese hand-carved red coral group figures are truly stunning in their attention to detail. Dating to the late Ch’ing Dynasty, the beautifully carved figures vary from 7 to about 17 inches in height, and are perched on fitted wooden bases, some with handsome silver inlay. The best of the groupings are expected to sell for $30,000-$60,000 each.
The rare Chinese bronze wine container (Warring States period, 475-221 B.C.) is bird-shaped and inlaid with silver, gold and copper. The surface is covered with cupric oxides, due to its extended burial. The back and sides of the object depict coiled serpents and archaic birds, and the chest shows a mythical horned animal. The removable head is inlaid with gold and silver.
Another lot that could easily sail past the $100,000 mark is a pair of large elephant ivory tusks on stands (est. $100,000-$150,000). The tusks are quite literally mammoth: one is 81 3/4 inches in length and 21 inches in girth, while the other is 75 inches in length and 20 3/4 inches in girth. These figures include the bases; by themselves, the tusks are 66 and 60 1/2 inches long.
A pair of smaller, but still large, hand-carved Chinese ivory elephant tusks, each one depicting an emperor and an empress, carries an estimate of $15,000-$20,000. Both 19th century tusks are signed to the base and measure about 24 3/4 inches tall (and weigh 14.2 pounds). The emperor and empress are both fully relief carved with fine detail. Each wears a layered robe.
An 18th century milky white jade Chinese covered urn, carved and rounded by a master craftsman with Imperial quality, 10 inches tall and 6 inches in diameter should realize $40,000-$60,000. Also, a striking, large Japanese bronze figure depicting a standing archer, signed to a bronze plaque on the back of the archer’s left thigh, finely crafted, 28 inches tall, should bring $20,000-$30,000.
An early Western Han (206 B.C.-A.D. 8) to Eastern Han (A.D. 25-220) Dynasty lacquered wooden horse, carved entirely out of a single block of wood, is expected to change hands for a reasonably modest $40,000-$50,000 (considering a similar example sold at Christie’s in 2006 for $419,000). The horse was produced for burial purposes, for a powerful, noble person or leader.
A 14-karat yellow gold emerald green gem jadeite ring should slip on a new and lucky finger for $30,000-$50,000. The ring features a stunning, glowing translucent apple green gem jadeite oval cabochon prong-set stone. The two-tone mount is set with 12 round-cut white diamonds, about .02 carats each. The size 9 1/2 ring has a total diamond weight of 5.0 grams (or 7.8 grams).
Rounding out the short list of expected top lots is a large, 18th century Chinese five-panel throne screen made from Zitan wood (est. $20,000-$30,000). The 133-inch-long by 108-inch-tall throne was possibly given as a wedding present for someone of high Imperial status. The use of Zitan for furniture was especially favored by both the Ming and Qing Imperial Chinese courts.
Previews for the auction will be held on Friday, March 16, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; on Saturday, March 17, from 4-6 p.m.; and Sunday, March 18, also from 4-6 p.m. Internet bidding will be facilitated by LiveAuctioneers.com. Telephone and absentee bids will also be accepted.
Elite Decorative Arts is currently accepting quality consignments for its upcoming March 31 Fine Decorative Arts & Estate Jewelry Auction. To consign an item, estate or collection, call 800-991-3340 or email them at info@eliteauction.com. To learn more about Elite Decorative Arts, log on to their website at www.eliteauction.com
ADDITIONAL LOTS OF NOTE
Pair of very large elephant ivory tusks, both on 15-inch bases. Estimate: $100,000-$150,000. Image courtesy Elite Decorative Arts. Antique Chinese hand-carved rhinoceros horn libation cup, 4 inches tall. Estimate: $150,000-$250,000. Image courtesy Elite Decorative Arts. One of about a dozen Imperial quality hand-carved red coral figural groups. Estimate: $40,000-$60,000 each. Image courtesy Elite Decorative Arts. Rare bird-shaped bronze wine container inlaid with silver, copper and gold. Estimate: $200,000-$300,000. Image courtesy Elite Decorative Arts. Imperial milky white jade vase covered urn or vase with breathtaking translucence. Estimate: $40,000-$60,000. Image courtesy Elite Decorative Arts. Early Western Han to Eastern Han Dynasty lacquered wooden horse. Estimate: $40,000-$50,000. Image courtesy Elite Decorative Arts.
