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A rare and important 18th-century Chinese rhinoceros horn carved double-faced Buddha head stands 6 1/2 inches tall and is composed of a solid inner and two-piece outer cortex on a finely carved base. Lot 515 carries a catalog high estimate of $30,000. Image courtesy of 888 Auctions.

888 Auctions follows up with Asian Art: Part II on Sept. 10

Tom Hoepf
Tom Hoepf
A rare and important 18th-century Chinese rhinoceros horn carved double-faced Buddha head stands 6 1/2 inches tall and is composed of a solid inner and two-piece outer cortex on a finely carved base. Lot 515 carries a catalog high estimate of $30,000. Image courtesy of 888 Auctions.
A rare and important 18th-century Chinese rhinoceros horn carved double-faced Buddha head stands 6 1/2 inches tall and is composed of a solid inner and two-piece outer cortex on a finely carved base. Lot 515 carries a catalog high estimate of $30,000. Image courtesy of 888 Auctions.

RICHMOND HILL, Ont. – Following the success of Asian Art: Part I, 888 Auctions is proud to offer Part II on Saturday, Sept. 10, a sale that will feature precious jewelry; traditional Asian furniture; a collection of ivory, bone, and horn carvings; and a unique collection of natural history items. In addition, collectors and connoisseurs will be pleased to find an eclectic and extensive collection of fine art traditional Asian paintings.

LiveAuctioneers.com will provide Internet live bidding.

Most notably, the auction features a private collection of horn carvings carefully cultivated over 15 years by a Canadian collector. Asian Art: Part II provides an opportunity to obtain exceedingly fine and rare horn carvings. Many of the items are elaborately carved with a variety of naturalistic, decorative and auspicious motifs, including flowers, fruits, birds, landscapes, mythical creatures, and the eight Daoist Immortals. With estimates ranging from $500 to $30,000, the private collection alone is expected to realize in excess of $75,000.

Leading the horn carvings of this private collection is Lot 515, an exceptionally rare and important 18th-century Chinese rhinoceros horn carved double-faced Buddha head. Composed of a distinct solid inner and two-piece outer cortex on a finely carved base design, it is estimated to exceed its estimate of $20,000-$30,000.

At Lot 511B is a 17th/18th-century rhinoceros horn carving of the eight Daoist Immortals in high relief. Carefully carved and exquisitely detailed, the carving captures the immortals in various activities. Measuring 4 1/4 inches high and 9 inches, it depicts a charming scene of two immortals playing a game under a pine tree alongside two servants. It is estimated at $6,000-$8,000.

Asian Art: Part II also features an extensive collection of fine Asian paintings spanning the18th century to the Republic Period. These works of art—painted with watercolor or ink and on diverse mediums ranging from canvas to silk—are sure to please any fine art collector. Highlighting this collection of fine art is lot 257A, Yen Ee Guay’s (¤¸¥Î) 18th/19th Century watercolor painting on hanging scroll featuring white chrysanthemums and green leaves. Inscribed and signed with one artist seal and stamped with Qianlong’s seal, it is estimated at $6,000-8,000.

A 19th-century Chinese painting featuring an impressive use of watercolor on silk is featured at Lot 262E. Inscribed and signed with one artist seal, the slightly faded depiction of the sea and the mountain and a single prominently placed tree is estimated at $5,000-$10,000.

For those with a more modern taste, Lot 258 features a 20th-century porcelain painting. Featuring a unique and charming depiction of Mao Zedong, the subject is seen feeding birds alongside children. It carriers a $500-$800 estimate.

From the ivory collection of the auction stands a Chinese ivory tripod “shou” censer. Standing 15 inches tall with a six-character Qianlong mark on the base, the censer features three immortals finely carved on the body with dragons and chicken carved in relief on the carved handles. A shou longevity symbol is conspicuously placed against an openwork lid. Lot 551 is expected to exceed its high estimate of $7,000.

Another exciting item in the ivory collection is Lot 411. Carefully carved and colored, this unusual and realistically rendered ivory fish, uniquely vertically oriented, is carved alongside elaborate openwork flowers and birds perched along the branches. This Chinese openwork carved ivory figure is estimated $2,000-3,000.

When it comes to the antique snuff bottle collection, a snuff bottle of particular note can be found in Lot 601A. An elaborate openwork snuff bottle carved with a continuous scene of sages and attendants in pavilions, this carved ivory snuff bottle holds a $1,000-$1,500 estimate.

Not to be outdone by its ivory counterpart, Lot 618 features a horn carved snuff bottle in the form of a small boy. Adorned with a small cap as the matching horn stopper and a highly expressive and detailed face, Lot 618 is expected to realize over $600.

A standout from the collection of wood carved figures is Lot 419, which features a tall Guanyin figure. Draped in flowing robes and holding a ruyi scepter in her right hand, the Zitan wood figure of Guanyin is placed prominently in front of a fiery backdrop that has been carefully carved around the figure. Majestic at 19 1/2 inches tall, its estimate is $2,000-$3,000.

A valuable and large cricket jar can be found at Lot 322. Seemingly unremarkable in spite of its size, the lobed jar form is unique with its fitted wood mounts and rare openwork carved tortoise shell top featuring carved tiger and dragon motifs amid swirling clouds. Standing 9 1/2 inches tall with a four-character Qianlong mark on its base, it commands an estimate high of $2,000.

From the traditional furniture collection is an elegant Chinese table screen inset with jade plaques at Lot 820. The wood frame is openwork carved and inset with three jade plaques. Flanked by carved calligraphy on either side, the central inset jade plaque displays a sage with a crane symbolizing longevity. Standing 19 1/2 inches tall and 19 inches wide, it carries an auction value of $3,000-$5,000.

Other unique pieces include an imperial Guqin at Lot 803. Featuring a four-character Qianlong mark and gold gilt design along its front, this traditional instrument is estimated $3,000-$5,000.

With such a diverse collection of fine art paintings and carvings, Asian Art: Part II promises to be a unique and exciting auction experience.

For details on these and other items in the auction, visit www.888auctions.com or call the auctioneers at 905-763-7201.

888 Auctions’ Sept. 10 Asian Art: Part II Auction begins at 5 p.m. Eastern at 280 W. Beaver Creek Road, Unit 15, on the northwest corner of West Beaver Creek and Highway 7.

Registered bidders may also access LiveAuctioneers.com to bid live online.

888 Auctions has been the leader in sales of Chinese porcelains and Asian arts in Canada for more than 15 years.

 

View the fully illustrated catalog and register to bid absentee or live via the Internet as the sale is taking place by logging on to www.LiveAuctioneers.com.

ADDITIONAL LOTS OF NOTE

An exceptionally carved ivory tripod censer with longevity ‘shou’ symbol stands 15 inches high with a six-character Qianlong mark on the base. The features a relief carving of three immortals and a dragon and chicken motif design on the handles. Lot 551 is expected to exceed its high estimate of $7,000. Image courtesy of 888 Auctions.
An exceptionally carved ivory tripod censer with longevity ‘shou’ symbol stands 15 inches high with a six-character Qianlong mark on the base. The features a relief carving of three immortals and a dragon and chicken motif design on the handles. Lot 551 is expected to exceed its high estimate of $7,000. Image courtesy of 888 Auctions.
A gourd cricket jar is fitted with wood mounts and rare openwork carved tortoiseshell top, which features carved tiger and dragon motifs amid swirling clouds. Standing 9 1/2 inches high with a four-character Qianlong mark on its base, Lot 322 commands a high estimate of $2,000. Image courtesy of 888 Auctions.
A gourd cricket jar is fitted with wood mounts and rare openwork carved tortoiseshell top, which features carved tiger and dragon motifs amid swirling clouds. Standing 9 1/2 inches high with a four-character Qianlong mark on its base, Lot 322 commands a high estimate of $2,000. Image courtesy of 888 Auctions.
Draped in flowing robes and holding a ruyi scepter in her right hand, the Zitan wood figure of Guanyin is placed prominently in front of a fiery backdrop. Majestic at 19 1/2 inches tall, Lot 419 carries an estimate of $2,000-$3,000. Image courtesy of 888 Auctions.
Draped in flowing robes and holding a ruyi scepter in her right hand, the Zitan wood figure of Guanyin is placed prominently in front of a fiery backdrop. Majestic at 19 1/2 inches tall, Lot 419 carries an estimate of $2,000-$3,000. Image courtesy of 888 Auctions.
Elaborately carved and colored, this unusual and realistically rendered ivory fish is carved alongside flowers and birds. This Chinese openwork carved ivory is estimated $2,000-$3,000. Image courtesy of 888 Auctions.
Elaborately carved and colored, this unusual and realistically rendered ivory fish is carved alongside flowers and birds. This Chinese openwork carved ivory is estimated $2,000-$3,000. Image courtesy of 888 Auctions.
This Chinese hanging scroll, painted with watercolor on paper by Yen Ee Guay (元用) dates to the 18th or 19th century. Illustrating white chrysanthemum with green leaves, it is inscribed and signed with one artist seal and marked with the red seal of Qianlong. It is expected to fetch over $8,000. Image courtesy of 888 Auctions.
This Chinese hanging scroll, painted with watercolor on paper by Yen Ee Guay (元用) dates to the 18th or 19th century. Illustrating white chrysanthemum with green leaves, it is inscribed and signed with one artist seal and marked with the red seal of Qianlong. It is expected to fetch over $8,000. Image courtesy of 888 Auctions.