Best of Eastern, Western cultures meet again at Converse Auctions Aug. 25

 

MALVERN, Pa. – A colorful cloisonné tripod censer of three enameled cranes is expected to bring $3,000-$5,000, and a beautifully rendered oil portrait attributed to French artist Jean Paul Laurens (1838-1921) carries an estimate of $2,000-$3,000 in Converse Auctions’ next East Meets West Sale, an online-only auction scheduled for Friday, Aug. 25. Absentee and Internet live bidding is available through LiveAuctioneers.

Those are just two items in a 475-lot auction where Asian objects will be sold prior to items from Western culture – hence the title East Meets West.

The more than 250 Eastern lots will come up for bid beginning at 9 a.m. Eastern. These will include antique bronze Buddha statues and censers, fine antique cloisonné, jade carvings, zitan and huanghuali furniture, porcelain vases and panels, paintings, thangkas, kesi embroidery, screens, brush pots, ink stones and swords, many from local estates and collections.

The Western lots – over 200 – will be sold starting no earlier than 3 p.m. These will feature fine paintings and prints, fine gold and diamond estate jewelry, Native American silver, watches and clocks, antique silver and coins, vintage clothing, porcelain and a group of tribal masks, statues and weapons.

 

 

To say the auction will have diversity would be an understatement. Items will range from a Faust print by French artist Louis Icart (1880-1950), signed and numbered (est. $1,000-$1,500) to a 1900 U.S. Liberty $20 gold coin (est. $2,000-$4,000).

In the 9 1/2-inch-tall cloisonné triple crane censer (top), each of the three cranes is shown holding a ruyi in its beak. The birds’ elaborate plumage is enameled in bright colors, with wire shapes simulating different kinds of feathers. The lid is pierced with cloud forms and the censer base is a tripod lotus pedestal under a top platform.

The portrait attributed to Laurens depicts an unknown sitter and is academically painted. In it, the gentleman’s arms are crossed and he’s standing in front of Art Nouveau style wallpaper of birds and flowers. The frame (33 1/4 inches by 37 1/2 inches) is elaborate and heavy in gold leaf, wood and plaster.

 

 

The Eastern session will be a veritable feast for fans of Asian objects. A rare, elaborate Chinese Qian Long presentation long sword (35 1/2 inches in length) with a carved jade hilt, filigreed embellishments in gold gilt and an inlaid wooden scabbard, should realize $5,000-$8,000; while a gold gilt bronze and Buddha, 11 1/4 inches tall and shown seated in a full lotus position, wearing robes in a floral cloisonné pattern in turquoise and edged in burgundy, should hit $1,000-$1,500.

 

 

A Qing carved zitan painting table with ornately carved legs and skirtings of dragons, flaming pearls and clouds, with the feet carved as waves, large at 77 inches by 37 inches by 34 inches, has an estimate of $3,000-$5,000; and a rectangular white jade censer (below), translucent and highly polished, with two square pierced handles and four cylindrical legs, should make $2,000-$4,000.

 

 

A pair of huanghuali cabinets comprising three shelves sitting atop a double-door cabinet, with a low riser on the shelves made of carved spindles, 35 1/4 inches tall, has an estimate of $2,000-$4,000; while a lovely huanghuali jewelry chest with a lid that opens up and two doors below (inside the drawers are two over one), should command $800-$1,200.

A huge famille rose bowl with interior panels that alternate between domestic scenes and scholars’ items under a floral border, and an exterior that repeats the themes of the interior, is expected to go for $1,000-$1,500.

For details call Converse Auctions at 610-722-9004.