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Fine and rare Chinese carved jadeite statue of the Bodhisattva Guanyin, 18th century or later, 11 inches high. Estimate: $50,000-$80,000. Image courtesy of New Orleans Auction, St. Charles Gallery.

East meets West at St. Charles Gallery estates auction Jan. 22-23

Tom Hoepf
Tom Hoepf
Fine and rare Chinese carved jadeite statue of the Bodhisattva Guanyin, 18th century or later, 11 inches high. Estimate: $50,000-$80,000. Image courtesy of New Orleans Auction, St. Charles Gallery.
Fine and rare Chinese carved jadeite statue of the Bodhisattva Guanyin, 18th century or later, 11 inches high. Estimate: $50,000-$80,000. Image courtesy of New Orleans Auction, St. Charles Gallery.

NEW ORLEANS – Two unusual and outstanding pieces from opposite sides of the globe are expected to be the highlights of New Orleans Auction, St. Charles Gallery Inc.’s two-day estates auction Jan. 22-23. Saturday’s highlight is a rare Chinese serpentine cong (zhong), Han Dynasty (206 B.C.-A.D. 220), which carries a $150,000-$300,000 estimate. Sunday’s stellar piece is an important Rococo Revival oak sideboard that was exhibited at the London International Exhibition of 1862. This unique piece is expected to sell for $300,000-$500,000.

LiveAuctioneers will provide Internet live bidding for the 1,325-lot auction.

The carved stone cong, 34 1/4 inches long, is believed to have been used as a ritualistic item. It is slightly mottled dark and pale brown stone with incised designs of stylized human faces.

Garrard Robinson (1834-1891) created the Rococo Revival oak sideboard, which is decorated with relief carved scenes from Daniel Defoe’s acclaimed novel Robinson Crusoe. The massive piece is considered by experts to be an icon of Victorian furniture. The son of a blacksmith, Robinson attended the Newcastle School of Design. At the age of 14 he apprenticed to Thomas Hall Tweedy, then the most famous wood carver in all Great Britain. It is widely accepted that a majority of Tweedy’s finest works were from the hand of the talented young Robinson. Tweedy showed four examples of Robinson’s work at the London International Exhibition of 1862 under T.H. Tweedy of Newcastle-on-Tyne, which included this remarkable sideboard. This masterwork proved to be among the most spectacular works showcased at the event.

Also to be sold Saturday is a rare Chinese carved jadeite statue of the Bodhisattva Guanyin, 18th century or later. The 11-inch-tall statue of mainly bright apple-green stone with white mottling has a $50,000-$80,000 estimate. The statue is supported by an elaborate ivory base of Indian inspiration in creamy ivory with black veining, which is most often associated with stocks of ivory held in the Imperial Palace workshops.

A choice example of Americana in Sunday’s session is a carved cigar store Indian attributed to Samuel A. Robb of New York. The 70-inch-tall figure in polychrome stands on a base that is stenciled “Tobacco.” The nicely detailed wooden figure has a $30,000-$50,000 estimate.

Additional highlights Sunday include a grand pair of Continental electroplate candelabra adorned with putti and a rare early Newcomb College pottery teapot potted by Joseph Fortune Meyer and decorated by Anna Frances Simpson.

For details visit the company’s website at www.stcharlesgallery.com or phone 504-586-8733.

 

 

View the fully illustrated catalogs 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

Grand and opulent pair of Continental electroplate 10-light candelabra, early 20th century, 37 1/2 inches high. Estimate: $25,000-$40,000. Image courtesy of New Orleans Auction, St. Charles Gallery.
Grand and opulent pair of Continental electroplate 10-light candelabra, early 20th century, 37 1/2 inches high. Estimate: $25,000-$40,000. Image courtesy of New Orleans Auction, St. Charles Gallery.
Important Rococo Revival ‘Robinson Crusoe’ oak sideboard, third quarter 19th century, 84 inches high, 109 inches wide, 34 inches deep. Estimate: $300,000-$500,000. Image courtesy of New Orleans Auction, St. Charles Gallery.
Important Rococo Revival ‘Robinson Crusoe’ oak sideboard, third quarter 19th century, 84 inches high, 109 inches wide, 34 inches deep. Estimate: $300,000-$500,000. Image courtesy of New Orleans Auction, St. Charles Gallery.
Rare Chinese serpentine cong (zhong), Han Dynasty (206 B.C.-A.D. 220) or later, carved stone, 34 1/4 inches high. Estimate: $150,000 -$300,000. Image courtesy of New Orleans Auction, St. Charles Gallery.
Rare Chinese serpentine cong (zhong), Han Dynasty (206 B.C.-A.D. 220) or later, carved stone, 34 1/4 inches high. Estimate: $150,000 -$300,000. Image courtesy of New Orleans Auction, St. Charles Gallery.
Early Newcomb College Pottery high-glaze ‘Solitaire’ teapot, 1908, in Lily decor, potted by Joseph Fortune Meyer (1848-1931) and decorated by Anna Frances Simpson (d. 1930), 3 1/2 inches high, 4 inches wide, 7 inches long. Estimate: $2,000-$4,000. Image courtesy of New Orleans Auction, St. Charles Gallery.
Early Newcomb College Pottery high-glaze ‘Solitaire’ teapot, 1908, in Lily decor, potted by Joseph Fortune Meyer (1848-1931) and decorated by Anna Frances Simpson (d. 1930), 3 1/2 inches high, 4 inches wide, 7 inches long. Estimate: $2,000-$4,000. Image courtesy of New Orleans Auction, St. Charles Gallery.
Rare carved and polychromed American Indian cigar store figure, third quarter 19th century, attributed to Samuel A. Robb, New York, front stenciled ‘Tobacco,’ 70 inches high. Estimate: $30,000-$50,000. Image courtesy of New Orleans Auction, St. Charles Gallery.
Rare carved and polychromed American Indian cigar store figure, third quarter 19th century, attributed to Samuel A. Robb, New York, front stenciled ‘Tobacco,’ 70 inches high. Estimate: $30,000-$50,000. Image courtesy of New Orleans Auction, St. Charles Gallery.