Chinese carvings top picks at Elite Decorative Arts sale June 23-24
A personal office built into a desk, this late 19th century standard grade Wooton model of burled walnut carries a $10,000-$15,000 estimate. Image courtesy Elite Decorative Arts.
Internet bidding will be facilitated by LiveAuctioneers.com. Selling will start at 1 p.m. EDT both days.
The Saturday, June 23, session will feature over 300 lots of fine porcelain, artwork and decorative arts. An equal number of lots will change hands on Sunday, with a session dedicated to fine Chinese carvings and works of art.
Previews will be held Friday, June 22, from 11 a.m.-5 p.m., and on sale days from 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
The expected top lot of the sale is a rare and masterfully carved Chinese rhinoceros horn libation cup from the 17th or 18th century, 4 inches tall and fitted to a reticulated teakwood base. It has a presale estimate of $150,000-$250,000. The cup was offered at Elite Decorative Arts’ March 17-18 auction, but has been relisted in the upcoming sale because of nonpayment.
Chris Hayes of Elite Decorative Arts said the winning bidder from China placced the high bid of $270,000, but failed to make payment.
The rhinoceros horn libation cup is striking—finely relief carved as a wooded jungle and rendered in high relief to depict a village scene with trees and people working and resting. One side shows scholars climbing the side of a rock mountain, with many types of trees. The other side depicts a family at the base and a tall and leafy peony tree growing amongst rock.
Also offered June 24 will be several stunning fine carved red coral group figures, highly sought after by collectors. Two lots carry estimates of $40,000-$60,000. Both are fully relief carved group figures. One depicts two maidens with young girls, plus a phoenix with birds of paradise. The other is a massive hand-carved coral figure depicting Quan Yin, with four birds.
Two other red coral group figures are expected to bring $30,000-$40,000. One depicts Quan Yin, with deer, birds, bamboo trees and flowers. It is finely carved throughout and stands 6 3/4 inches tall, weighing 691 grams. The other depicts a maiden holding a lantern and a fan, with two children to her upper and a young girl under them. It is 8 3/4 inches tall and 1,370 grams.
Also selling at the June 24 session will be a Chinese Ming Dynasty olive glazed pottery vase having a raised design depicting dragons and flora throughout and six rings to the shoulder, with mask design (est. $12,000-$18,000), and a Chinese Cultural Revolution-era hand-carved polychromed ivory group figure of a woman and young child on a stool (est. $6,000-$8,000).
The June 23 session will be somewhat more free-wheeling with the star lots drawn from several different categories. One expected standout is a late 19th century Victorian-style standard grade burled walnut Wooton patent desk, with bronze hardware (est. $10,000-$15,000). The circa 1890 desk is 72 inches wide by 42 inches wide and has several letter slots and a letter box.
Artwork will feature a drawing on paper by James Abbott McNeil Whistler (American, 1834-1903), of a man and a young girl, 7 1/2 inches by 10 1/2 inches, framed and matted (est. $6,000-$8,000); and a photogravure by Robert Mapplethorpe (American, 1946-1989), titled Orchid, of an orchid on a black background, signed and dated, Edition No. 22/27 (est. $8,000-$10,000).
Also selling June 23 will be an 18K white gold and 2.53-carat diamond bridal ring set, an engagement ring featuring a modern brilliant cut round diamond of VS2 clarity and J color and weighing exactly 1.39 carats (est. $5,000-$10,000). On either side of the center stone is a .25-carat modern brilliant cut diamond. The size 7 ring has a written appraised value of $10,750.
To learn more about Elite Decorative Arts and the company’s events call 561-200-0893 or toll-free at 800-991-3340, email info@eliteauction.com or visit the website www.eliteauction.com.
ADDITIONAL LOTS OF NOTE
A personal office built into a desk, this late 19th century standard grade Wooton model of burled walnut carries a $10,000-$15,000 estimate. Image courtesy Elite Decorative Arts.
This rare, finely carved rhinoceros horn libation cup could fetch $150,000-$250,000. Image courtesy Elite Decorative Arts.
Several gorgeous and highly sought after red coral carved figures, like this one, will be sold June 24. Image courtesy Elite Decorative Arts.
Chinese Ming Dynasty olive glazed pottery vase with raised design. Estimate: $12,000-$18,000. Image courtesy Elite Decorative Arts.
Chinese hand-carved polychromed Cultural Revolution ivory figure. Estimate: $6,000-$8,000. Image courtesy Elite Decorative Arts.
Drawing on paper by James Abbot McNeil Whistler (1834-1903). Estimate: $6,000-$8,000. Image courtesy Elite Decorative Arts.
Photogravure titled ‘Orchid’ by Robert Mapplethorpe (1946-1989). Estimate: $8,000-$10,000.
More on Auction Central News
