ATLANTA – A highly detailed palace-size Chinese enamel cloisonné and gilt metal censor, two Chinese sculptures of finely carved soapstone and applied agate – both depicting mountainous landscapes – along with a monumental Chinese carved jade sculpture nearly 7 feet tall will all come on the auction block Aug. 29-30 at Great Gatsby’s Auction Gallery.
These are just a few of the more than 900 premier lots that will be sold over the course of two days by Great Gatsby’s Auction Gallery, beginning at 11 a.m. Eastern time both days. LiveAuctioneers.com will provide absentee and Internet live bidding.
Headlining the event will be the estate of the late William Vargo (1939-2008), who amassed a collection of mostly rare Chinese items. Vargo was an international businessman whose travels took him to many exotic places, but China is where he spent much of his time, overseeing two manufacturing plants in two cities. Along the way, he acquired many rare, unique and monumental items – mostly in China. None have ever been seen nor sold in this country, and most have not been produced in the last 40 years and will likely never be produced again.
One of the stars of the auction is an exquisitely detailed, palace-size Chinese enamel cloisonné and gilt metal censor raised on a carved and ebonized fitted base, resulting in an overall size of 96 inches in height and 52 inches in diameter. The central portion shows a continuous scene of celestial beings accompanied by their attendants, with enamel cloisonné designs throughout.
The large and impressive Chinese sculptures of finely carved soapstone and applied agate are as gorgeous and visually arresting as the censor. The one showcasing the Great Wall also has pagodas and guard towers amid pine and parasol trees. It is 61 inches tall, no base. The other (below) is similarly carved with a mountainous landscape, but with a central waterfall and three dimensional carved figures representing the Three Kingdoms. It rests on a base and is 45 inches tall.
The unbelievably detailed and gigantic Chinese carved jade sculpture – a staggering 83 inches in height and 64 inches in width – has an upper portion that depicts a mountainous landscape, with richly carved flora and fauna, to include cranes, chrysanthemums and peonies. These change to a seascape, with masted ships, sailing junks, and all manner of sea life, including fish, turtles and an octopus.
A rare Chinese cloisonné and gilt metal earthquake censor was functional as well as beautiful. The interior of the vessel would have originally been filled with small metal balls that would fall from the mouth of the dragon into the mouth of the frog, indicating the direction and severity of a pending earth tremor. This clever weather predictor is 28 inches tall and 20 inches in diameter.
Decorative items certain to appeal to bidders will include an oversized carved jade sculpture depicting deer, cranes, monkeys and other animal life in a landscape setting (35 inches tall); and a palace-size Chinese pierce-carved plaque on a stand (83 inches tall).
