Elite Decorative Arts will conduct a massive four-day auction of Chinese antiques, March 16-19

Feb. 15, 2013 - PRLog -- (BOYNTON BEACH, Fla.) – Approximately 1,200 high-quality lots of Asian antiques, most of them Chinese and all of them highly collectible, will be sold at a mammoth four-day auction planned for Mar. 16-19 by Elite Decorative Arts. The auction will be held at the firm’s gallery in the Quantum Town Center, located at 1034 Gateway Boulevard in Boynton Beach.

   The timing of the sale is key. It is being held during Asia Week, a hugely popular annual event that is centered in New York City and should attract the attention of bidders worldwide. Interest in, and appreciation of, Asian culture and Asian objects is at a peak during Asia Week (to be held Mar. 15-23). Elite Decorative Arts expects bidder participation to be keen as a result.

   “We expect that this will be our largest Asian sale ever,” said Scott Cieckiewicz of Elite Decorative Arts. “It features a magnificent array of Asian antiques, to include jade, ivory, coral, rhinoceros, porcelain, stone carvings, fine jewelry, cloisonné, silver and more. We’ve front-loaded the best items into the first two days, but all four days will feature quality merchandise.”

   Previews will be held on Friday, Mar. 15, from 11-5, and Saturday through Tuesday, Mar. 16-19 (auction days), from 11 a.m. until the first gavel comes down at 1 p.m. (EST). Phone and absentee bids will be accepted and online bidding will be provided by LiveAuctioneers.com and Artfact.com. “We’ve been saving our best Asian lots for this auction,” Mr. Cieckiewicz said.

   The expected top lot of the sale is an 18th or 19th century figural lotus form rhinoceros horn libation cup with vine and leaves handle (est. $150,000-$200,000). The cup, 5 ¾ inches tall, includes a fitted water form Zitan wood base and is from the mid-to-late Qing Dynasty period. It shows a high relief snail carved on the cup’s interior and has a total horn weight of 345 grams.

   Chinese hand-carved red coral groups are a big hit with collectors. This sale has several, including a large group showing two maidens holding sheng and pipa instruments, on a rock form base with high relief flowers and a fitted wooden base; and a large and impressive depiction of two Guanyin with flowers throughout, with a fitted wooden base (both est. $40,000-$60,000).

   Bidder interest should be keen for a pair of fine Chinese relief-carved and pierced pale green translucent hetian jade incense holders, each having a continuous scholar’s mountain landscape scene depicting pagodas, rock formations, trees, waterfalls and bridges (est. $40,000-$60,000). The holders both sport spinach jade bases and covers and each stands 9 ½ inches tall.

   Two Chinese scroll paintings are expected to command attention. One is a Zhang Da Qian scroll depicting a Guanyin carrying a vessel on a platter (52 ¼ inches tall). The other is a Li Chan scroll painting of a landscape scene with deer (56 ¼ inches tall). Both have calligraphy poems on the upper left, with signed red seals. Both are expected to realize $40,000-$50,000.

   Fans of jade will be wowed by the fine antique Chinese spinach jade plaque depicting masterfully hand-etched calligraphy (est. $30,000-$45,000). The verso side has centered, heavily-etched and large four-character archaic calligraphy marks. This even tone spinach jade specimen is 12 inches by 8 inches, with carved dark wood fitted base on a lingzhi form plinthe.

   Also offered will be a stunning Chinese jadeite hand-carved vessel with a figural pitcher and urn design (est. $20,000-$30,000). The piece features delicate reticulated carvings adorning the main body of the sculpture, showing ducks, Chih lung dragons, foo dogs, fruit, flowers, vines and relief rings. High relief scenes on the front and back depict fish and birds (15 ¼ inches tall).

   A gorgeous pair of antique (early 18th century) Chinese Qing Dynasty period hand-painted enameled famille verte porcelain hua form vases is expected to garner $16,000-$24,000. Each vase depicts courtyard scenes with women and children, and the band and foot depict flowers and fruit. Both of these vases measure 18 inches in height by 8 ¼ inches in diameter.

   Speaking of pairs, the pair of Chinese Qing carved and polychromed ivory figures of a standing Han Emperor Liu Bang and Empress Lu Zhi should hammer for $10,000-$12,000. The emperor is shown holding a sword and tassel, while the empress is holding a figural lingzhi ruyi scepter. Both are wearing layered robes, with high relief dragons and phoenix amongst clouds.

   From the fine jewelry category comes a stunning ladies’ 21kt yellow gold ring holding three cabochon bezel set stones (one round and two teardrop-shaped). The ring, a size 7 ¼, features breathtaking translucent apple green jadeite colors and it is guaranteed to be natural and untreated. Included is a GIA certification. The elegant ring is expected to fetch $3,000-$5,000.

   Rounding out just a handful of anticipated top lots is a fine and delicate Chinese vertical carved ivory Guanyin mountain scene tusk (est. $3,500-$4,500). The carving depicts an intricate fecund landscape scene that contains foliage surrounding a cascading waterfall. The tusk is 17 ¼ inches tall by 12 inches wide and includes a fitted reticulated figural pine tree base (1 ¾ inches).

   All purchases will be subject to a 15 percent buyer’s premium (for in-house and phone bids) or 18 percent if bidding online. Elite Decorative Arts is now accepting consignments for its Fine Decorative Arts Sale (Apr. 13). The next Asian auction will be held in June. To consign an item or collection, please call toll-free, at (800) 991-3340, or e-mail to info@eliteauction.com.

To learn more about Elite Decorative Arts and the March 16-19 auction, please log on to www.eliteauction.com. Photos of the lots being sold are already posted.

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