NEXT AUCTION 26 MAY 2016 CHINESE CARVINGS & ASIAN WORKS OF ART

CHINESE CARVINGS & ASIAN WORKS OF ART CATALOG AVAILABLE NOW

PREVIEW PERIOD

Tuesday, May 24: 11AM – 6PM
Wednesday, May 25:  11AM – 6PM
Thursday, May 26: 11AM – 1PM

Qianlong Carved Ivory Carved Figures Headline 888 Auctions May 26 Sale

Richmond Hill, ON – 888 Auctions ushers in the summer season on Thursday, May 26^th with an excellent variety of quality fresh-to-market items featuring 462 lots of Chinese Carvings and Asian Works of Art, which will include watercolour paintings, dynastic ceramics and carvings, precious metals and jade pieces.

The summer sale will feature some truly exceptional items ranging from ivory carved figures and intricate jade carvings to contemporary luxury watches and gilt bronze figures featuring Buddhist deities. From the collection of Buddhist deities, collectors will be ecstatic over the inclusion of not one but two excellent pieces. Lot 430 features a Fine Gilt Bronze Buddha Figure with Ming Yongle Mark on base. The finely cast gilt bronze figure of the bodhisattva Maitreya is seated in vajraparyankasana with hands in mudra holding the stems of lotus flowers. Standing 23 cm tall and weight 2236 grams, this rare piece commands a high estimate of $70,000. Not to be outdone is another bronze figure of Guanyin at Lot 435. Bearing the Mark of Kangxi, it is expected to surpass its high estimate of $20,000.

From what has become a staple at 888 Auctions, two jade carved pieces are on display and up for auction: Lot 158 features a an exceptionally rare Qianlong Mark and Period Imperial Hetian White Jade Belt Set. The nineteen jade plaques that comprise the necklace are engraved with Manchu and regular Chinese script calligraphy bearing Buddhist texts. Remarkably rare is the presence of one jade plaque incised with the four-character Qianlong seal which has been marked and dated the first year of the Qianlong reign (1739). This exceptional piece carries a high estimate of $80,000. Hailing from the same collection is Lot 163, a Chinese White Jade Carved Vase; shaped in the form of an auspicious Mandarin Duck, the base bears a four-character Qianlong Mark. Weighing 1171 grams and 21 cm in length, this surprisingly well-preserved and intricately carved vase is expected to surpass its $60,000 high estimate.

Recent trends in the market have also shown a strong swing towards luxury goods such as watches. Collectors may be interested in Lot 218: a Jaeger LeCoultre 18K Gold Reverso Gran Sport Watch. Carrying a high estimate of $15,000, this lot is expected to garner tremendous interest.

Despite these exceptional items on display, the highlighted featured lots of the auction are the Qianlong Period carved ivory figures (Lot 455-458). These three pieces all hail from the same provenance from the Property of a Hong Kong Real Estate Tycoon who purchased these items in the salerooms of Christie’s, 1967-1975. All four lots carry exceptional provenance in the form of official early-1990s CITES permit from when it was imported into the country.

Lot 455 is a Magnificent Chinese Qianlong Period ivory carved figure featuring a seated figure of an emperor. His benevolent and serene face is crowned with intricate openwork carved headdress featuring dragons flanking a flaming pearl. Standing 44 cm (17.5 inches) tall and weighing in at 5.35 kg (11.8 lbs), this rare figure carries a $45,000 high estimate.

Lot 456 is a Magnificent Chinese Qianlong Period ivory carved figure; featuring seated figure of an empress carrying a seal in her left hand and seated atop a double lotus pedestal. Standing 43 cm tall (17 inches) and 5.05 kg (11.2 lbs), this ivory carved figure carries a $45,000 high estimate.

Lot 457 is a Magnificent Chinese Qianlong Period ivory carved figure; featuring phoenix holding a lotus floral spray within its beak; the base is openwork carved featuring two lotus floral blooms. Standing 28 cm tall and weighing in at 651 grams, this figure carries a high estimate of $16,000.

Please note here that all ivory carved items (including Lot 455-458) are protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and require a special CITES permit to leave the country and across international borders. The transfer of these items is under the strict regulation and control of the Wild Animal and Plant Protection and Regulation of International and Interprovincial Trade Act (WAPRITA). Failure to follow these international regulations will result in seizure and forfeiture of the items carrying fines from $1000 to millions of dollars and imprisonment. 888 Auctions is in full support of these measures in protecting endangered species. Please note that clients will be responsible for acquiring the appropriate permits for shipment and export; all clients are recommended to discuss the matter with their local customs broker/shipper prior to bidding if they wish to transfer these and other sensitive items across Canadian borders.

888 Auctions’ has produced a video (in Mandarin) explaining further details of CITES and how items are regulated today: See below

Preview will be held Saturday, May 21^st from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m; Monday, May 23^rd from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Tuesday, May 24^th from 11a.m. to 6 p.m.; Wednesday, May 25^th from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and just before the auction on Thursday, May 26^th from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

888 Auctions is currently accepting consignments for the June 23^rd auction. Please contact the auction house or call the auctioneers at 905-763-7201.