Richmond Hill, Ont – Following the success of Asian Art Part I 888, Auctions is proud to offer ASIAN ART PART II on Saturday, 10 September 2011 featuring precious jewelery; traditional Asian furniture; a prized collection of ivory, bone, and horn carvings; and a unique collection of Natural History items. In addition, collectors and connoisseurs of fine Asian paintings will be pleased to find an eclectic and extensive collection of Fine Art Traditional Asian Paintings.
Most notably, the auction features a private collection of horn carvings carefully cultivated over 15 years by a Canadian collector. Asian Art: Part II provides a unique opportunity to obtain exceedingly fine and rare horn carvings. Many of the items are elaborately carved with a variety of naturalistic, decorative and auspicious motifs, including flowers, fruits, birds, landscapes, mythical creatures, and the eight Daoist Immortals. With estimates ranging from $500 to $30,000 the private collection alone is expected to realise in excess of $75,000.
Leading the horn carvings of this private collection is Lot 515; an exceptionally rare and important 18th Century Chinese rhinoceros horn carved double-faced Buddha Head. Composed of a distinct solid inner and two piece outer cortex on a finely carved base design, it is estimated to exceed its estimate of $20, 000-30,000.
At Lot 511B is a 17th/18th Century rhinoceros horn carving of the eight Daoist Immortals in high relief. Carefully carved and exquisitely detailed, the carving captures the Immortals in various activities. Measuring 4 ¼” tall and 9” long, one can clearly see a charming scene of two Immortals playing a game of GO under a pine tree alongside two servants. It is estimated at $6,000-8,000.
Asian Art: Part II also features an extensive collection of Fine Asian Paintings spanning from the 18th Century to the Republic Period. These works of art – painted with watercolor or ink and on diverse mediums ranging from canvas to silk – are sure to please any fine art collector. Highlighting this collection of fine art is Qi Baishi’s watercolor painting at Lot 257B: featuring a Cicada and Butterfly motif. For those unfamiliar with his name, individual works of Qi Baishi (??) have sold at record setting prices in excess of $50 million. (Estimate: $4,000-8,000)
Equally impressive at Lot 257A is an 18th/19th Century Chinese Hanging Scroll, painted with watercolor by Yen Ee Guay (??). Depicting white Chrysanthemum with green leaves, it is inscribed and signed with one artist seal and marked with the red seal of Qianlong. It is expected to fetch over $8,000.
A 19th Century Chinese painting featuring an impressive use of watercolor on silk is featured at Lot 262E. Inscribed and signed with one artist seal, the slightly faded depiction of the sea and the mountain and a single prominently placed tree is estimated $5,000-10,000.
For those with a more modern taste, Lot 258 features a 20th Century porcelain painting. Featuring a unique and charming depiction of Mao Zedong, he is seen feeding the birds alongside children. It carriers a $500-800 estimate.
From the ivory collection of the auction stands Lot 551: a Chinese ivory tripod ‘shou’ censer. Standing 15” tall with a six-character Qianlong Mark on the base, the censer features three Immortals finely carved on the body with dragons and chicken carved in relief on the carved handles. A ‘shou’ longevity symbol is conspicuously placed against an openwork lid. Lot 551 is expected to exceed its high estimate of $7,000.
Another exciting item in the ivory collection is Lot 411. Carefully carved and colored, this unusual and realistically rendered ivory fish is vertically oriented and carved alongside elaborate openwork flowers and birds perched along the branches. This Chinese openwork carved ivory figure is estimated $2,000-3,000.
When it comes to the antique snuff bottle collection, a snuff bottle of particular note can be found at Lot 601A. An elaborate openwork ivory snuff bottle carved with a continuous scene of sages and attendants in pavilions, this holds a $1000-1,500 estimate.
Not to be outdone by its ivory counterpart, Lot 618 features a horn carved snuff bottle in the form of a small boy. Adorned with a small cap acting as the matching horn stopper and a highly expressive and detailed face, Lot 618 is expected to realize over $600.
A standout from the collection of wood carved figures is Lot 419 featuring a tall Guanyin figure. Draped in flowing robes and holding a ruyi scepter in her right hand, the Zitan wood figure of Guanyin is placed prominently in front of a fiery backdrop that has been carefully carved around the figure. Majestic at 19 ½” tall, its estimate is $2,000-3,000.
A very valuable and large cricket jar can be found at Lot 322. Although seemingly unremarkable in spite of its size, the lobed cricket jar is unique with its fitted wood mounts and very rare openwork carved tortoise shell top featuring carved tiger and dragon motifs amid swirling clouds. Standing 9 ½” tall with a four-character Qianlong Mark on its base, it commands an estimate high of $2,000.
From the traditional furniture collection is an elegant Chinese table screen inset with jade plaques at Lot 820. The wood frame is openwork carved and inset with three jade plaques. Flanked by carved calligraphy on either side, the central inset jade plaque displays a sage with a crane symbolizing longevity. Standing 19 ½” tall and 19” wide, it carries an auction value of $3,000-5,000.
Other unique pieces include an imperial Guqin at Lot 803. Featuring a four-character Qianlong mark and gold gilt design along its front, this traditional instrument is estimated $3,000-$5,000.
With such a diverse collection of fine art paintings and carvings, Asian Art: Part II promises to be a truly unique and exciting auction experience.
For details on these and other items in the auction, visit www.888auctions.com or call the auctioneers at 905-763-7201.
888 Auctions’ Sept. 10th Asian Art: Part II Auction begins at 5 p.m. Eastern at 280 W. Beaver Creek Road, Unit 15, on the northwest corner of West Beaver Creek abd Highway 7.
Registered bidders may also access Live Auctioneers.com to bid live online.
888 Auctions has been the leader in sales of Chinese porcelains and Asian arts in Canada for more than 15 years.