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This lot established a new single lot record for both Elder s and iGavel. Auctionowner Don Elder said, I knew this piece was going to go through the roof. It wasthat good. From the opening bid of $7,000 the lot moved smartly up the chartgarnering 41 bids before reaching the hammer price. A private Chinese collector wasthe winner. Elder s Fine Art & Antiques was a charter member when Sotheby s beganonline sales in 2000 and was also a charter member when iGavel was formed in 2003.
Most of the Oriental ceramics and porcelain in the 400 lot sale belonged to acollector in North Florida and had been acquired in the 1960s and 1970s while livingin Thailand, Burma, Japan and China. The collection was well received with 78percent of the lots selling, many for far more than the pre sale estimate. A threesection 19th century Thai gilt bronze with Buddha seated on a lotus throne, closedat $9,300 against the estimate of $1,000/$1,500. A 4in wide gourd form celadon waterscoop, Chinese 18th century, with three gourd form feet and a fitted rosewood standclosed at $7,800 (est. $2,000/$3,000) and a pair of Qing Dynasty cinnebar tablescreens depicting courtyard life on the fronts and birds and blossoming flowers onthe reverse with rosewood stands sold for $7,446 (est $600/$800). A woodblock print, Village at Night, by Kawasae Hasui (Japanese 1883-1957) eclipsed the $200/$300estimate to close at $2,040 and six Han Dynasty gray pottery tomb attendants rangedfrom $1,000 to $1,624. Elder noted that while many of the oriental lots soldoffshore a few were staying stateside.
But Elder s Fine Arts had more to offer than oriental art in this sale. A Cartierjadeite, platinum, diamond and enameled 18K gold necklace sold for $13,440. AnotherCartier piece, a gold folding travel clock with ribbed decoration on the body and a15 jewel Swiss movement more than doubled the estimate at $4,440. On a morewhimsical note an American Folk Art whirly-gig with four action figures sold for$1,500.
The sale also included 18 works by American painter Ben Wilson (1913-2001). Wilsonwas among the little recognized painters of the Abstract Expressionist school of the1930s through the 1960s and was a veteran of the WPA. His best work in the sale, anoil on masonite entitled Memories of Present gathered 18 bids to close withinestimate at $4,560.
Elder s Antiques offers Asian, American and European antiques including fine art,furniture and objects d art in a series of auctions held throughout the year. Formore information contact Don Elder at (941) 488-1005 or visit the website atwww.eldersantiques.com. Elder s is located at 901 Tamiami Trail (US 41) South,Nokomis, Florida 34275.
Written by:Fred Taylorwww.furnituredetective. com800-387-6377
