Posted By: Carol Achterhof
Posted Date: Oct 11, 2010 (11:16 AM)
THOMASTON, ME: Thomaston Place Auction Galleries� November 6 & 7 sale features a collection of finely crafted early Chinese hardstone and glass carvings. These important pieces of Oriental art came from New York estate of Ann Bigelow Stern.
Included in the collection is an 18th Century deep wine red soapstone carving fashioned in the full round from a single block of very fine quality. It is carved in the flattened round to represent the figure of Chang Kuo-lao, one of the Eight Immortals, riding on a mule, accompanied by an acolyte on foot holding a branch of peaches. The Immortal sits astride an elaborate saddle cloth facing backwards holding his attribute, a bamboo tube. The group is posed on a cloud scroll base of black carved soapstone (est. $6,500-7,500).
The sale will also feature a beautiful Chien Lung Period (1736-1795) carved glass bottle shaped vase with elongated slender cylindrical neck decorated with leafy vines, a small fox-like animal in green overlay glass, and three bunches of colored berries in high relief on a white ground (est. $4,000-5,000).
Other highlighted pieces include: a carved jade cicada from the Chou dynasty in fine gray green jade with brown flecks (est. $4,000-5,000); a carved malachite group of female musicians in the full round, one stroking a stone chime (pien ch'ing) and the other holding a ceremonial flute (hsiao) (est. $3,000-4,000); and a Chinese carved lapis lazuli figure of a standing female deity in the full round (est. $1,000-5,000).
The sale will also offer an outstanding group of Renaissance era jewelry, American and European artwork, Oriental export porcelain and bronzes, antique furniture, early silver, Russian antiques, gold coins, champlev� enameled bronze pieces, Native American artworks, carpets, estate jewelry, firearms, and furs.
The auction will begin at 11:00 a.m. on all three sale days. A complete, four-color catalog, with detailed descriptions and photographs, is available, and all lots can be viewed on Thomaston Place Auction Galleries� website, www.thomastonauction.com.
In addition to live bidding in the auction hall, Thomaston Place accepts bids via absentee, telephone, and on the internet (via www.artfact.com and www.auctionzip.com). The buyer�s premium is 15%. Please call 1-207-354-8141 for more information, or to reserve seats in the auction hall. Special rates at local inns are available for auction attendees.
The Galleries will be open for previews Monday, November 1 through Friday, November 5 (between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. each day) and from 9:00 and 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, Sunday and Monday before the sale.
Thomaston Place Auction Galleries is mid-coast Maine�s premier auction and appraisal company located on U.S. Route 1 in Thomaston. Thomaston Place is a leader in discovering Maine�s antique and fine art treasures by offering Free Appraisals each Tuesday at the Gallery, creating fundraiser events for civic and charitable organizations using its unique Mobile Appraisal Laboratory, and providing house call appraisal services. Its expertise in researching and marketing antiques and fine art has earned Thomaston Place the respect of buyers, collectors and experts worldwide.
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