Ancient Chinese jade bear roars to $8 million at Elite Decorative Arts, Dec. 10 An ancient Chinese Eastern Han Dynasty solid nephrite jade bear, made between 475 B.C.-220 A.D., sold for a little more than $8 million at a multi-estate auction held Dec. 10 by Elite Decorative Arts.
work measured 41 inches by 28 inches and had a saying that read, “Pomme d’Amour Pour Unique Folie” (which loosely translated means “Apple of Love for Unique Madness”).
An eight-piece Sevres French porcelain and cabaret service with silver overlay brought $4,485. The masterfully created set, produced in the 19th century, was an enchanting light blue, which contrasted well against the silver mesh overlay design. The set included a covered pot (7 ¼ inches tall), a covered sugar (5 ¼ inches tall), a creamer, serving tray, two cups and saucers.
An 1888 oil on canvas rendering of cattle titled Jealousy by the American artist Arthur Fitzwilliam (1819-1905) breezed to $4,140. The work, signed lower right and on verso by the artist, measured 13 ¼ inches by 21 ½ inches and was framed. Mr. Fitzwilliam was a prominent member of the National Academy of Design and was generally renowned for his wildlife work.
A late 19th century Louis Comfort Tiffany Favrile (hand-made) glass trumpet vase with enchanting vine and leaf design and round ribbed base changed hands for $4,140. The vase was 14 ¾ inches tall and 7 ½ inches in diameter and exhibited a beautiful glowing iridescent color. The bottom was marked with “3631 L.C. Tiffany – Favrile” while another mark said “14505.”
An original pastel and crayon on paper depicting two seated females by the Mexican artist Francisco Zuniga (1912-1998) went to a determined bidder for $3,894. The work was signed lower right and dated 1984, and measured 19 ½ inches tall by 27 inches wide. It had been matted and famed and registered in Catalogue Raisonne of Francisco Zuniga, Vol. IV, #3280.
Two lots drew identical winning bids of $3,658. The first was a 19th century Meissen German porcelain figural group depicting a woman sitting in a seat with three children playing cards. The piece stood 8 ¾ inches tall. The second was a screenprint on paper depicting ocean water by the American/Latvian artist Vija Clemins (b. 1939). It was titled Ocean With Cross #1.
Rounding out the day’s top lots is a vibrant oil painting of a beach scene by Howard Behrens (Am., b. 1933). It sold for $3,540. The 47 ½ inch by 47 ½ inch painting was signed in the lower right hand margin. Mr. Behrens’ passion for painting was evident in this work, in which he applied bold chunks of color to the canvas with a palette knife to get the desired effect.
Elite Decorative Arts has three big sales lined up through the early spring. A decorative arts and fine artwork auction will be held Saturday, Jan. 14, with a 1 p.m. (EST) start time. That will be followed by a decorative arts sale on Saturday, Feb. 25, also starting at 1 p.m. Then, on Saturday, Mar. 17, the firm will hold an Asian art and objects auction, with a 6 p.m. start time.
Elite Decorative Arts is an established, third-generation, full-service antique and auction gallery, specializing in fine decorative arts, paintings, estate jewelry
