MALVERN, Pa. – A colorful cloisonné tripod censer of three enameled cranes is expected to bring $3,000-$5,000 and a wonderfully rendered oil portrait attributed to the French artist Jean Paul Laurens (1838-1921) carries an estimate of $2,000-$3,000 in Converse Auctions’ next East Meets West Sale, an online-only auction scheduled for Friday, August 25th starting at 9 am EDT.

Those are just two items in a 475-lot auction where Asian objects will be sold prior to items from the Western culture – hence the title East Meets West. Internet bidding will be provided by LiveAuctioneers.com and Invaluable.com, as well as through the Converse Auctions website, at www.converseauctions.com, plus via Google Play (for Android) and the App Store (for iPhone).

The more than 250 Eastern lots will come up for bid beginning at 9 am. These will include antique bronze Buddha statues and censers, fine antique cloisonné, jade carvings, zitan and huanghuali furniture, porcelain vases and panels, paintings, thangkas, kesi embroidery, screens, brush pots, ink stones and swords, many from local estates and collections.

The Western lots – over 200 in number – will be sold starting no earlier than 3 pm (all times are Eastern). These will feature fine paintings and prints, fine gold and diamond estate jewelry,  Native American silver, watches and clocks, antique silver and coins, vintage clothing, porcelain (including a Sevres lamp and a Belleek basket) and a group of tribal masks, statues and weapons.

To say the auction will have diversity would be an understatement. Items will range from a Faust print by French artist Louis Icart (1880-1950), signed and numbered (est. $1,000-$1,500); a 1900 US Liberty $20 gold coin (est. $2,000-$4,000); a 19th century Mende figure, 23 ½ inches tall, collected my missionaries around 1940 (est. $400-$600); and an Iranian throw rug displaying a blue and pink geometric pattern, 42 inches by 60 inches (est. $300-$500).

In the 9 ½ inch tall cloisonné triple crane censer, each of the three cranes is shown holding a ruyi in its beak. The birds’ elaborate plumage is enameled in bright gradated colors, with wire shapes simulating different kinds of feathers. The cranes’ feet fit into holes on the base for support. The lid is pierced with cloud forms and the censer base is a tripod lotus pedestal under a top platform.

The portrait attributed to Laurens depicts an unknown sitter (presumably a man of property) and is academically painted. In it, the gentleman’s arms are crossed and he’s standing in front of Art Nouveau style wallpaper of birds and flowers. The frame (33 ¼ inches by 37 ½ inches) is elaborate and heavy in gold leaf, wood and plaster.

The Eastern session will be a veritable feast for fans of Asian objects. A rare, elaborate Chinese Qian Long presentation long sword (35 ½ inches in length) with a carved jade hilt, filigreed embellishments in gold gilt and an inlaid wooden scabbard, should realize $5,000-$8,000; while a gold gilt bronze and Buddha, 11 ¼ inches tall and shown seated in a full lotus position, wearing robes in a floral cloisonné pattern in turquoise and edged in burgundy, should hit $1,000-$1,500.

A Qing carved zitan painting table with ornately carved legs and skirtings of dragons, flaming pearls and clouds, with the feet carved as waves, large at 77 inches by 37 inches by 34 inches, has an estimate of $3,000-$5,000; and a rectangular white jade censer, translucent and highly polished, with two square pierced handles and four cylindrical legs, should make $2,000-$4,000.

A pair of huanghuali cabinets comprising three shelves sitting atop a double-door cabinet, with a low riser on the shelves made of carved spindles, 35 ¼ inches tall, has an estimate of $2,000-$4,000; while a lovely huanghuali jewelry chest with a lid that opens up and two doors below (inside the drawers are two over one), should command $800-$1,200.

A huge famille rose bowl with interior panels that alternate between domestic scenes and scholars’ items under a floral border, and an exterior that repeats the themes of the interior, is expected to go for $1,000-$1,500; and large and rare Beleek woven porcelain basket, a fine example of the delicate artistry for which this Irish company is known, should fetch $200-$400.

Asian jewelry lots will feature an 18K jade ring with facing open-jawed dragons clasping the center stone with their extended claws and the back of the shank engraved to mimic overlapping dragon tails (est. $800-$1,200); and a vintage sterling and 14K bow pin with a green jade bezel set scarab in the center of the pin surmounted by five gold petals, circa 1940s (est. $500-$800).

The East session will also include a group of five kesis, with estimates ranging from $800-$6,000; and eleven thangkas, with estimates ranging from $300-$1,200. Kesis are Chinese silk tapestries woven in a pictorial design (the word kesi means “cut silk”). Thangkas are Tibetan Buddhist paintings on cotton, or silk applique, usually depicting a Buddhist deity or scene.

On to the West, where the offerings are equally wonderful. A nine-tube, 96-inch-tall Herschede grandfather clock that chimes either Westminster or Whittington on the quarter hour and strikes on the hour, with a plaque revealing it was given as a Christmas present in 1916, has an estimate of $1,000-$1,500. Also, a nicely weathered baseball signed by members of the 1927 Cincinnati Reds team, which finished fifth in the National League, should finish at $800-$1,200.

An 18K Astin Swiss anti-magnetic chronograph wristwatch with a two push-buttons, coin edged crown, has an estimate of $1,000-$1,500; while a 14K ladies’ bracelet watch with a mother of pearl dial having a pierced floral pattern set with eight five-point brilliant diamonds, and boasting a Swiss 17-jewel movement, is expected to rise to $800-$1,200.

A Gorham miniature sterling match safe in the form of an envelope with inscribed recipient address, enameled stamp and post mark to the front and an enameled stamp to the reverse, should breeze to $1,000-$1,500. Also, a Native American sterling cuff bracelet with a large landscape jasper and a frame having feather and flower design borders on each side, should hit $300-$500.

A pencil portrait attributed to Jean Clouet (Fr., 1480-1541) of Anne de Polignac, Comtesse de la Rochefouchauld, with graphite accenting the blue of her eyes and sanguine tone of her lips, 24 inches by 20 inches in the black and gold frame, has an estimate of $1,000-$1,500; and an Art Nouveau Sevres lamp signed “E. Dabonevil”, showing a draped female floating among the irises on the luster glazed, urn-shaped lamp, with a silk shade, 24 inches tall, should bring $200-$400.

An Art Deco bias cut silk satin cathedral-length wedding gown with matching slip, the veil edged in tulle, the lace Brussels, with a label showing a wedding date of Oct. 7, 1930 and in the original box from Pack-Wolin (Detrot), has an estimate of $400-$600.

Previews will be held in the Converse gallery, at 57 Lancaster Avenue in Malvern, Pa., Tuesday through Thursday, August 22nd-24th, from 10 am-4 pm Eastern time both days. This auction is online-only. Phone and absentee bids will be accepted. Malvern is located in eastern Pennsylvania, north and west of Philadelphia, near I-76.

Converse Auctions is always accepting quality consignments for future auctions. To consign an item, an estate or a collection, you may call them directly, at (610) 722-9004; or, you can send an e-mail to info@ConverseAuctions.com. Curious about an item’s value? You may bring your items (or photos) to Free Appraisal Tuesdays, every Tuesday from 10-4 at the Malvern gallery.

For more information about Converse Auctions and the internet-only Spring East Meets West Auction planned for Friday, August 25th, please visit www.ConverseAuctions.com.

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