(BOYNTON BEACH, Fla.) – Original works by major listed artists such as Willem de Kooning, Chaim Soutine and Angel Botello, plus Chinese objects and other Asian antiques, will headline an estates auction slated for Saturday, March 15, by Elite Decorative Arts, at the firm’s gallery in the Quantum Town Center, at 1034 Gateway Blvd. (Stes. 106-108) in Boynton Beach.

The auction will contain more than 350 lots and feature fine Chinese carvings and works of art, fine decorative arts and Asian works. Start time will be 1 p.m. (EST). Internet bidding will be facilitated by LiveAuctioneers.com and Invaluable.com. Telephone and absentee bids will also be accepted.

An original oil painting on cardstock board by the Russian-born French painter Chaim Soutine (1893-1943), titled Road to the Village, is expected to hit $60,000-$80,000. The signed painting, depicting a village scene, measures 24 inches by 18 inches and is mounted in a wood frame. Soutine made major contributions to the Expressionist movement while living in Paris.

Certain to challenge the Soutine work for top lot of the sale is an oil on paper painting by the Dutch-American artist Willem de Kooning (1904-1997). The diminutive abstract oil (titled, fitting enough, Abstraction) is 9 ¾ inches by 12 ¾ inches. It is signed and framed and should sell for $50,000-$70,000. De Kooning was an Abstract Expressionist and New York School painter.

A bronze sculpture of a seated girl by the Spanish-born Puerto Rican artist Angel Botello (1913-1986), titled Nina Peinandose, has a pre-sale estimate of $15,000-$25,000. The sculpture, numbered 3/6 and signed to verso, is mounted on a white marble base and stands 30 ¼ inches tall. Botello led a very active and prolific life, working in Spain, France, Puerto Rico and Haiti.

One of the more rare and unusual items in the sale is Chinese but it’s definitely not an antique. It is a space-flown HN-3 stamped Duralumin strut from a Chinese rocket ship, weighing about 8 lbs. (est. $10,000-$15,000). A star of the jewelry category is a 14kt white gold ring with a natural oval cabochon cut jadeite stone, about 4.82 carats, GIA-certified (est. $8,000-$12,000).

A pair of Meiji period (1886-1912) finely crafted Japanese silver Wisteria vases depicting raised enamel birds and flowers, 4 ¾ inches tall, should command $5,500-$6,500, while a large Chinese porcelain antique famille rose fish bowl, circa Guangxu period (1875-1908), with painted orange fish, is expected to breeze to $3,000-$5,000.

One lot that will no doubt have heads scratching (and paddles wagging) is a 19th century American oil on panel painting depicting a woman in a light green dress with a hat, seated on the floor and looking at a glass vase (est. $8,000-$12,000). It bears the signature of Mary Cassatt, but there is no way to know for sure if Cassat rendered it.

Other anticipated top achievers include a beautiful platinum bracelet featuring a dazzling center deep blue sapphire weighing approximately 2 carats and set with numerous diamonds (est. $2,000-$3,000); and a Stephen Nelson & Daniel Gaumer art glass vase dated 1988 and having a free form ruffle design, 14 ¼ inches in height (est. $1,500-$2,000).

Auction previews will be held on Friday, March 14th, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Saturday, March 15th, the date of sale, from 11 a.m. until the first gavel falls at 1 p.m. Elite Decorative Arts is currently accepting consignments for its April 13th Decorative Arts Auction.

Elite Decorative Arts is always seeking quality consignments for future auctions. To inquire about consigning an item, an estate or collection, you may call them at (561) 200-0893; or, you can send them an e-mail inquiry to info@eliteauction.com. To learn more about Elite Decorative Arts and the upcoming March 15th auction, please log on to www.eliteauction.com.

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