ATLANTA, Ga. – A highly detailed, palace-size Chinese enamel cloisonné and gilt metal censor, two Chinese sculptures of finely carved soapstone and applied agate (both depicting mountainous landscapes, one with the famous Juyong Guan entrance to the Great Wall, the other with temples, pagodas and figures representing the Three Kingdoms), along with a monumental Chinese carved jade sculpture nearly seven feet tall and weighing more than 6,000 pounds, will all come on the auction block Aug. 29-30.

These are just a few of the more than 900 premier lots that will be sold over the course of two days by Great Gatsby’s Auction Gallery, in the firm’s gallery at 5180 Peachtree Industrial Boulevard in Atlanta, beginning at 11 a.m. Eastern time both days. Headlining the event will be the estate of the late William Vargo, who amassed a collection of mostly rare Chinese items.

Internet bidding will be facilitated by LiveAuctioneers.com and Invaluable.com. Telephone and absentee (left) bids will also be accepted. Previews will be held the week leading up to auction.

Mr. Vargo (1939-2008) was an international businessman whose travels took him to many exotic places, but China is where he spent most of his time, overseeing two manufacturing plants in two cities. Along the way, he acquired many rare, unique and monumental items – mostly in China. None have ever been seen nor sold in this country, and most have not been produced in the last 40 years and will likely never be produced again.

These items will all come up for bid in the sale. They include Mr. Vargo’s extensive collection of Chinese carved jade and enameled cloisonné (including several truly enormous pieces), as well as fine Chinese porcelains, carved wood sculptures, carved marble sculptures, furniture and art, along with select additions from other prominent estates and collections.

Mr. Vargo didn’t collect items from any one specific category. If he saw something he liked, he bought it. Money was never an issue. He was a man of means and he spent lavishly to indulge his passion for collecting. He built a highly successful business, producing industrial pallet racks and shelving. This success led to a collection that will now be sold at public auction.

One of the stars of the auction is an exquisitely detailed, palace-size Chinese enamel cloisonné and gilt metal censor raised on a carved and ebonized fitted base, resulting in an overall size of 96 inches in height and 52 inches in diameter. The central portion shows a continuous scene of celestial beings accompanied by their attendants, with enamel cloisonné designs throughout.

The large and impressive Chinese sculptures of finely carved soapstone and applied agate are as gorgeous and visually arresting as the censor. The one showcasing the Great Wall also has pagodas and guard towers amidst pine and parasol trees. It is 61 inches tall, no base. The other is similarly carved with a mountainous landscape, but with a central waterfall and three dimensional carved figures representing the Three Kingdoms. It rests on a base and is 45 inches tall.

The unbelievably detailed and gigantic Chinese carved jade sculpture (a staggering 83 inches in height and 64 inches in width) has an upper portion that depicts a mountainous landscape, with richly carved flora and fauna, to include cranes, chrysanthemums and peonies. These change to a seascape, with masted ships, sailing junks, and all manner of sea life, including fish, turtles and an octopus.

A pair of Chinese cloisonné and gilt metal sculptures – one depicting the Goddess of the Moon (54 ½ inches tall on a base) and the other the Goddess of the Sea (27 inches tall, no base) – will be sold as individual lots. The Goddess of the Moon is accompanied by a rabbit, carved in white jade, her friend on the moon. The Goddess of the Sea appears to be rising from an open clamshell, enamel and cloisonné decorated on both sides, and with semi-precious cabochon stones.

A rare Chinese cloisonné and gilt metal earthquake censor was functional as well as beautiful. The interior of the vessel would have originally been filled with small metal balls that would fall from the mouth of the dragon into the mouth of the frog, indicating the direction and severity of a pending earth tremor. This clever weather predictor is 28 inches tall and 20 inches in diameter.

Decorative items certain to appeal to bidders will include an oversized carved jade sculpture depicting deer, cranes, monkeys and other animal life in a landscape setting (35 inches tall); a palace-size Chinese pierce-carved plaque on a stand (83 inches tall); a 13-inch Chinese carved huanghuali scroll pot; a Chinese porcelain vase in the Nine Peach motif, 22 ½ inches tall; and a Chinese porcelain Hu vase, 13 inches in height.

Furniture items will feature a Chinese apothecary cabinet with 30 drawers (71 inches tall by 63 inches wide); a two-section Chinese cabinet with brass hardware (86 ½ inches tall by 38 inches wide); and an ornately carved four-tier Chinese cabinet (77 ½ inches tall by 43 ¼ inches wide).

Artwork will include an impressive late 18th or early 19th century oil on paper, laid down on panel portrait of a Chinese figure dressed in full regalia (68 inches by 41 inches, sight); and a Chinese watercolor and ink on paper, mounted on silk, depicting a mountainous landscape (35 inches by 39 inches, sight).

William Vargo was a self-made businessman who grew up in Cleveland, where an early career in metal fabrication led to the invention of a new way of manufacturing industrial shelving and pallet racking. He held numerous patents in this regard and took his business global, traveling to 83 different countries and operating plants in north China (Dalian) and south China (Ningbo).

It was there, in China, that he got the buying and collecting bug, and indulged his passion to the point where it required entire container loads to ship items back to the United States. In the mid-1970s he moved to Atlanta, where he opened yet another factory before ultimately selling his business. Yet he never stopped buying and collecting. Mr. Vargo passed away from pancreatic cancer in 2008.

Great Gatsby’s specializes in conducting successful personal property auctions. The company’s global marketing strategy ensures the personal property it represents receives the far-reaching exposure it deserves. It is ready to help anyone whose circumstances have created a change in lifestyle, or the need to disperse an inherited estate.

Great Gatsby’s is always accepting quality consignments for future auctions. To inquire about consigning a single item, an entire collection or an estate, you may call them at (770) 457-1903; or, you may send them an e-mail, at auction@greatgatsbys.com. To learn more about Great Gatsby’s and the August 29th-30th auction, please visit www.greatgatsbys.com. Updates are posted frequently.

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