Gray’s is excited to offer an outstanding selection of 18th Century Chinese art and artifacts at auction on March 2nd.  The most impressive example of detail and storytelling is lot 40, a heavily carved white Hetian nephrite jade boulder from the Qing Dynasty depicting two scenes. On one side a scholar is shown with an attendant crossing a bridge over a mountain stream to a pagoda. True to the Taoist thought, it was common for a scholar to retreat to such a place to meditate and absorb the serenity of nature. Pine trees often symbolized friendship and good scholarship; in this scene the trees drastically bend toward the figures and pagoda. Not only does this gesture focus the composition towards the event of the scholar reaching his refuge, but suggests he is well received by the landscape itself. On the other side, the same body of water from under the scholar’s bridge flows past a second pagoda perched in the mountains with a scholar or monk inside. The figure is shown gazing out into the landscape. Below, three figures stand on a rock cliff. The scene is incredibly balanced with the texture of the trees contrasted against the sheer rock faces of the mountain. Flowing over the peaks, the foaming waterfall connects both scenes of the carving. The Taoist love and respect for nature is beautifully articulated in every aspect of this piece.

Jewelry begins with jade; lot 65, a jadeite diamond melee pendant, and lot 72, a pair of 18kt gold, diamond and carved apple green jade earrings. We continue into a large selection of diamond rings such as lots 108 and 109, which is set with one 0.85ct diamond and four round brilliant cut diamond melee, each approximately 0.03pt. Lot 83 is an elegant gold, sapphire, and diamond necklace. It’s bold yet delicate beauty is timeless. A collection of cufflinks includes lots 163, a Pair of Essex style 14kt. yellow gold reverse carved and painted fox cufflinks, and lot 164, Essex style 14kt. yellow gold reverse carved and painted crystal horse cufflinks and a stick pin.

Made from a wide range of materials, we have a grouping of snuff bottles including lot 48, a Chinese porcelain snuff bottle from the Qing Dynasty, and lot 43, a white jade snuff bottle with a green jade stopper which is simple and elegant in design. A bit more elaborate is lot 44, a red-cut-to-white Peking glass snuff bottle depicting a dragon.

Several finely carved decorative objects include lot 16, an agate feline, and lot 39, a Chinese Celadon jade Lingzhi washer. Two small bat figures perch on the incredibly thin walls of this piece, exhibiting the translucent nature of the jade.

Lot 209, a 10th century sandstone Vishnu depicts the god holding a grada (mace) and a chakra (war discus). He is adorned with jewelry, belts, a garland and a faceted crown. Behind him the ornate Nimbus with stylized lotus and flame motif frames him with his attendants, which include a figure of Brahma sitting on a lotus.

We end our auction with a selection of fine art and furniture, including several works by modern art masters, such as lot 270, an etching by Pablo Picasso, and lot 271, a print by Richard Lindner. Lot 268 is an interesting Salvador Dalí etching, in which he incorporated elements from plate 65 of Francisco Goya’s Capricho series.

A boutique company with auctioneers licensed by the State of Ohio, Gray's holds live auctions every month which reach the world through our website and our global online partnerships. We accept consignments and offer complimentary auction valuations every day. Our certified appraisers also provide USPAP compliant appraisals for insurance, donation or estate tax purposes. For more information and images please contact Serena Harragin at 216.226.3300

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