MALVERN, Pa. – Ten bucks is all it takes to participate in Converse Auctions’ online-only East Meets West Auction slated for Friday, October 5th, with live bidding set to begin at 10 am Eastern time. The auction is packed with 435 lots of fine American, European, African, Chinese and other Asian items.

Although the auction is online-only, the sale can be previewed in the Malvern gallery. Phone and absentee bids will be executed, in addition to live bidding on several auction platforms. People can register and bid online now via the Converse website (www.ConverseAuctions.com), as well as the platforms LiveAuctioneers.com, Invaluable.com, HiBid.com and Auctionzip.com. All lots have a starting bid of $10, a tactic designed to encourage newcomers to the auction arena and seasoned veterans, too, to jump in and bid.

The West category features furniture, fine art, fine clocks and jewelry, decorative items, sterling silver, Russian icons, World War II uniforms and medals, and African tribal artifacts. The East category boasts fine Japanese woodblock prints, Chinese furniture, cloisonné, porcelain, plaques, fine paintings, sterling silver, 14kt and jade jewelry, brushpots, lacquer and musical instruments.

Two lots from the East are strong candidates for top lot of the auction, each with an estimate of $20,000-$40,000. One is an unbound book of Japanese woodblock accordion prints in uncut sheets, 110 in all, showing domestic scenes and landscapes, by Hiroshige and Kunisada. The other is a magnificent Chinese Qianlong cloisonné altar set, comprised of a central censer, a pair of vases and pair of candlesticks, elaborately decorated in cloisonné archaic forms with gilt bronze.

Another cloisonné lot is the cylindrical Qing Dynasty prayer wheel on a spindle with flower and tendril designs over a lotus petal design, and a mantra written in a Nepalese language on bottom (est. $2,000-$4,000). Also, an antique thangka (religious painting on a scroll), with a female tara wearing a jeweled headdress as its central figure, bordered in silk brocade, should hit $600-$800.

An 18th century pierced and carved Chinese zitan painting table with repeating square motifs and interlocking apron patterns, having a floating panel on top, stylized dragon feet and shaped stretchers, has an estimate of $10,000-$20,000; while furniture from the West will feature a French bedroom frame and marble-lined side tables marked A. Hugnet (Paris) (est. $400-$600).

Silver lots will be led by an impressive pair of very large and heavy urns, 61 inches tall counting the included painted and marbleized cube stands, showing Grecian style robed male and female figures (est. $6,000-$8,000); and a complete service for eight by Towle in the Madeira pattern, with a ladle, cheese knife, sugar tongs and nut spoon, weighing 1684 troy oz. (est. $800-$1,200).

A Chinese Qianlong celadon vase, 11 inches tall, with the top of the square neck having an archaic plantain border and with pierced handles, embossed with the Qianlong six-character reign mark, is expected to bring $4,000-$6,000; and a four-tier Chinese huanghuali lunchbox with side lock, and the sides of the base pierced with scrolled ends, should make $400-$600.

A Seth Thomas double-dial calendar regulator shelf clock in a mahogany veneer, 42 ½ inches tall by 18 inches wide, with Roman numerals on the top dial, two keys, a pendulum bob and weight, is estimated at $3,000-$5,000. Also, a Herschede tall case clock made from burled maple with brass trim, having a hand-painted moon dial, 87 inches tall, should rise to $1,000-$1,500.

A polished patinated bronze bust by Emmanual Villanis (Fr./It., 1858-1914) of Phryne, best known for her trial for impiety when she was defended by the orator Hypereides, circa 1900, signed and titled, should reach $2,000-$4,000. Also, an African Chokwe mask, 16 inches tall, with black surface paint, large eye sockets and a pierced nose carries an estimate of $300-$500.

A signed autumn woodland scene by Robert William Wood (Br./Am., 1889-1979), done in the American impressionist style, 38 inches by 28 inches and housed in a heavy gold-leafed frame, is expected to realize $2,000-$3,000; while a 1778 lithograph depicting Benjamin Franklin at the Court of France, hand-painted by Baron Andre Jolly of Brussels and engraved by W.O. Geller in London, in a 50 inch by 30 ½ inch frame with cast iron corners, should breeze to $600-$900.

The World War I officer and doughboy uniforms of American R.F. Jackson, along with his dog tags, Elgin watch with engraved band, two George Washington pins and an extensive scrapbook of his war experiences, should finish at $1,000-$1,500. Also, a charming folk art pencil and watercolor rendering of a horse in his stall, signed “S. Mills” and dated 1860, has an estimate of $100-$200.

A late 20th century Russian champlevé enamel wine goblet, decorated in Russian style patterning with flowers and leaves, marked “NC84” on the bottom, should change hands for $1,000-$1,500; and a Russian religious icon depicting Madonna and Child, made from silver, enamel and oil and displayed in a repousse silver frame, 5 ¾ inches by 7 ¼ inches, has an estimate of $300-$500.

Previews will be held in the Converse Auctions gallery, located at 57 Lancaster Avenue in Malvern, in eastern Pennsylvania, not far from Philadelphia, from Tuesday thru Thursday, Oct. 2nd-4th, from 10-4 Eastern. Bidders can enjoy the lowest buyer’s premium when they bid directly through www.ConverseAuctions.com.  

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? Bring your items (or photos) to Free Appraisal Tuesdays, every Tuesday from 10 am to 4 pm at the Malvern gallery.

For more information about Converse Auctions and the internet-only Important $10 Start East Meets West Antiques Auction on Friday, October 5th, please visit www.ConverseAuctions.com.

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