Los Angeles, CA— As we start to plan and prepare for the party-packed part of the year, John Moran Auctioneers is getting ready to present The Traditional Collector sale, Tuesday, September 26th, 2023, at 10am PDT. The auction, having over 400 lots, is filled with beautiful furniture, art, and sophisticated table settings— all the necessities to delight and impress holiday guests! Highlights include a bronze sculpture by the German artist George Kolbe, a work by a follower of Pierre Jacques Volaire, and over 80 lots of Chinese art and design, including a pair of vibrant Chinese flambe porcelain fanghu vases from the Qianlong Period (1736-1795). Other standouts are a Wooton Renaissance Revival walnut and burl maple secretary desk, and a 65-piece Tiffany sterling silver “Chrysanthemum” flatware service. A Steinway player piano, estimated $6,000-8,000, and over 25 rugs including Tabriz, Iranian Isfahan, Baktiari, Kerman, and Persian with estimates ranging $500-9,000 will also be offered.
A pair of Chinese flambe porcelain fanghu vases $10,000-20,000
The top lot of the sale is an exquisite bronze sculpture by George Kolbe. Kolbe (1877-1947) was the leading German figure sculptor of his generation. Originally trained as a painter in Dresden, Munich, and Paris, he began sculpting during a stay in Rome at the turn of the century. Sadly, many of Kolbe’s 1000 sculptures were destroyed by confiscation, bombing, and melting for war purposes. Luckily, some can be seen in many museum collections in Europe, Russia, and the US, among them the Museum of Modern Art in New York. His “Model for Beethoven monument” will be offered with a $30,000-50,000 estimate.
Representing fine art is, “1809 Eruption of Mt. Etna from Castiglione,” by a follower of Pierre Jacques Volaire. Born in Toulon, France, Volaire (1729-1799) was the son of the official city painter and writer. He was the pupil of the French painter, Claude-Joseph Vernet, later becoming his assistant for eight years. Volaire is known for his work portraying landscapes and marines. This painting, estimated $10,000-15,000, has a caption at the bottom (originally in Italian) that says, “Eruption and Lava of Mount Etna on the night of March 27 to all April 6, 1809 from Castiglione.”
Collectors of Chinese art and furniture are sure to be pleased with the 80+ lots from which to choose. Leading the selection is a gorgeous pair of Chinese flambe porcelain fanghu vases from the Qianlong Period (1736-1795). This pair of rectangular potted ceramic vases with all-over streaked transmutation glazing in shades of blue, violet, maroon, and pale green has an estimate of $10,000-20,000. In addition to the fanghu vases, there will be a pair of large Chinese celadon porcelain vases from the Early Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). Designed with a flared neck, inverted pear-shaped body, vine and lotus scroll motifs, and covered in an all-over gray-green glaze, these vases are estimated to be $8,000-12,000.
A Wooton Dest Co. walnut and burl maple cabinet secretary $5,000-7,000
There will also be a sizable painting (61.5” H x 105” W) on silk panel of scenes in a garden, possibly from the 18th century novel, “Dream of the Red Chamber,” estimated $5,000-7,000. If you’re looking for a showstopper, be sure to take notice of the large carved wood figure of Guanyin. This 62” H x 30” W x 22” D work is of the ‘Water Moon’ (Shuiyue) Guanyin depicted in the posture of ‘royal ease’ or rajalilasana, heavily adorned with jewelry and a tiara centering an Amitabha and enrobed in flowing garments draped over an elaborate rock-form plinth base with traces of gilt and polychrome throughout. This stunning figure has an estimate of $2,000-4,000. For a small, sculpted piece, a beautiful carved rock crystal bottle with dragons will be available with an estimate of $2,000-3,000.
Offerings in furniture will be abundant, having multiple lots of Louis XVI-style pieces, display cabinets, and chandeliers such as a Louis Philippe 12-light chandelier with a $5,000-7,000 estimate. Sure to garner attention is a Wooton Desk Co. Renaissance Revival walnut and burl maple secretary desk, estimated $5,000-7,000. Dated October 6, 1874, and made in Indiana, this office secretary is accented with gold leafed carving and designed having arched double doors, a brass locking turn handle, one-hundred and ten pigeonholes, as well as variously sized cubby holes and drawers throughout the interior.
Elegant table setting essentials will make it to the block, including a 65-piece Tiffany sterling silver “Chrysanthemum” flatware service, estimated $4,000-6,000. Selections in porcelain include a lovely Chinese Famille Rose Bajixiang porcelain platter from the Guangxu Period, estimated $3,000-5,000, and a 12-piece set of Russian Imperial porcelain bowls, valued at $2,000-3,000.
Also featured in this sale will be fine art from artists Toshio Aoki, Yingzhao Liu, Ferdinand Roybet, George Tsutakawa, Romain (Erté) de Tirtoff, Etienne de Lavalee-Poussin, John Mulvany, Baron Lazlo Mednyanszky, Beltran Bofill, Ludwig Blum, Constant Troyon, Jacobus Josephus Eeckhout, and Arthur Wardle.
—Brenda Smith, John Moran Auctioneers
George Kolbe (1877-1947), Model for Beethoven monument $30,000-50,000
“Sadly, many of Kolbe’s 1000 sculptures were destroyed by confiscation, bombing, and melting for war purposes.”
John Moran Auctioneers will continue their 2023 lineup with the Art of the American West auction, Tuesday, September 12th, followed by the Comics & Pop Culture Memorabilia sale, Tuesday, September 19th. Be sure to mark your calendars for these upcoming auctions so you don’t miss out on the action, and the treasures!
Art of the American West: Tuesday, September 12th | 10:00 am PDT
Comics & Pop Culture Memorabilia Online: Tues., Sept. 19th | 12:00 pm
The Traditional Collector: Wednesday, September 27th | 10:00am PDT
California Living: Tuesday, October 10th | 12:00 pm PDT
The Traditional Collector: Tuesday, October 24th | 10:00 am PDT
California and American Fine Art: Tuesday, November 14th | 12:00 pm PDT
Art of the American West Online: Wednesday, Nov. 15th | 12:00 pm PDT
For upcoming highlights, online catalogues, and more information on these sales, visit Moran’s website: www.johnmoran.com and follow us on social media: @johnmoran_auctioneers. Along with our website, bidding is now available online via Moran’s new mobile app, Moran Mobile, available on both iOS and Android operating systems. You may also choose to bid by phone or absentee.
Consignments are always welcome:
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