Large Chinese bronze statue from the Ming Dynasty brings $27,600 at Nadeau's Auction Gallery

WINDSOR, CT, April 14, 2011 (Press-News.org) A large Chinese bronze statue of a standing figure, possibly a god of war or other deity and made during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), sold for $27,600 at the annual Spring Asian Antiques & Fine Art Auction held March 20 by Nadeau's Auction Gallery. The event was held in Nadeau's gallery facility, located at 25 Meadow Road in Windsor, Conn.

The bronze was the top earner of the 600 or so quality, mostly fresh-to-the-market lots that changed hands. Some damage to the rear of the statue's robe and stand didn't deter bidders, who were more than happy to engage in a spirited battle for the prize. And that scenario played itself out many times during the course of the day, as participation far exceeded that of past sales.

"Bidding was strong across the board," said Ed Nadeau of Nadeau's Auction Gallery. "We had between 60 and 80 people in the room, where in past spring sales there may have been 15 or 20. Online bidding had two-to-three times the normal traffic, and telephone and left bids were double what they normally are." Online bidding for the sale was facilitated by Artfact.com.

Mr. Nadeau observed that the probable reason for the auction's success was the Asian component. "We've had seven or eight Asian sales now, and every year they just keep getting stronger and stronger."

Following are additional highlights from the auction, which grossed over $400,000. All prices quoted include a 15 percent buyer's premium.

Two lots realized identical final sale prices of $18,400. The first was a 20th century trio of Chinese ivory Quan Yins, each seated in different poses on lotus bases, and boasting fitted cloth bases. The other was a very large Chinese bronze bottle-form vase with salamanders applied to the neck and supported by two tubular handles. The vase was from the 18th century, maybe older.

A fine Satsuma meiping vase (a tall, high-shouldered Chinese vase having a small neck and narrow mouth), with lion-head handles and signed "Kinkozan, Meiji", commanded $12,075, while an exquisitely painted Satsuma baluster vase (having a long neck and bulbous, swelling body), with applied handles painted with panels of palms, roosters and wisteria, rose to $10,350.

A gorgeous jade hat finial soared to $14,950; a 19th century Asian bronze rendering of a seated Buddha on a lotus (possibly Chinese), breezed to $8,625; and a Japanese etagère cabinet in two parts, having eight doors with mother or pearl, ivory and gilt, pierce carving, three large black panels and mounted with multi metal hardware, made $10,925.

A large and important Japanese barrel-form Satsuma vase from the Makuzu Kozan workshop, with extremely well-painted reserves of figures and a Shinto shrine in flowering landscapes surrounded by textile-inspired intricately painted brocade borders, rose to $9,975; and a large 20th century Chinese ivory figure of an immortal, possibly Lan Ts'aibo, brought $4,600.

Nadeau's Auction Gallery's next major auction will be on Saturday, April, 30, at 11 a.m. (EDT). Sold will be American antiques, primitives, European antiques, fine art (including items deaccessioned from the New Britain Museum of American Art, plus oil paintings, watercolors, prints and drawings), and sterling silver (to include a Paul Revere spoon, plus Kirk and Tiffany).

The auction will also feature a 50-year collection of early phonographs from the estate of Robert Chase of Worcester, Mass., 17th to 19th century documents from Plymouth, Mass., two globes on stands, Chinese and Japanese porcelain, a collection of late 20th century art glass (to include Charles Lotton, Steuben, Lalique and more), and early Delftware (to include a large jar).

Also sold will be 16th century bibles, leather-bound books, Oriental rugs and carpets, items from the estate of Eugenia Thirkield of Weston, Conn. (formerly of the Buzbee/Leming family of New York), a collection out of Southington, Conn., and items from estates in East Longmeadow and Worcester, Mass. The auction will be held at Nadeau's gallery in Windsor.

Nadeau's Auction Gallery, Inc., is a family owned and operated business and one of the largest and fastest-growing full-serviced auction galleries in New England. The firm began in 1985, when Edwin Nadeau, Jr., first opened his "barn doors" in Colchester, Conn. Since 1988, Nadeau's has been utilizing 20,000 square feet in Windsor, not far outside of Hartford, Conn.

Nadeau's is always accepting quality consignments for its bigger sales, held throughout the year, and its general auctions, held every three weeks. To consign an item, an estate or a collection, you may call them at (860) 246-2444 or e-mail them at heather@nadeausauction.com. For more information about Nadeau's Auction Gallery, log on to http://www.NadeausAuction.com.