CLEVELAND – Gray’s will offer an outstanding selection of 18th century Asian 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 (above) 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. 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 Taoist love and respect for nature is beautifully articulated in every aspect of this piece.
Lot 209, a 10th century sandstone Vishnu (below) 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.
Also listed in Gray’s auction catalog are fine art, jewelry and furniture.
Absentee and Internet live bidding is available through LiveAuctioneers.com.
For more information contact Serena Harragin at 216-226-3300.