FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Josh Chait
310.285.0182
josh@chait.com

I.M Chait to Sell Texas Oilman's Jewelry At February 15 Asian, Estate Jewelry and Fine Arts Auction.

View Sale

 

BEVERLY HILLS, CA. When Frederick E. Wagner, the legendary Texas wildcatter, struck oil it must have been like finding the mythological treasures of El Dorado. Not only did Wagner name his company El Dorado Gas and Oil, he amassed a collection of jewelry worthy of a conquistador. The Wagner Collection of Fine Jewels is among the highlights at I. M. Chaitīs Asian, Jewelry and International Fine Arts Auction on February 15.   

Gems going under the hammer include lot 336 a "Texas-size" pair of diamond cuff links with gold oil wells at their centers. The diamonds weigh about 10.0 Cts. and are set in white gold. The pair is expected to bring $5,000 to $7,000.

Another set of cuff links have large rectangular emeralds at their centers surrounded by a border of brilliant cut diamonds. Total diamond weight of lot 340 is approximately 7.0 Cts.

A manīs diamond ring of tablet design is set with 18 circular brilliant cut diamonds. The stones in lot 342 total approximately 9.0 cts. and are mounted in 18K white and yellow gold. A diamond and gold tennis racquet brooch lot 345 and a manīs cluster diamond ring lot 343 are among the other Wagner jewels.

lot 348 a man's Gold Rolex watch and a magnificent necklace of black South Seas pearls lot 353 are examples of the many other fine jewels in the sale. $15,000.

The excellent collection of Antique Chinese Porcelains and Pottery has its star lots as well. lot 208 is a rare 14th Century, Yuan Dynasty blue and white porcelain "yuhuchunping." The vaseīs pear shaped body has a repeating lotus design with lappets and foliage at the neck and carries a catalog estimate of $18,000 to $24,000.

lot 209, a pair of very large and finely modeled early Tang Dynasty pottery horses, fully saddled, stride forth boldly with barred teeth. Each displays good musculature and has some remaining painted decorations. The catalog puts the high estimate at $35,000.

lot 210 pair of Northern Qi Pottery Parade Horses is adorned with flaring saddles, bells and ornate trappings and tassels. The pair is expected to command a high of $20,000.

As with all I.M. Chait auctions, there is a strong showing of moderately priced Chinese ceramics and pottery as well as Japanese Satsuma and Japanese earthenware. Many of the items fall well within the $1,000 to $7,000 range.

Collectors desiring fine carved jades and carved ivories will find both depth and variety in the upcoming sale. Among the marquee items is lot 253, an elaborate grouping featuring Shoulao and young boys, two of whom cavort on a dragon. It is carved of translucent Chinese jade with lavender and apple green highlights. It is estimated at a high of $18,000.

A celadon jade mountain ten inches tall, of boulder form is intricately designed with sages and young boys beneath pine branches and pavilions. It is lot 254 and is has a catalog high estimate of $15,000.

Excellent examples of more moderately estimated items are lot 101 an antique elephant, estimated at a high of $3,500 and lot 153, a white jade Guanyin, with a catalog high of $2,500.

The sale features more that 30 lots of Japanese netsukes and okimonos ranging in estimate from a few hundred dollars to just more than a thousand.

Additionally, there are more than 30 lots of Chinese snuff bottles, the majority of which are positioned at the sale's opening.

Japanese bronzes include a pair of antique bottle form vases with dragon handles. The pair lot 291 is decorated with soft metal designs of crickets, ducks and morning glories.

Closing the sale is a fine collection of Continental antiques and furnishings as well as Chinese paintings and scroll works.

The February 15 sale will take place at Chait's Beverly Hills salesroom. For complete details on the more than 400 lots in I.M. Chait's February 15 Asian and International Fine Arts Auction, visit www.chait.com or in person at I.M. Chait Gallery/Auctioneers, 9330 Civic Center Drive, Beverly Hills