Hobart Collection 'Huanghuali' rare chairs could be sitting on a $0.5m fortune

Rarities from the Richard B. Hobart Collection, a benchmark for Chinese antiques in the US, will sell

How often do collectors get a chance to bid on unique memorabilia items once owned by Royalty? And how often do you get a chance to own, not just one item, but a number of them from a noted and coveted collection?

Two exceedingly rare and highly coveted carved 17th-18th century rhinoceros horn libation cups will be auctioning in Fairfield, Maine, along with many other are treasures

These include American & European painting, furniture, folk art, marine & nautical items, bronzes, silver, weathervanes, Oriental rugs, historical items, porcelain, Orientalia, and more. 

Among the million-dollar sale's highlights are heirlooms and property belonging to the great granddaughter of Prince Duan Aixinjueluo Zaiyi, and grandniece of The Last Emperor Puyi. Many of these collectibles belonged to The Royal Family of the Qing Dynasty. 

Rare Huanghuali yoke back chairs from the Richard B. Hobart Collection

Also for sale is an outstanding pair of Huanghuali yoke back chairs from the Richard B. Hobart Collection - the same collection which established the benchmark for the Chinese antiquities market in the United States at two famous sales in 1969 and 1970 at Sotheby's in New York. 

The chairs were bought in Beijing in 1921 by collector Janet E Hobart, and have remained in the Hobart family ever since.  Their features include flowing lines, pagoda crossbar tops, and stylised lotus flower carvings. The pair comes with a presale estimate of $400,000-500,000. 

Recent and related articles

  Qing dynasty lacquered wood panel sold for $58,500 in California auction | 12 January 2012

  2008 Beijing Olympics coin carries $17,000 estimate at Spink Smythe | 10 January 2012

  Celadon jade altar set leads Cowan's Asian art and antiques auction | 9 January 2012

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