@jbeer2121,

Thank you, Jeremy, for that insight. I just recently moved to the DMV area, and I wasn't aware of that practice and thought it was isolated to a few pieces. I'm glad you mentioned China Luban because I just found them and almost bought something in their last week's auction before the price skyrocketed. Your comment was incredibly helpful! Do you think it's the same with Oakridge? 

John

Posted by: @bartholin

Funny thing is, I tried consigning my 16-inch tall jadeite Guanyin carving with them, but they said it probably wouldn't even get $800 and that I was too optimistic. Weird that they take in those but not the carving. 

I would like to view your statue if you don't mind.

Consigning jadeite carving can be problematic especially if the auction house is not familiar with them. Or indeed has had previous experience in buying and selling them.

Just because they claim to be experts with porcelain etc. Does not automatically make them experts in nephrite or jadeite jade carvings.

Mark 

@jbeer2121

That's also good to know about the proximity of Weschler's and Luban. I was thinking recently about consigning some of the Kangxi plates I posted about, as well as some 19th century export plates with them in their weekly metro auction to downsize, but that is very fishy. I will probably keep them for now. Funnily enough, I also just remembered trying to consign my Rose Canton gu-form vase with them and they said it wouldn't reach more than $100 and was actually Rose Medallion, and quite common. It might be common, but I was a bit bitter with their attitude, estimate, and characterization.

John

@imperialfinegems,

Hi Mark, I'll attach some photos that I had already taken, but they're really poorly taken. Photographing jade has been difficult in my experience. Also not sure if this matters with jade, but it weighs about 8 pounds. Here they are:

@bartholin

John,

I have no personal knowledge of Oakridge, or what they sell but looking through their catalog for their upcoming Asian art sales, I have my doubts, for one thing they are extremely vague, for another, some of those pieces should have way higher estimates, and lastly a relatively small auctioneer with that many extremely fine pieces is just throwing up some red flags for me.  I just feel that this area and its auction houses have been poisoned significantly, so I just find all sales like that suspicious.  The shop I work at in Georgetown does not deal in Asian art to any real extent, almost 100 percent silver, but we have a few clients who have some of the largest and most seriously curated Chinese porcelain collections on the east coast.  Almost all that I have spoken to wouldn't dare buy from a DC auction house, as they just cannot trust them.  I am no expert, by any means, I just am trying to collect, and occasionally sell, and so my recommendations of hesitation is just simply because I would never want to  unknowingly sell something bad to someone.  sorry again for rambling, too much coffee today and far too little sleep.

-Jeremy

@jbeer2121, 

No need to keep apologizing! I thought this conversation was helpful and informative, especially since I'm relatively new to the area. What shop do you work at in Georgetown? I haven't been to any dealers in the area. Also, I think the most reliable auction house in the area has been the Potomack Company. I've had a  pleasant experience buying from them. 

John

@bartholin,

Hi John,

Thank you for posting the images of your delightful carving.

It's a good size with good carving skills. It's a later 20th century carving. Desirable carving being guanyin. The overall quality of the jadeite is average opaque. 

Due to the camera flash the colour is either a greyish colour with green splashs. Or it's a light lavender colour with green splashs.

I think it's worth a lot more than $800. If I had it for sale I would be seeking at least $2500.

Mark 

@imperialfinegems

Thank you, Mark! That was incredibly reassuring about my carving. The estimate on it was around that range, and I was afraid I was subject to an over-optimistic estimate because of my experience and it being my first jade. I was able to snag it for much lower. I was hesitant to post the link to the listing, but the high-resolution photo from Bonhams is really good at capturing the actual colors: https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/26275/lot/110/

John

@bartholin

John,

Potomack Company in my experience, which I will admit is not a whole lot, is that they seemed quite honest, however we were talking early American furniture, so I cannot comment Asian art wise.  But they did give me a very honest appraisal on a piece I found on Facebook marketplace, a bed from Maryland dating to about 1630, unfortunately being a bed the resale is super tricky despite being extremely significant as a find, they were nonetheless fair in their estimation, though I cannot remember the number at the moment.  I ended up keeping it since I am fairly certain it is and will be the most significant find I will ever have.  The shop I work with is Frank Milwee Antiques, I mostly handle the online side of things, so I would say we work together and not that I work there, though I never know how to phrase it. If ever you are searching for an education and a piece of rare silver, Frank is your man. 

-Jeremy

@jbeer2121

Jeremy,

I think it's awesome you found such a significant find. Hopefully, I'll find something like that one day. I can attest that the people at the Potomack Company are very transparent with their dating on Asian art, and will clarify if you ask. I just went in to pick up some stands a couple of days ago and got an early auction preview on what they have coming up on the 23rd. They have some fun porcelain coming up. Also thanks for the recommendation! I love strolling through antique shops. If you're down for a drive, the largest antique mall in the United States is about four hours from us in Verona, VA. 

John

@bartholin,

Hi John,

Thank you for the link. I actually thought I had seen it before but wasn't sure.

I think you bought it for a good price. Not expensive if it has not been treated. 

For some reason modern carvings are highly sought after in china rather than old ones. It's a trend of sorts that I can't comprehend. 

One simple way to  determine if it's highly probable to be natural is using a UV light. Preferably in a darkened room. Simple run the light over the carving. If there is no reflection then it's a natural carving. If on the other hand it starts to light up especially where the green parts are then sadly its been treated. Another way is to put it in a bath/basin of water overnight and see if the water has changed colour. If the water is unchanged then it's natural. 

The UV test is a reliable indicator but it's not conclusive especially with post 2000 carvings where they have developed a dye/other than is resistant to the test. 

I am unable to determine either way by way of the  images. Give it a try and let us know.

Modern carvings are a bit tricky. There are a lot of enhanced pieces on the market. Did you buy this because you liked it or are you  intending to resell it at some point? 

If it's the later and your preliminary test using a UV light is positive then it's worth the trouble to have it certified by a gemologist before offering it for sale.

Personally I like your carving. It's a beautiful depiction. Even bonhams seemed to have difficulty in projecting good image's in my opinion. 

Mark 

@imperialfinegems

Hi Mark,

Thank you for your comment, again! Actually, I've seen your explanation on how to tell treated vs. untreated jadeite, and I've already followed both tests you've given and determined it is untreated. I'm using a cheap UV LED flashlight though, so I'm unsure if that would change anything. I actually bought it to resell since it was well below the estimate Bonhams gave it, which was $3,000 - $5,000, but I haven't had time to properly list it. I was going to use the profit to build up my collection. I've also seen videos online of jade rough buyers shining a flashlight through the boulders to see how transparent it is, and some parts of the carving are pretty transparent with a flashlight. Not so with the thicker parts of the carving, of course.

John

The lower end of the estimate by bonhams is in my opinion it's true market value. Obviously it was a unreserved lot that you bought for a good price. Even I would have been tempted to buy it for that price. 

And now you have some provenance to add to its value. Very important! 

Mark

BTW the UV light test is to test for dyes/other and for no other reason. 

Thank you, Mark. Your comments have made me significantly more confident in that purchase. I was very regretful in bidding on it because the stand arrived broken, and I had been unable to sell it so far. I'm very glad you asked to see it and that you liked it as well. 

John

@bartholin,

Hi John,

It's not easy to resell jades. Especially modern jadeite carving.

It takes time to find the right buyer who is looking for a similar carving.

In the meantime you can enjoy its beauty.

Mark 

Mark, 

I believe it will be with me for the foreseeable future. Unfortunately, if you think it is difficult to resell jades, it must be even more so for me with no market or client base. Regardless, I'm enjoying having it as the current centerpiece to my curio cabinet collection. Luckily, I am very patient! 😀 

John