"The greater the offering, the greater the response" was among the memorable quotes offered to Paul Fraser Collectibles by leading auctioneer James D Julia in his exclusive interview with us back in November.
There will undoubtedly be a high level of response to Mr Julia's upcoming annual winter Antiques & Fine Art auction. The sale is happening in Fairfield, Maine, between February 2-4 and is billed as "unquestionably the most significant" event of its kind ever held by the firm.
Fine art, antiques, porcelain, china and other rare and historic collectibles will star in the sale, including a number of Chinese & Asian objects. Chinese antique collectibles have become increasingly hot in recent times - including rare art whose prices rose by 20.6% in 2011.
In his pre-auction release, James D Julia states that "some Chinese objects, over the past 8-9 years, have appreciated in value by 2,000%-5,000%. Some Chinese objects which regularly sold in 2003 for $20,000-30,000, today will bring $500,000-800,000 or more."
 The stunning Imperial carved Zitan table estimated at $1.5m to $2m |
Among the sale's many highlights is a special grouping of items consigned by the great granddaughter of Prince Duan Aixinjueluo Zaiyi, also grandniece of The Last Emperor Puyi. Many of these items were formerly held in the Royal Palace of the Royal Family of the Qing Dynasty.
Items from the Royal Palace which could now be yours to own include a stunning Imperial carved Zitan table. The table is estimated at $1,500,000-2,000,000.
This is less surprising if you consider that Zitan, a species of wood from which the table is made, was nearly extinct in the late 19th Century. The rare wood was thereafter devoted to producing furniture for the palace by Royal decree.
Mr Julia predicts that its upcoming auction "will likely be the highest grossing antique auction ever held in the state of Maine and possibly the highest grossing single antique auction ever held in New England."
Watch this space for upcoming news on the sale.
