A special preview will be held prior to the sale on Friday November 18. Internet bidding will also be available, and "should be brisk" according to the auctioneer.
"We're starting the auction in the evening rather than the early afternoon to accommodate the Chinese audience, which we expect will be substantial," said Scott Cieckiewicz of Elite Decorative Arts.
 The late 19th or early 20th century |
"The market for Chinese antiques is red-hot right now, not just here but around the world and especially in China, the native home of these objects, where wealth is on the rise."
Two of the lots have pre-sale estimates of $40,000-$60,000. The first is a pair of Namibian elephant tusks, each one mounted with a wooden display stand.
The tusks measure 69 inches in length, with a circumference at the base of 18 ¾ inches. One tusk has an ivory weight of 78 lbs., the other 73 lbs.
The other lot is a stunning relief-carved polychromed Chinese carved and painted elephant tusk.
The late 19th or early 20th century tusk is 28 ½ inches long and 7 inches wide, and has 17 individually carved figures performing various activities. Depicted are immortals with a phoenix, along with minstrels, servants, gift givers and a bust of Buddha cut out in the interior.
Pieces made from elephant tusks and rhino horns have become increasingly popular, valuable and controversial in recent times.
Sales of rhino horn libation cups and similar pieces - one of which was sold at auction house George Kidner of Lymington for £58,750 - have been more frequent in recent times, which many experts attribute to fashion.
Elite Decorative Arts' next big auction after this one is a Decorative Arts Sale scheduled for Saturday, December 10. The firm is currently accepting quality consignments for its next Oriental sale, to be held in early 2012.
