MEMPHIS, TENN.- On Saturday, Oct. 7 in downtown Memphis, Quinn’s Auction Galleries will conduct the first in a series of sales devoted exclusively to property from the personal collection of Mr. and Mrs. Jack A. Belz, plus select deaccessions from the Belz Museum of Asian and Judaic Art. All forms of bidding will be available for this 445-lot auction, including absentee, phone, and live via the Internet through LiveAuctioneers, Invaluable and eBay Live. Start time will be 11 a.m. Central / 12 noon Eastern.

Although Quinn’s is headquartered in northern Virginia, Executive Vice President Matthew Quinn explained why the decision was made to hold the auction in Memphis. “Mr. and Mrs. Belz are inextricably tied to Memphis culture. The Belz family name is synonymous with the commercial and residential development of downtown Memphis, including the grand restoration of The Peabody, the city’s most famous hotel and a cherished landmark. Also, the Belz Museum is located there, at Peabody Place. We felt we should hold the auction in Memphis as an homage to Jack and Marilyn Belz for all that they’ve done for the city.”

Fine Asian antiques have been at the heart of the Belzes’ collecting odyssey since 1968, after the couple wandered into a treasure-filled Asian art gallery in Los Angeles. Over time, they had amassed so many exquisite pieces of Asian art and Judaica, the only logical next step was to establish a public museum in their hometown. In 1998, they opened the doors to the Peabody Place Museum, which has since been renamed the Belz Museum of Asian & Judaic Art.

The comprehensive auction selection is a testament to the Belzes’ cultivated tastes and appreciation of all forms of Asian art. A 36-inch pine tree and deer carved from pale green and apple green jadeite, and presented on a wood stand, is estimated at $5,000-$6,000. A pair of carved spinach jade lanterns with six candle-holders terminating in a carved chain with butterflies is displayed atop a carved rosewood stand decorated with a phoenix and three dragons around a flaming pearl. Its auction estimate is $8,000-$12,000.

Each of a pair of beautiful Chinese cloisonné horses with turquoise bodies and golden manes is intricately adorned with a floral and foliate motif. The equine duo measures approximately 32 by 36 inches and is expected to reach $6,000-$8,000.

There are many stunning porcelain vases, flasks, pairs of covered jars, panels, plates, statues and garden stools. A famille-jaune-style garden set consists of a table with barrel-shape stools having a floral and foliage motif and pierced interlocking circle design. The set is estimated at $800-$1,200.

A Chinese ink and color on paper landscape painting attributed to Ren Bonian (Chinese, 1840-1894) depicts a monkey climbing over rocks and looking at waterfall scene. It is signed and dated u.r. 1885 (Yi You of Guangxu period) and has been cataloged with a $3,000-$5,000 estimate.

Additionally, there are bronzes, fine textiles, snuff bottles, pairs of pottery horses and camels; incense burners, silver pieces, brush pots, chairs, carved wood and gilt panels, folding screens, cabinets, and many other desirable Chinese and Japanese objets d’art.

The Oct. 7, 2017 auction will be held at 147 S. Main St., Memphis, TN 38103, near The Peabody hotel, starting at 11:00 a.m. Central Time / 12 noon Eastern Time. All forms of bidding will be available, including live online via LiveAuctioneers.com, Invaluable, and eBay Live. For additional information, including preview times, visit www.quinnsauction.com. Tel. 703-532-5632, email info@quinnsauction.com