Manor Auctions will sell a nice collection of Chinese seals, carved stone and boulders in the October 9th Fine Collectibles Auction. With the value of many collectibles feeling the bite from the current economic downturn, demand for quality Chinese antiques, such as seals, jade, jewelry, ivory, statuary, textiles and carvings has remained very strong. Much of this demand is fueled by growth of the Chinese economy over the past 10 years and the associated wealth created. In some cases, Chinese collectors are driving values to record highs.

 About Chinese Seals - in Relation to the Chinese Culture:

Chinese seals have been an integral part of Chinese culture for the past 3000 years. They were used in official and private capacities. According to a Han dynasty story, the first seal was given to the Yellow Emperor by a yellow dragon with a chart on its back. Another story says that it was given to Emperor Yao by a phoenix as the emperor was sitting in a boat. In any case, the receipt of the seal signifies the conferral of the Mandate of Heaven. He who has the seal possesses the Mandate of Heaven, in other words, he has been given the right to rule the empire. So when Tang, the first ruler of the Shang dynasty overthrows the last tyrant of the previous Xia dynasty, he seizes the royal seal and thus establishes his power.

Seals - Official Capacity:

At the time of the Han dynasty, the emperor had six seals, during the Tang he had eight, during the Ming over a dozen, and by the time of the Qing, there were several dozens of official imperial seals. The inscription on these official seals usually refers to receiving the Mandate of Heaven or being the successor of Heaven.

 Official seals have been conferred to officials as a token of their office and authority. These seals were usually small enough to be carried on the official's belt. There were regulations as to the material and shape of the handle of these seals: some had to be golden, some copper, some with a handle in the shape of a turtle, some of a camel. Up to the Eastern Han dynasty (25-330), the color of ink used to affix official seals was regulated depending on the position of the owner, some officials had to use green ink, some purple, some yellow etc.

Seals - Private Capacity:

Private seals are naturally unregulated, therefore they show the largest variety in content, shape, size, material and calligraphy. Despite of their varied characteristics, they can still be categorized based on their use.

Seals with names, pen names, pseudonyms etc on them were used as a signature by people in their private life. This is how artists sign their works and letters. Chinese literati commonly used a number of different pen names so identifying a person's name from a seal can be a tricky business.

Collector seals were mainly used for the purpose of authenticating pieces of art. Thus a seal of a famous collector or connoisseur would become an integral part of a work of art and could substantially raise its value. Thus in the course of several centuries, some Chinese paintings became covered by a dozen of different seals.

There were also various "leisure seals", which possessed thoughts or famous quotes.

Bidding Information:

Bidders are able to participate in the auction via live auction floor, telephone, Internet and absentee. Questions related to the auction are directed to the gallery: 850-523-3787.

• Online Auction Catalog
• Telephone Bidding
• Absentee Bidding
• Ask a Question

The following is a partial list of Chinese antiques in Manor Auctions October 9th Fine Art & Collectible Auctions:

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Manor Auctions is an industry leader in the acquisition, marketing and sale of original art, timepieces, fine jewelry, diamonds, coins, ivory, jade, militaria, historic documents and collectibles. Manor has representatives available nationwide and offers no cost consignment consultations. From a single item, to a specialty collection or estate - contact Manor Auctions for a consultation.

Manor Auctions will sell oil & watercolor paintings by artists Michael J. Harrell & Dean Mitchell in the October 9th Fine Art Auction. Harrell and Mitchell are local Tallahassee area artists who have established themselves as prominent landscape & still life artists in the international art community. This is no small feat for an artist, as many spend their entire life trying to achieve such prominence and respect. Both Harrell and Dean paint with acute attention to detail, creating paintings, which from a distance, can easily be mistaken for a photograph. They have each received numerous awards and accolades over the course of their career. Their works can be found in galleries and exhibits throughout the country as well as in many private collections. Manor Auctions is pleased to offer 4 oil paintings and 2 watercolor paintings by Michael J. Harrell and 1 watercolor painting by Dean Mitchell in the October 9th Fine Art Auction.

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About Michael J. Harrell (American, 1964 - )

Born in Tallahassee, FL, Harrell rarely travels far from the water. A native to the Florida Panhandle, Harrell can be found traveling the eastern coast of the Unties States, from Maine to the Bahamas. The coast and its many scenes is most often the subject of Harrell's paintings, but he also is known to paint sporting scenes, such as hunts.

Harrell earned a B.F.A. from the University of Georgia with a degree in graphic design. He then went on to complete hundreds of watercolor illustrations for corporate clients before pursuing fine art full-time in the early nineties.

Harrell is a self-taught painter and his work has been the subject of articles in national art publications such as "American Artist" ( Winter 2000), Watercolor Magazine" (Winter 2000), "Artist Sketchbook" (Fall 2001) and "The Artist's Magazine" (June 2002 & January 2005). In 2005, Mitchell was listed among the "Top 20 Artists To Watch" in "The Artist's magazine".

Watch a video about Harrell from WFSU-TV

Visit Michael J. Harrell's official website

Harrell's work can be found in galleries throughout the country, including:

• The Maritime Gallery at Mystic Seaport - Mystic, CT
• Stellers Gallery - Ponte Vedra, FL
• The Weatherburn Gallery - Naples, FL
• Morris & Whiteside Galleries - Hilton Head, SC
• The Gallery at Four India - Nantucket, MA
• Greenwich Workshop Gallery - Seymour, CT
• The Sportsman's Gallery, Atlanta, GA
• Settlers West Galleries, Tucson, AZ
• The Sylvan Gallery - Charleston, SC

About Dean Mitchell (American, 1957 - )

Born in Pittsburgh, PA, Mitchell relocated to Florida as a boy and was raised in Quincy, FL. Mitchell is well known for his figurative works, landscapes and still lifes. In addition to watercolors, he is accomplished in other mediums, including egg temperas, oils and pastels.

Mitchell is a graduate of the Columbus College of Art & Design in Columbus, Ohio.

Mitchell has been featured in numerous art & media publications, including the New York Times, Christian Science Monitor, American Artist, Artist Magazine, Fine Art International and Art News.

Mitchell's art can be found in corporate and museum collections across the country, including: Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Kansas City, Missouri; Mississippi Museum of Art, Jackson, Mississippi; Saint Louis Art Museum, Saint Louis, Missouri; Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art, Kansas City, Missouri; Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art, Kansas City, Missouri; Beach Museum of Art, Manhattan, Kansas; The Autry National Center, Los Angeles; The Arkansas Art Center, Little Rock, Arkansas; Gadsden Art Center Quincy, Florida; Canton Museum of Art, Canton, Ohio and the Library of Congress.

Visit Dean Mitchell's official website

Mitchell's work can be found in galleries throughout the country, including:

• Hearne Fine Art - Little Rock, AR
• Astoria Fine Art - Jackson, WY
• E & S Gallery - Louisville, KY
• J. Willott Gallery - Palm Desert, CA
• Morris & Whiteside Galleries - Hilton Head, SC
• Nunnery's at gallery 119 - Jackson, MS

Paintings by Harrell and Mitchell are also well known to art auctions, with both artists having had many pieces sold through auction over the years.

Bidding & Auction Information:

Visit the October 9th auction page for details. Bidders are able to participate via live auction floor, telephone, Internet or absentee. Those having questions about the pieces or the auction, should call 850-523-3787 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Online Auction Catalog To Preview: Michael Harrell Paintings  |  Dean Mitchell Painting

The following paintings will be offered in the October 9th Fine Art Auction: