ORANGE, Calif. – A superb European sculpture unveiled at the Los Angeles Scottish Rite Cathedral on Christmas Day of 1913 is the highlight of Don Presley’s Dec. 31-Jan. 1 New Year’s Auction. The sale features 1,000 lots of antiques, Asian and other fine art, plus a bumper selection described by Presley as “a gallery of amusements.”

The headliner – a Carrara marble grouping known variously as ‘Paetus et Aria,’ ‘The Gaul Killing Himself and His Wife,’ and ‘The Galatian Suicide’ – is a copy of the Hellenistic 3rd century B.C. original by Epignonos, ex Boncompagni Ludovisi Collection. In 1900, the Italian State purchased the original – and 103 other sculptures – from the royal Boncompagni Ludovisi family for ensconcement in the Pergamum Museo Nazionale at Palazzo Altemps.

A deaccession from the Scottish Rite Library & Museum, the antique copy of the famous Greek statue in Presley’s sale – whose exact age is unknown – comes with a written history from Masonic archives. In its post-Christmas 1913 “Bulletin to the Los Angeles Consistory,” an article describes the statue – a gift from Scottish Rite member V.M. William Rhodes Hervey – as “one of the finest marbles in America, not unworthy of being the center of [the Cathedral’s] collection of statuary, pictures and books.”

The statue measures 94 inches tall by 42 inches wide, inclusive of custom-made marble base, and is expected to make $40,000-$75,000 at auction.

Presley’s New Year’s sale also features an extensive selection of top-quality ivory and Asian antiques. A pair of coveted Chinese huanghuali chairs in spotless condition came from a Los Angeles residence. Auctioneer Don Presley explained that one reason chairs of this type are so scarce is because the wood from which they are constructed is only rarely found in pieces large enough to be used in furniture.

“Huanghuali chairs were made for emperors and royalty from exotic hardwoods in the rosewood family that have an especially beautiful grain and pattern of knots,” Presley said. “They can fetch high prices at auction. We have placed a conservative estimate of $15,000-$25,000 on the chairs consigned to our sale.”

Another Asian highlight is a 19th-century carved bone over wood statue of Guanyin. The figure, which has an ivory face and hands, holds a candle and has a phoenix (bird) ornament in its hair. It carries an estimate of $8,000-$15,000.

Approximately 200 antique clocks will be auctioned, including 40 more from the same Beverly Hills collection that highlighted Presley’s Nov. 5-6 sale. The grouping includes French and other European clocks, carriage, boulle and tortoiseshell; champleve, gilt-bronze, jewel-face and American clocks (Tiffany, Ansonia, etc.). There are also a few wall and mantel clocks.

Several impressive diamonds, sized from 2 to 3 carats each, add a fine edge to the sale, as does a Rolex Daytona Model 16520 Oyster Perpetual man’s wristwatch with Zenith movement. With original box, the classic timepiece could realize $12,000-$20,000.

An Art Deco sterling silver tea set marked “Jimenez” is a premier example of Mexican craftsmanship. The teapot and accessory pieces are stamped ‘Sterling 925’ and have a fluted exterior, while the stamped tray is adorned by a substantial, wide repousse trim. The stylish set weighs in at 159.6 troy ounces and is estimated at $8,000-$12,000.

The perfect furnishing in which to display a tea set of such quality is the 19th-century bronze ormolu vitrine that comes to the auction from a residence in the exclusive Orange Park Acres section of Orange County. With cartouches hand painted in the vernis Martin style, and with its original glass intact, the elegant vitrine could fetch $4,000-$6,000.

Don Presley has amassed an assortment of unusual amusements for his Dec. 31-Jan. 1 sale. Several were featured on the History Channel’s new show Real Deal, which is taped at Presley’s gallery. They include a 1957 Williams “Deluxe Baseball” pinball machine, est. $3,500-$5,500; and a fully documented circa-1891 binnacle from the Spanish flagship Infanta Maria Teresa, $15,000-$25,000. A third item that appeared on Real Deal is a circa-1900 medical device called a “nebulizer.” Presley explained that the device was used in upscale medical or dental practices and produced a mist for inhalation by patients. Estimate: $1,200-$1,800.

A special transportation attraction that would be right at home at Knott’s Berry Farm is a Butterfield stagecoach, 3/4 size, made around 1942 for use in parades, rodeos and other festive events. The vehicle has perfect wheels, is leather slung with barrel sides and even has lanterns to accommodate candles, in the manner of 19th-century stagecoaches. The auction estimate is $25,000-$30,000. For those who favor the Mod era, a pair of zippy 1960s Vespa scooters may fit the bill, with an estimate of $2,000-$3,000 apiece.

Additional entries of note include a Capodimonte chess set on a wood base with bronze ormolu, est. $1,500-$2,500; a sizable collection of Roseville, Bauer and other California pottery; fine porcelains, various other fine and decorative-art objects; and 200 Hummel figurines. A 5ft. 6in. electric automaton organ grinder and monkey comes with cassettes to provide a musical accompaniment.

Both the Saturday and Sunday sessions will commence at 12 noon Pacific Time. Preview Mon.-Sat. 10-5. The gallery is located at 1319 W. Katella Ave., Orange, CA 92867. All forms of bidding will be available, including live at the gallery, by phone, absentee or live via the Internet through LiveAuctioneers.com. For additional information, call Don Presley at 714-633-2437 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Visit the company’s website at www.donpresleyauction.com.

Contact: 1-714-633-2437, e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Online: www.donpresleyauction.com

Marble of ‘The Gaul Killing Himself and His Wife,’ 94 inches tall and 42 inches wide inclusive of custom-made marble base. Provenance: Collection of the Scottish Rite Library & Museum. Estimate $40,000-$75,000. To be auctioned 1 Jan., 2012 by Don Presley Auctions in Orange, California. Don Presley Auctions image.

"Paetus and Aria". The Roman senator Caecina Paetus was condemned to death for his involvement in a conspiracy against the Emperor Claudius in AD 42. In order to give him courage, his semi-garbed wife Aria first stabbed herself, then passed the dagger to Paetus saying "Paete, non dolet" ("Paetus, it does not hurt"). The statue arrived from Rome and was placed in the Scottish Rite Cathedral on Christmas in 1913, and was regarded as one of the finest pieces of marble in America. It was purchased by V. M. William Rhodes Hervey. The statue is made from Carrara marble and the special made base is of marble. This monumental statue measures 94" tall x 42" wide with base. This statue is museum quality with the exception of three missing fingers on one hand. Estimate $40,000 - $75,000.

Gilt Bronze "Fu Mu" Imperial Buddha with with Qian Long mark. Very heavy fine cast bronze. Measures 12 1/2" tall x 10 1/4" wide. Estimate $125,000 - $150,000, starting bid $74,000.

Rolex Model 16520, from 1995. Includes Rolex box. Estimate $12,000 - $20,000.

Sevres Porcelain & Gilt Bronze Clock Set, 19th century, clock measures 31 in. tall by 23 in. wide by 8 in. deep and candelabras 36 in. tall, estimate $40,000 - $75,000; starting bid: $20,000.

Signed by Peupin, May 1814. This clock was produced in an extremely limited number and obviously for ONLY the extremely wealthy of the period. The clock was verified in writing by the Ministere de la Culture in 1995, a copy of which will be included in the sale. Measures 17" tall x 19 1/2" wide. Estimate $12,000 - $20,000.

A binnacle from the Spanish flagship Infanta Maria Teresa. Circa 1891. In 1898, the ship was severely damaged in Santiago, Cuba during the Spanish-American War. It held the ship's magnetic compass, mounted in gimbals to keep it level while the ship pitched from waves. Manufactured by T.S. & J.D. Negus. Documentation available; serial numbers intact and legible; solid bronze. Weighs 250 lbs. and measures 58 1/2" tall. Includes dry compass and original lanterns; featured in "History of Binnacles" book; documented in letter from Charles D. Jacob. Estimate $15,000 - $25,000.

A Pair of Huang Hua Li Chairs, Measures 46” tall x 25 ½” wide x 20 ½” deep. Estimate $15,000 - $25,000.

Mounted rhinoceros horns, with original tag "Edward Gerrard & Sons, London" on back. Dated 1912. Front horn measures 11" tall and the rear horn measures 4" tall. Estimate $15,000 - $25,000.

Art deco sterling silver tea set, Mexican, marked ‘Jimenez,’ 159.6 troy ounces. Est. $8,000-$12,000.

Butterfield stagecoach, 3/4 size, leather slung with barrel sides, red velvet interior, made around 1942 for use in parades, rodeos, etc. Est. $25,000-$30,000.

Chinese carved bone-over-wood statue with carved ivory face and hands. Est. $8,000-$15,000.

Circa-1900 nebulizer, 46in. tall, used in upscale medical or dental practices to produce mist to be inhaled by patients. Restored, retains original bottles. Featured on History Channel’s ‘Real Deal.’ Est. $1,200-$1,800.

Williams 1957 ‘Deluxe Baseball’ pinball game. Featured on History Channel’s ‘Real Deal.’ Est. $3,500-$5,500.

1960s Vespa Sprint scooters, professionally restored and ready to ride. Individual est. $2,000-$3,000.