A Fine Opal Carving, "The Pig," Gerd Dreher, Idar-Oberstein, Germany, 11.70 x 7.75 x 4.70 cm. Estimate $ 20,000-30,000.

carved from an impressively large Brazilian opal nodule of even and richly saturated reddish orange color, the reclining pig is realistically depicted on a patch of rough ground, the skin intricately textured to suggest fine hair, the snout and ears fashioned to reveal the highly translucent and almost transparent gem quality of the opal, the eyes inset with hand painted details. Hand inscribed: (Maker's mark GD for Gerd Dreher). 

Property from the Estate of Gerard L. Cafesjian, Naples, Florida 

A Carved Jasper Toad and Matching Rough Specimen, Gerd Dreher,  Idar-Oberstein, Germany. Carving: 10.20 x 7.00 cm. Estimate $ 15,000-20,000. 

expertly carved from a single piece of Indian red and green jasper and displaying masterful color isolation and detail, the extraordinarily realistic toad of variegated red color and intricately textured skin resting atop the deep forest green lily pad base. Hand inscribed: (Maker's mark GD for Gerd Dreher). 

Accompanied by a polished slab of rough red and green jasper to show the original carving material. 

Property from the Estate of Gerard L. Cafesjian, Naples, Florida 

A Smoky Quartz Carving of a Mouse on a Toadstool, Gerd Dreher, Idar-Oberstein, Germany, 10.20 x 8.30 x 6.40 cm. Estimate $ 15,000-20,000.

a clear illustration of his tremendous skill, this work is humorous yet utterly realistic in its attention to detail, a single crystal of Brazilian smoky quartz with natural variations in color has been utilized to depict a mouse standing on top of an upturned mushroom, the mouse has been intricately etched to suggest fur and the skin of the limbs and curling tail, the ears have been trimmed to a delicate thickness, the mushroom base shows teeth marks on the stem and has been successfully imitated to the smallest degree. Hand inscribed: (Maker's mark GD for Gerd Dreher). 

Property from the Estate of Gerard L. Cafesjian, Naples, Florida 

A Carved Ruby Toad, Gerd Dreher, Idar-Oberstein, Germany, 12.10 x 10.20 x 7.30 cm. Estimate $ 12,000-18,000.

exquisitely carved in incredibly lifelike detail from a piece of solid deep purplish red ruby rough, depicting a crouching toad on a lily pad base, the skin of the crouching toad intricately textured, the inset eyes are hand painted, a wonderful example of this master carver's work. Hand inscribed: (Maker's mark GD for Gerd Dreher.) 
 
Property from the Estate of Gerard L. Cafesjian, Naples, Florida 

A Banded Agate Carving of a Sitting Chimpanzee, Gerd Dreher, Idar-Oberstein, Germany, 7.00 x 7.00 cm. Estimate $ 10,000-15,000.

retailed by Asprey, this realistic sculpture takes full advantage of the natural color banding and isolates the intricate face and hands in pale yellow against the deeper brown body which has been textured to mimic fur, the eyes inset with hand painted elements, the mastery of the artist apparent in details such as the naturalistic posture and facial expression. Hand inscribed: (Maker's mark GD for Gerd Dreher). 

Property from the Estate of Gerard L. Cafesjian, Naples, Florida 

A Coral, Lapis Lazuli, and 18 Karat Gold "Seahorses" Carving, Gerd Dreher, Idar-Oberstein, Germany,  Height: 19.10 cm. Estimate $ 10,000-15,000.

meticulously carved from a single branch of reddish orange coral sourced from Mediterranean waters, whimsically depicting a group of three seahorses, their bodies displaying lifelike textures, their fins in fluted yellow gold, their tails clinging to a coral branch with realistic texture, supported by a deep blue lapis lazuli base speckled with pyrite and accented at the top and bottom rim with gold details  Hand inscribed: (Maker's mark GD for Gerd Dreher). 

Property from the Estate of Gerard L. Cafesjian, Naples, Florida 

A Polychrome Banded Agate Snail Carving, Gerd Dreher, Idar-Oberstein, Germany, 11.00 x 6.00 cm. Estimate $ 7,000-9,000.

retailed by Asprey & Co., strikingly realistic and displaying incredible color isolation, the spiral shelled mollusk, or Schnecke in German, carved from highly translucent banded agate, the outer body and delicate antennae display distinct color banding from light grey to strong reddish brown and feature intricately etched texture, the underside polished with a frosted finish, the ridged and spiraled shell of light grey. Hand inscribed: (Maker's mark GD for Gerd Dreher). 

Property from the Estate of Gerard L. Cafesjian, Naples, Florida 

A Multi Gem and Gold "Mallard" Carving, Gerd Dreher, Idar-Oberstein, Germany,  12.70 x 11.40 x 7.60 cm. Estimate $ 3,000-5,000.

illustrating a mastery of photorealistic wildlife carving, the artist captures the brightly colored mallard in the midst of preening with his beak tucked into his plumage, the complex mosaic of composed of agate, petrified wood, and dolomite, the breast in red jasper, the blue wing accents in sodalite, the beak and feet of solid 18 karat yellow gold, the oval plinth of fine rock crystal quartz. Stamp: 750 (Maker's mark GD for Gerd Dreher). 

Property from the Estate of Gerard L. Cafesjian, Naples, Florida 

A Zoisite Frog Carving, Gerd Dreher, Idar-Oberstein, Germany, 8.90 x 7.60 x 5.10 cm. Estimate $ 1,000-2,000

formed from a single piece of layered zoisite and black hornblende rough, the frog is artfully carved in a tense position as if ready to leap, the speckled mottled green zoisite realistically depicting frog skin, the musculature and form accurately rendered, the eyes inset with cabochon black and golden accents, the black base showing a lower layer of zoisite. Hand inscribed: (Maker's mark GD for Gerd Dreher).  

Property from the Estate of Gerard L. Cafesjian, Naples, Florida 

Leslie Hindman Auctioneers, September 16, 2014 at 10AM MST