A selection of works of Buddhist art spanning the Northern and Southern dynasties to the Qing dynasty closed Day 1 of our Asia Week sales, totaling $3.5 million. The auction was led by a Yongle Mark and Period Gilt-Bronze Figure of Avalokiteshvara Padmapani that fetched $620,000 (estimate $500/700,000). Considered to be a pinnacle of Chinese Buddhist bronze sculpture, early 15th century imperial gilt bronzes can be traced to the Yuan dynasty, when the court espoused Tibetan Buddhism.

A NOBLE PURSUIT:
IMPORTANT CHINESE AND KOREAN ART FROM A JAPANESE PRIVATE COLLECTION
Auction Total: $2 Million

A selection of important Chinese and Korean art from a Japanese private collection opened our second day of Asia Week sales, totaling $2 million, and surpassing the auction’s $1.7 million high estimate. The offering was led by a Hongzhi Mark and Period Fine and Rare Green-Enameled ‘Dragon’ Dish which fetched $275,000 – over three times its $80,000 high estimate. Dishes decorated with sinuous dragons enameled in green against a white ground originated in the Chenghua period (1465-1487), but increased in popularity in the succeeding Hongzhi (1488-1505) and Zhengde (1506-1521) reigns. While Chenghua prototypes are also known with the dragons enameled over the glaze, later examples, such as the present dish, were almost all enameled over the biscuit.

IMPORTANT CHINESE ART
Auction Total: $10.3 Million

Our seasonal sale of Chinese Works of Art totaled $10.3 million, featuring Chinese works of art dating from the Neolithic to the Republic periods.

A group of porcelain from the reigns of three emperors collected by highly esteemed lawyer, oil entrepreneur and author John Milton Bonham and on offer from a Pennsylvania cultural institution highlighted the sale, led by A Large and Extremely Rare Blue and White ‘Immortals’ Vase that achieved $1.4 million – more than four times its $300,000 high estimate. Illustrating the Eight Daoist Immortals as they cross the rough seas, the ethereal scene on the present vase is replete with auspicious symbols of health, wealth and happiness, suggesting that it may have been commissioned for a birthday celebration of the Qianlong Emperor or the Empress.

FINE CLASSICAL CHINESE PAINTINGS & CALLIGRAPHY
Auction Total: $3.5 Million

Thursday’s auction of Fine Classical Chinese Paintings & Calligraphy was led by Zhu Yunming’s Ode to the Goddess of the Luo River in Cursive Script that fetched $1.6 million - surpassing its $1.2 million high estimate. One of the most critical calligraphers from the Ming dynasty, Zhu Yunming wrote down this classic lyric poem as a gift to his close friend Xie Yong. The present magnificent handscroll exhibits the classical beauty of Zhu’s cursive scripts.

SATURDAY AT SOTHEBY’S:
ASIAN ART FEATURING CHINESE ART FROM THE METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART - THE FLORENCE AND HERBERT IRVING GIFT
Auction Total: $5.2 Million

Asia Week auctions concluded this weekend with Saturday at Sotheby’s, totaling $5.2 million and well-exceeding the auction’s $3 million high estimate. totaling $5.2 million and well-exceeding the $3 million high estimate. The sale was highlighted by an additional 200+ objects from the Irving Gift, which together bro

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