Skinner Asian Sale Strong

 Asian sales continue to be strong, with Skinner releasing information on their April 20th and 21st Asian Works of Art sale which totaled $3.2 million.  The press release states many lots exceeded pre sale estimates.  I report on many of the large NY and London sales, but the sales of Asian works of art at the next level have also been very impressive.

Skinner reports

BOSTON, MA, Apr 27, 2012 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) -- Skinner, Inc. today announced exceptional results for its recent Asian Works of Art sale held on April 20th and 21st. The sale grossed $3,241,279.46, including buyer's premium, with many lots far exceeding pre-sale estimates.

Judith Dowling, Director of Asian Works of Art at Skinner, offered, "There continues to be a really strong market for fine art and categories performed well across the board." She continued, "In particular, Chinese art buyers are still very much looking to procure very popular Imperial pieces, as well as beautiful 18th and 19th century works, and this sale featured some fantastic finds."

Flasks & Rhinoceros Horn Cups Flasks and rhinoceros horn cups did exceptionally well in the sale. A disc-shaped, copper red and underglaze blue flask from the 18th century was the auction's top selling lot, exceeding the presale estimate of $25,000 to go for $270,000. This flask depicts a leaping full-face dragon encircled with a "flaming pearl" and a Qianlong mark is found on the base. A blue, white, and copper red moon flask from the 18th/19th centuries depicting a scrolling lotus and tendrils brought $24,885. The lotus is rendered in pale copper red with ruyi-head borders and stylized chilong handles.

Top selling rhinoceros horn cups included a 17th century libation cup depicting several chilong, which sold for $67,375, and a 19th century libation cup in the form of a lotus that sold for $14,220.

Cloisonne A vast selection of high quality cloisonne saw excellent results. Works from China, covering a range of periods from the 18th through 19th centuries, brought high prices highlighted by a bottle-form vase from the K'ang-hsi period. The vase exceeded its estimate high of $15,000 selling for $79,625. Made from polychrome enamel on bronze with a turquoise blue ground, it came to Skinner from the collection of Robert M. Hoi and had previously been purchased at the American Art Association sale on February 18, 1911.

Other notable pieces of cloisonne bringing high prices included an 18th century censer decorated with scrolling lotus flowers and leaves, marked with "Xuan De Nian Zhi Se" at the base, which sold for $24,885.00; a pair of cloisonne vases in the "nui tou zun" shape depicting the story of "He Lu Tong Chun" that brought $33,180; a pair of cloisonne pagodas that sold for $29,625; and a court necklace container decorated with fu, lu, and shou seal script characters that went for $27,255.

Chinese Scrolls & Paintings Scrolls and Paintings fared exceptionally well with a beautiful hanging scroll depicting branches attributed to Qi Baishi exceeding its estimate high of $500, selling for $65,175. Other scrolls and paintings that performed well included a Chinese fan painting of a landscape, which sold for $41,475; a matted painting of a lady bug that went for $41,475; a framed fan with the painted image of a man in a boat on a river that brought $31,995; and a hanging scroll with the image of a Chang Jiang river landscape that sold for $28,440.

Huanghuali Furniture Demand for fine furniture was also strong, highlighted by a beautifully crafted Chinese Huanghuali table that brought $41,475, exceeding its pre-sale high estimate of $1,200. Other featured pieces that brought top prices include a Huanghuali settee, which sold for $23,700; a Huanghuali dressing table that went for $18,960; a Hunaghuali folding armchair that sold for $14,220; and a 19th century blackwood display cabinet that brought $11,850.