Asia Week Sales Reveal a Robust Market

Staggering results were achieved at famous art auction houses Christie’s and Sotheby’s during Asia Week New York.
Asia Week Sales Reveal a Robust Market
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<a href="https://www.theepochtimes.com/assets/uploads/2015/10/NarcissusBowlsothebys.jpg"><img src="https://www.theepochtimes.com/assets/uploads/2015/10/NarcissusBowlsothebys.jpg" alt="A rare Imperial numbered 'Jun' narcissus bowl, early Ming Dynasty. Estimated value $200,000 to $300,000. Sold for $2,210,500. (Courtesy of Sotheby's)" title="A rare Imperial numbered 'Jun' narcissus bowl, early Ming Dynasty. Estimated value $200,000 to $300,000. Sold for $2,210,500. (Courtesy of Sotheby's)" width="575" class="size-medium wp-image-1870197"/></a>
A rare Imperial numbered 'Jun' narcissus bowl, early Ming Dynasty. Estimated value $200,000 to $300,000. Sold for $2,210,500. (Courtesy of Sotheby's)

NEW YORK—Love for Asian works of art is certainly alive and well, judging by the sales results during Asia Week New York, March 18 to 26. Top auction houses Sotheby’s and Christie’s both achieved some staggering results.

Christie’s has a firm lead in the Asian Art market, totaling a whopping $117 million achieved in seven sales from March 22 to 25. It’s the highest total ever for Christie’s New York at Asian Art Week—$40 million more than the last record.
<a href="https://www.theepochtimes.com/assets/uploads/2015/10/FamilleRoseVasesothebys.jpg"><img src="https://www.theepochtimes.com/assets/uploads/2015/10/FamilleRoseVasesothebys.jpg" alt="SURPRISE PRICE: An unusual 'famille rose' and gold-decorated vase, probably from the Republican period. Estimated at $800 to $1,200. Sold for $18,002,500! (Courtesy of Sotheby's)" title="SURPRISE PRICE: An unusual 'famille rose' and gold-decorated vase, probably from the Republican period. Estimated at $800 to $1,200. Sold for $18,002,500! (Courtesy of Sotheby's)" width="575" class="size-medium wp-image-1870199"/></a>
SURPRISE PRICE: An unusual 'famille rose' and gold-decorated vase, probably from the Republican period. Estimated at $800 to $1,200. Sold for $18,002,500! (Courtesy of Sotheby's)

“The strong prices in every category confirmed the strength of the market and the demand for high-quality works of art, particularly from private collections,” said Michael Bass and Christopher Engle, co-heads of Sale, Chinese Works of Art, New York.
<a href="https://www.theepochtimes.com/assets/uploads/2015/10/BarodaCanopysothebys2.jpg"><img src="https://www.theepochtimes.com/assets/uploads/2015/10/BarodaCanopysothebys2.jpg" alt="INDIAN TREASURE: The bejeweled Pearl Canopy of Baroda. Estimated at $3 million to $5 million. Sold for $2,322,500.  (Courtesy of Sotheby's)" title="INDIAN TREASURE: The bejeweled Pearl Canopy of Baroda. Estimated at $3 million to $5 million. Sold for $2,322,500.  (Courtesy of Sotheby's)" width="575" class="size-medium wp-image-1870201"/></a>
INDIAN TREASURE: The bejeweled Pearl Canopy of Baroda. Estimated at $3 million to $5 million. Sold for $2,322,500.  (Courtesy of Sotheby's)

Sotheby’s sales for the week came in strong at $84,811,080, achieved in five sales, with the two leading sales being one of a private collection: Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art from J.T. Tai & Co., and Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art. Other sales included, Korean, Indian and Southeast Asian, and Modern and Contemporary South Asian.
<a href="https://www.theepochtimes.com/assets/uploads/2015/10/Manjushrisothebys.jpg"><img src="https://www.theepochtimes.com/assets/uploads/2015/10/Manjushrisothebys.jpg" alt="INDIAN STATUE: Manjushri, copper alloy with silver and copper inlay, Eastern India, Pala Period, 11th century. Estimated at $200,000 to $300,000. Sold for $2,098,500. (Courtesy of Sotheby's)" title="INDIAN STATUE: Manjushri, copper alloy with silver and copper inlay, Eastern India, Pala Period, 11th century. Estimated at $200,000 to $300,000. Sold for $2,098,500. (Courtesy of Sotheby's)" width="575" class="size-medium wp-image-1870203"/></a>
INDIAN STATUE: Manjushri, copper alloy with silver and copper inlay, Eastern India, Pala Period, 11th century. Estimated at $200,000 to $300,000. Sold for $2,098,500. (Courtesy of Sotheby's)

And there was a repeat of an earlier bonanza, a Qianlong vase found in a London attic last year that was said to be worth $1.2 million but sold for $83 million.

A famille-rose porcelain vase at Sotheby’s, dated in the catalogue as “probably Republican Period” or from the early 20th century, prompted an explosion of bidding. It was estimated at a humble $800 to $1,200, but collectors were obviously convinced that the piece was actually from the Qianlong Dynasty of the 18th century, a period that represents the pinnacle of excellence in Chinese art. The hammer went down at just over $18 million.