NEW YORK—New York’s biannual Asian sales week is slated for mid-September and is not likely to disappoint. As the demand for Chinese works of art continues to increase, the auction market is reciprocating with equal enthusiasm.
The auction house Doyle New York will hold its Asian Works of Art sale on Monday, Sept. 12. Although Doyle will offer Japanese, Korean, and Southeast Asian works, it’s the Chinese pieces that are the stars of the show.
“We are expecting strong results in the Chinese section of the sale. The market still appears to be holding in the Chinese works of art area. In general, the market seems strong for Chinese. About 90 percent of the items being offered in our sale are Chinese,” explained Marley Rabstenek, Doyle Asian art expert in an email.
The sale will showcase the arts from the 20th century back to the Neolithic Period, including jade, porcelain, pottery, scholar’s objects, jewelry, bronzes, screens, and paintings, a total of about 550 lots altogether.
In a reflection of the Chinese art market’s strength, the Doyle spokesperson expects many of the buyers will be mainland Chinese “as they have been in the past three sales.”
When asked if there is anything they believe will be hotly bid on, one pair of items stands out: “We are expecting that the white jade table screens will do very well. They have provenance in the U.S. and they are very attractive, beautifully carved stone with lovely subject matter,” Rabstenek said.
The screens are estimated at $150,000 to $250,000.
Description From Doyle New York
Pair of Chinese White Jade Screens, Qing Dynasty. Each is in the shape of the full moon, carved on one side depicting the mythical palace of the moon with slender female figures playing instruments and making offerings among the pavilion buildings connected by long walkways before a lakeside landscape.
Three sides are carved in relief with winged figures playing instruments. The reverse of one is inscribed: “A full autumn moon hangs in a clear sky with gathering clouds. Han Xian Zi walks out of the moon palace to the sounds of happy music and dancing mixing together before the palace steps.
“The beautiful Dan Guei and her delightful sister are dazzlingly attired while they compete with their instruments to produce a sonorous eternal melody. How often does the world hear such as this? As we look skyward with silent prayers to Tian Xian Zi, we wish for beautiful flowers, a full moon, and the long lives of the people,” signed by the imperial brush of Qianlong.
The screens are 18 3/4 inches high.
The public presale viewing will be at Doyle New York’s showroom, 175 East 87th St., Sept. 9, 10, and 11.
Source: Doyle New York
