By Salome Zaalishvili
The Asia Week in New York conclued this past week. A number of Asian galleries, art museums and Asia cultural institutions participated in this week long celebration of Asian art and culture. The Asia Week also featured online and in-person auctions from large auction houses, including Sotheby’s, Christie’s and Bonhams. Despite the uncertain market conditions,the auctions had strong results. A majority of the lots sold at or adobe preliminary estimates and the sell through rate was high as well, illustrating the fact that interest in Asian art and antiquities is growing.
A magnificent and extremely rare famille-rose 'peony, magnolia and peach blossom' vase (Tianqiuping), Seal mark and period of Yongzheng
Sotheby’s auction house holds a number of online and in person auctions. The largest of the season titled “Chinese art” totaled $40.9 million in lots sold. The most expensive vase sold during Asia week is a magnificent Qing dynasty vase, sold by Sotheby's for $2.6 million, 5 times more than the preliminary estimate. Works of this period are characterized by vibrant colors and high level of technical mastery.
Untitled (1984)
Vasudeo S. Gaitoonde
Christie’s auction house held two auctions during Asia week. The most expensive item sold during the week was Untitled (1984) by Vasudeo S. Gaitoonde, sold as part of the auction titled “South Asian Modern + Contemporary Art”. The final price for the piece was $2,393,000.
Trussed Bull (1994)
Tyeb Mehta
The second most expensive painting sold at the auction was Tyeb Mehta’s Trussed Bull (1994) with the final price of $2 million. Indian modernist painter Tyem Mehta was the first Indian artist in history whose painting went over the $1 million mark. Mahisasura (1997) was sold for $1.4 million by Christie’s in 2005.
A very rare Huanghuali corner-leg table
The most expensive piece of furniture sold at auction during the week was an intricately carved Ming dynasty side table. The final price for this table was $3,369,000, 10 times the estimate, making it the most expensive lot sold during Asia Week.
Magnificent and important blue and white boys jar and cover
The most expensive piece sold by Bonhams was a ”Magnificent and important blue and white boys jar and cover”, final sale price ended up being $1,754,500. According to the Bonhams press center Asia Week was quite successful for the auction house. The auction titled “Important chinese ceramics and works of art” sold 82% of all lots offered for sale and the price of all lots sold totaled $6.55 million.
