According to Woburn-based Jim Callahan, director of Asian Arts and a regular on PBS’ “Antiques Roadshow” since 1996, “Both of these treasures are exceptional and absolute rarities. I have been a student, connoisseur, and appraiser of fine Asian Arts for over 40 years and have never seen anything like the rhinoceros horn libation cup. Its form and subject until now were unknown. Read More +
Sales highlights were seen in every major category of Michaan’s Dec. 2, 2012, estate auction. An oil painting by Indonesian artist Lee Man Fong brought the highest dollar amount of the day. “Young Woman with Junk Boat” sold for $9,440, surpassing its low estimate of $8,000. Read More +
What’s fast shaping up as one of the best, highest-grossing Asian sales ever for Elite Decorative Arts is planned for the weekend of Nov. 10-11, 2012, in Boynton Beach, Fla. Read More +
Bonhams Arts of the Samurai sale, Oct. 16, 2012 in New York features 200 examples of Samurai armor, helmets, swords, sword fittings and folding screens at a range of price points. One key lot is a Myochin iron eccentrically shaped helmet (kawari kabuto), by Myochin Muneyasu, dated 1789. Read More +
Although certain artists often exhibit characteristic techniques and motifs, no two pieces of Japanese cloisonné are exactly alike. Experts say prices range across the board from less than $200 for more commercial pieces up to the six-figure range for the most exceptional examples, however rare Japanese cloisonné remain underpriced in relation to the talent, training, effort and time required for their creation. Read More +
Over 500 lots of Asian art and antiques, from antiquity through the 20th century, will be offered online Oct. 9-24, 2012. Led by expert and scholar Lark Mason, top sale highlights include a rare and important 18th century Chinese Imperial Zitan armchair, a 17th century Chinese landscape-decorated rhinoceros horn cup and an early 20th century large Chinese celadon jade vase and cover, which could bring $250,000 to $350,000. Read More +
Bonhams established a world record price for a Mon Dvaravati bronze sculpture when the circa 8th century Eilenberg Buddha sold Sept. 11 for $674,500. The Eilenberg Buddha is the most important Mon Dvaravati sculpture to have appeared in the market recent years, and it could be argued that it is the finest example of its type still in private hands. Read More +
Tipping in at nearly $4.5 million, James D. Julia Inc., is still celebrating the success of its latest summer auction. More than 3,000 lots changed hands over a four-day period. Highlights included a rare and fine pair of embroideries picturing 100 birds housed within highly elaborate carved and pierced rosewood frames. The pair sold for $86,250. Read More +
More than 3,000 lots of fine art and antiques are expected to change hands at James D. Julia’s Aug. 21-24, 2012 auction, the largest in the firm’s history. Among the highlights are 30 folk art weathervanes, 725 paintings and 1,200 lots of Asian art and artifacts. A historical item of an entirely different nature is the actual taxidermy horse’s head used during the rehearsals and filming of the 1970s Oscar winner, “The Godfather”. Acquired from a former employee of Paramount Studios, it now comes with an estimate you can’t refuse of $10,000-20,000. Read More +
More than 300 fine antique Chinese carvings and Asian works of art, including porcelains, jade, ivory, bronze, jewelry, stone carvings and silver, are to be offered Aug. 18, 2012. A piece of jewelry, not a porcelain, may end up being the day’s top earner: a stunning ladies’ 18kt yellow gold imperial jadeite cabochon and diamond ring/pendant combination valued as much as $80,000. Read More +