Richmond Hill, Ont – Anchored by an excellent group of fine Chinese ceramics, meticulously casted bronze ware, and a superb collection of finely carved jade and Shoushan stone items, 888 Auctions’ concluded its evening auction Chinese Ceramics and Asian Works of Art with a total of $619, 707.
The demand for Asian art seemed unhindered by the hard global economic downturn as the action on the floor, over the phone, and on the internet churned out bids at a fast and furious pace far into the night.
Led by lot 502, the 15th Century Xuande Period blue and white charger featuring a central dragon in reverse design and surrounded on the cavetto with a continuous band of lotus blooms borne on an undulating, achieved an astounding $241, 500.
In addition, great attention among the important group of Chinese ceramics was fixed on lot 500, a rare Song Dynasty Guanyao celadon tripod dish. Seemingly unremarkable and covered with a pale grey glaze suffused with crackle, the small dish crafted from the imperial kilns of the Song Dynasty realized a hammer price of $10, 890.
The evening sale featured a remarkably strong collection of finely carved jade. Led by lot 188, the 19th Century hu-shaped vase exceeded its high estimate of $26, 520 realizing $26, 520. Other jade carvings that managed to exceed its estimate high included lot 201, a charming white Hetian jade model of a fish; and lot 174, a pair of white Hetian jade belt buckles. The jade pieces sold for $1, 936 and $1, 694 respectively.
Metalware also had a strong showing in the evening. Headed by lot 284, the 15th Century Imperial Ming cloisonné censer achieved a remarkable $7, 670 despite the fact that it was missing its sister censer.
An 888 auction would not be complete without a collection of superbly carved rhinoceros horn items. After some furious bidding action, with the fall of the hammer, lot 601 realized $6, 630, six times its high estimate. Another item of note, lot 250, a wonderfully hollowed and bronze lined rhinoceros horn snuff bottle sold for $4, 130.
Incredibly enough, in spite of the excellent display of Chinese ceramics and Asian Works of Art, Moutai was the star of the collection of lots on display. With the auction house floor filled to capacity, it was no secret that many, if not all, had come to see the vintage bottles of Moutai on display. The unique bottles of grain wine would not disappoint as lot 605, a vintage Moutai Chinese grain wine (c. 1980) realized $2, 420. Several lots later, a sealed vintage Moutai (c. 1970) realized $5, 445 at lot 614.
Whether it be important Chinese ceramics, charmingly small and intricately crafted jade and shoushan stone carvings, or vintage Chinese Moutai that have been reaching six-digit hammer prices on the Chinese mainland, bidders eagerly await the next collection of fine Asian Art from 888 Auctions.
Featuring imperial jade carvings in its next auction, 888 Auctions is proud to announce its future auction, Fine Imperial Jade and Asian Works of Art, taking place on Thursday, November 24th, 2011. Preview in Richmond Hill begins Monday, Nov. 21st – 24h. For consignment inquiries or additional information, please contact 888 Auctions at 905.763.7201 or by email at [email protected].