Auction PR Publicity Announcements News and Information
Auction PR Publicity Announcements News and Information

SKINNER TO AUCTION ASIAN WORKS OF ART OCTOBER 17th and 18th IN BOSTON

Million dollar jade collection to be offered at auction

BOSTON, Mass. – www.skinnerinc.com – Skinner, one of the world’s leading auction houses for antiques and fine art, today announced its upcoming auction of Asian Works of Art – to take place on Oct 17th at 3 p.m. and Oct. 18th at 10 a.m. in its Boston gallery – will feature a rare collection of jades.

Ming BuddhaFour pieces in the extensive collection were previously appraised by Skinner’s James Callahan at a taping of a popular antiques appraisal show that airs on America’s PBS (Public Broadcasting Service), marking the event as the first ever million-dollar appraisal in the show’s history.

The collection is highlighted by an imperial jade bowl (lot 600), c. A.D. 1774 from the Qianlong reign, crafted for the Emperor and is estimated at $400,000-$600,000. The consignor acquired the collection from her father who brought the items while stationed in China during the 1930’s and 1940’s as a military liaison. Also offered from the impressive collection is an 18th century translucent pale green jade bowl (lot 577, est. $30/50,000); an imperial workshop jade ewer (lot 579, est. $80/100,000); a jade mythical animal (lot 580, est. $200/300,000); a pricket candle stand (lot 600A, est. $10/15,000); an exotic octagonal tea box (lot 598A, est. $10/15,000); and two pure white jade plaques (lots 578 and 594, each estimated at $4/6,000). All of the above will be offered during Session II of the sale, which takes place on Oct. 18th.

According to James Callahan, Skinner’s Asian Works of Art department director, “Our expectation is for this to be a historic sale for Skinner. We have an extremely strong offering of Chinese material, the collection of jades being incredibly rare. And, with that country’s improving economic conditions we anticipate highly competitive international bidding.”

Aside from the aforementioned jade collection, hundreds of other lots of jades will be offered during Session I of the sale, which takes place on Oct. 17th. Other important early Chinese offerings include an early Ming gilt-bronze figure of Buddha (lot 666, est. $2/3,000); a carved rhinoceros horn cup (lot 814, est. $10/15,000); and a Jiajing imperial yellow bowl (lot 686, est. $5/700).

The sale will also feature a number of museum-quality Korean ceramics from the Koryo and Yee periods, highlighted by a celadon storage jar (lot 267, est. $3/5,000); a pair of Huang Hua Li chairs (lot 632, est. $800/1,200); a red lacquered painted table (lot 1083, est. $1,5/2,000); as well as a good group of Chinese textiles.

Previews, Catalog and Bidding
Previews for the auction will be held on Friday, Oct 16th from 12 to 5 p.m., on Saturday, Oct 17th from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Session I preview ends at 3 p.m. on Saturday), and on Sunday, Oct 18th from 8 to 9 a.m. Illustrated catalog #2480 is available by mail for $35 ($42 for foreign requests) from the subscription department at 508-970-3240. It is also available at the gallery for $32. Prices realized will be available at www.skinnerinc.com during and after the sale. Skinner’s site also allows users to view all lots in the auctions, leave bids, order catalogs, and bid live in real-time through Skinner-Live. To register for real-time bidding go to http://www.skinnerinc.com/buy-sell/skinner-live.php. Or, for more information call 508-970-3000.