New York – Spring 2008 Asia Week at Christie’s New York realized $80,068,489 the highest total for Asia Week at Christie’s New York.
Theow H. Tow, Deputy Chairman, Christie’s Americas and Asia comments, “Christie’s achieved the highest total for Asian Art sales in New York this week and established numerous records, a testament to the superb sales put together by Christie’s specialists. The strength of the market combined with an extraordinary group of works of supreme quality, exceptional provenance and excellent condition, contributed to the phenomenal success. We saw enthusiasm from clients in Asia as well as the West and remarkable records were established for masterpieces. Works of such extreme rarity and importance were exemplified by the Dainichi Nyorai Buddha, which sold for $14,377,000. Christie’s dominates, finishing the week with 63% market-share for Asian Art in New York.”
OVERVIEW OF ASIA WEEK SALES
Japanese and Korean Art ~ March 18
Total Sold: $20,854,813 Sold by Lot: 70% Sold by $: 94%
Lot 200 – $14,377,000
A Highly Important Wood Sculpture of Dainichi Nyorai (Mahavairocana), Kamakura period (1190s), attributed to Unkei (d. 1223)
WORLD AUCTION RECORD FOR JAPANESE ART
Lot 451- $825,000
Kim Whanki, Untitled (White porcelain jar and plum tree)
WORLD AUCTION RECORD FOR THE ARTIST
The Imperial Wardrobe: Fine Chinese Costumes and Textiles ~March 19
Total Sold: $1,800,963 Sold by Lot: 73% Sold by $: 53%
The Meriem Collection: Important Chinese Snuff Bottles, Part II ~ March 19
Total Sold: $4,281,700 Sold by Lot: 100% Sold by $: 100%
Lot 308 – $825,000
A Fine and Important Beijing Enamel “European Subject” Snuff Bottle, 1736-1750
WORLD AUCTION RECORD FOR A SNUFF BOTTLE
Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art ~ March 19
Total Sold: $20,216,925 Sold by Lot: 77% Sold by $: 87%
Lot 396 – $2,505,000
A very rare and important gilt-bronze figure of a seated Bodhisattva, Liao dynasty (10th-11th century)
WORLD AUCTION RECORD FOR A LIAO DYNASTY BRONZE
Lot 478 – $421,000
A large grayish-green jade blade, Shang dynasty, circa 1200 BC
WORLD AUCTION RECORD FOR A CHINESE ARCHAIC JADE
South Asian Modern + Contemporary Art ~ March 20
Total Sold: $10,974,600 Sold by Lot: 89% Sold by $: 87%
Lot 57 – $1,609,000
Maqbool Fida Husain, Battle of Ganga and Jamuna: Mahabharata 12, 1972-1971
WORLD AUCTION RECORD FOR ANY CONTEMPORARY INDIAN PAINTING
Lot 23 – $1,161,000
Ram Kumar, Vagabond, 1956
WORLD AUCTION RECORD FOR THE ARTIST
The Scholar’s Vision: The Pal Family Collection ~ March 20
The Ideal Image: Eight Masterpieces of Indian and Southeast Asian Art ~ March 21
Indian and Southeast Asian Art ~ March 21
Total Sold: $21,939,488 Sold by Lot: 63% Sold by $: 98%
Lot 502 – $4,969,000
A highly important buff sandstone figure of Buddha
WORLD AUCTION RECORD FOR AN INDIAN SCULPTURE
Lot 507- $2,225,000
Nainsukh of Guler, opaque pigments and gold on wasli with borders
WORLD AUCTION RECORD FOR AN INDIAN PAINTING
Lot 508 – $2,113,000
A highly important and large sandstone figure of Uma
WORLD AUCTION RECORD FOR A KHMER SCULPTURE
Lot 504 – $1,497,000
A highly important Thangka of Vairocana
WORLD AUCTION RECORD FOR A THIBETAN PAINTING
We look forward to Christie’s Hong Kong sales, taking place May 24 – 28, including the inaugural evening sales of Asian Contemporary Art and Chinese 20th Century Art, as well as the London sales of Asian Art during May 13-16.
Hong Kong Sales Schedule
Viewing: May 22-24 | Auctions: May 24-28
Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre
Southeast Asian Modern + Contemporary Art Saturday, May 24 (2pm)
Asian Contemporary Art &
Chinese 20th Century Art Evening Sales Saturday. May 24 (7pm)
Chinese 20th Century Art Day Sale Sunday, May 25 (10:00am)
Asian Contemporary Art Day Sale Sunday, May 25 (2:00pm)
Chinese Classical Paintings & Calligraphy Monday, May 26 (9:30am)
Chinese Modern Paintings Monday, May 26 (2pm)
Chinese Ceramics & Works of Art? Magnificent Clocks for the Imperial Chinese Court from the Nezu Museum
Elegance and Artistry: Treasures from a Private Collection
The Imperial Sale
Important Chinese Rhinoceros Horn Carvings from the Songzhutang Collection
Important Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art
Tuesday, May 27Sales begin at 10:30am
Jewels: The Hong Kong Sale Wednesday, May 28 (11:30am & 2pm)
Important Watches Thursday, May 29 (11am & 2pm)
Travelling Exhibition Schedule
Highlights from Christie’s Hong Kong May 2008 sales will be on tour in the following cities this Spring:
April 4-5 Hong Kong Asian Contemporary Art; Chinese 20th Century Art; Jewels: The Hong Kong Sale
April 10-11 Tokyo Important Watches
April 12-13 Jakarta Southeast Asian Modern & Contemporary Art; Asian Contemporary Art; Chinese 20th Century Art
April 13-15 New York Jewels: The Hong Kong Sale
April 21-22 Tokyo Asian Contemporary Art
April 24-25 Bangkok Jewels: The Hong Kong Sale; Important Watches
April 25-26 Beijing Fine Chinese Classical Paintings & Calligraphy; Fine Chinese ModernPaintings; Chinese Works of Art; Chinese 20th Century Art; Jewels: The Hong Kong Sale; Important Watches
April 28-29 Shanghai Fine Chinese Classical Paintings & Calligraphy; Fine Chinese ModernPaintings; Chinese Works of Art; Chinese 20th Century Art; Jewels: The Hong Kong Sale; Important Watches
April 28- May 2 Seoul Asian Contemporary Art
May 10-11 Singapore Jewels: The Hong Kong Sale; Important Watches; Southeast Asian Modern & Contemporary Art; Chinese 20th Century Art; Fine Chinese Modern Paintings
May 13-14 Tokyo Jewels: The Hong Kong Sale
May 17-18 Taipei Fine Chinese Classical Paintings & Calligraphy; Fine Chinese ModernPaintings; Chinese Works of Art; Chinese 20th Century Art; Southeast Asian Modern & Contemporary Art; Jewels: The Hong Kong Sale; Important Watches
Exhibition schedule is subject to change.
