BOSTON, Mass. – September 7, 2012 – Skinner, Inc., one of the world’s leading auction houses for antiques and fine art, will host an auction of Asian Works of Art on September 21st and 22nd in its Boston gallery. The market for fine Asian material continues to flourish, attracting international interest and record prices. With over 950 lots on offer, the Skinner auction features rare and important Chinese, Korean, and Japanese artwork and antiques.
Jade Carving, China, 18th century, depicting a recumbent ox
Fine Jade
An impressive group of jades highlights the sale. Among the selection of fine animal jades is a recumbent ox (lot 670, estimated between $80,000 and $100,000), the stone of celadon color with pale pink, gray, and deep green inclusions. An important mountain boulder (lot 728, $20,000 to $25,000) is carved with pine trees and rocks from celadon stone with large russet inclusions. This jade comes from the collection of Lynn Perry Alstadt, founder of the American Bonsai Society. A fine, 19th century Guanyin (lot 696, $3,000 to $5,000) with flowing robes and holding a lotus blossom is carved of translucent celadon stone. This Buddhist figure comes to Skinner from the private estate of a local New England family who purchased the piece in Europe.
Chinese Paintings
The September sale features several hundred paintings. One particularly striking piece is a Chinese album of paintings (lot 295, $100,000 to $150,000) attributed to Wang Hui (1632-1717). This eight-page album of landscapes was part of the same private collection as the Guanyin, and has been in the family for 50 years.
A large, horizontal landscape (lot 270, $80,000 to $100,000) is attributed to Zhang Daqian (1899-1983). Daqian, a contemporary artist, often painted in the older traditional styles, exemplified by this work. Both his traditional and contemporary paintings are in great demand.
Rare Ceramics
A rare, blue and white charger from Iran dating to the 17th century (lot 791, $10,000 to $15,000) is an example of one of the many wonderful works represented in the sale coming from outside of China. At over 21 inches in diameter, the large charger is decorated with a central image of freely painted pagodas, bridges, rocks, and palm.
Originally from the collection of William Ball of Ball Mason jars comes a pair of rare 19th century tall Chinese porcelain vases with underglaze blue and enamel decoration of peacocks perched on rocks amidst peonies, chrysanthemums, and other blossoms (lot 786, $40,000 to $50,000).
Peking Glass & Mirrors
A dozen notable lots of Peking glass are up for bid including a rectangular maroon and yellow snowflake bottle depicting a phoenix flying amidst clouds with a lingzhi sprig in its beak and a dragon chasing a flaming pearl above rolling waves (lot 890, $2,000 to $4,000). A baluster-shaped vase with white and green overlay depicting a hunting scene (lot 891, $4,000 to $6,000) and a Chinese export vase decorated with two vignettes showing figures at leisure in private courtyard scenes (lot 893, $4,000 to $6,000) will also be offered.
The auction presents a fine offering of bronze mirrors, highlighted by a Chinese mirror from the Song Dynasty depicting a scene representing the story of Cei Fei, the dragon slayer (lot 499, $5,000 to $7,000). These mirrors were intended to reflect a person’s inner qualities, rather than the outer appearance.
Previews, Catalogue and Bidding
Previews for the auction will be held on Wednesday, September 19, 2012, 12 p.m.-7 p.m., Thursday, September 20, 9 a.m.- 11:00 a.m., Friday, September 21, 9 a.m.-11:00 a.m., and Saturday, September 22, 9 a.m.-11:00 a.m.
Illustrated catalogue #2613B is available from the subscription department at 508-970-3240. It is also available at the gallery. 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 catalogues, and bid live in real-time through SkinnerLive! Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/skinnerauctions
About Skinner
Skinner, Inc. is one of the world’s leading auction houses for antiques and fine art. With expertise in over 20 specialty collecting areas, Skinner draws the interest of buyers from all over the world and its auctions regularly achieve world record prices. Skinner provides a broad range of auction and appraisal services, and it is widely regarded as one of the most trusted names in the auction business. Skinner’s appraisal experts regularly appear on the PBS-TV series, Antiques Roadshow, and its specialty departments include American Furniture & Decorative Arts, American & European Works of Art, European Furniture & Decorative Arts, 20th Century Design, Fine Ceramics, Fine Silver, Fine Jewelry, Couture, Fine Musical Instruments, Asian Works of Art, Fine Wines, Rare Books & Manuscripts, Oriental Rugs & Carpets, American Indian & Ethnographic Art, Fine Judaica, Antique Motor Vehicles, Toys, Dolls & Collectibles, Discovery and Science, Technology & Clocks. Skinner galleries are located in Boston and Marlborough, Mass. For more information on upcoming auctions and events, visit Skinner’s web site www.skinnerinc.com