Past Auction

Asian Works of Art

Mon, Mar 18, 2019 at 10am EDT |

New York

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Group of Chinese gilt-bronze figures of a Bodhisattva achieve $75,000

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Auction of Asian Works of Art on March 18, 2019
Featuring Buddhist Gilt Bronze Sculptures from The Collection of a New York Connoisseur
Chinese Snuff Bottles from The Kaufman Collection and The Mary Ann Bresee Collection

NEW YORK, NY -- Scheduled during Asia Week New York, Doyle’s Asian Works of Art auction on March 18, 2019 presented the arts of China, Japan and Southeast Asia from the Neolithic Period through the 20th century. Offerings included porcelain, pottery, jade, snuff bottles, scholar's objects, bronzes, screens, furniture and paintings.

With competitive international bidding in the saleroom, on the telephones and via the Internet, the auction totaled a successful $883,281, near the high end of the estimate range of $623,800-928,600, with 72% sold by lot and 87% sold by value.

Chinese Figures of a Bodhisattva

Highlighting the sale was a group of eight Chinese gilt-bronze figures of a Bodhisattva, a person on the path toward enlightenment. Each figure is posed seated in dhyanasana, a mediation position, on a lotus base before a flame bordered nimbus measuring 4 3/4 inches in height. Likely used in a temple setting, the group of devotional figures soared past their estimate of $6,000-8,000 to achieve a stunning $75,000.

The Collection of a New York Connoisseur

Assembled over forty years beginning in the late 1960s, this remarkable collection reflects the personal and sophisticated taste of a true connoisseur. A highly educated and respected professional in clinical research, he was also a lifelong classical musician who played the piano and harpsichord for relaxation. His remarkable collection was acquired through purchases from E&J Frankel, Ltd. and other prominent dealers of Asian art. Highlighting the collection is a group of Buddhist gilt bronze sculptures dating from the 17th through the 20th centuries.

An artistic tradition used mostly for religious purposes, Buddhist sculpture is highly prized for its beauty and historic significance. Symbolizing fidelity and happy unions, a duck-form gilt-bronze censer depicting the bird standing in water sold for $22,500, more than doubling its estimate of $8,000-10,000. When in use, smoke emits from both its open beak and a coin-shaped aperture at its rear, representing wealth and prosperity.

Property from a Private New York Collection

Highlighting Chinese porcelains from a private New York collection was a rare underglazed blue and iron-red fish jar, a Kangxi or Yongzheng period version of a type seen in the Ming dynasty. Depicting eight swimming carp, a traditional Chinese symbol of strength and perseverance, the finely potted jar more than doubled its estimate of $20,000-30,000, realizing $62,500.

Chinese Snuff Bottles from The Kaufman Collection and The Mary Ann Bresee Collection

The selection of Chinese snuff bottles offered over seventy examples from The Kaufman Collection and The Mary Ann Bresee Collection. The offerings represented a wide variety of forms and materials, including carved agate, carnelian, rock crystal, amber and jade; colorful enamel; glazed porcelain and inside painted crystal. Highlighting the snuff bottles was a group of four examples from the Estate of Mary Ann Bresee that fetched $22,500, far surpassing the estimate of $800-1,200.

All prices include the Buyer's Premium.

Asia Week New York 2019

Doyle is proud to be an Auction House Partner of Asia Week New York, the annual celebration of Asian art taking place on March 13-23, 2019. New York becomes the world's premier destination for collectors, curators, scholars and enthusiasts of Asian art, with special events presented throughout the city. Highlighting the many events celebrating Asia Week's 10th Anniversary this year was the much-anticipated Asia Week Reception at the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Asian Wing on March 18, which was attended by over 650 guests from around the world.

For information on Asia Week New York, visit AsiaWeekNY.com or the Chinese language site at cn.asiaweekny.com

We Invite You to Auction!

Consignments are currently being accepted for upcoming auctions. We invite you to contact us for a complimentary auction evaluation. Our specialists are always available to discuss the sale of a single item or an entire collection. For information, please call Marley Rabstenek at 212-427-4141, ext 299 or email asian@Doyle.com