Bonhams Asserts Strength In Asian Art

Bonhams Asserts Strength In Asian Art
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Highlights

Bonhams saw an international community of collectors vying for top-quality Indian and Himalayan art during its week of Asian art sales in New York, September 13-14. Notable among the top lots sold were the powerful 15th-century Tibetan sculpture of Gayadhara, achieving $209,000, as well as the dazzling 14th/15th-century Tibetan Buddha and prabhamandala, brought $185,000.

Bonhams saw an international community of collectors vying for top-quality Indian and Himalayan art during its week of Asian art sales in New York, September 13-14. Notable among the top lots sold were the powerful 15th-century Tibetan sculpture of Gayadhara, achieving $209,000, as well as the dazzling 14th/15th-century Tibetan Buddha and prabhamandala, brought $185,000.


As a leading auctioneer of Himalayan art and a committed supporter of Nepalese culture, Bonhams devoted a section within the Indian, Himalayan and Southeast Asian Art sale to raising funds for Nepal, following the devastating earthquakes in April. Bonhams will make a donation, dividing the proceeds from this section equally between two charities, the Kathmandu Valley Preservation Trust and Save the Children.

“Bonhams is immensely pleased to present more than $60,000 to the Kathmandu Valley Preservation Trust and Save the Children – both incredibly worthwhile causes that preserve Nepalese heritage and provide humanitarian relief, respectively,” said Director of Indian, Himalayan and Southeast Asian Art Edward Wilkinson.

Other significant lots include:
SOLD U.S. $149,000, including premium, A SCHIST HEAD OF A BODHISATTVA, Ancient region of Gandhara, 3rd/4th century

SOLD U.S. $100,000, including premium, A THANGKA FROM AN ARHAT SET: PINDOLA BHARADVAJA, Eastern Tibet, Palpung style, 18th century

SOLD U.S. $46,250, including premium, A JAIN INVITATION SCROLL (VIJNAPTIPATRA) Udaipur, c.1800

Chinese Painting and works of art
During the Chinese Paintings and Works of Art sale, property from the Emmanuel Gran (1894-1969) collection was a great attraction, and the cover lot – a striking 17th century bronze figure of Guanyin – achieved $125,000 with premium, more than twice the low estimate. Additionally, an 18th century gilt bronze figure of Vajrasattva sold for $43,750 with premium, more than seven times the low estimate. The three lots of Tang Dynasty (618-907) silver attracted crowds during the auction preview and were accompanied by strong bidding results in the saleroom. Due to strong provenance and an exhibition and publication history – in some cases, dating to the 1930’s – each of the three lots sold for more than five times the low estimate. A rare repoussé and parcel-gilt silver bowl reached $161,000, including premium.

Other significant lots include:
SOLD U.S. $125,000, including premium, A FINE CAST BRONZE SEATED FIGURE OF GUANYIN, 17th century

SOLD U.S. $62,500, including premium, A RARE SET OF FOUR BRONZE FIGURAL WEIGHTS, Han dynasty

SOLD U.S. $60,000, including premium, A CHESTNUT EMBROIDERED GAUZE 'DRAGON' ROBE, Jiaqing perio

“The market remains remarkably buoyant, which is reflected in the strong sell-through rates and that the majority of lots sold well above their high estimates,” Wilkinson said.


Fine Japanese Works Of Art
The Japanese Works of Art sale was led by a large Satsuma vase, delicately painted in enamels and gilt over a crackled glaze with beautiful chrysanthemum blossoms, selling for $75,000, including premium.

In response to the sale, Bonhams Director of Japanese Art Jeff Olson said, “The taste for equality works from the Meiji period continues to dominate the market place, underscoring our collectors’ desire for well-crafted works of fine design. The next Asian art sale at Bonhams will be held on November 9 in the UK, at the London Knightsbridge saleroom.
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