Large 19th-century Chinese jardinière featuring figural courtyard scene of Immortals brought in $9,680. 888 Auctions image.
RICHMOND HILL, Canada – 888 Auctions concluded a very successful 2011 calendar year with a bang as its Nov. 24 Imperial Chinese Jades and Works of Art auction brought in $302,579. Bidders from more than 18 countries competed feverishly over the offering of 576 lots comprising Chinese ceramics, jade and shoushan stone carvings, and bronze-cast deities. LiveAuctioneers.com provided the Internet live bidding.
Although most of the focus was fixed on the important finely carved jades in the auction, bidders did not have to wait long to whet their appetite for Asian art with the group of fine paintings that started the evening. Lot 34, a signed Chinese watercolor-on-paper painting exceeded its estimate high and soared to $3,933.
From the wonderful collection of jade carvings, there were some very pleasant surprises. Coincidence or not, the number “8” had quite a role to play, as lot 179, a set of eight spinach green jade tablets marked with an incised reign mark of Qianlong, shattered its high estimate of $1,000 realizing $6,655. Lot 183, a set of eight Chinese spinach green square seals with the mark of Qianlong, brought in $3,327. Both lot 188, an important 18th-century Qing Dynasty imperial white jade seal and lot 189, four fine Chinese Hetian imperial jade pieces, found their sale value at $7,260.
Many bidders have come to expect amazing value for a stunning collection of ceramics from 888 Auctions and the November auction was no exception. Starting modestly at $1,000, it quickly became apparent that for lot 295, a bidder war was to ensue. With the fall of the hammer, the large 19th-century Chinese jardinière painted in deep cobalt blue hues brought in $9,680.
Prominently displayed in the showroom during previews, lot 444 generated a great deal of excitement at the intricate and detailed cast figure of Amitayus. The rare and important Chinese gilt bronze figure was won by a regular bidder online finding its sale value at $33,880.
With a sell-through rate of over 60 percent, connoisseurs of Chinese art have realized they do not need to pay an arm and a leg for a Chinese artwork or antique at 888 Auctions.
888 Auctions is proud to announce its first auction of 2012, which will take place on Thursday, January 12. For consignment inquiries or additional information, please contact 888 Auctions at 905-763-7201 or by e-mail info@888auctions.com.
View the fully illustrated catalog from 888 Auctions’ Nov. 24 sale, complete with prices realized, at www.LiveAuctioneers.com.
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Click here to view the fully illustrated catalog for this sale, complete with prices realized.
ADDITIONAL LOTS OF NOTE
Large 19th-century Chinese jardinière featuring figural courtyard scene of Immortals brought in $9,680. 888 Auctions image. A signed Chinese watercolor on paper painting featuring a cicada and praying mantis nearly doubled its high estimate, soaring to $3,933. 888 Auctions image. Eight Chinese spinach green jade tablets with Qianlong Mark achieved $6,655. 888 Auctions image. Set of eight Chinese spinach green square seals with Qianlong Mark brought in $3,327. 888 Auctions image. Important 18th-century Qing Dynasty imperial white jade seal realized $7,260. 888 Auctions image. Four finely carved Chinese Hetian imperial jade pieces found its sale value of $7,260. 888 Auctions image. A rare and important Chinese gilt bronze figure of Amitayus realized a hammer price of $33,880. 888 Auctions image.
