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Asian antiques continue strong run at Michaan’s auction

Tom Hoepf
Tom Hoepf
These underglaze blue vessels sold for $12,980. Michaan's image
These underglaze blue vessels sold for $12,980. Michaan’s image

ALAMEDA, Calif. – A grouping of three underglaze blue vessels was the big surprise of Michaan’s estate auction Sept. 12, selling for $12,900, more than 25 times the projected high value. The lot consisted of a decorative globular jar and a pair of cups depicting the Eight Daoist Immortals. An Asian buyer based in Chaoyang placed the winning bid.

LiveAuctioneers.com provided absentee and Internet live bidding.

Asian items dominated in the September auction, with the category providing the lengthiest list of sales successes. More than tripling estimates at the sale was a pair of early 20th century cinnabar lacquer vases (lot 243, $500-$700), which sold for $2,65), and an underglaze blue jar of fanciful phoenix and floral motifs (lot 259, $500-$700), which sold for $2,655). Two Chinese silver ingots, lot 237, estimated at $1,500-$2,000, sold for $5,015.

Two Chinese silver ingots. Price realized: $5,015. Michaan's image
Two Chinese silver ingots. Price realized: $5,015. Michaan’s image

A variety of collectible artworks achieved solid prices in the sale, with the highest figure found in a Greek School oil painting titled Woman and Child, which realized $6,490 (lot 364, $1,500-$2,500).

Greek School, 'Woman and Child,' oil on canvas, late 19th/early 20th century. Price realized: $6,490. Michaan's image
Greek School, ‘Woman and Child,’ oil on canvas, late 19th/early 20th century. Price realized: $6,490. Michaan’s image

Following suit was the abstract oil Spanish Vacation #3 by Dorr Bothwell (lot 287, $600-$900), which sold for $2,655, and a lovely etching/aquatint of a black steed titled Youth by Louis Icart (lot 325, $700-$900), which sold for $1,888.

Honorable mentions include a KPM porcelain plaque of a woman reflecting the Renaissance Revival period after Bruno Lauterbach, which tripled projections (lot 561, $500-700), selling for $2,124, as well as a coral, cultured pearl and yellow gold necklace and earrings set that more than doubled the high estimate (lot 102, $500-$700) when it sold for $1,770.

Coral, cultured pearl, 14K yellow gold jewelry suite. Price realized: $1,770. Michaan's image
Coral, cultured pearl, 14K yellow gold jewelry suite. Price realized: $1,770. Michaan’s image

For more information call Michaan’s Auctions at 510-740-0220 ext. 0 or e-mail info@michaans.com.

Click here to view the fully illustrated catalog for this sale, complete with prices realized.