RICHMOND HILL, Canada –888 Auctions concluded Part II of its Asian Art series on Saturday, Sept. 10 with a successful $168,000+ session. With a vast array of Asian art on display, the evening was primed to be “exciting and remarkable,” said 888 associate Eojin Lim.
The evening began with Chinese traditional paintings selling consistently well and garnering a sell-through rate of more than 80 percent. Most notably, Lot 257B, a Qi Baishi watercolor-on-paper hanging scroll featuring a butterfly and cicada, fetched $2,420.
That set off a series of pleasing sales during the rest of the evening, beginning with the Lot 412, a Chinese Beijing Republic painted ivory figure that settled at $2,420. In addition, Lot 551, an elaborately openwork carved ivory tripod Shou censer with six-character Qianlong mark sold for $2,662.
However, horn carvings proved to be the biggest winners at 888’s sale, totally more than $70,000. The first salvo was fired as Lot 504A, a small Chinese carved rhinoceros-horn pendant of a lion, exceeded its high estimate to make $850. Lot 509A, a Chinese carved rhinoceros-horn figure of Immortal and Boy, also surpassed expectations, fetching $4,598 from the floor. Lot 514, a Chinese carved rhinoceros-horn libation cup, realized $4,400 from a floor bidder.
However, nothing would have prepared the room for Lot 515: an 18th-century Chinese rhinoceros horn carved as a two-faced Buddha head. Far exceeding its estimate high of $30,000, it realized $49,610, spurring a round of applause on the floor.
Lot 960, an old sea turtle skin shell, concluded 888 Auctions’ evening session with a closing price of $605.
888’s Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art auction is scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 20, with Internet live bidding through LiveAuctioneers.com. For consignment inquiries or additional information, e-mail info@888auctions.com or call 905-763-7201.
View the fully illustrated catalog for 888 Auctions’ Sept. 10 auction, 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
