Chinese painting titled ‘Leaning Beauty’ sold for $12,980. Michaans’ Auctions image.
LiveAuctioneers.com provided Internet live bidding.
The inflated sales figure seemed to be due to nothing more than the piqued interest of a group of determined bidders. It appears that the piece struck a nerve with this select group of interested collectors, driving it past all expectations.
Michaan’s Asian art specialist Harry Huang was especially taken aback, reflecting that, “This is a prime example that one never knows what might strike a chord with bidders at auction. We aim to present a wide variety of quality pieces every month to cover our bidder base. Welcome sales surprises such as this are a reflection that we are meeting the needs of our clientele. Another unique find of the sale that fits squarely into this notion is lot 550. The scroll depicting Zhong Kui, also known as the demon queller, was interestingly executed by the artist. This scroll ended up almost doubling its high estimate at sale.”
A range of lots from the furniture and decorations department also performed well in the January sale. A Russian enamel on silver kovsh was a highly collectible piece offered by the department that managed to sell for over four times its high estimate for $4,130 (lot 603, $700-900). More than doubling projected high values from the department were a Victorian-style tufted leather furniture set (lot 728, $800-1,200) and a Danish modern rocker (lot 756, $400-600) as well as a German bisque head doll (lot 819, $200-300).
Jewelry is a consistent performer at auction and this month proved to be no different. The department enjoyed an over 75 percent sell-though of its 258 offered lots. A unique diamond ring (lot 281), Longine pocket watch (lot 359) and contemporary maker wristwatch (lot 375) all more than doubled high estimates, duly contributing to the department’s bottom line.
For general information call Michaan’s Auctions at 510-740-0220 ext. 0 or e-mail info@michaans.com.
View the fully illustrated catalog for Michaans’ Jan. 6 auction, complete with prices realized, at www.LiveAuctioneers.com.
Click here to view the fully illustrated catalog for this sale, complete with prices realized.
ADDITIONAL LOTS OF NOTE
Chinese painting titled ‘Leaning Beauty’ sold for $12,980. Michaans’ Auctions image. Russian enamel on silver kovsh. Price realized: $4,130. Michaans’ Auctions image. German bisque head doll with glass globe. Price realized: $767. Michaan’s Auction image. Open-face pocket watch, 18K gold. Price realized: $1,082. Michaan’s Auction image. Danish Modern rocker. Price realized: $1,416. Michaan’s Auction image. Diamond, 14 karat gold ring. Price realized: $2,950. Michaan’s Auction image.
