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Shoulao weaves auction magic at Michaan’s: $41,300

A Kesi-woven figural panel, 19th century, sold for $41,300. Michaan’s Auctions image
A Kesi-woven figural panel, 19th century, sold for $41,300. Michaan’s Auctions image

ALAMEDA, Calif. – Michaan’s June 13 estate auction produced many high-dollar sales, most notably in Asian offerings. The most astounding sale of the day was undoubtedly Lot 246, a 19th century kesi-woven figural panel depicting Shoulao. The auspicious piece featuring the Ancient Chinese Taoist god, his attendant and a deer amazed auction-goers as it rose to $41,300 (est $500-700). LiveAuctioneers.com provided absentee and Internet live bidding services for the sale.

Bidding for the piece boiled down to a phone and a floor bidder, with the latter bidder, from Madrid, Spain, prevailing on the lot.

Many other Asian pieces surpassed their estimates, including Tibetan Buddhist carved wood sutra covers (Lot 239, below, which sold for $7,080 to a LiveAuctioneers.com bidder; and Lot 240, which sold for $3,835) and Lot 207, a cast-iron Buddha head that realized more than five times its high estimate at $4,130).

Four Tibetan Buddhist carved wood sutra covers sold for $7,080. Michaan’s Auctions image
Four Tibetan Buddhist carved wood sutra covers sold for $7,080. Michaan’s Auctions image

Each of Michaan’s mainstay categories saw auction success, with numerous lots more than doubling their high estimates. From the Fine Art section, a life-sized statue of a figure composed of fused mechanical parts (Lot 419) was estimated at $1,000-$1,500 and sold for $4,425.

Attributed to Don Sternberg (San Francisco Bay Area artist, b. 1970), this Brutalist School life-size sculpture of a ‘Man Fabricated Out of Recycled Printing Press’ sold for $4,425. Michaan’s Auctions image
Attributed to Don Sternberg (San Francisco Bay Area artist, b. 1970), this Brutalist School life-size sculpture of a ‘Man Fabricated Out of Recycled Printing Press’ sold for $4,425. Michaan’s Auctions image

For general information call Michaan’s Auctions at 510-740-0220 or email info@michaans.com.

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