CHICAGO – Property from The Strong National Museum of Play’s collection, offered on March 28 at Hindman, realized more than $821,600. Extraordinary prices were achieved for Chinese amber fish carvings, bronzes, porcelain figures and Japanese inro.

Strong Diversions: Property from a Lifetime of Play spotlighted works from prominent collector and philanthropist Margaret Woodbury Strong, whose passion for learning and scholarship developed through her unique upbringing and global travel. Strong assembled one of the largest and most unique private collections of the 20th century, inviting visitors to her home to see it as early as 1948. Her collection of more than half a million objects formed the foundation of what would come to be known as The Strong National Museum of Play.

Strong’s mother, Alice Motley Woodbury, was a passionate collector of Chinese and Japanese objects d’art, and bidders were eager to secure items from her collection. Bidders had particular enthusiasm for the large collection of yatate and sagemono.

Chinese Amber Fish, Bronzes and Porcelain Wares

Leading the auction was a set of two 18th-century Chinese amber carvings and an agate carving of double fish, which together sold for $62,500 against a presale estimate of $2,000-$4,000. The red and white fish measure six inches in height and feature exceptional detailing.

Chinese bronzes were also popular, such as an archaistic bronze vase, known as a fanghu, which achieved $28,125. A pair of late 17th-century Chinese gilt bronze figures of standing officials were also top performers, selling for $16,250 against a presale estimate of $5,000-$7,000. The quintessential Ming style of the figures, with finely cast official’s hats, flowing robes and gilding, made this lot highly desirable.

Japanese Inro

Japanese inro (cases for holding small objects) made by Shiomi Masanari enjoyed strong demand in the auction. A 19th-century Japanese gold lacquer four-case inro climbed well past its estimate of $1,500-$2,500 to achieve $40,625. The inro is decorated in iroe-togidashi-e on a kinji ground with two mice, and is accompanied by a crystal ojime and a mouse-form netsuke.

An 18th-century gold lacquer five-case inro, also featuring a mouse, was another highlight of the March 28 auction. Attaining $9,375 against an estimate of $1,000-$2,000, the inro features an illustration set on a kinji ground, and the interior is made of a nashiji lacquer. It is accompanied by a carved wooden mouse-form netsuke signed Masanao.

Yatate from Alice Woodbury Strong’s Collection and Additional Highlights

There was particular enthusiasm for Alice Woodbury Strong’s collection of yatate, Japanese portable writing sets that contain a miniature brush, seal paste and ink, which were often carried by scholars. Bidders appreciated Alice’s keen eye for quality and were eager to win works from one of the world’s largest and most respected collections of the form.

Additional highlights included a Chinese coral, jade, jadiete and hardstone necklace, which sold for $10,000 against an estimate of $1,500-$2,500; a large pair of Chinese famille verte porcelain figures of Fu lions, which sold for $9,375 against a presale estimate of $3,000-$5,000; and a set of three Japanese carved box netsuke, which realized $8,750 compared to a presale estimate of $700-$900.

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