CHICAGO – Hindman Auctions saw tremendous engagement in its three days of Asian Art sales on March 25, 26, and 27. The auctions realized nearly $3 million across the three days, reaching the highest total an Asian Art season has ever achieved at Hindman. The Chinese and Southeast Asian Works of Art sale surpassed $2.2 million, more than doubled the presale estimate, and saw competitive bidding throughout. The Japanese and Korean Works of Art and the Asian Works of Art Online sales also exceeded expectations and realized more than $238,000 and $513,000 in sales, respectively.
“We are so pleased by the outstanding success of the sales and how buyers responded so enthusiastically to the one-of-a-kind consignments we offered despite the challenging climate,” said Annie Wu, Hindman’s Director and Senior Specialist of Asian Art. “As a department that is continuing to thrive, we are thrilled to have set this new record.”
Outstanding prices were achieved and presale estimates were shattered in the March 25 Chinese and Southeast Asian Works of Art auction. The sale was led by a set of Joseon dynasty studded armor and helmet which saw incredible engagement, ultimately selling for $293,750 against a presale estimate of $6,000-$8,000. The very rare armor and helmet (shown at top of page) are constructed of vivid red wool, padded and lined with pale blue damask woven silk, and trimmed with fur. The robe is embellished with rows of gilt bosses and medallions between a sinuous dragon across the shoulder crest. The helmet case is decorated with dragons and phoenixes bordered by auspicious symbols, and topped by a gilt finial supporting a tuft of auburn hair.
Another noteworthy sale was a set of four scrolls by renowned Chinese artist Qi Baishi titled Flowers of the Four Seasons: Wisteria, Lotus, Chrysanthemum and Prunus, which realized over double its presale estimate, selling for $212,500. Other highlights of the auction included the sale of five loose album leaves depicting landscapes, birds and flowers, which soared past its presale estimate of $10,000-20,000 to achieve $175,000, and a transparent amber-tone glass bottle that realized $75,000.
Highlighting the March 26 Japanese and Korean Works of Art sale was Tsukioka Yoshitoshi’s The complete set of the series New Forms of Thirty-six Ghosts (Shinkei sanjurokkaisen), which realized triple its presale estimate, selling for $31,250 against a presale estimate of $10,000-$15,000. The work comprises 36 woodblock prints, bound as an album. Other exceptional results included a number of tantos, including one which sold for $11,875, nearly ten times its presale estimate. A pair of six-fold floor screens saw excellent interest, selling for $9,375 compared to a presale estimate of $1,500-$2,500. Other fantastic sales included Japanese illustrated books, Shintei somoku zusetsu, zenpen, which sold for $8,125, more than double their presale estimate, and a ten panel floor screen that sold for $5,160, far above its presale estimate of $500-$700.
The March 27 Asian Works of Art Online sale saw fantastic engagement with jade and textile property, including a pair of Chinese silk gauze summer robes, which realized $11,875 against a presale estimate of $600-$800.
The March 27 sale was online-only, and bidding was available through LiveAuctioneers.com. Hindman continues to welcome consignments for upcoming 2021 Asian Art sales.
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