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This embroidered silk dragon robe displaying nine golden dragons flying amid swirling clouds and flaming pearls, above crashing waves and mountain tops, sold for $26,325 inclusive of premium on July 3. Image courtesy LiveAuctioneers.com Archive and Michaan’s Auctions.

Michaan’s Auctions experiencing banner year

This embroidered silk dragon robe displaying nine golden dragons flying amid swirling clouds and flaming pearls, above crashing waves and mountain tops, sold for $26,325 inclusive of premium on July 3. Image courtesy LiveAuctioneers.com Archive and Michaan’s Auctions.
This embroidered silk dragon robe displaying nine golden dragons flying amid swirling clouds and flaming pearls, above crashing waves and mountain tops, sold for $26,325 inclusive of premium on July 3. Image courtesy LiveAuctioneers.com Archive and Michaan’s Auctions.
ALAMEDA, Calif. – 2011 is proving to be a dramatically successful year for Michaan’s Auctions. The auction house has seen a 50 percent sales growth since the beginning of the year, the most substantial jump the company has seen since its inception in 2002.

Numerous factors have aided in Michaan’s recent boom, but the success of the Asian Art Department is perhaps the most significant player in the company’s rapid development. Although the market for Asian items has been steadily rising, the hard work of Michaan’s Asian Department brought two record-breaking sales to the auction saleroom floor, with the most recent taking in more than $1.9 million.

The Jewelry Department has also seen a sales surge over the last two years. During this time, the department has been fairly consistent in topping their sales figures in monthly estate auctions.

Also noteworthy are the Annex warehouse sales totals, which have doubled their profits over the last three years.

Years of laying groundwork have paved the way for success. Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Scott Bradley reflected on what has brought Michaan’s Auctions to where it is today.

“For years it was about getting known, getting the word out. Our exposure on Eye on the Bay (local TV program) played an important role in that. We have also built a strong reputation with our clients …  our relationships with our consignors are based on service and trust. All of this has led to getting better and more property, two of the most important factors in this business. What it comes down to is that our reputation is now bringing us results.”

If anyone knows what it takes to make it in the auction business it is Bradley. He got his start 33 years ago at Sotheby’s, Los Angeles. doing preview work while still in high school. Bradley came to have an appreciation for art, which led to a love affair with the business. He then climbed the ranks from the warehouse, to gallery director to vice president of operations to his current position. Not one to rest on his laurels, Bradley is extending Michaan’s Auctions reach to include the Reno/Tahoe area with representative Sue Paffrath securing property as an on-site generalist and appraiser.

For more information visit the auction house’s website at www.michaans.com.


ADDITIONAL IMAGE OF NOTE


This embroidered silk dragon robe displaying nine golden dragons flying amid swirling clouds and flaming pearls, above crashing waves and mountain tops, sold for $26,325 inclusive of premium on July 3. Image courtesy LiveAuctioneers.com Archive and Michaan’s Auctions.
This embroidered silk dragon robe displaying nine golden dragons flying amid swirling clouds and flaming pearls, above crashing waves and mountain tops, sold for $26,325 inclusive of premium on July 3. Image courtesy LiveAuctioneers.com Archive and Michaan’s Auctions.