Asia Week London May 2017 Bonhams - Christies - Sothebys

Asia Week London May 2017, Eight Auctions of Fine Asian Art

The schedule of auctions for Asia Week London May 2017 is set, the catalogs are out and the offerings are pretty wide ranging.

We've gone through them all, uploaded versions to the site here (see below) and have picked a few items on offer we particularly like.

From what we've seen so far, the two sales being put forward by Sotheby's are the better of the three large auction firms. Not to say the others aren't good or interesting, but Sotheby's seems to have the strongest "must see" auctions of all.

Sotheby's/ Important Chinese Art, London May 10th, 2017

Sotheby's Lot 124. "An Extremely Rare Copper Red Dish, Xuande mark and Period."

A real gem made during the absolute apex of copper red glazes. Accompanying the lot is a well-done article about these glazes and history.

Sotheby's Lot 138. A magnificent and Extremely Rare Large Carved Cinnabar Lacquer Dish Yuan/Early Ming Dynasty. (Formerly in the David Collection)

A fantastic and very fine large example in superb condition. With an extensive bit of documentation by Regina Krahl on the history of the plate. Well worth reading.

Sotheby's Lot 277. A Rare Pale Celadon Mottled Jade Horse, Win Dynasty. Yonhzheng-Qianlong Period.

A like horses in Chinese art and love this terrific little beast. It's a GEM! and has been on loan to the Ashmolean Museum for the last 35 years and was collected by John Wethered before 1952. The Wethereds' were descendants of King Henry III.

The Other Auctions Happening During Asia Week London May 2017

Bonhams FINE CHINESE ART May 11th is offering an extremely rare two part Qianlong carved lacquer leaf form table Lot 324, it looks possibly unique.

Christie's Chinese Ceramics, Works of Art and Textiles, South Kensington May 12 1s offering a VERY rare pair of Republic era seals Lot 360 signed by HE XUREN (1882-1940).

For those of you who follow us on eBay through the News Letter, you might recall seeing these on there a month and a half ago. When the listing was pulled I contacted the seller. He was apparently getting barraged with offers and opted to cancel the listing and to consign the piece ar Christie's.
As an aside, my feeling is it might have done just as well there and could have been sold without absorbing the 25% Buyer's Premium and 8% seller's commission as well as photo charges. eBay's maximum Commission tops out at $250. (Just my thoughts)