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During my short collecting career, I have come across some paintings. In most cases I am still at a loss as to who the artist is and what the potential value might be. I have not been able to find a consistent source to help in the identification process. Occasionally I have gotten some feedback and translation help here on the forum, but it has not been something I could count on.
So, I am wondering how to proceed. If I happen to have some very nice pieces, then I would want to get them on their way to a new owner in most cases, so how best to do that?
The one thing I am sure about is that I am not going to part ways with paintings that I have not yet identified, because I don't want to sell out of ignorance. That could be an epic mistake, and we don't want that. But I also don't want to hold onto things forever.
So here is one specific question I've been wanting to ask: is it a bad idea to send pictures to Sothebys/Christies/Bonhams of pieces I have not yet identified? Do they process submissions like that in a thoughtful way and investigate the work before they make their decision? Or, once they see it is submitted as an unknown work, are they prone to discarding such submissions? Have any of you had experiences that informed you of how they operate in regards to paintings you haven't yet identified? I don't want to waste their time on the one hand, but on the other, if I don't know who the artist is or the potential value, but the majors might know, it seems like the smart thing to do is to send pictures of it to them just in case it turns out to be something of great value. At any rate, I would like to learn from the wisdom and experiences of others, so I look forward to hearing your thoughts about all of this and any tricks and resources you might have to help you in this regard. Cheers! John
Paintings are difficult to get into any of the major auctions. There are far too many good copies, and provenance is very important.
I've done it a few years ago with one early 20th c. painting by Zhao Shao'ang, but it was a very early painting, and a near identical existed in a museum collection, along with details from the artist that stated he made additional versions.
The other was last month, with a 17/18th c. court scene. These are impossible to fake (as far as I know) as they are highly detailed, but they're also not the highest earning pieces (Mine brought $14k....not a kick in the @#$%, but nothing that you can retire on).
Translations are a great start...I ask, but I don't always get a response...sometimes the writing is just too poorly done or the translation is embarassingly bad... you just roll with the punches.
Don't waste money on professional appraisals. Tried it with a highly qualified degreed expert .... I miss the $1400 I paid. Appraisals came back in the range of $3,000-6,000 on several paintings, but none achieved more than $500 at auction. Might have been that the auctions were not high enough quality, but it's hard to say.
Bottom line.... you need a painting that is signed and in the manner of a famous artist, so get a translation. THEN, contact the major auction houses, but perhaps a few museums first.
There are far far less 'experts' of Chinese paintings...tricky business.
I have bought and sold a fair few paintings and only a handful have made a good profit, even when the work is by a "listed" artist, it can mean very little when you are trying to move it on. There are a lot of paintings out there that are adequately good for display, but not special or commercially exciting. The trick is to know that what you are buying goes beyond adequate, beyond good - and to be able to recognise it as an original.
I find especially older style Chinese paintings tricky in that respect because I haven't learnt enough, I don't understand them the way I understand european paintings but I may try to assess them the same way which might be wrong.
If you are serious about buying and selling art to the extent of approaching major auction houses, I would recommend doing the groundwork and learn all you can before buying up lots of pieces which may be very hard to get rid of.
Knowledge really is key, when you are buying and selling, so I would start, as I am sure you have, by investing in learning, rather than relying on luck and your own judgment unless you are certain that you have a very good eye.
In second-hand places, I find it worth remembering that very often, people who know more than me, have already seen the pieces that I am looking at and have walked away. It makes me focus more on what might be wrong or put people off. I think the best thing I have learnt is to walk away knowing I may be making an error, but prepared to take that risk, rather than the bigger one that I am buying something whose small profit will be eaten up with the time and effort spent selling it on.
@greeno107 I recently was offered the opportunity to get one of these professional appraisals done, and I was willing to go for it, but the person has not yet followed up so I am not sure if it will happen. The cost was only a fraction of the figure you paid, more like a few hundred, so I was going to do it, but I also had wanted to get others advice about it so I'm glad you brought it up. I do wonder who the regional auction houses are turning to to identify the works the sell, or are they just going off what the sellers tell them the paintings are? It seems like they would have to verify that the pieces are authentic, so they must have access to experts in Chinese art. I wonder if it is possible to tap into that resource to get identification assistance?
Just posted pictures of a new one I picked up. We'll see if anyone can offer some assistance with translation, etc.
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The art of calligraphy - and for the ancient Chinese it certainly was an art - aimed to demonstrate superior control and skill using brush and ink. Calligraphy established itself as one of the major Chinese art forms during the Han dynasty (206 BCE - 220 CE), and for two millennia after, all educated men were expected to be proficient at it.
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Chinese Ceramics & Works of Art. Overview Upcoming auctions Contacts Auction results ... Christie’s sales of Chinese ceramics and works of art showcase centuries of Chinese history. Held throughout the year in London, New York, Paris and Hong Kong, they attract a wide audience of collectors and connoisseurs vying for pieces as diverse as ...
Explore Asian Art Week. Contact the Specialist Department. Chinese Paintings ... Senior Specialist, Head of Sale. [email protected]. Tel:+1 212 641 5760. Bid in-person or online for the upcoming auction:Fine Chinese Paintings on 10 September 2019 at New York. Bid in-person or online for the upcoming auction:Fine Chinese Paintings on 10 ...
Discover an abundance of must-see art from all corners of a vast continent at Christie’s NY Asian Art Week. From contemporary classical and Chinese paintings to works with exemplary provenance from the Art Institute of Chicago, our Rockefeller Paza galleries will be full of ancient treasures and contemporary masterworks in a salute to the vibrant arts of Asia.
Sold to benefit The Art Institute of Chicago’s Asian Art Acquisition Fund, the sale features 84 lots with a focus on Ming and Qing porcelains, and offers a rare insight into the taste for collecting Chinese ceramics and works of art in the Midwest from the end of the 19th century through the 1980s. Highlights include two Wanli wucai garlic-head vases, a Qianlong mark and period, blue and ...
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The Christie's Education 2020 Conference: The Chinese Art Market 18 Jun 2019 Christie’s Education is delighted to announce our first international academic conference in Asia which will take place in Hong Kong from 26-27 November 2020 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre and will run in parallel with Christie’s Hong Kong Autumn Auctions.
The summer Chinese Art sale in Hong Kong will feature works of art from several private collections, including Qing porcelains and textile from the collection of the legendary Chinese art dealer A. W. Bahr (1877–1959), fine gilt bronze Buddhist sculptures from an old Hong Kong collection, an East Asian collection of Qing dynasty wine cups and jades, and a Japanese collection of Song ceramics ...
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Chinese Art - View Auction details, bid, buy and collect the various artworks at Sothebys Art Auction House.
With more than 340 Chinese works of art dating from the Neolithic to the Republic periods, highlights of this sale include a selection of Qing Imperial monochromes from the collection of Arnold and Blema Steinberg, early ceramics from the Art Institute of Chicago and Chinese porcelain and works of art from the collection of Henry Arnhold.
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Today's sale of Important Chinese Art will proceed as planned with sessions at 10 AM and 2 PM EDT. Sotheby's will be monitoring the weather conditions throughout the day and will be available to coordinate alternative bidding options should conditions make it difficult for clients to attend the auction in person.
Bonhams Chinese Art department is renowned for offering the finest works of art representing the richness and breadth of China's artistic heritage, particularly Imperial porcelain, white and spinach green jades, cloisonné and Buddhist art. Specialised international auctions are held globally, including London, Hong Kong and San Francisco.
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Bonhams Fine Art Auctioneers & Valuers: auctioneers of art, pictures, collectables and motor cars. We use cookies to remember choices you make on functionality and personal features to enhance your experience to our site. By continuing to use our site you consent to the use of cookies. ... Chinese Art (US) General enquiries
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Bonhams are international auctioneers of fine Chinese and Japanese art. We specialise in rare Imperial and Export Chinese ceramics and works of art, as well as Japanese ceramics, fine and decorative works of art from the Neolithic Period to the 20th century. View on map
Bonhams Fine Art Auctioneers & Valuers: auctioneers of art, pictures, collectables and motor cars. We use cookies to remember choices you make on functionality and personal features to enhance your experience to our site. By continuing to use our site you consent to the use of cookies. ... Asian Art Bonhams. Work. 22 Queen St.