Antiques Trade Gazette 45 Brussels
Right: a European collector paid €1.54m (£1.24m) for this Ming dynasty cupboard at Nagel on May 9-11. It is now the most expensive Asian work of art sold at a German auction.
Cupboard is another record sale
THE buyer of a Chinese table, which sold at Nagel (33% buyer’s premium) in Stuttgart in May 2011 for €1m, was one of numerous bidders who had set their sights on an equally exclusive Ming dynasty cupboard, which was now on offer at Nagel’s sale of Asian art a year later on May 9-11. Both pieces were made of zitan,
which was used exclusively for imperial furniture. The 7ft 10in (2.42m) high cabinet, estimated at €60,000- 100,000, had been purchased by a German diplomat in China prior to 1945 and had been in his family since then. In next to no time the bidding was
well into six fi gures and soon it was down to last year’s buyer, bidding by phone from his home in Hong Kong, and the representative of another
Hong Kong collector in the room. The bidding match went on until the bidder in the room sealed the deal at €1.54m (£1.24m), making the cupboard the most expensive Asian work of art sold at a German auction. Also in demand was a pair of 6ft
2in (1.88m) tall, 17th century, late Ming dynasty cupboards. These had belonged to a German collection since the 1930s or ‘40s and were also enticingly estimated at €200,000- 300,000. In this case, a European collector saw off the international competition with his closing bid of €900,000 (£722,440).
Enter the dragon handle for a €50,000 Chinese success
ANOTHER Chinese work of art proved to be the best-seller at Stahl (20% buyer’s premium) in Hamburg on April 21. It was a 15in (37cm) tall Duomuhu ritual vessel from the 19th century, made of partly gilt and enamelled silver with a dragon handle and a phoenix spout. This form of
vessel originated in Tibet, where it was used in monasteries for storing milk or water. With the adoption of Tibetan Buddhism in China in the 13th century the Duomuhu also entered Chinese culture, going in and out of style over the centuries. This particular
vessel, which weighs
a substantial 7lbs 8oz (3.4kg), is the expression of a revival during the Qing dynasty (1644-1911). It is intricately decorated with numerous Buddhist motifs, including dragons, cloud bands, bats and chrysanthemums. It was consigned by a Swedish collector and estimated at €38,000. After a short, but intense tussle it went to an Asian bidder for €50,000 (£40,940).
T. Michau (a pair) V. Marais-Milton C. Claudel (Rodin) V. Grachev SALE JUNE 19 BA Art Auctions Viewing 15-17 June 10am-6pm
OLD MASTERS & MODERN ART, ASIAN ART, COLLECTION OF CLOCKS
Chinese porcelain and jades
From a lot of 25 clocks
Left: 19th century Duomuhu ritual vessel, 15in (37cm) tall – €50,000 (£40,940) from an Asian bidder at Stahl on April 21.
F. Stella, 120 x 150cm
B. Venet, 215 x 215cm
Complete catalogue online
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