Skinner Inc will conduct a third auction of Asian Works of Art this year, today and Sunday, October 1-2 in Boston, Massachusetts. LiveAuctioneers will provide Internet live bidding.
As a result of China’s ongoing economic boom, the Asian Art market continues to be extremely active, driven by demand from both buyers and consignors alike. According to Karen Keane, CEO of Skinner Inc:
“We’re seeing demand for Asian material as never before. The demand from Asian collectors, many of who are seeking to reclaim their cultural history and heritage, has prompted Skinner to offer an additional auction of Asian Works this year. We’re responding with a terrific sale in the midst of our high auction season.”
The sale will offer more than 1,100 lots and features the private collection of Wolfgang Rath. Much of the material in the Rath collection comes from the Republican period (1911-1949), when imperial rule ended and China experienced a great deal of economic and political discord.
Porcelain from this era is not readily available, and the vases, ewers, bowls and bottles of the Rath collection offer important, rare examples of works from this period.
A large group of jades will be offered, with a jade mountain from the Ch’ien Lung period as the crowning jewel. Carved as a mountain landscape with deer and pines, this piece, lot 600, has an estimated auction value of $40,000 to $60,000.
 Jade mountain with Ch'ien Lung mark |
A good grouping of scholar items will be offered, as well as a number of fine Chinese paintings, highlighted by a modern work of Liu Guosong: Abstract Landscape, lot 784, estimated at $8,000 to $10,000.
Other works of note include lot 349, a rosewood display cabinet with an estimated auction value of $3,000 to $5,000; a large lacquer box from late 19th century China, lot 385, estimated at $8,000 to $10,000; lot 946, a gilt-bronze Avalokiteshvara from the private collection of Annelise Freiheit has an estimated value of $6,000 to $8,000; and a tapestry weave robe from late 19th century China, lot 843, is estimated at $10,000 to $15,000.
