There was more success to report on from the world of collectibles today as Freeman's September 12 auction of "Fine & Decorative Arts" saw total sales for the event reach £1,312,140 ($2,024,227)
The busy showroom featured a global audience of investors from China, Hong Kong and Singapore, to name but a few, alongside the usual US contingent.
Furthermore, the auction proved an internet hit with a total of 22% of successful bits coming via Freeman's online bidding service.
 The huanghuali compound cabinet |
And as the sale began, it was a series of fine hardwood furniture pieces that proved initially popular, with numerous lots exceeding their pre-sale estimates.
Particular highlights included Chinese huanghuali furniture pieces. A Chinese huanghuali tapering cabinet sold for £9,130 ($14,080) whilst a pair of Chinese huanghuali tiered stands fetched £22,175 ($34,210) following competitive bidding.
A pair of huanghuali horseshoe chairs also sold for a remarkable £59,000 ($91,000).
Yet the top piece from this category was undoubtedly the Chinese huanghuali compound cabinet which had been billed at Freeman's top Asian furniture lot to date.
The piece was a resounding success with a final sale price of £117,330 ($181,000).
Elsewhere, a large and somewhat unique carved zitan and hardwood floor screen sold for an impressive £44,500 ($68,650).
Not to be outdone, a variety of Chinese paintings that came to Freeman's via a private collection from Pittsburgh also impressed bidding investors.
The sale of an 18th century framed painting by artist Chieng Wei-Cheng was a particular high point.
Bidding for the art piece was fierce between the collectors in attendance with the final price of £37,600 ($58,000), nearly four times the estimated price.
Whilst three pieces from 20th century brush painting master Qi Baishi sold for £43,430 ($67,000), £66,800 ($103,000) and £78,500 ($121,000) each.
 Qi Baishi's painting sold for £78,500 ($121,000) |
Chinese Jade pieces also continued to prove popular amongst collectors.
A spinach jade elephant on a stand sold for £30,210 ($46,600) whilst a large celadon jade boulder reached a price of £23,200 ($35,800) at the auction.
Fine Chinese bronzes pieces were equally popular at the event with the top price at the sale going to a large archaic-style bronze censer which sold for £28,650 ($44,200).
This was over eight times the estimated price.
And porcelain achieved impressive sales with a unique famille rose vase with a brown ground reaching $20,000 at the September sale.
All in all, the event was a fantastic success which served to highlight the growing market of collectors investing in Chinese collectibles.
Freeman's next Asian Arts Auction will take place in March 2011.
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