 |
Current Sales |
|
|
Fine and Rare Wines
21 Nov 2009, San Francisco and Los Angeles |
Antique Arms and Armor and Modern Sporting Guns
23 Nov 2009, 220 San Bruno Avenue, San Francisco |
California and American Paintings and Sculpture
23 Nov 2009, Los Angeles and San Francisco |
Decorative Arts and Glass
24 Nov 2009, Chester |
Doulton and Beswick Wares
24 Nov 2009, Chester |
British and Continental Collectable Ceramics
24 Nov 2009, Chester |
20th Century Prints
24 Nov 2009, Chester |
Watches & Wristwatches
24 Nov 2009, Knightsbridge |
Clocks & Barometers
24 Nov 2009, Knightsbridge |
British & Continental Pictures
24 Nov 2009, Knightsbridge |
|
|
|
Full sales schedule |
|
|
|
|
|
Fine Japanese Art at Bonhams New York
http://www.bonhams.com/usasian
The Bluette H. Kirchhoff Collection of Netsuke and Sagemono drew global attention to Bonhams' New York galleries.
The collection was presented as the first of two sales; the second being Fine Japanese Works of Art. With nearly 400 lots auctioned throughout the course of the day, bidders were offered several exciting collecting opportunities.
Highlights from the Kirchhoff collection include a boxwood netsuke of Rashomon by Ouchi Sosui (Tokyo, 1907-1972), which illustrates a ferocious demon leaping onto the back of mounted hero, Watanabe no Tsuna, while guarding the Rashomon gate in Kyoto. Estimated at $15/18,000, the piece significantly outperformed bringing $67,100.
Another work that attracted collectors was a late 18th-Century Ivory netsuke of a carp by Masanao (Kyoto). The swimming fish, signed Masanao, fetched $57,950.
There was also strong competition for a group of So School netsuke, largely the focus of the Kirchhoff Collection. At the end of fierce bidding the cover lot, Morita Soko's wood netsuke of a worker, brought $54,900–well past its estimate of $25/35,000.
Other lots which exceeded expectation include a late 18th-century ivory netsuke depicting a blind foreigner which sold for $51, 240 against an estimate of $20/30,000; an 18th-century inlaid lacquer portable sake flask by Mochizuki Hanzan that brought $42,700, nearly doubling its top estimate of $22,000; and a late 19th-century stag antler obi-hasami netsuke of a demon by Ozaki Kokusai which drew more than four times its estimate of $7/9,000 for an outstanding final price of $36,600.
From 'Fine Japanese Works of Art' came an important 18th-century gilt lacquer Amida Buddha triad, which proved to be the top lot of the day, selling for $158,000. In addition, a collection of fourteen Zen paintings by Hakuin Ekaku (1635-1768) and his circle performed well. The group of ink paintings brought a final price of $64,050. Of note from the swords section was a 15th-century Eikyo-Bizen tachi by Sukemitsu which fetched $30,500. Also sparking excited bidding was a 12th -century wood sculpture of a seated Buddha, which resulted in a final price of $18,300 against an estimate of $6/8,000.
"It was an exceptional sale," stated Director of Asian Art, Dessa Goddard. "The number of lots which greatly outperformed as well as the many which sold solidly within estimate made this day of sales quite a success."
The illustrated auction catalogs can be viewed or purchased online at www.bonhams.com/us.
Press Contact: PRNY@bonhams.com, Staci Smith, 917-345-5157
NOTES FOR EDITORS
Bonhams, founded in 1793, is one of the world's oldest and largest auctioneers of fine art and antiques. The present company was formed by the merger in November 2001 of Bonhams & Brooks and Phillips Son and Neale UK. In August 2002, the company acquired Butterfields, the principal firm of auctioneers on the West Coast of America and in August 2003, Goodmans, a leading Australian fine art and antiques auctioneer with salerooms in Sydney, joined the Bonhams Group of Companies. Today, Bonhams offers more sales than any of its rivals, through two major salerooms in London: New Bond Street, and Knightsbridge, and a further seven throughout the UK. Sales are also held in San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York and Boston in the USA; and Switzerland, France, Monaco, Australia, Hong Kong and Dubai. Bonhams has a worldwide network of offices and regional representatives in 25 countries offering sales advice and valuation services in 57 specialist areas. For a full listing of upcoming sales, plus details of Bonhams specialist departments, go to www.bonhams.com. (01-08) For other press releases, go to www.bonhams.com/press.
|
|
|