The Skinner June auction presenting the arts of China, Japan, Korea, and Southeast Asia dating from Neolithic times through the 20th century was a resounding success. Robust participation from top international collectors and dealers on material from estates and collections long off the market resulted in prolonged competitive bidding and a $2.5M auction. 

“The success of this recent Asian auction is testament to the valuable work Skinner does helping families realize top market potential for their tangibles,” says Skinner CEO, Karen M. Keane.

Skinner has a reputation for achieving great success in finding, marketing, and bringing to auction Asian Works of Art. The auction’s top lot of an elegant 13 ½ inch tall Chinese Blue and White Lotus-mouth Bottle Vase sold for $1,608,500. Sixteen bidders volleyed bids at a stunning pace in their effort to acquire the vase. Noticed by a Skinner appraiser on an in-home visit, the vessel had remained in the owner’s family for several generations.

Purchased from an estate sale in St. Louis by the present owner, a Silver-inlaid Bronze Sundial, Angbu-ilgu, Korea, after 1713, sold for $336,500. A group of scientists invented this form of sundial in the 15th century at the royal request of King Sejong the Great (r. 1418-1450) of Joseon dynasty. This form of sundial is thought to have been produced in quantity until the late 19th/early 20th century, however, there are only seven known to exist today. A nearly identical example is in the collection of the Sungshin Women’s University Museum, Korea.

Other auction highlights include an Archaic Inlaid Bronze Hu Vessel, China, Western Zhou style, with wonderfully articulated swirl and scroll decoration, taotie masks, and ram-shaped handles, sold for $59,375, two Japanese cloisonné vases by Namikawa Yasuyuki each sold for $10,000, and a finely crafted Colonial, likely Indo-Portuguese, two-part chest that surprised with a hammer of $12,500. Bidding was strong on a unique group of Warring States gold with a large, Feline plaque that sold for $23,750, and an exceptionally well-modeled, painted Northern Wei pottery horse sold for $13,750.

Department director Judith Dowling remarked on the keen pre-sale interest, she was “delighted to see material across all categories selling for above estimate, reflecting a strong market.”

Skinner is currently accepting consignments for 2020 auctions. We invite consignments of Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Middle Eastern, and Central Asian art, objects, and furniture. Contact specialists Judith Dowling, Helen Eagles, and Suhyung Kim at asian@skinnerinc.com or visit skinnerinc.com to learn more. 

Skinner attracts top consignments and commands record-breaking prices in the international auction marketplace. With renowned expertise and extraordinary service, Skinner is the place for buyers, sellers and the passionately curious. Skinner appraisers are familiar faces on PBS’s 17-time Emmy Award-nominated ANTIQUES ROADSHOW. Visit us in Boston, Marlborough, New York or Florida, or online at https://www.skinnerinc.com