(Boston, MA) – Online bidding at Artfact sizzled in June with six-figure sales of Asian Art at Czerny's International Auction House and individual online sale records at Tajan, Sloans & Kenyon, Quinns Auction Galleries, and McMasters Harris Apple Tree Doll Auctions to name a few.

Artfact is also proud to announce the signing of exclusive live auction agreements in June with The Coeur d'Alene Art Auction, Decoys Unlimited, Gavelers Auctioneers of Amsterdam, and Accademia Fine Art in Monaco. Decoys Unlimited will host their first Artfact Live! sale featuring Decoys, Shorebirds and Miniatures on July 24-25, 2011 and The Coeur d'Alene Art Auction will hold their annual sale of Classical and Contemporary Western, Sporting and Wildlife art on July 23, 2011.

Czerny's International Auction House, "Auction 31: Fine Chinese and Asian Antiques" – June 11, 2011
A Large and Rare Hundred Deer Painting
Realized Price: €130,000 (USD$ 188,474)
Known for their endurance, grace, and long life, deer have been a Chinese symbol for longevity and wealth since the Han Dynasty (206 BCE - 202 CE). Depictions of hundred deer are thought to be especially auspicious, since "hundred deer" (bai) is also a homophone for "100 blessings" (bailú) or "100 promotions". It is only fitting then that this large, rare Qing Dynasty (1644 CE - 1917 CE) hundred deer painting was the top sale at Czerny’s June 11th auction. Dating to the 18th Century, the work is notable for the range of attitudes – from jumping and running to grazing and playing – employed by the artist to convey the dynamism and liveliness of the animals. Though expectations were high, it was still a welcome surprise when the painting sold to an online bidder for €130,000 (USD$ 188,474) – more than sixteen times the high estimate.

I.M. Chait, “Antiques & Estates Two Session Auction” – June 12, 2011
Antique 6-Panel Carved Wood Screen
Realized Price: $32,500
Though some auctioneers may doubt the seriousness of online bidders, Josh Chait – Director of Operations at I.M. Chait Gallery/Auctioneers – isn't one of them. An Artfact Live! Auction House Member since 2009, the Beverly Hills-based auction house has seen a steady increase in sales as more and more bidders opt to use online services like Artfact. Their most recent online success comes in the form of an Antique Chinese 6-Panel Carved Wood Screen. With an estimate of $1,000 - $1,500, the screen would have been a modest success when bidding in the room stopped at $4,000. What made it the top sale of the day was an ensuing online bidding war, which reached $32,500 before the hammer finally came down in favor of one lucky online bidder.

John Moran Auctioneers, “California & American Fine Art Auction” – June 14, 2011
Leroy Neiman (1921-), Standing Woman Twisting at the Waist
Realized Price: $19,600
John Moran's June sale featured an eclectic mix of post-war paintings and American Impressionism. Among the highlights of the sale were ten works by Sports artist and Playboy illustrator Leroy Neiman (1921-). Dating to the 1950's and 60's, the works – which came from a single estate – ranged from unfinished charcoal drawings to original acrylic paintings. Though all but one of the lots exceeded their high estimates, it was a nude acrylic on board that led the pack. Estimated at $7,000 - $10,000, Neiman's brilliantly colored, energetic depiction of a standing woman twisting at the waist sold to an online bidder for $19,600 (including buyers premium).

Freeman's, "Fine Jewelry & Watches" – June 20, 2011
Single Pear-Shaped Diamond Pendant
Realized Price: $20,480
If sales on Artfact Live! are any indication, then diamonds are an online bidder's best friend. Weighing in at approximately 6 carats, this pear shaped diamond pendant generated considerable interest among in-house and online bidders alike. Inverse prong set and strung on a 14 karat yellow gold rope twist chain, the pedant ultimately sold online for $20,480 (including buyers premium) – bringing some extra sparkle to Freeman's June 20th sale.

Note: Auction lot details and enlarged lot images available at www.artfact.com with free registration.

About Artfact:
Founded in 1989, Artfact is the leading provider of SaaS technology and marketing services to the $40 billion live auctions market. Artfact provides over 20,000 estate and art auctioneers around the globe with marketing and e-commerce solutions including auction listings, online bidding, websites, and auction management software. Artfact’s network of web properties includes Artfact.com, AuctionZip.com and Invaluable.com, and reaches over 2.5 million monthly unique users.

Based in Boston and with offices in Pennsylvania and the UK, Artfact currently has over 65 employees. In December 2009, Artfact closed a $13mm round of funding led by Commonwealth Capital Partners and Ascent Venture Partners.