Record-setting recent sales of Asian art at Skinner's in Boston and Bonhams & Butterfields in San Francisco have followed this year's trend of enormous price increases for Chinese art and antiques.

Fresh-to-market material helped entice Chinese bidders to Bonhams' Dec. 13 sale of Fine Asian Works of Art. Led by a $7.7 million dragon jar, the sale's 360 lots largely skyrocketed above estimates to achieve $19 million, the firm's highest total ever for Asian art.

The top lot was the blue and white porcelain dragon jar, Qianlong mark, late Qing/Republic Period, which catapulted to an astounding $7.7 million from an estimate of $10,000-15,000.

Dessa Goddard, Bonhams' Vice President and Director, Asian Works of Art, commented, "The jar proved to be a puzzle for several clients with whom I spoke who all declared it to be unique. Without a consensus of opinion we felt obliged to be cautious with our attribution.  Needless to say, we are elated that the jar achieved such a spectacular price."

Also of note, a gilt copper alloy and colored glass overlay model of an elephant, 19th/20th century, fetched $1.8 million against an estimate of $20,000-30,000.

In the paintings category, Qi Bashi's (1863-1957) "Morning Glories and Gourds" scroll brought $458,000 and his "Chrysanthemums and Peonies" achieved $338,000 (est. $20,000-30,000).

Skinner’s Asian Works of Art auction grossed over $5.7 million, making it the company’s most successful Asian Art auction to date, and the second highest grossing auction ever at Skinner.

One highlight of the December 3-4 sale was a Chinese album of works by modern Chinese painters and calligraphers which sold for $1.23 million. Also, a Zhang Daqian modern painting brought $424,000, a Zhang Ruocheng handscroll achieved $130,350, and a Wu Hufan fan Painting reached $88,875.

Rare and important Chinese material, especially Imperial porcelains, have soared to new heights in 2010---both at small regional auction houses and the major international firms as well as at galleries and fairs.

Most notably, the suburban London auction house Bainbridge's sold an 18th-century Chinese vase for 51.6 million pounds ($83 million) last month, making it one of the most expensive artworks ever sold.

In its fall series, Christie's raked in $409 million, a season record total for Hong Kong. In October, Sotheby's took in $396 million in its Hong Kong sales, more than double the previous year, including $32 million for a yellow Qing vase.