”
Boston, MA – May 20, 2011 – Skinner, Inc will host a major auction of Asian art at their Boston gallery, 63 Park Plaza, in three sessions Thursday, June 2nd through Saturday, June 4th. With 1586 lots, including paintings, jade, bronzes, and porcelain pieces, this sale is indicative of the strength of the Asian art market. Skinner, Inc.’s Director of Asian Works of Art, James Callahan calls the event a “must-attend,” noting that “the Asian art market shows no sign of cooling down. Skinner is outpacing the competition and continues to put together really expansive sales.”
The first session, June 2nd, includes lots 1 – 242. Of particular interest is lot 55, a bronze Buddhist Stele of very rare Burmese material collected in the 1960s or ‘70s. The piece is Pagan, dated to the 12th century, and features the seated figure of Bhaigrava Buddha with two attendant deities. The estimated value is $8,000-$12,000. Also to be auctioned is a large group of Buddhist images including lot 168A, a carved giltwood image of Buddha from Japan. This 19th century figure of Amida Nyorai stands about 16 inches tall and is valued between $300 and $500.
In the second session, on June 3rd, lots 243 – 975 will be auctioned. An impressive giltwood Buddha, lot 284, from the Ming Dynasty will be available. The estimated value is $800 -$1,200. For fine examples of scholar’s items, including a piece featured on the catalog cover, see lot 419 from a very old upstate New York collection. The gourd vase from China, dated to the early-mid 19th century, is dated a winter month in jiazi year. “Xing You Heng Tang” is marked on the base. The piece is valued at $800 – $1,200. Several brush pots will also be offered including lot 450A, a bamboo brush pot from 18th century China. The pot is inscribed, signed, and dated guichou year and is estimated at $800 – $1,200.Another unique bamboo piece is a Chinese carving, dated to the 18th or 19th century, of a seated old man. Lot 459 is valued at $2,500- $3,500.
Also in session II is lot 466, a lacquered box containing six archer’s rings. Made in China in the 19th century, enclosed are three gray-white jade archer’s rings. It bears a Qianlong mark, and is estimated at $500-700. From a Massachusetts collection, Skinner will auction lot 480, a rare rhinoceros cup. Rhinoceros horns are becoming increasingly scarce, and this beautiful 18th-century Chinese cup is valued at $5,000 – $7,000. From an old New England collection comes another large 18th-century ivory carving from China. In a size rarely seen, this standing figure of a goddess, lot 553, is estimated at $800 – $1,200. Session II also features a large number of fine jades, including lot 945, a jade planter made in 19th-century China, made from jade of a highly-translucent white color, and valued at $300 – $500.
The third session of the auction, June 4th, will include lots 976-1586. This session will feature many jades, vases, some textiles, fans, scrolls, paintings and snuff bottles. Lot 984 is a jadeite carving of Guanyin on an ivory stand from China. Made in the 18th-century, this carved standing figure is an emerald green color and is estimated at $10,000 -$15,000. A jade double-gourd vase and cover from China, lot 1024, was made in the 18th or 19th century, and is valued at $2,000 – $3,000.
Lot 1115, a Kesi dragon robe, comes to Skinner with an interesting history. It was made in China in the 18th-century and was given to Dr. Harvey J. Howard by Pu Yi, the last emperor of China. Dr. Howard was in China as the head of the Department of Ophthalmology at Union Medical College in Peking from 1917-1927 and served as the ophthalmologist to Pu Yi, from 1921 to 1925. The estimated value is $8,000 – $12,000. Session III also features paintings from the Pah-Yuen/Boyuan Wang collection, pieces from which previously achieved prices totaling $1.9 million in the last Skinner Asian Art sale. Lot 1157 is a fan painting by Wu Changshuo and has an estimated value of $800 – $1,200. Another fan painting, from the same collection, is lot 1158 by Jin Cai and has an estimate of $600 – $800.
Previews, Catalog & Bidding: Previews will be held for the entire auction Thursday, June 2nd 9:00 am to 7:00 pm and for the third session only Friday, June 3rd 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. The illustrated catalog #2549B is available for $60 plus tax from Skinner Inc.’s Subscription Department (508)970-3100. Prices realized will be available at www.skinnerinc.com during and after the sale. Skinner’s site also allows users to view all lots in the auctions, leave bids, order catalogs, and bid live in real-time through Skinner-Live. To register for real-time bidding go to https://www.skinnerinc.com/buy-sell/skinner-live.php. Or, for more information call 508-970-3000.
###
About Skinner
Skinner, Inc. is one of the world’s leading auction houses for antiques and fine art and the only major auction house headquartered in New England. With expertise in over 20 specialty collecting areas, Skinner draws the interest of buyers from all over the world and its auctions regularly achieve world record prices. Skinner provides a broad range of auction and appraisal services, and it is widely regarded as one of the most trusted names in the auction business. Skinner’s appraisal experts regularly appear on the PBS-TV series, Antiques Roadshow, and its specialty departments include American Furniture & Decorative Arts, American & European Paintings & Prints, European Furniture & Decorative Arts, 20th Century Design, Fine Ceramics, Fine Jewelry, Textiles & Couture, Fine Musical Instruments, Asian Works of Art, Fine Wines, Rare Books & Manuscripts, Science & Technology, Oriental Rugs & Carpets, American Indian & Ethnographic Art, Fine Judaica, Antique Motor Vehicles, Toys, Dolls & Collectibles, and Discovery. Skinner galleries are located in Boston and Marlborough, Mass. For more information on upcoming auctions and events, visit Skinner’s web site www.skinnerinc.com.
Contacts
- James F. Callahan, Director of Asian Works of Art, 508-970-3255, jimc@skinnerinc.com
- Kate de Bethune, Director of Marketing, 508-970-3231, kdebethune@skinnerinc.com
“