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The fall version of Biennial Asia Week in New York is approaching us again, and there is no better time to evaluate the market’s interest in Asian art. Even with a strong interest in several categories, the auction houses participating this week are adjusting their products and shipments, amid the wider economic challenges that impact the art market.
The sale of Chinese ceramics and art began in Bonhams on Monday, followed by the second part of the exquisite snuff bottles collected by Francine and Bernard Wald. Total sales were $7.3 million. Dessa Goddard Artnews Sales started this week with “very strong notes.”
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“We are [Monday’s] “Selling both. We are both interested in Asian art, Chinese, Japanese, Himalayan art.”
The highest results included in ceramic sales include Magnificent and important blue and white “boy” jar and lidselling for $1.75 million, slightly below its overestimate of $1.8 million; A unique pair of Famille Rose Chrysanthemum dishessold for $1.5 million and sold for $1.2 million; and An important and huge blue and white rolling vaseselling for $914,900, well above its overestimate of $600,000. (All prices are in USD, including fees unless otherwise specified.)
It is worth noting that Bonhams offers 47% less land in Chinese ceramics and this year’s art auctions than last year. The House proposed 78 items, resulting in a $6.55 million batch, with 82% sold, while 147 items last year were sold at $7.8 million.
“It’s much smaller than the usual group, but that’s what we think the market will respond,” Goddard said. “People are tired of selling very long and can sometimes be reflected in bidding.”
Bonhams held another deal on Classical and Modern Chinese Painting Tuesday, with the highest price reaching just $80,000.
Wednesday morning was packed with sales: Sotheby’s Chinese art sales, Bonhans’ excellent Japanese and Korean art sales, Doyle’s second Asian art sales, beautifully decorated Asian art sales at Heritage auctions, and Christie’s South Asian modern and modern sales.
Christie’s number one is Vasude S. Gaitonde’s untitled work of 1984, estimated at $2.35 million, estimated at $2 million-$3 million, followed by Tyeb Mehta Truss Bull (1994), sold for less than $2 million, estimated at $1.5 million to $2.5 million.
Nishad Avari, head of modern and modern art in Christine South Asia, told him: “There is a gaitonde and thebe tyb in the same sale.” Artnews Before the auction. “So it’s amazing to get these pieces, and Gaitonde examines every box the collector is looking for… from a format, palette and source perspective.”
According to Avari, Christie previously sold the same Gaitonde painting at a charity auction in Mumbai in 1987. “At the time, it was likely to come directly from the artist’s studio,” he said. “But going back 30 years later, it emphasizes our commitment to the region and the art.” When the painting last appeared at the saffronart auction in June 2009, it sold for $317,000.
New tariffs imposed by the Trump administration this year also have an impact on Asia Week this fall.
Goddard calls them “wildcards” in Bonhams, especially for U.S. buyers who buy overseas, and Bonhams entrusts goods from outside the United States.
“Usually, tariff rates have swinged back and forth, so it’s hard to suggest to our customers what they have to pay for, and what they end up paying for objects,” she said. “This makes the game in the U.S. very active, but it’s fun, and it’s the best property.”
At Christie’s, tariffs transfer the shipment of Chinese furniture. Michelle Cheng, senior expert and vice president of Chinese art, told Artnews. “In the case of tariffs, it is not feasible to import the property from abroad and then sell the property under these new tariffs. … No one knows exactly where we are going to land. It seems that there are different numbers every day.”
Christie’s also said it still ensures high-quality Chinese furniture, porcelain and other works. “The tradition of collecting Chinese art in the United States is so vibrant that we still find property in the United States at this point,” Cheng said.
Highlights of Christie’s Chinese art sales (scheduled Thursday and Friday) include four yellow-colored chairs (estimated $1.2 million – $1.8 million), a large Huanghuali Trestle-Leg table (estimated $800,000 to $1.2 million) and Magnificent and very rare Zitan floor screen (Estimated $500,000-$700,000). According to Zheng, the screen dates back to the 16th or 17th century because of its slim size, fragility, materiality and complexity.
“The level of engraving on the screen is absolutely incredible,” she said. “The engraving is really deep. It’s round. It has amazing action…and gives it an almost animated feel.”
Of the 184 batches, 48 are from Thomas R. Vaughn’s collection, and the proceeds will be used for the new family foundation, focusing on mental health and protection. Courtney Urfer Thompson, Vaughn’s granddaughter, said she and her mother discussed the options before deciding to make a public sale.
Thompson told Artnews. The family also considers lending favorites to the museum.
Even with ongoing tariff challenges, New York’s new chairman Margi Gristina said signs of the event are becoming increasingly important. She told Artnews. “There is real vitality in the gallery.”
As an institutional addition to this week, Gristina recommended the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s exhibition “Recasting the Past: Art of Chinese Bronze, 1100-1900,” which is closed at the end of this month. “this [exhibition] Show how [the bronzes] She said. Artnews They are already planning next spring’s New York Asia Week, which has moved in a week to avoid clashes with Tefaf Maastricht. “Hope this will attract a lot of collectors … but it will attract dealers,” Gristina said. “Hope this will be a huge shift for everyone.”
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