News-Antique.com - 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 18thcentury 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,
