Skinner to Host Asian Works of Art Sale in Boston The Asian Art auction in Boston on April 20 - 21, 2012 features cloisonne, snuff bottles, fine jade, scholar's objects, and Asian furniture.
the “Three Friends of Winter” on one side, and a scholar and attendant among mountains and pavilions on the other side (lot 291, $800 to $1,000) and a carved tortoiseshell screen depicting stylized cranes and clouds (lot 320, $400 to $600) will also be offered.
Rhinoceros Horn Cups
The sale presents a fine offering of rhinoceros horn cups, highlighted by a 19th century zitan libation cup with a carved flowering plum branch design (lot 333, $300 to $500), an 18th century zitan libation cup also adorned with a flowering plum branch design (lot 335, $1,000 to $1,200), and a zitan libation cup depicting scholars at various pleasurable pursuits (lot 342, $2,000 to $4,000).
Fine Jade and Jadeite
A Ming dynasty jade cup (lot 672, $3,000 to $4,000) from stone of a gray-celadon color has a pair of chilong dragon handles, and a monumental jadeite boulder (lot 664, $10,000 to $15,000) depicting Kuan Yin seated on a lotus throne, holding a ruyi scepter and a lotus blossom is made from semi-translucent jadeite of celadon with dark and light green markings.
Jade ruyi scepters include one example carved in the form of a large lingzhi fungus (lot 676, $4,000 to $6,000) with two branches bearing entwined lingzhi heads of white stone with inclusions. Another example (lot 682, $2,000 to $3,000), made from wood, is inlaid with three pale celadon jade plaques of rams with scrolling flowers and leaves.
Asian Furniture
Many beautifully crafted furnishings include a hardwood compound cabinet with doors of burl inlay (lot 944, $2,000 to $4,000), a pair of 18th century hongmu display cupboards (lot 946, $1,500 to $3,000), and a Luohan bed with three-panel screen railings with decorated marble insets (lot 964, $2,500 to $3,500). A 19th century Japanese wood and Shibayama-style cabinet with elaborate high relief and openwork wood carving designs (lot 970, $1,000 to $1,500) will also be offered.
According to Judith Dowling, director of Asian Works of Art at Skinner, “we’re offering a uniformly strong auction across all categories from furniture to decorative and fine arts.” Dowling added, “once again, we look forward to keen interest from Chinese buyers, as well as buyers of the fine Japanese, Korean, Indian, and South East Asian works of art in this sale.”
Previews, Catalogue and Bidding
Previews for the auction will be held on Wednesday, April 18, 2012, 12 p.m.-5 p.m., and Thursday, April 19, 12 p.m.-7 p.m., and Friday, April 20, 9 a.m.-11:00 a.m., and Saturday, April 21, 9 a.m.-11:00 a.m.
Illustrated catalogue #2591B is available from the subscription department at 508-970-3240. It is also available at the gallery. 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 catalogues, and bid live in real-time through SkinnerLive!
Visit the Skinner Facebook gallery with sale highlights: http://on.fb.me/april20asian and read Judith Dowling’s recent blog series on the Skinner Blog: http://bit.ly/jfdowling.
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