Asian Art

There is no doubt that the Asian art auction market in London’s major salerooms is feeling the squeeze.

In a loss to the sector, Bonhams has shelved its sales of Japanese works of art in London. Specialist Suzannah Yip, who had led Bonhams’ department for 18 years, has left the company after a decision was taken to move operations to Paris.

Chinese chairs smaller and less formal than the ‘yoke-back’ or ‘horseshoe-back’ armchairs are referred to as rose chairs (meiguiyi) or writing chairs (wenyi).

Many of the pieces will go to the Far East after London auction held by Alistair Gibson

The second designated Islamic & Indian Art auction held by Lyon & Turnbull (26/25% buyer’s premium) in London included a group of market-fresh Indo-Portuguese mother-of-pearl vessels.

In the world of Chinese furniture there is a great deal of confusion regarding the terms to describe the wood used to craft these wonderful works of art.

Mee-Seen Loong is director of INKstudio and Ink Institute, and ex-vice chairman of Sotheby’s. INKStudio will be taking part in Asia Week New York (from March 13-21).

This 20in (51cm) pottery figure of a rhinoceros is dated to the Tang (618-907AD) period.

This pair of 5in (13cm) Qing bowls, each very finely decorated in iron red with dragons among cloud scrolls and stylised waves soared above their estimate of £200-400 to sell for £250,000 at Anderson & Garland on November 28.

Two rare artefacts from the ancient Cham people of Vietnam went way above the odds at Zacke (25% buyer’s premium) in Vienna in the auction of October 17-18.