Asian Art

A pair of mid 19th century Chinese export paintings of Macao hammered for Can$65,000 (£35,065) at AH Wilkens (22% buyer’s premium) in Toronto, Canada.

Buyers from mainland China propelled Asian lots at Quinn’s Auction Galleries (27% buyer’s premium) far beyond their guides at a recent sale in Falls Church, Virginia.

This unusually large giltwood figure of Guanyin, the Chinese goddess of compassion and mercy, attracted numerous bidders to Nagel’s (24.5% buyer’s premium) sale of Asian art on June 6-7 in Stuttgart.

Auctions like this don’t come along often these days.

Marchant Asian Art is under way with its move to its new home in Brook Street, Mayfair (to open in January 2026), and has unveiled details of some of its centenary celebrations.

Artist survived a shipwreck but then spent a decade creating portraits and views of the local landscape

This unusual 19th-century Indian enamel-on-copper footed bowl soared to 26 times its top estimate at Lindsay Burns (22% buyer’s premium) in Perth.

An ivory netsuke described as ‘after Tomotada of Kyoto’ hammered for Can$42,000 (£22,840) against an estimate of Can$1200-1800 at Harrington’s (25% buyer’s premium) in Ontario.

A rare Iznik pottery tile made for the Çini li Hamam bathhouse during the reign of Suleyman the Magnificent sold for £195,000 at Lyon & Turnbull.

Guided at $60,000-80,000, a Yixing stoneware ‘aubergine’ cup was the breakout star of Freeman’s Hindman (26% buyer’s premium) Asian Works of Art sale in New York, held during the Spring 2025 Asia Week.

Latest sales suggest a wider collector base targeting history and topography

While few will welcome the news that Bonhams – the last of the major auction houses to hold regular sales Japanese works of art in London – is moving its department to Paris (ATG No 2690), there will be opportunities for UK salerooms that continue to plough this selective but occasionally fruitful furrow.

Consigned from a private collection in Oxfordshire, a Wanli (1572-1620) mark and period blue and white jardinière sold for £40,000 at Chorley’s (25% buyer’s premium).