Traditionally crammed into a couple of weeks in May, this year’s crop of UK Asian art sales will be held across a more leisurely schedule that runs from late spring into the summer.
So, while Sotheby’s and Bonhams continue as normal with London sales this month, there is no May sale held by Christie’s or indeed at Woolley & Wallis – the Salisbury firm choosing to sell Chinese and Japanese art in July instead.
Pictured here and in this section are some highlights from May-June sales in the UK plus upcoming lots from events in Germany and France.
Screen scene
This 18th century Chinese lacquer table screen, pictured above, applied to both sides with a carved ivory scene of a mountainous landscape.
Measuring 22 x 8in (55 x 20cm), housed in a stand carved with taotie masks and stylised phoenix, it comes for sale at Sworders in Stansted Mountfitchet on May 14 from a vendor whose grandfather owned it for many years.
Estimate £800-1200.
Final slice of Roger Keverne stock
A 9th or 10th century polychromed limestone figure of a luohan – estimate £30,000-50,000 at Bonhams on May 11.
Bonhams is to auction the remaining stock of the long-established London Chinese art dealership Roger Keverne.
Two dedicated sales will disperse over 800 lots without reserve – the first on May 11, where this 9th or 10th century polychromed limestone figure of a luohan is guided at £30,000-50,000. The second takes place in June.
Keverne, who was head of Spink’s Asian departments at the age of only 28, started his own business in 1992 with Miranda Clarke, his wife and business partner. He traded for many years from his gallery at 16 Clifford St, Mayfair, which closed its doors last June.
Acquired by diplomat grandfather
Pair of Yongzheng (1723-35) mark and period blue and white five lobed jardinieres – estimate £20,000-30,000 at Mallams on June 23-24.
The sale at Mallams in Cheltenham on June 23-24 includes this pair of Yongzheng (1723-35) mark and period blue and white five lobed jardinieres.
Decorated with Indian lotus flowers, each vessel has four drainage piercings and is supported on five rue shaped feed with a linear rui head motif.
Acquired by the vendor’s grandfather in Beijing around the 1930s while working as a junior diplomat, the 9in (23cm) pair is guided at £20,000-30,000.
