San Francisco, 5 January 2012
Just before the Christmas break, Bonhams held two Asian Art auctions in San Francisco, featuring over 900 lots which totalled approximately $12.8 million. The enthusiasm of art collectors former Far East does not seem to falter, they were attracted to particular pieces of furniture from the collection of Eleanor Majors Carlisle, a figure of high society in San Francisco at the turn of the 19th century.
The auctions were led by a pair of zitan and hongmu altar tables from 18th-19th century, for which bids soared to over $2.7 million (with charges), more than ten times their high estimate. Similarly, a 19th century throne-chair, also in zitan and hongmu, was sold for over five times its low estimate of $200,000, and reached over $1 million. Another dramatic sum was reached for four chairs in zitan, hongmu, composite wood and cinnabar lacquer, which were sold for twenty times their estimates and reached $266,500 each.
Other highlights of these sales were; a bronze sculpture of a Buddha sitting in the Ming Dynasty from the Dino Bigalli collection, acquired for $ 578,500 (estimated at $40,000-60,000); a set of four porcelain enamel plates with grey landscapes also attracted fierce bids and finally reached fifteen times its estimate at $230,500.