MASTERPIECES
& DISCOVERIES

LAST YEAR, JAPANESE AND SOUTHEAST ASIAN ART GAINED IN MARKET SIGNIFICANCE, AND WE WITNESSED A BROADENING OF INTERESTS IN CHINESE ART.

The top lot of our Asian Art auction in June was a work by the Chinese artist Lin Fengmian (1900–1991), which we sold for CHF 375 000. The consignor regretted that the painting had left his collection, but was consoled by the profitability of his purchase: he had seen the work years earlier at a flea market and, although knowing nothing about the artist, had purchased it … for CHF 400.

Also in the June auction was a pair of magnificent screens from the 17th-century Japanese Hasegawa school; the winning bid came from the Museum Rietberg in Zurich. Fine jade and porcelain works also attracted considerable interest.

DHARMADATU
VAGISHVARA MANJUSHRI

A gilt copper alloy figure.
Nepal, 18th century. H 23 cm.
Sold for
CHF 55 000

WHITE
TARA

Tibet, 18th century.
Gilt copper repoussé. H 22.5 cm.
Sold for
CHF 45 000

HASEGAWA
SCHOOL

A pair of magnificent screens.
Japan, early 17th century.
169.7 × 376 cm each.
Sold for
CHF 150 000