Asia Week prices were strong, with even cracked and chipped items achieving extraordinary results, as seen at Gorringe’s Asian Art Sale on November 12, 2024. Notable highlights include:
£60,000 for an unusual Chinese famille rose ‘fishermen’ brush pot, bitong, from the Yongzheng period (1723-35). The brush pot, painted with a scene of four fishermen and an old man and boy carrying a basket on a rocky outcrop, was estimated at £1,000-1,500. Despite old repairs, a crack extending from the rim to the foot, and other imperfections, the piece fetched a remarkable price.
£75,000 for a Chinese blue-glazed baluster vase with a Yongzheng six-character mark, likely from the same period. Estimated at £2,000-3,000, this vase was originally mounted as a lamp, leaving a drilled hole through the base mark and areas of scuffing and scratching. Nevertheless, it attracted intense bidding and a substantial final price.
Asia Week As Whole
Asia Week in November 2024 has mostly wrapped up, with around 10 provincial salerooms holding specialist Asian art sales alongside the second series of Asian art auctions this year from Christie’s, Sotheby’s, and Bonhams. After attending each sale online, I have to say that prices remained strong, with no signs of a slowdown. The higher-quality pieces, as expected, performed well, and even lower-end items found buyers.
The question is: are prices dropping? From what I’ve observed, prices appear robust—and if anything, they seem to be rising. It will be interesting to see what next year brings for the Asian art market.
