New York – Bonhams kicked off Asia Week New York with its Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art sale, which more than doubled its all-in estimate and achieved US$7.8 million overall with 88% lots sold. Exceptional results were achieved for the Collection of David S. and Nayda Utterberg, which achieved US$4.26 million in total for five rare lots of 17th century huanghuali furniture.
Results from the Utterberg collection:
- A large huanghuali waisted corner-leg table with giant’s arm braces and drawers, sold for 4x its estimate at US$1,633,500 (estimate: US$300,000-500,000).
- A fine and rare 17th century huanghuali three-shelf bookcase with drawers, jiage, sold for 4.5x times its estimate at US$1,143,500 (estimate: US$200,000-300,000).
- A fine and rare 17th century huanghuali tapered low cabinet sold for 4x its estimate at US$991,100 (estimate: US$200,000-300,000).
- A fine 17th century huanghuali round-corner tapered cabinet, YUANJIAOGUI, sold for US$279,900 (estimate: US$150,000-250,000).
- A fine and rare 17th century huamu burlwood-inset huanghuali recessed-leg wine table Jiuzhuo, sold for US$216,400 (estimate: US$100,000-150,000).
“The Utterberg collection contained some of the finest examples of Ming Dynasty huanghuali furniture to come to the market in recent years. Each piece of the couple’s collection was carefully selected from the leading dealers of the day for its superb craftsmanship, simplicity of line, and richly figured grain,” commented Dessa Goddard, Bonhams SVP, Head of Asian Art US.
Asaph Hyman, Bonhams Global Head, Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, said: “It has been a privilege to offer the exceptional collection of classical Chinese furniture carefully formed by David S. and Nayda Utterberg. Their pursuit of perfection whether in David’s professional life or in their collecting was clearly recognized by worldwide collectors. We are most grateful for Mrs. Utterberg’s trust and for the opportunity to handle such remarkable objects. This tremendous success follows on from the wonderful sale of the Chinese furniture collection formed by fellow Seattle collectors Mary and Cheney Cowles. We now look forward to our forthcoming sales in London, Paris, Stockholm and Hong Kong.”
Additional highlights of the sale include:
- A fine and rare huanghuali round-corner cabinet, YUANJIAOGUI, sold for 4x its estimate at US$699,000 (estimate: US$120,000-200,000).
- A superb and rare imperial glass two-handled globular tripod censer sold for 4x its estimate at US$406,900 (estimate: US$50,000-70,000).
- A very rare 10th century yue celadon-glazed double-gourd vase, sold for 16x its estimate at US$165,600 (estimate: US$10,000-12,000).
- Two 18th century huanghuali horseshoe back chairs, with later restorations, sold for 9x its estimate at US$121,150 (estimate: US$10,000-15,000).
The Chinese Art department also offered The Robert and Florette Weiss Collection of Chinese Snuff Bottles, sold to benefit the International Chinese Snuff Bottle Society, which was a white glove sale that achieved US$283,000 overall. Bonhams’ Asia Week New York sales will continue today, September 17, with Classical and Modern Chinese Paintings and on September 18 with Japanese & Korean Art as well as A Private Collection of Japanese Prints and Watercolors.
