The continuing strength of the Chinese market – both the seemingly endless supply of Chinese ceramics and works of art and the demand for them – has meant provincial auctioneers have had to become increasingly knowledgeable about what is on their doorstep.
So much so, that Knutsford auctioneers Frank Marshall & Son have appointed Dr
Eldon Worrall to oversee their expanding Chinese works of art
department.
Dr Worrall, a consultant to museums and
highly regarded writer, will have plenty of work on his hands
judging by the entries into the 1350-lot Cheshire sale on July 3
and 4. Among them was the 18th/19th Chinese gilt bronze figure of a
seated Buddha, shown here, which had been discovered by the
auctioneers in a routine valuation on a free home visit in
Altrincham.
Standing 9½in (24cm) high, it was the object
of a fierce bidding war between Mainland China bidding online
against British and European collectors in the room and on the
phones before selling at £6800.
Online bidding has, of course, been another
factor in the buoyant Chinese market.
At Knutsford, the 701 registered online
bidders accounted for nearly 40% of the 1070 lots which got away,
contributing £96,000 to the sale's £265,000 total.
Other Chinese items to sell well included a
pair of Guangxu 'Lotus' cups, c.1908, at £3500, a Qianlong period
'Birthday' dish at £2650 a 19th century Cantonese garden seat (with
a damaged base) at £2300 and an 18th/19th century porcelain jar and
cover which was painted with dignitaries and attendants at
£2200.
The buyer's premium was 17.5%.
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