THEN
33 years ago, December 1983
Wave of US buyers expected in new year
THE WEAKNESS of sterling against the US dollar is unlikely to be cured in the immediate future, and shippers are expecting a wave of American buyers to visit Britain in the early part of next year.
With an exchange rate of $1.46 to the £ and with an improving US retail economy, US dealers, particularly in the middle and lower reaches of the market are reportedly hungry for stock.
NOW
Sterling may again be weak against the dollar but the idea of US buyers arriving en masse in Britain in the New Year seems remote. Much of the trade action for January now centres on New York and it is more likely that British dealers will head there to sell or buy at January’s fairs and auctions.
THEN
11 years ago, December 2005
At €5.4m the most expensive object ever sold in France
IF Asian Art in London draws the world’s collectors to the British capital, last week showed how strong the market and quality of material is in France.
The recent round of Asian auctions in Paris saw Tajan sell a 17in (43cm) high Ming blue and white Yongle bottle vase for €3.8m (£2.73m) on November 21. But Christie’s trumped this the next day when they sold a painted silk scroll made for the Qianlong Emperor for €5.4m (£3.88m), making it the most expensive art object (as opposed to painting) ever sold at auction in France.
NOW
The closing months of the year are still one of the periods when the Paris auction rooms offer some of their best Asian material. See the record-breaking Chinese seal (pictured above) which sold for €17.5m (£14.58m) hammer last week.
