The Asian segment represents the greatest area of growth in the world's auction markets. So it came as no surprise to see that Robert Bradlow, Sotheby's London-based specialist in Chinese ceramics and works of art, paid a lightning visit to Sydney and Melbourne in early February in search of consignments.
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He held confidential meetings with Australian private collectors to convince them now would be a good time to sell some of their treasures.
He had some persuasive stats to help them decide: in 2013 Sotheby's achieved global sales of $US362 million (about $390 million) for Chinese ceramics, perhaps the strongest segment in the Asian market.
Gilt-bronze figures are also booming. At the Hong Kong sales last October, a large gilt-bronze Buddha sold for $HK30m ($4.2 million). In November, another gilt-bronze figure from the Ming dynasty sold for £662,500 ($1.2 million) through Sotheby's London.
Results are not quite that spectacular here, although in 2011 Sotheby's Australia sold a Chinese famille rose ''100 boys'' vase for $480,000 including buyer's premium at a Melbourne auction. In June 2013 a pair of wucai dragon and phoenix bowls sold for $195,000.
Exactly what Bradlow sourced is not disclosed. But some items will appear for sale at Sotheby's Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art auction in London on May 14, while others are included in the next Sydney sale on April 15. Here the Asian section is combined with Australian and European arts and design.
On his visit, Bradlow tipped imperial porcelain from the Ming and Qing dynasties, carved jade objects from the 17th and 18th centuries and gilt bronze figures of Buddha and other deities as having strong demand.
But buyers are very specific about what they want. The demand and prices paid rise and fall with the tidal Chinese economy. There was a boom in the previous decade, followed by a brief cooling-off period.
November marked the return of Chinese buyers to the Australian scene at Mossgreen's Spring Auction in Melbourne. The most dramatic result was $170,080 for a Tibetan gilt-bronze figure of a crowned Buddha from the 14th or 15th century. The shell-shocked vendor said she had bought it for "next to nothing" about 15 years ago.
Most Asian items for sale in Australia are picked up by buyers from mainland China with apparently unlimited budgets. One estimate is that more than 90 per cent of bidders are Asian or Asian-Australian, including a growing number who have houses in both countries. Buyers from Hong Kong and Taiwan are also well represented. This pattern is repeated around the world and all major auction houses are taking advantage of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Asian lots for sale at Sotheby's Sydney include jade pieces. The highlight is what is described as a pale celadon jade carving of a phoenix, from the Qing dynasty, early 19th century. Chinese collectors prefer jade to be so pale it appears to be white. Estimates are $50,000 to $70,000.
The most outstanding porcelain is a 55-centimetre famille rose peach vase from the Qing dynasty. Estimates are $30,000 to $40,000. There are a number of gilt-bronze figures including a very small 18th-century Buddha valued at $5000 to $7000. Nepalese and Tibetan figures are also included. The catalogue is available online. One of the most valuable items listed is not Asian, nor Australian nor European, but a part of Maori heritage. This is the silver medal presented by New South Wales governor Philip Gidley King in 1806 to Te Pahi, the first Maori leader to visit the colony. The medal was recently rediscovered after some 200 years. Estimates are $300,000 to $500,000.
Sotheby's Sydney Sale is at the InterContinental Sydney, 117 Macquarie Street, Sydney on April 15 at 6pm. Viewings have begun at Sotheby Australia's gallery at 30 Queen Street, Woollahra.
