Art Market Monitor

For Chinese Art, At Least

Fresh of strong sales in New York and Hong Kong, Asian art’s next stop on the world tour is the capital of the Chinese art trade, London. The Wall Street Journal’s Margaret Struder has a quick preview of the happenings which open on Oct. 29th:

Since it was founded 12 years ago, Asian Art in London has become the biggest event of its kind in the world, says project director Virginia Sykes-Wright. She notes that London is attracting an increasing number of Asian buyers from growing collector regions such as mainland China, Korea and Vietnam.

Two participating galleries signify the wide diversity of Asian art on offer. Giuseppe Eskenazi will show seven rare Chinese paintings from the 12th-15th centuries, including a delicate work depicting a melon and grass, priced in the region of $500,000. Rossi & Rossi will exhibit striking portraits by Tibetan contemporary artist Tsewang Tashi, with prices ranging from $5,000-$15,000.

Among the top lots at Christie’s Chinese ceramics sale on Nov. 3 will be an imperial bowl from 1723-35, decorated with peaches (estimate: £300,000-£500,000). At Sotheby’s on Nov. 4, a 17th-century Chinese recumbent gray jade buffalo is expected to fetch a similar price.

Asian Art Set for London (Wall Street Journal)

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