It’s Asia Week, time for some spectacular prices for under-estimated objects like this Ming Vase that Freeman’s sold for $1.54m after a bidding war. Perhaps the Chinese collectors might call ahead and let the auction houses know what works they’ll fasten on next:

a Chinese Ming Dynasty gilt bronze and cloisonné covered jar sold this afternoon for $1.54 million.  The massive jar (21 ½ inches in height and 16 ½ in diameter) was subject to heated competition among more than a dozen bidders from the room, phones and internet before selling to a Chinese bidder in the room.

Freeman’s