Expectations Doubled: Extremely Successful Asian Art Auction on 13th June at Lempertz

The Asian Art auction brought the spring season of Lempertz in Cologne to a close with great success. With a total of 2.65 million euros, the auction more than doubled expectations, and a White-Glove Sale was celebrated for the Astamangala Gallery’s collection.

The Asian Art auction held on 13th June in Cologne achieved a total of more than 2.6 million euros – a result significantly more than double the expectations.

Lempertz has been further expanding its position in the growing market for Indian miniatures for a number of years, and this was continued in this auction with the second part of a private collection from northern Germany, the first part of which had already achieved outstanding results last autumn. With nearly all the lots sold in the spring auction, one piece stood out: an idyllic scene depicting Krishna and Balarama resting while receiving a foot massage in the lush green landscape near a river, a herd of cattle grazing peacefully nearby. From the Bhagavata Purana series, this sheet was driven up to a final price of 254,000 euros in an intense bidding war with global participation. In total, this collection of 21 pieces fetched over 400,000 euros.

Numerous bidders in the auction room, online, and on the phones from America to Asia - a museum amongst them - competed for the auction’s top lot, a ding-type ritual vessel. Dated to the early Western Zhou period (1046–771 BC), the bronze vessel was formerly part of the famous collection of Ernst Arthur Voretzsch (1868–1965), a consul who served in Hong Kong for many years. It finally sold for more than 570,000 euros in the auction in Cologne.

There was a surprise with a pair of polychrome bowls. The overwhelming interest in these fine porcelain pieces came primarily from Asia and created a lively atmosphere in the Cologne auction room. It wasn’t until 380,000 euros that the hammer fell and this extraordinary lot found a new owner.

A White Glove Sale was achieved for the first part of the Astamangala Gallery’s inventory, the highlight of which was a bust of the fasting Buddha, created in Pakistan in the 2nd/3rd century. Starting from an estimate of 5,000 euros, it sold for over 24,000 euros. As expected, a pair of Tibetan temple hangings made of silk brocade, created in around 1900, sold very well and actually exceeded the estimate: instead of 20,000 euros, they ultimately fetched around 28,000 euros.

Both traditional and modern Japanese art proved exceptionally successful. Among the high-quality selection of netsuke, a snail emerged as the star: carved from boxwood, it is dated 1840 and signed by Naito Toyomasa. Starting at an estimate of 22,000 euros, the piece fetched just over 50,000 euros, the highest price of the auction for a netsuke. It was a highlight from the second part of the Fank Lapisch Collection (1934–2002), which, together with first part auctioned last autumn, generated proceeds of more than a quarter of a million euros.

Modern Japanese art was represented by the calligraphy piece ‘Heijō (Everyday Spirit)’ by Morita Shiryū. The final price of circa 30,000 euros - paid by a German private collector - was double the estimate for this gestural piece from 1964.

Coming up this autumn, Lempertz will auction another highly significant collection: the Kress Collection. Over the course of decades, the couple amassed around 1,000 inrō with a discerning eye and great passion. The first part of this collection will be offered in conjunction with the upcoming Asian Art sale in a special auction on 10^th December in Cologne.

Ai Weiwei is already set to provide another highlight later this summer when an exhibition of the artist’s work will be presented by the Patrick Derom Gallery at Lempertz Brussels in the Sablon gallery district in September and October.

Jan Bykowski
Press and PR
bykowski@lempertz.com
Tel. 0049 (0)221 925729 -57