Post Event Press Release - Asian Art in London 2009
Thursday 29th October - Saturday 7th November
Asian Art in London's 12th event was held this November, and proved yet again that it was the landmark event in the Asian art calendar.
Ticket sales for the Gala party at the British Museum exceeded expectations with around 500 guests attending a lively event.
The Study Days at the British Museum also proved popular, with both symposiums of "Chinese Ceramics in their Cultural Contexts" and "Dogû, Ancient Art and Modern Inspirations" well attended.
During Asian Art in London late-night open evenings in Kensington Church Street, St James's and Mayfair, guests queued outside galleries on a balmy Halloween evening, to enter such illustrious venues as the newly opened Marchant gallery, Gregg Baker Asian Art, Fleurdélys Antiques and Jorge Welsh Oriental Porcelain & Works of Art.
Marchant were in fact the winners of this year's Asian Art in London Art Award for an exceptional work of art, for their Ming Bowl with Imperial Provenance; as was Gregg Baker, with his rare Japanese screen depicting Geisha chez nous. The award is sponsored by the Antiques Trade Gazette.
Marchant's exceptional "Ming Porcelain" exhibition sold major pieces for six-figure sums, as quickly as their wonderful catalogue that accompanied the show, whilst Jorge Welsh confirmed sales in excess of £100,000 during the event. Amir Mohtashemi Islamic & Indian specialist sold Indian works of art to new clients, primarily from the Far East.
In Mayfair, Roger Keverne's staircase was almost blocked as enthusiasts waited to gain entry, whilst Eskenazi gallery reported 1,000 people through its doors on the opening night. Eskenazi's exhibition of "Seven Classical Chinese Paintings" from the Yuan or early Ming period (14th/15th century), ranging in price from US$100,000 to US$1million, saw three sold and another three on reserve, during Asian Art in London. Daniel Eskenazi commented: "it is evident that London continues to be the most concentrated city for Asian Art outside Asia".
Also in Mayfair, Rossi & Rossi's haunting portraits of young Tibetans by Tsewang Tashi achieved sales of over £200,000 as did Jacqueline Simcox's "Asian Textiles" exhibition. Sydney L. Moss Ltd and their "Important Chinese paintings and calligraphy" and "Japanese netsuke, lacquer and works of art" exhibitions also saw sales in excess of £200,000. Recently returned to London from New York, John Berwald confirmed sales of £100,000 in his newly opened gallery on Clifford Street.
The Mayfair auction houses of Bonhams and Sotheby's also saw positive sales results, with Bonhams sale of 12th to 2nd century BC Chinese bronzes from the Lord Cunliffe collection, achieving nearly £5 million and Sotheby's results of over £8 million, helped along by such items as a massive Imperial 18th century jade seal, estimated at £400,000-600,000 finally selling for £3,569.250.
"Asian Art in London continues to go from strength to strength and has become a real focus for the International Asian art market in the northern hemisphere in November", said Robert Bradlow, Head of Chinese Ceramics and works of art department, Sotheby's.
The same scenario could be observed at St James's late-night opening with the Georgian House participants of Asian Art in London having little room to manoeuvre around a throng of visitors.
Ben Janssens "Chinese Lacquer" exhibition was all but sold and confirmed sales in the area of a quarter of a million pounds, whilst Simon Ray of Simon Ray Ltd also confirmed healthy sales.
Christie's auction house in St James's saw firm results from their Japanese sale with the "Edward and Marilyn Flower Collection" selling over a £1,000,000 worth of objects. The "Chinese ceramics & works of art" auction also achieved substantial figures with some £6 million worth of sales. Amongst several surprises during the sale was a Guanyao vase from the "Plesch Collection" estimated at £6-8,000, which sold for £193,250.
Whilst the contemporary markets suffered some adjustment this year, newcomer to Asian Art in London for 2009, Michael Goedhuis, saw off the recession with sales from his exhibition "Beyond China, the new ink painting from Taiwan" making in excess of US$300,000. Sales were primarily to Italian and American collectors, confirming that this is still an area for growth.
All galleries reported strong attendance from the major International museums from America, Europe and the Middle East, as well as those here in the UK, proving that Asian Art in London is a melting pot for both collectors and curators.
If Napolean's quote, of fearing China would move the world when she woke is to be believed, then Asian Art in London is ready.
Asian Art in London 2010: Thursday 4 November – Saturday 13 November.
Sponsored by www.afex.com