Asian Art Forums - Detail List

Asian Art Forums

Group: Message Board

Re: Christie's becoming narrow in their focus

Posted By: Sunny Sharma
Posted Date: Aug 04, 2009 (10:39 AM)

Message
Dear all,

I have recently sent photographs of my rare Chicken head ewer, and other pieces including some good quality Longquan pieces to Christies in London with the intention of entering them into their November sales. I received a reply from a specialist, without any estimates. Although they were genuine, she stated that due to market shifts early pottery pieces (don't know her definition of early) were becoming less sort after and they were now only looking to enter imperial marked porcelain and jade into their specialist Asian Arts sales. She never stated that any of them were fake nor gave any more details than this.

In contrast, Bonhams and a good provincial auction house with a successful Asian Arts department, more enthusiastic about entering them into their specialist sales in the Autumn (estimates were given in the thousands). Which makes me doubt the specialist at Christies even bothered to examine the photos properly, as Longquan is still sort after I think. In fact one of the peices was previously purchased from Sothbeys and details were given of this to Christies.

Does this mark a narrow minded shift from Christie's towards selling only Imperial porcelain and jades in their sales? There are around only 150 lots in their September sales. What are pople's experience?

Sunny

Post a Response

Responses:

Re: Re: Christie's becoming narrow in their focus - Cal - Aug 05, 2009 (01:57 AM)

Re: Re: Christie's becoming narrow in their focus - kk - Aug 05, 2009 (02:20 PM)