This September, Asia Week New York will be held across major international auction houses.
Sotheby's is offering five sales of fine arts – three live auctions and two online sale – smaller in size than main rival, Christie's.
Highlights are an archaic Chinese bronze vessel, an 18th-century Imperial Chinese white jade 'dragon' vase and a large copper alloy figure of Avalokiteshvara from 11th century Tibet.
Here is an overview of the sales, together with the highlight lots:
Live Auctions:
Power / Conquest: The Forging of Empires
Featuring 30 lots of archaic bronze vessels and weapons, this sale will explore the themes of kings, regional power, clan warfare and territorial control during China's Bronze Age. An ancient bronze vessel from 10th century BCE heads the sale. Alongside this lot, an archaic ya yi ge (dagger axe) is also featured.
Dharma & Tantra
Offering 41 oeuvres – such as sculptures, paintings and ritual works of art – this sale encapsulates the development and diffusion of Buddhist art in Asia. The journey originates in the ancient region of Gandhara (modern-day Pakistan and Afghanistan), progressing through India, Nepal and Tibet, through the Silk Road to China and Korea.
Highlight lots include a large copper alloy figure of Avalokiteshvara from 11th century Tibet, an inscribed gilt bronze figure of Panjarnata Mahakala from 16th century China and a Tibetan thangka depicting a mandala of Vajravahari with Taklung Kagyu Lineage from the late 12th century to early 13th century.
Important Chinese Art
Another traditional sale, this season features a wide range of Chinese art – such as archaic bronzes, jades, ceramics and porcelains – from distinguished collectors such as Chinese couple, Albert Y.P. and Sara K.S. Lee.
Leading the sale is an 18th century white jade 'dragon' vase. Alongside this vase, a rare turquoise-ground famille-rose and gilt-decorated vase, with a seal mark and of the Qianlong period (1736-1795) and a blue-and-white 'dragon' dish from the Zhengde period (1505-1521) are also featured.
Jian Min Fang Zun
Created during the Western Zhou dynasty, probably King Mu period (circa 10th century BCE)
Sale: Power / Conquest: The Forging of Empires
Estimate: US$800,000 – 1,200,000
Yi Yu Gui
Created during the Western Zhou dynasty, King Zhao period, probably circa 980 BCE
Sale: Power / Conquest: The Forging of Empires
Estimate: US$800,000 – 1,200,000
Malachite and Copper Inlaid Bronze Vessel and Cover, Fang Hu
Created during the Eastern Zhou, Warring States period (circa 8th to 3rd century BCE)
Sale: Power / Conquest: The Forging of Empires
Estimate: US$800,000 – 1,200,000
Ya Yi Ge
Created during the late Shang dynasty (1600-1045 BCE)
Sale: Power / Conquest: The Forging of Empires
Estimate: US$800,000 – 1,200,000
White Jade 'Dragon' Vase
Created during Qianlong period (1736-1795)
Sale: Important Chinese Art
Estimate: US$800,000 – 1,200,000
Gilt Decorated Famille Rose Turquoise Ground Vase
Seal mark and of the Qianlong period (1736-1795)
Sale: Important Chinese Art
Estimate: US$250,000 – 350,000
Gilt Silver Filigree 'Phoenix' Crown
Created during the Liao dynasty (916-1125 CE)
Sale: Important Chinese Art
Estimate: US$150,000 – 200,000
Blue and White 'Dragon' Vase
Seal mark and of the Zhengde period (1505-1521)
Sale: Important Chinese Art
Estimate: US$100,000 – 150,000
Large Copper and Silver Inlaid Copper Alloy Figure of Avalokiteshvara | Tibet
Created during 11th century
Sale: Dharma & Tantra
Estimate: US$2,000,000 – 3,000,000
Large Inscribed Gilt Bronze Figure of Panjarnata Mahakala | China
Fifteen-character inscription dated to Zhengde jiaxu year, corresponding to 1514
Sale: Dharma & Tantra
Estimate: US$1,200,000 – 1,500,000
Thangka depicting a mandala of Vajravahari with Taklung Kagyu Lineage | Tibet
Created during late 12th century / early 13th century
Sale: Dharma & Tantra
Estimate: US$350,000 – 550,000
Gilt Bronze Figure of Buddha | Korea
Created during the United Silla period, circa 8th century CE
Sale: Dharma & Tantra
Estimate: US$300,000 – 500,000
Online Auctions:
Sublime Beauty: Korean Ceramics from a Private Collection
The first sale in this category during recent years, this auction comprises of more than 20 Korean ceramics of exquisite craftsmanship.
This online sale's lot details are not announced by the international auction house as yet.
China / 5000 Years
With over 200 oeuvres, this online auction includes a wide range of works from prominent collectors – such as porcelains, jades, ceramics, bronzes and furniture, as well as Asian works of art.
Highlights include a group of jades from the Estate of Doris Ley, a large blue and white ‘lotus’ vase from the Collection of Victor Shaw, and Chinese furniture from the Collection of Loyd and Linda Crawley.
This online sale's lot details are not announced by the international auction house as yet.