Sotheby’s presented a selection of Chinese Buddhist sculpture from the Junkunc Collection. Most of the Buddhist sculpture offered were hammered down at prices above estimate, including the leading lot, a limestone figure of a Bodhisattva, which was sold for US$4.3m. Nonetheless, another top lot of the sale, a Tang limestone head of Buddha, was withdrawn before the sale. It is reported that the head of Buddha may have been originated from Longmen Grottoes, a UNESCO heritage site in China.
The sale featured 18 lots, all from the collection of Stephen Junkunc III (d.1978), an important collector in Chinese art. The sale pulled off a sale total of US$7.5m, realising 72% sold by lot. In addition to the withdrawn Buddhist head, four lots were bought-in.
Realising the highest price of the sale was a large limestone figure of a Bodhisattva from the Tang dynasty. The 100cm tall figure carried an estimate of US$1.5m-2.5m. It is a classic example of China’s Buddhist stone carving from the period that saw perhaps the greatest flowering of China’s plastic arts, the High Tang period under Emperor Xuanzong.
The bidding started at US$1m and the price went steadily up with a bid increment of US$100,000. After 20 bid increments, the price reached US$3m. Following an intense bidding battle that lasted 15 minutes, a lady in the room emerged victorious with her winning bid of US$3.6m. The figure was sold for US$4.33m after premium.
The second top lot was a 41.3cm limestone head of a luohan, from Song to early Ming dynasty. Luohan, or arhats, were close personal disciples of Shakyamuni Buddha. Although they attained Buddhahood during the course of their lives, they delayed entering Nirvana and remained on earth to protect the Buddhist dharma and to aid others in seeking enlightenment according to the instruction of the Buddha.
Estimated at US$150,000, this Luohan aroused strong interest from buyers. It was hammered down at US$760,000 and sold for US$930,000. The buyer is believed to be a distinguish tycoon in Hong Kong.
A marble triad group of Buddhist figures from Northern Qi dynasty, dated Tianbao tenth year (corresponding to 559) was sold for US$495,000. The Northern Qi dynasty (550-577) was one of the most vibrant periods in the history of Chinese art, both religious and secular.
The pose of the central figure, seated with one leg down and the other crossed with the foot resting on the other knee, is known as the ‘pensive pose’ and is one of the most iconic Buddhist images of the period.
Stephen Junkunc, III (d.1978), was born in Budapest, Hungary. He then emigrated to Chicago as a young child. His father founded General Machinery & Manufacturing Company there in 1918. Stephen Junkunc III, the manager and part owner of the company, spent his free time forming an extraordinary collection of Chinese art. He once owned two pieces of rare ru ware, along with over 2,000 examples of Chinese porcelain, jade, bronzes, paintings and Buddhist sculptures.
Lot results (from high to low price realised)
An Exceptional Large Limestone Figure of a Bodhisattva. Tang Dynasty
Lot no.: 8
Height: 100cm
Provenance:
- Collection of Mrs. Christian R. Holmes (1871–1941).
- Parke-Bernet Galleries New York, 15th-18th April 1942, lot 386.
- Nagatani, Inc., Chicago, 1st November 1962.
- Collection of Stephen Junkunc, III, (d. 1978).
Estimate: US$1,500,000 - 2,500,000
Price realised: US$4,335,000
A Large and Rare Brown Conglomerate Limestone Head of a Luohan. Song - Early Ming Dynasty
Lot no.: 14
Height: 41.3cm
Provenance:
- Collection of American Consul General Angus Ward (1893-1969), acquired in China in 1931.
- Richard Ravenal, Asian Gallery, New York, 20th January 1969.
- Collection of Stephen Junkunc, III (d. 1978).
Estimate: US$150,000 - 250,000
Price realised: US$927,000
White Marble Inscribed Triad Group. Northern Qi Dynasty, Dated Tianbao Tenth Year, Corresponding to 559
Lot no.: 6
Height: 36cm
Provenance:
Collection of Stephen Junkunc, III (d. 1978).
Estimate: US$300,000 - 500,000
Price realised: US$495,000
A Rare Sandstone Relief Fragment of an Apsara . Northern Wei Dynasty.
Lot no.:3
Height: 54cm
Provenance:
- Yamanaka & Co., April 1943.
- Frank Caro, successor to C.T. Loo, New York, 15th November 1961.
- Collection of Stephen Junkunc, III (d. 1978).
Estimate:US$100,000 - 150,000
Price realised: US$362,500
A Very Rare White Marble 'Mythical Beast' Stone Panel. Early Tang Dynasty
Lot no.: 4
Size: 40.6 x 50.2cm
Provenance:
Collection of Stephen Junkunc, III (d. 1978).
Estimate:US$150,000 - 250,000
Price realised: US$300,000
A Marble Stone Fragment of an Elephant Head. Tang Dynasty
Lot no.: 2
Height: 17.1cm
Provenance:
- Frank Caro, successor to C.T. Loo, New York, circa 1959.
- Collection of Stephen Junkunc, III (d. 1978).
Estimate:US$50,000 - 70,000
Price realised: US$275,000
A Limestone Relief Fragment of Vimalakirti. Northern Wei Dynasty
Lot no.: 9
Height: 38cm
Provenance:
Collection of Stephen Junkunc, III (d. 1978).
Estimate: US$120,000 - 150,000
Price realised: US$250,000
A Rare Limestone Relief Fragmentary Head of a Bodhisattva. Northern Wei Dynasty
Lot no.: 7
Height: 36.9cm
Provenance:
- Alice Boney, New York, 19th June 1954.
- Collection of Stephen Junkunc, III (d. 1978).
Estimate:US$80,000 - 120,000
Price realised: US$162,500
A Small Gilt-bronze Figure of Avalokiteshvara. Tang Dynasty
Lot no.: 11
Height: 8.1cm
Provenance:
- Nagatani, Inc., Chicago, 1st November 1956.
- Collection of Stephen Junkunc, III (d. 1978).
Estimate:US$10,000 - 15,000
Price realised: US$118,750
A Small Gilt-bronze Figure of Avalokiteshvara. Sui / Early Tang Dynasty
Lot no.: 1
Height: 9.9cm
Provenance:
- C.T. Loo, Paris.
- Collection of Sir Percival David (1892-1964), until November 1939.
- Frank Caro, successor to C.T. Loo, New York, 26th February 1953.
- Collection of Stephen Junkunc, III (d. 1978).
Estimate: US$10,000 - 15,000
Price realised: US$112,500
A Dry Lacquer Head of a Luohan Southern Song Dynasty
Lot no.: 18
Height: 28cm
Provenance:
- Nagatani, Inc., Chicago, 2nd November 1959.
- Collection of Stephen Junkunc, III (d. 1978).
Estimate:US$50,000 - 80,000
Price realised: US$87,500
A Gilt-bronze Altar Stand Tang Dynasty
Lot no.: 16
Width: 16.5cm
Provenance:
Collection of Stephen Junkunc, III (d. 1978).
Estimate:US$40,000 - 60,000
Price realised: US$50,000
A Limestone Fragmentary Relief Head of a Luohan. Sui / Early Tang Dynasty.
Lot no.: 10
Height: 15.2cm
Provenance:
- Nagatani, Inc., Chicago, 20th December 1952.
- Collection of Stephen Junkunc, III (d. 1978).
Estimate:US$15,000 - 25,000
Price realised: US$37,500
A Superbly Carved And Extremely Large Limestone Head Of Buddha. Tang Dynasty
Lot no.: 5
Height: 70cm
Provenance:
- Tonying & Company, Inc.
- Parke-Bernet Galleries, 30th-31st March 1955, lot 301.
- Collection of Jay C. Leff (1925-2000).
- Collection of Stephen Junkunc, III (d. 1978).
Estimate: US$2,000,000 - 3,000,000
Withdrawn
A Marble Figure of a Standing Bodhisattva. Northern Zhou/Sui Dynasty
Lot no.: 15
Height: 88cm
Provenance:
- Acquired prior to September 1952.
- Collection of Stephen Junkunc, III (d. 1978).
Estimate: US$400,000 - 600,000
Unsold
A Large And Extremely Rare Sandstone Head Of Avalokiteshvara. Nothern Qi / Sui Dynasty
Lot no.: 17
Height: 46.3cm
Provenance:
- Nagatani, Inc., Chicago, 1st November 1951.
- Collection of Stephen Junkunc, III (d. 1978).
Estimate: US$300,000 - 500,000
Unsold
A Limestone Figure Of A Standing Buddha. Eastern Wei / Northern Zhou Dynasty
Lot no.: 13
Height: 56cm
Provenance: Collection of Stephen Junkunc, III (d. 1978).
Estimate: US$300,000 - 500,000
Unsold
A Carved Red Sandstone Relief Fragment Of An Attendant. Northern Wei Dynasty
Lot no.: 12
Height: 56.5cm
Provenance:
- Frank Caro, successor to C.T. Loo, New York, circa 1959.
- Collection of Stephen Junkunc, III (d. 1978).
Estimate: US$50,000 - 70,000
Unsold
Auction summary
Auction house: Sotheby’s New York
Sale: Junkunc: Chinese Buddhist Sculpture
Sale date: 2018/9/12
Lots offered: 18
Sold: 13
Unsold: 5
Sold by lots: 72%
Sale total: US$7,513,250