Freeman’s Asian Works of Art Sale Surpasses $2M, More Than Doubling Expectations

Freeman’s Asian Works of Art auction on March 27 delivered exceptional results, achieving a total of $2,013,952 (including buyer’s premium)—more than double the pre-sale low estimate. The sale featured over 200 carefully curated lots spanning centuries of artistry, from Chinese archaic jades of the Hongshan culture to important 20th-century masterworks. Strong global participation drove competitive bidding throughout, resulting in an impressive 175% sell-through rate by value, with 85% of lots sold.

Lot 42: Zhang Daqian (Chinese, 1899-1983), Landscape | Sold for $281,600 Lot 32: Zhu Chang (Chinese, 17th Century), Rafting in the Snow | Sold for $140,800

The auction also attracted a notable influx of new clients, with 16% of buyers bidding with Freeman’s for the first time, underscoring the continued expansion of the firm’s international reach. Adding further distinction, a group of 30 Chinese snuff bottles from the Estate of Dr. Thomas A. Klein, M.D., sold to benefit Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, achieved white-glove status, with every lot finding a buyer.

Annie Wu, Vice President and Head of the Asian Art Department, commented: “We are incredibly proud of our second auction as an official Asia Week participant. It was exciting to see such strong engagement across the room, the telephones, and our online platforms. We are so pleased to see the eagerness of our bidders and to find excellent new homes for the property.”

Zhang Daqian Leads a Strong Sale

The top lot of the auction was a striking landscape by Zhang Daqian (Lot 42), which realized $281,600, more than tripling its pre-sale low estimate. Executed in the artist’s celebrated blue-and-green “splash” technique, the work exemplifies the bold color contrasts and expressive abstraction of his late career. The painting descended from the collection of Hui Yihan—former Director of Taiwan International Radio and a close personal friend of the artist—and has remained in the family, lending exceptional provenance to an already compelling composition. A second work by Zhang Daqian (Lot 41) also exceeded expectations, achieving $83,200 against a $7,000–10,000 estimate. While more restrained in palette, the ink and watercolor landscape retained the dynamism that characterized the artist’s later output.

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: Lot 102: A Rare Chinese Carved and Painted 'Court Ladies' Relief Brick Panel, Late Tang Dynasty-Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms| Sold for $76,800 Lot 101: A Large Chinese Carved Wood Seated Figure of Luohan, Ming Dynasty | Sold for $64,000

Classical and Early Works Command Attention

Exceptional results were also seen across earlier material, with collectors responding enthusiastically to rarity, condition, and art historical significance. Zhu Chang’s Rafting in the Snow (Lot 32), a 17th-century ink on paper composition, inspired a prolonged bidding battle before realizing $140,800—nearly 35 times its pre-sale high estimate. A rare carved and painted ‘Court Ladies’ relief brick panel (Lot 102), dating to the Late Tang through Five Dynasties period, achieved $76,800, more than 15 times its low estimate. Formed from two joined bricks and finely carved in low relief, the scene depicts a court attendant preparing food, with delicately rendered features that highlight the artist’s technical skill. Sculptural depictions of courtly life from this period are exceptionally rare—most surviving examples appear as murals—making this work particularly desirable. Likely once part of a sarcophagus interior and comparable to reliefs from the tomb of Wang Chuzhi, its rarity, craftsmanship, and intimate subject matter drove strong bidding.

Sculptural works also performed strongly, led by a large carved wood figure of a luohan from the Ming dynasty (Lot 101), which realized $64,000 against an $8,000–12,000 estimate. The figure, depicted seated in a relaxed pose with elegantly draped robes, displays finely carved facial features and a serene expression, reflecting both technical skill and devotional presence.

Furniture likewise attracted competitive bidding. A finely proportioned huanghuali official’s armchair (Lot 127), dating to the 18th/19th century, achieved $57,600, against an estimate of $5,000 – 7,000. Constructed with characteristic restraint and precision, the chair features a continuous top rail and back posts, a gently curved central splat, and well-balanced proportions that exemplify the refined aesthetics of classical Chinese furniture.

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: Lot 27: A Chinese Pearl, Jadeite, and Hardstone Ornamented Court Headdress, Dianzi, with Headband, Box, and Four Hairpins, 19th Century | Sold for $108,800 Lot 28: A Chinese Yellow Kesi Dragon Roundel Robe, Late 19th Century | Sold for $64,000

Imperial Textiles and Court Adornment Shine

Headdresses and garments proved to be a highlight of the sale. A 19th-century Chinese pearl, jadeite, and hardstone ornamented court headdress (Lot 27) realized $108,800, more than ten times its low estimate. Originally created for a court lady, the piece survives as an exceptionally rare, near-complete set.

A late 19th-century yellow kesi dragon robe (Lot 28) achieved $64,000, over eight times its high estimate. Decorated with roundels of five-clawed dragons pursuing flaming pearls amid cloud scrolls and auspicious motifs, the robe is woven in luminous kesi tapestry. The lower register, with dynamic rockwork rising from crashing waves above a lishui hem, reinforces imperial cosmology and authority, contributing to its desirability among bidders

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: Lot 143: A Chinese Molded and Enameled Porcelain Snuff Bottle, Jiaqing Mark and Probably of the Period| Sold for $10,880 Lot 136: A Chinese White Jade Snuff Bottle| Sold for $10,240

Snuff Bottle Collection Achieves White-Glove Success

Lots 132–161, comprising 30 Chinese snuff bottles from the Estate of Dr. Thomas A. Klein, M.D., impressively achieved 100% sold. Reflecting more than four decades of dedicated and scholarly collecting, the group demonstrated both breadth and quality. Leading the collection was a molded and enameled porcelain snuff bottle with a Jiaqing mark (Lot 143), which realized $10,880, ten times its pre-sale low estimate. Finely decorated in famille-rose enamels with scenes from Ode on the Red Cliff, the bottle features unusually intricate detailing, including carved elements that project from the surface. A white jade example (Lot 136) also performed strongly, achieving $10,240, far surpassing its estimate. Offered to benefit Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, the collection successfully united connoisseurship with philanthropy, contributing meaningfully to the auction’s overall success.

Additional Highlights Include:

· Lot 52 | A Small Chinese Junyao Tripod Censer, Jin/Yuan Dynasty | Sold for $44,800

· Lot 69 | A Rare Chinese Blue and White Porcelain 'Dragon', Spittoon, Zhadou, Zhengde Mark and Period (1491-1521) | Sold for $44,800

· Lot 86 | A Pair of Large Chinese Iron-Red Decorated 'Dragons' Chargers, Late Qing Dynasty | Sold for $44,800

· Lot 40 | Zhang Daqian (Chinese 1899-1983), Scholar in the Mountains | Sold for $38,400

· Lot 72 | A Chinese Blue and White ‘Odes on the Red Cliff’ Square Vase, Kangxi Mark and Period, circa 1690s | Sold for $25,600

· Lot 82 | A Chinese Iron Red 'Dragon' Dish, 18th/19th Century | Sold for $25,600

· Lot 130 | A Chinese Huanghuali and Mixed Hardwood Square Table, 18th/19th Century | Sold for $25,600

· Lot 190 | A Japanese Rock Crystal Sphere and Silver 'Dragon and Waves' Stand, Signed Yoshimasa Saku Meiji/Taisho Period | Sold for $23,040