Two Days of Asian Art Auctions Top $3.7 Million at Freeman’s New York Saleroom

Across back-to-back sales on September 17 and 18, Freeman’s saw $3.7 million worth of Asian Art sell in its New York saleroom, with both sales soaring past their presale estimates and highlighting a thriving auction market. The festivities began on September 17 with the white-glove auction of Chinese Snuff Bottles from the Estate of Dr. Thomas Klein, which nearly quadrupled its presale estimate, achieving $687,168, with all 117 lots selling. Proceeds from the auction will benefit the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia. 88 additional lots from the collection will be offered in an online auction closing October 8.

Not to be outdone, Asian Works of Art on September 18 saw staggering results throughout the day, headlined by a magnificent, monumental, and extremely rare Chinese blue and white 'Nine Dragons' vase from the Qing Dynasty that sold for $1,036,800 (lot 286).

“We could not be more pleased with these exceptional results for our clients,” said Annie Wu, Senior Vice President and Head of Asian Art. “These two auctions prove that when you bring together important works with significant historical provenance and pair them with high-quality, desirable Asian art that is accessible for all buyers, the market will respond in a big way.”

“The Freeman’s team really digs into the stories of the extraordinary pieces in a way that strongly resonates with collectors and the broader market,” added Ben Farina, Senior Vice President and International Representative, Asian Art.

Chinese Snuff Bottles from the Estate of Dr. Thomas Klein Sell for $687,168

Freeman's was honored to bring Philadelphia collector Dr. Thomas Klein's collection of Chinese snuff bottles to auction, bringing some of Dr. Klein's finest examples to the next generation of enthusiasts. Bidders were eager to add them to their collections. All 117 lots sold, with an astonishing 101 lots exceeding their presale estimates.

Dr. Klein was known as a determined competitor for puddingstone bottles, and his broader interest in mineralogical examples is evident in the jasper, agate, jade, and jadeite bottles offered in the sale. Glass — particularly monochrome, overlay, and carved examples — was also a focus of his collecting, as were "organic" materials such as amber, coral, and carved bamboo. Molded and enameled porcelain bottles round out this wide-ranging collection.

"Snuff bottles have been a relatively overlooked segment of the market for Chinese antiques and works of art,” said Ben Farina, Senior Vice President and International Representative, Asian Art. “But they offer great opportunities for both beginning and advanced collectors. The variety of materials and techniques, historical and cultural references, and accessible scale make snuff bottles an appealing area for exploration in a market that is showing renewed energy.”

Highlights Included:

• Lot 24 |An Unusual Chinese Hexagonal Puddingstone Snuff Bottle, Qing Dynasty,
  Circa 1750–1860
  SOLD FOR $24,320
• Lot 58 | A Chinese White Overlaid Blue Glass Snuff Bottle, Qing Dynasty, 18th Century
  SOLD FOR $21,760
• Lot 53 | A Chinese Puddingstone Snuff Bottle, Qing Dynasty, Circa 1760-1880
  SOLD FOR $20,480
• Lot 54 | A Chinese Carved Puddingstone Snuff Bottle, Qing Dynasty, Circa 1750-1820
  SOLD FOR $20,480
• Lot 95 | A Chinese Amber Snuff Bottle, Qing Dynasty, Circa 1740-1820
  SOLD FOR $20,480

A Monumental Success
The following day, Freeman's Asian Works of Art auction saw the enthusiastic bidding from around the globe continue as the 289-lot auction more than doubled its presale estimate to achieve a total of $3 million.

The top lot of both days was the magnificent, monumental, and extremely rare Chinese blue and white ‘Nine Dragons’ from the Qing Dynasty, Jiaqing/Daoguang Period (lot 286), which sold to a private international buyer for a staggering $1,036,800 after an exhilarating competition between two phone bidders.

“We were delighted to achieve this extraordinary result for the family, who witnessed the auction in person,” said Farina.

Coming from the collection of The Honorable Robert C. Shelton, Jr., the vase was painted with nine dragons in a composition long associated with the emperor and his heirs. The vase was an extraordinary technical achievement, built in three luted sections and successfully fired intact. The central, frontal-facing dragon and the smaller, upward-gazing five-clawed dragon rising from the waves below evoke the design known as "the Emperor instructing the Crown Prince," reserved for only a select few imperial commissions. Comparison of its ruyi-head borders, wave bands, and archaistic scrolling handles to related imperial and high-quality unmarked wares supports a date of the late 18th or early 19th century — a reminder that not every porcelain of imperial quality and dramatic scale from this era left the kiln bearing a reign mark. Adding to the allure, the lot came with a 1943 Yamanaka & Co. catalogue documenting its distinguished history.

Other Highlights Included:

• Lot 387 |A Chinese Doucai Porcelain 'Bats and Clouds' Box and Cover, 18th Century
  SOLD FOR $140,800
• Lot 376 |A Rare and Large Chinese Blue and White Porcelain 'Fruit and Flower' Bowl, Xuande Mark and Period
  SOLD FOR $121,600
• Lot 386 |An Impressive Chinese Green Enameled Yellow Ground Porcelain 'Dragon' Moon Flask, Qing Dynasty
  SOLD FOR $89,600