Asian Week in Glasgow – Hammer Highlights

The Asian Works of Art Auction at McTear’s on Thursday 25 April brought many noteworthy lots under the hammer. The pre-auction interest was high and the buzz of the saleroom on auction day promised an exciting auction.

The category of Chinese furniture saw several highlights. First and foremost was the Chinese ironwood bed at lot 1023. The marble insert panels that surround the bed add to the beauty of this functional work of art. The hammer fell at £3000 to an online bidder south of the border. A Chinese altar table saw great success too – bidding on the phone, online and in the room drove the price above estimate to £600, with the bidder in the saleroom victorious.

A Chinese cinnabar lacquer box (lot 957), with beautiful carving, though not free from imperfection, fetched £2600, while a monumental pair of Chinese famille rose vases (lot 1006) achieved £1800 (despite a few condition issues). The painting of the vases was so detailed; their quality stood out from afar.

Turning to Japan, highlights abounded in cloisonné. Lot 1054 was a stunning pair of floral decorated vases, which sold above estimate for £1700 to a commission bidder from London. A Meiji period inro (lot 1046), of five sections, was a popular lot during viewing. After competitive bidding on the phone, online and in the saleroom, the hammer fell at £1100. The gorgeous detail and high quality of the inro will be sure to delight the successful bidder.

A collection of Japanese swords and tsubas brought much pre-auction excitement. The unusual cloisonné cased tanto at lot 1165 outperformed its estimate, to fetch £1000, with the katana and wakizashi swords selling well too. Of the tsuba, lot 1103 was a most unusual example, with delicate piercing to its design, selling for £280 to a bidder who travelled to McTear’s for the auction.  

Chinese and Japanese objets d’art may have commanded most interest, as one might expect, though highlights from other regions should not be overlooked. The Tibetan thangka (painting) at lot 1174 sold above estimate for £600, and a group of African wood carvings soared in the saleroom to fetch £1300. This group (lot 1009) offered a striking carving of a man on horseback who caught the eye of bidders, including that of the successful online bidder based in England.

To view the auction results please click here >>

The next Asian Works of Art Auction takes place on 18 July; entries are invited for this international auction. For a complimentary valuation please contact specialist Magda Ketterer on 0141 810 2880 or magda@mctears.co.uk.