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Asian Art & Antiques

Asian Art & Antiques

While Asia has a somewhat unified history, religion, philosophy, and culture, each country indisputably has its own art market along with a multitude of defining characteristics and individual customs and traditions that directly influence those markets. According to Noah Kupferman, Managing Director at Shapiro Auctions, there are “several collecting categories within Asian art that have certainly experienced torrid growth in terms of prices realized.” Those include Chinese ceramics, Chinese furniture, Himalayan sculpture, and Contemporary Indian and Southeast Asian paintings, he notes.

The Chinese Art Market

The art and antiques auction market in China has been one of the strongest growing worldwide since it emerged into the global art scene in the mid-2000s. The popularity of Chinese art and artifacts, including ceramics, bronze pieces, contemporary paintings, and snuff bottles, has driven the prices up at Asian art auctions dramatically.

The Japanese Art Market

Due to the erosion of the yen, Japanese artworks and antiques are also highly valued at auction today, especially armor, swords, and ceramics. While Japanese art encompasses a wide variety of different styles and eras, in general, the most common classical features and themes include Buddhism, shapes and decor elements based on nature, and spiritual imagery, while contemporary Japanese art often explores themes such as self-identity and finding fulfillment in a modern world.

Korean and Southeast Asian Art

Following the Asian financial crises of 1997, Korea became more open to the global marketplace and public interest in contemporary Korean art was piqued. Elsewhere, the Southeast Asian collector base also continues to grow, with contemporary Southeast Asian art quickly becoming sought after at auctions throughout the world.

Learn more from the Invaluable Guide to Buying Asian Art.

Recommended Items at Auction

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Utagawa Kunisada (1786-1865) - Lot consisting of two woodcuts, Japan, Meiji period
Feb 21, 10:00 AM EST
Utagawa Kunisada (1786-1865) - Lot consisting of two woodcuts, Japan, Meiji period
by Eldred's
Est: $120- $240
$2003 Bids
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A pair of Chinese blue and white 'Dragon' covered vases, 19thC, H 64 cm
Mar 01, 10:00 AM CET
A pair of Chinese blue and white 'Dragon' covered vases, 19thC, H 64 cm
by Carlo Bonte Auctions
Est: €1,500- €2,000
€7501 Bid
A MINIATURE BLUE AND WHITE SOFT PASTE PORCELAIN 'LOTUS' VASE Kangxi
Feb 14, 10:00 AM CET
A MINIATURE BLUE AND WHITE SOFT PASTE PORCELAIN 'LOTUS' VASE Kangxi
by Asté Maison de ventes
Est: $1,200- $1,500
$1,3001 Bid
A BLUE AND WHITE SOFT PASTE PORCELAIN 'DRAGON' VASE Kangxi
Feb 14, 10:00 AM CET
A BLUE AND WHITE SOFT PASTE PORCELAIN 'DRAGON' VASE Kangxi
by Asté Maison de ventes
Est: $1,200- $1,500
$1,2001 Bid
payment restricted do not bid 2
Feb 27, 2:00 PM GMT
payment restricted do not bid 2
by Stout Auctions Toy and Train Specialists
Est: $150- $300
$701 Bid
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A gilt lacquered bronze Thai Buddha, 19thC, H 21 cm
Mar 01, 10:00 AM CET
A gilt lacquered bronze Thai Buddha, 19thC, H 21 cm
by Carlo Bonte Auctions
Est: €400- €600
€2000 Bids
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A Chinese carved Longquan celadon 'Peony' jar, Ming dynasty, H 32,5 cm
Mar 01, 10:00 AM CET
A Chinese carved Longquan celadon 'Peony' jar, Ming dynasty, H 32,5 cm
by Carlo Bonte Auctions
Est: €1,000- €1,500
€5000 Bids
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A pair of Chinese Canton famille rose baluster vases and lids, 19thC, H 65 cm
Mar 01, 10:00 AM CET
A pair of Chinese Canton famille rose baluster vases and lids, 19thC, H 65 cm
by Carlo Bonte Auctions
Est: €1,200- €1,800
€6000 Bids
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A Chinese famille rose 'Peony garden' export porcelain charger, Yongzheng/Qianlong period, � 38 cm
Mar 01, 10:00 AM CET
A Chinese famille rose 'Peony garden' export porcelain charger, Yongzheng/Qianlong period, � 38 cm
by Carlo Bonte Auctions
Est: €1,500- €2,000
€7500 Bids
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A fine Chinese sang-de-boeuf glazed vase, H 59 cm
Mar 01, 10:00 AM CET
A fine Chinese sang-de-boeuf glazed vase, H 59 cm
by Carlo Bonte Auctions
Est: €1,500- €2,000
€7500 Bids
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A series of six Chinese paintings, gouache on silk, late Qing, 165 x 56,5 cm (frame) - 151 x 42,5 cm (picture only)
Mar 01, 10:00 AM CET
A series of six Chinese paintings, gouache on silk, late Qing, 165 x 56,5 cm (frame) - 151 x 42,5 cm (picture only)
by Carlo Bonte Auctions
Est: €1,500- €2,000
€7500 Bids
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Two fine Chinese famille rose 'A hundred birds in a garden' vases, 19thC, H 60 - 61 cm
Mar 01, 10:00 AM CET
Two fine Chinese famille rose 'A hundred birds in a garden' vases, 19thC, H 60 - 61 cm
by Carlo Bonte Auctions
Est: €1,500- €2,000
€7500 Bids
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A pair of Chinese famille rose 'One Hundred Treasures' vases and covers, 19thC, H 44 cm
Mar 01, 10:00 AM CET
A pair of Chinese famille rose 'One Hundred Treasures' vases and covers, 19thC, H 44 cm
by Carlo Bonte Auctions
Est: €800- €1,200
€4000 Bids
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A Chinese famille verte 'Court scene' charger, late 19thC/Republic period, ø 33,8 cm
Mar 01, 10:00 AM CET
A Chinese famille verte 'Court scene' charger, late 19thC/Republic period, ø 33,8 cm
by Carlo Bonte Auctions
Est: €800- €1,200
€4000 Bids
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A Chinese qingbai dish and a funerary urn, presumably Song/Yuan dynasty, H - ø cm
Mar 01, 10:00 AM CET
A Chinese qingbai dish and a funerary urn, presumably Song/Yuan dynasty, H - ø cm
by Carlo Bonte Auctions
Est: €600- €1,000
€3000 Bids
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A fine Chinese famille rose 'Birds amongst peonies' export porcelain charger, Yongzheng period, ø 38,5 cm
Mar 01, 10:00 AM CET
A fine Chinese famille rose 'Birds amongst peonies' export porcelain charger, Yongzheng period, ø 38,5 cm
by Carlo Bonte Auctions
Est: €2,000- €3,000
€9000 Bids

Sellers Who Sell Asian Art & Antiques


Carlo Bonte Auctions

Carlo Bonte Auctions

Eldred's

Eldred's

Asté Maison de ventes

Asté Maison de ventes

Stout Auctions Toy and Train Specialists

Stout Auctions Toy and Train Specialists