Following the success of Junkunc: Arts of Ancient China in March 2019, this season’s selection of ancient Chinese art from the renowned collection of Stephen Junkunc III achieved $4.6 million, surpassing the auction’s $3.5 million high estimate. Together with our dedicated offering this spring, works from the Junkunc Collection have raised nearly $9 million at Sotheby’s in 2019.

The offering of weapons, jade animals, gilt-bronzes and inlaid fittings was led by An Exceptional and Rare Beige and Brown Jade Camel from the Tang dynasty, which achieved $620,000 – more than double its $300,000 high estimate. more than double its $300,000 high estimate. Exquisitely rendered in a lifelike manner, the present figure belongs to a select group of jade camels portrayed in this particular curled pose. Traditionally linked with the Tang dynasty and the Silk Road routes, camels are more commonly portrayed in ceramic as majestic figures carrying foreigners or loaded with precious goods.  Naturally, they were associated with luxury and with the exotic, thus conferring status and wealth to their owners.

BODIES OF INFINITE LIGHT
FEATURING AN IMPORTANT COLLECTION OF BUDDHIST FIGURES
FORMERLY IN THE COLLECTION OF THE CHANG FOUNDATION
Auction Total: $3.5 Million

A selection of works of Buddhist art spanning the Northern and Southern dynasties to the Qing dynasty closed Day 1 of our Asia Week sales, totaling $3.5 million. The auction was led by A Gilt-Bronze Figure of Avalokiteshvara Padmapani from the Yongle Mark and Period that fetched $620,000 (estimate $500/700,000). Considered to be a pinnacle of Chinese Buddhist bronze sculpture, early 15th century imperial gilt bronzes can be traced to the Yuan dynasty, when the court espoused Tibetan Buddhism.  Although the imperial standards are evident from figure to figure, there is variety and originality found in Yongle sculpture. Many bronze figures of Avalokiteshvara are distinctly different from one another, while remaining faithful to standard stylistic requirements of the Yongle ateliers.
 

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