NEW YORK, NY.- Bonhams concluded its Asia Week with a total of $11 million realized over four sales from March 18 to 20. A rare pair of imperial 'quail and chrysanthemum’ bowls, realized $1,040,075, the top lot achieved at Bonhams Asia Week. Exceptional prices were also achieved for the Fine Japanese Prints including Property from the Collection of the late Bertram and Ruth Malenka.

On March 18, Bonhams sale Fine Chinese Paintings and Works of Art totaled $3,874,330 and was led by an exceptionally rare pair of Yongzheng mark and period imperial famille rose bowls, which achieved $1,040,075. The bowls came from the collection of Virginia Hobart (1876-1958) of San Francisco, daughter of timber and mining magnate William S Hobart. Additional highlights from the sale included a magnificent and massive pair of huanghuali hat chests with fine inlay decoration, 17th/18th century, which sold for $596,075; a very rare gold commemorative bracelet, 1839-1841, which sold for $187,575; and a rare yellow-ground green-enamelled 'peach and bird' bowl, Yongzheng six-character mark and of the period, which sold for $150,075.

Dessa Goddard, US Head of Asian Art, Bonhams, commented: “The results of Bonhams Asia Week demonstrate the market’s appetite for top-quality works of art with strong provenance. In particular, we were so pleased that The Hobart ‘Quail’ Bowls was the top selling lot this week. Collectors recognized this masterpiece of Imperial porcelain delicately painted by a most talented artist.”

The Indian, Himalayan & Southeast Asian Art sale on March 19 totaled $4,085,996 with the leading work achieving $980,075 – a spectacular 17th century gilt copper alloy figure of Panjaranata Mahakala, an important protector deity in Tibetan Buddhist statecraft. Other significant results were achieved by a copper alloy figure of Shiva Sukhasanamurti, South India, Vijayanagara period, 15th/16th century that sold for $106,325.

Edward Wilkinson, Global Head of Indian, Himalayan and Southeast Asian Art, said: “We were delighted with the competition across all categories. A gilt copper alloy figure of Bhurkumkuta from Central Tibet sold for $350,075 to a private American collector beating out stiff competition from European and Asian buyers. A noticeable increase in new buyers entering the field at all levels was also a positive indicator for the depth and strength of our market.”

On March 20, the dedicated sale of Fine Japanese Prints including Property from the Collection of the late Bertram and Ruth Malenka totaled $1,903,404 and was 99% sold, the result of exceptional works with excellent provenance. The top lot of the sale was Katsushika Hokusai’s “The Great Wave”, which realized $475,075. Solid prices were also achieved for Meiji era cloisonné in the Fine Japanese and Korean Art sale, which was led by a large and important cloisonné-enamel vase and cover by Namikawa Yasuyuki, which sold for $275,075.

Jeff Olson, Director of Japanese and Korean Art, added: “The fine prints from the Collection of the late Bertram and Ruth Malenka generated huge international interest and we were privileged to offer one of the most comprehensive group of Japanese prints spanning from the 18th century through 20th century.”