LOS ANGELES, CA.- On Saturday, January 18, 2020, thousands of bidders from around the world bid in an extraordinary auction conducted by Brigitte Kruse and
Kruse GWS Auctions. The Lunar Year Royal Family Auction brought astonishing results including record breaking final prices for century old royal artifacts from the last royal family of Vietnam. The world-record-breaking firm offered an extensive collection of some of the rarest artifacts ever offered at auction. The auction included 325 lots of prehistoric jades and magnificent porcelains that chronicled the Imperial Vietnamese Royal family history and pieces used for the Principle Palace Shrine.
In a stunning result, an exquisite 14th century Celadon Lotus Bowl from An Dinh Palace originating from the estate of the last Empress of Vietnam sold for $1,537.500 putting it at well over the original estimate. The piece had been identified by a South Vietnam scholar Vuong Hong Sen, the Director of Saigon Museum, and was sold by Brigitte Kruse, founder and lead auctioneer at Kruse GWS Auctions. Over 4,000 people watched online as the Lotus bowl sold. A Qing Dynasty Imperial Floor Vase commissioned by Nguyen Dynasty Emperor from Jingdezhen Kiln & Tang Ying with Qianlong Archaic seal mark from a Vietnamese Royal Family sold for $522.750.
Additional highlights included a Vietnamese Emperor Khai Dinh carved Jade Ink Pad sold for $22,140 and a Vietnamese Van Tho Palace Bleu Hue Charger sold for $38,350.
The Lunar Year auction also featured exquisite fine jewelry and iconic designer accessories. Among those highlights was a 36.20ct GIA Tourmaline 4ctw Diamond 18K Necklace which sold for $159,900 and a rare Hermes 35cm Noir Novillo Leather Birkin bag which sold for $22,100.
As the only auction house to handle Royal artifacts out of the country of Vietnam, we take the sale of such items very seriously. The generations of wars and previous conditions in Vietnam makes the survival of these artifacts so much more significant. The history behind each piece and the exquisite craftsmanship dating back centuries is magnificent. I can definitely say the adrenaline was running when I took the final bid on the Empress bowl. I was asked by the royal family to take the mic and sell this piece, so I made sure to do my best. We respect the Vietnamese people and the culture so much and we hope they see the honor in our practices. This was a career defining moment for me as a lady in this industry and it was a powerful moment. Brigitte Kruse, Founder & Lead Auctioneer, Kruse GWS Auctions.