NEW YORK, NY.- A Gilt Copper Alloy Figure of Tara from Nepal, Early Malla Period, 13th-century was the top lot across the Bonhams Asia week auctions in New York this week. Sold at Bonhams Indian, Himalayan, and Southeast Asian Art sale on 22 March, the prized figure achieved US$2,310,313, four times its estimate (US$500,000-700,000). This green Tara figure is a beautifully proportioned representation of the most popular Buddhist goddess in the Himalayas and is one of the finest examples of Tara from any style and period to ever come to market. The sale, which was 99% sold by value, saw all top ten lots selling above their high estimates.

“We are truly pleased with the success of the Tara and the strong competition for the rest of the works in the sale,” said Edward Wilkinson, Bonhams Global Head of Indian, Himalayan & Southeast Asian Art. “Few sculptures from the Buddhist world have achieved the level of sensitivity and elegance exhibited by the Tara and this was recognized by connoisseur and collectors from around the world. The number of active bidders (10) over the $1m mark was a testament to the unique opportunity to secure a true masterpiece of Buddhist art.”

Bonhams Chinese Works of Art Including the Richard Milhender Export Furniture Collection sale on March 21 also had a spectacular showing, with nine of its top ten lots selling for multiples of their estimates. The most contested lot was a pair of lemon-yellow glazed bowls with Yongzheng six-character marks which sold for US$200,313, 40 times its pre-sale estimate (US$5,000-7,000), to benefit Guide Dogs for the Blind, San Rafael, and the Panda Fund. The sought-after section of Chinese furniture was led by an 18th century Huanghuali Qin Table, Tiaoji, which sold for US$212,813 against a pre-sale estimate of US$30,000-50,000. Additionally, nine of the eleven consigned lots from the Milhender collection sold, many well above estimates, including an early Chinese Huanghuali ‘vase splat’ chair circa 1730 that sold to the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston for US$75,313.

“Amidst a strong slate of performances from Bonhams’ Asian Art team, the Chinese Works of Art sale was tightly curated, but packed a big punch. It was fabulous to see so many exquisite works soar beyond expectation, commented Dessa Goddard, Bonhams Vice President US Head, Asian Art Group, and Chair of Asia Week New York. “Overall, Asia Week at Bonhams was a terrific success.”

Further highlights from Asia Week New York sales at Bonhams include:

• Woman Holding a Flower (1948) by Zhang Daqian (1899 – 1983) from the Reverend Richard Fabian Collection of Chinese Paintings and Calligraphy IV sale on March 21. The star lot of the sale, Woman Holding a Flower is a hanging scroll inscribed by the artist which sold for US$870,313 against an estimate of US$800,000-1,200,000.

• Bonhams Japanese and Korean Art sale on March 23 was led by The Monster Skeleton by Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1797-1861) which sold for US$150,313.

Three online sales close out Bonhams’ Asia Week in New York, with The Reverend Richard Fabian Collection of Chinese Paintings and Calligraphy, Part V - The Online Sale and The Noble Silver Collection – Treasures from the Burmese Silver Age running from March 14 - 24; and Arts of India, Southeast Asia, and the Himalayas Online running from March 15 - 25.