LONDON.- The first half of 2023 has cemented Bonhams as the unequivocal market leader for Asian Art in the UK & Europe, achieving a highly impressive total of €30,005,154 across 13 sales throughout Europe and UK.

Continuing the trend of successful single-owner Asian Art sales from recent years such as the Parry Collection, London, and the Rousset Collection, Paris, the first half of 2023 has achieved hugely impressive totals for the single-owner sales of Michael Goedhuis: Brush & Bronze sale, London, and the third part of the Claude de Marteau Collection sale, Paris.

Top 5 lots across all sales include:

• A magnificent and very rare large wood figure of Bodhisattva Guanyin, Jin dynasty (1215-1234 AD), sold for €2,589,400 (three times its pre-sale estimate), Chinese Art, Paris, Avenue Hoche, 13 June

• A 15th century gilt copper alloy figure of Amitayus attributed to Sonam Gyaltsen, sold for €1,076,900 (est. €1,000,000 – 1,500,000), Indian, Himalayan and South East Asian Art, Paris, Avenue Hoche, 12 June

• A Tibetan gilt copper alloy figure of Virupa, 15th/16th century, sold for €952,900 (est. €150,000-200,000), The Claude de Marteau Collection, Part III, Paris, 12 June

• A magnificent gilt-bronze figure of Shakyamuni Buddha, Yongle mark and of the period (1403-1424), sold for €944,968 (est. €345,000-575,000), Fine Chinese Art, London, 18 May

• A rare and important Imperial Court painting of the bannerman Te’Er Deng Che, Qianlong, dated by inscription to the Wushen year, corresponding to 1788 and of the period, sold for €898,725 (est. €230,000 – 345,000), Fine Chinese Art, London, 18 May

Asaph Hyman, Bonhams Global Head of Chinese Ceramics and Chinese Works of Art, commented: “These are exceptional results achieved in the first half of the year, solidifying Bonhams as a leader in Chinese and Asian art across the UK and Europe. This builds on Bonhams’ momentum investing in the highest level of expertise, professionalism and care for our clients and love of the objects. We have been especially thrilled to achieve such remarkable results on behalf of the sellers for single-owner collections and rare works of art across a wide range of categories.”

Edward Wilkinson, Global Head of Indian, Himalayan and Southeast Asian Art, said: “The two sales, including the single-owner sale of Claude de Marteau Collection (III), of Indian, Himalayan and Southeast Asian Art achieved records in various categories that demonstrates the depth of the market and Bonhams’ commitment to the field. We look set to continue the momentum into the second half of the year with Part IV of the Claude Marteau Collection.”

Bruno Vinciguerra, CEO of Bonhams, said: “Asian Art is one of the pillars of Bonhams. These extraordinary results show the depth of expertise in the fields of Chinese, Japanese, and Indian, Himalayan Art and South Asian Art led by Asaph Hyman, Suzannah Yip and Edward Wilkinson respectively. The fact that major connoisseurs of Asian Art have entrusted Bonhams with bringing their collections to market shows the esteem in which our department is held.”

Full List of 2023 Asian Art sales and totals

• Asian Art, London, 15-16 May: €2,307,300

• Michael Goedhuis: Brush & Bronze, London, 17 May: €2,389,801

• Fine Chinese Art, London, 18 May: €5,997,401 (twice the pre-sale estimate)

• Samurai, Beauties, and Townsmen: Japanese Art in Peace and War, London, 18 May: €780,983

• Japanese sale, From Harunobu to Hasui: Japanese Prints across the centuries, London, 18 May: €278,576

• Indian, Himalayan and South East Asian Art, Paris, 12 June: €3,041,380

• The Claude de Marteau Collection (III), Paris, 12 June: €5,452,166

• Chinese Art, Paris, 13 June: €5,240,618

• Single Owner Japanese Collection, Paris, 14 June: €2,744,871

• Vietnamese Art Online, Paris, 9-15 June: €263,995

• Bruun Rasmussen Asian art, 15 June: €215,941

• The Asian Sale, Bukowskis, 16 June: €1,083,256

• Chinese Art Online, Paris, 9-16 June: €136,832