DORE & Rees held their inaugural Asian Art auction on 27th and 28th May, making some standout prices for Asian ceramics, works of art, furniture and more.
Leading the way was a bronze ‘dragon’ bell raised on a huanghuali wood stand, with side decorated with a band of dragons chasing a flowing pearl through mist clouds. The bell sold for a hammer price of £35,000 (including buyer’s premium).
A massive blue and white charger plate, with a striking, coiled, scaly five claw dragon writhing amidst clouds sold for £22,500 (including buyer’s premium). The Chuxiu Gong Zhi mark on the charger reads ‘made for the Palace of Gathered Elegance’. Built in the year of Ming Emperor Yongle in 1420, the Palace was residence of concubines during the Ming and Qing Dynasty’s. The Palace was renovated to celebrate Cixi’s 50th birthday in 1884 and it is likely that this group of chargers was made around that time. Its Imperial heritage was an important point of interest for bidders from around the world.
The auction totalled over £320,000 (including buyer’s premium) and marks the new chapter for Dore & Rees in style.
Head of sale Lee Young comments, “The first Asian Art auction for Dore & Rees, presented online and in their newly refreshed premises, marks a fresh and new approach for the business and was a great success. Rapid active bidding from clients around the world resulted in strong prices. We are now looking forward to the upcoming auctions of Interiors (16 June) and The Ronald Hazell Collection (24 June).”
Dore & Rees offer auction estimates for items you may be considering selling by auction and formal valuations for probate purposes, please contact the office for more information or take a look at the website, www.doreandrees.com.
