Art Market Italy: 18th C. Qianlong Jade Reaches Over One Million Dollars

Art Market Italy: Auctions of Asian art and design

It’s a record for Oriental art at Cambi Casa d'Aste in Genoa: €3.2 million ($4.2 million), the highest total result ever realized for an auction of Oriental Art in Italy. The 170 lots offered on Dec. 16 doubled the presale estimate of €1.6 million; the sold rates were 50 percent for lot and more than 100 percent for value.

The top lot was a rare white jade bell from the Qianlong period that started from an estimate of €80,000 and was sold for €700,000 (with buyer's premium). It marked the new record for an object of Oriental art sold at auction in Italy. The previous record had been realized at Cambi, as well: almost €600,000 on June 4 for an important Buddha figure in bronze, China, Qing Dynasty, 18th century (the total result of the auction was €1.5 million).

A scepter, also in white jade and from the Qianlong Period, rose in few minutes from an estimate of €20,000-30,000 to €297,000, while a copper and gilt bronze Bodhisattva figure from the Qianlong Period sold for €272,000.

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