Two carved huanghuali veneer fragments, 18th century, 45 5/8 x 32in (115.8 x 81.3cm). Sold for $43,750; Est. $8,000-$12,000. Photo: Courtesy of Bonhams

SAN FRANCISCO, CA.-Bonhams announced it held a solid and successful auction of Asian Decorative Arts on March 13 in San Francisco. The sale, comprised of 600 lots of predominantly Chinese furniture, porcelain and jades, realized strong prices in each category. 

Leading the auction were two 18th century carved huanghuali veneer fragments that sold for $43,750, far exceeding a pre-sale estimate of $8,000-$12,000. The top performing lots of furniture from the sale included a 20th century set of four hardwood armchairs that took in $31,250, beating its pre-sale estimate of $4,000-$6,000, and a pair of huanghuali arm chairs that brought $27,500 (pre-sale est. $5,000-$7,000).

A set of four hardwood armchairs, 20th centur, 41in (104.2cm) high. Each carved as a continuous horseshoe back supported by front and back posts running through the framed seat and joined to hump-back stretchers (burlwood panel missing in one chair's back rest).. Sold for US$31,250.  Photo: Courtesy of Bonhams.

A pair of huanghuali arm chairs. Late 20th century, 44 3/4in (113.5cm) high. Each humpback top rail joined to a plain back splat flanked by back rails running through the seat frame and set off at the front by arm supports forming the front legs, box stretchers. Sold for US$27,500. Photo: Courtesy of Bonhams.

Another highlight of the sale was an 18th/19th century miniature cloisonné enameled metal vase from the Alexander Wylly Collection that brought $35,000, selling far beyond its pre-sale estimate of $1,000-$1,500. 

A miniature cloisonné enamel metal vase. Qianlong mark, 18th/19th century, 5 3/4in (14.5cm) high. The diminutive vessel cast with a attenuated neck above a body of two globular nodes supported by a flared foot, each separated by a gilt band; the exterior surfaces with stylized vine and lotus scroll patterns of dark blue, red, yellow, white and pink hues on a blue ground between lotus petal, ruyi lappet and plantain leaf bands, the base bearing the six character mark incised horizontally above the single character you, (dents, pitting, losses to gilt on base). Sold for US$35,000. Photo: Courtesy of Bonhams.

Solid prices were also achieved for Chinese jades, paintings and ceramics. A mottled green jadeite covered bowl from the Republic period (1911-1945) sold for $18,750 (pre-sale est. $1,800-$2,500); a 20th century hanging scroll after Pu Ru depicting two beauties took in $18,450 (pre-sale est. $800-$1,200); and a pair of polychrome enameled porcelain baluster vases, also from the Republic period, achieved $14,760 (pre-sale est. $1,500-$2,500). 

A mottled green green jadeite covered bowl, Republic period. The bowl of inverted bell form with flared rim and raised on a canted foot, its exterior walls displaying shou medallions and bats in raised relief below a raised band incised with a leiwen pattern, the motives repeated on the domed cover; the translucent sea-green matrix marked with abundant icy white inclusions. 4 3/8in (11cm) diameter. Sold for $18,750; Est. $1,800-$2,500. Photo: Courtesy of Bonhams.