Chinese White Jade Ewer, 18th Century. The phoenix form base carved in high relief and rising to a wide lipped mouth, the tail forming the handle, incised details, stone an even white tone. Height 7 1/2 inches. Estate of Luz Papasian. Sold For $2,853,000. Photo Doyle NewYork

NEW YORK, NY.- Doyle New York's Asian Works of Art auction on September 16, 2013 attracted strong competition from an international audience of bidders in the salesroom, on the telephones, and live on the Internet. The auction offered over 400 lots showcasing the arts of China, Japan and Southeast Asia from the Neolithic Period through the 20th century. Offerings included porcelain and pottery, jades, scholar’s objects, bronzes, screens, furniture and paintings. 

THE ESTATE OF LUZ PAPASIAN

Highlighting the sale was property from the Estate of Luz Papasian (1915-2013), which comprised ninety lots in the sale. Chinese jade from the Estate featured an important 18th century white jade ewer carved in the form of a phoenix, height 7 1/2 inches, that achieved a staggering $2,853,000. An ink on paper painting depicting a horse by Xu Beihong (Chinese 1895-1953) fetched $605,000. The selection of Chinese huanghuali furniture from the Estate offered a 17th century trestle-leg table and an 18th century marble inlaid table that each sold for the identical amount of $455,000. 

Born into a prominent Guatemalan family and the daughter of a diplomat, the former Luz Figueroa was the wife of Aram Papasian (1906-1994). Mr. Papasian was born in Istanbul, Turkey to a family of Armenian descent. He was a successful businessman in the Asian textile trade, and the couple made their home on Manhattan’s East Side. Some of the proceeds from the sale of the Estate of Luz Papasian will benefit a variety of religious charities. 

Chinese White Jade Ewer, 18th Century. The phoenix form base carved in high relief and rising to a wide lipped mouth, the tail forming the handle, incised details, stone an even white tone. Height 7 1/2 inches. Estate of Luz Papasian. Sold For $2,853,000. Photo Doyle NewYork

Xu Beihong (Chinese, 1895-1953), Horse. Signed (ur), seal. Ink on paper, mounted on silk. Image 36 x 24 1/4 inches. Estate of Luz Papasian. Sold For $605,000. Photo Doyle NewYork

Chinese Huanghuali Trestle-Leg Table, 17th Century. The thick single plank top set within everted ends above a stylized scrolling and beaded apron and set on thick squared legs joined by panels carved and pierced with stylized dragons. Height 34 inches, width 47 inches, depth 13 1/2 inches. Estate of Luz Papasian. Sold for $455,000. Photo Doyle NewYork

PROPERTY FROM OTHER COLLECTIONS AND ESTATES

Chinese furniture from other collections and estates featured a large, elaborately-carved table of precious Zitan that achieved $365,000. The table was modeled after a Qianlong Period example in the collection of Beijing's National Palace Museum. 

Chinese Zitan Table. Of rectangular shape set on four gently curved legs connected at the base with side stretchers centered by a lingzhi fungus, the legs and sides heavily carved with a lingzhi fungus and cloud design. Height 32 inches, width 75 inches, depth 35 inches. Sold for $365,000. Photo Doyle NewYork

Chinese porcelain featured a pair of Chinese blue and white glazed porcelain jars with the Yongzheng six-character mark and of the Period, height 4 1/4 inches, that sold for $185,000. The vases had been purchased in 1933 in China by a Danish collector in service to the Danish government, and they were later acquired by the Commander of the Royal Danish Navy. 

Pair of Chinese Blue and White Glazed Porcelain Jars, Yongzheng Six-Character Mark and of the Period. The six-lobed ovoid form, with short everted lipped rims, each lobe decorated with melons growing on leafy vines and tendrils, between double lines on the neck and foot rim. Height 4 1/4 inches. Sold for $185,000. Photo Doyle NewYork

Provenance: Acquired in China by J.P. Oiesen (d. circa 1933), General Inspector, Chinese Customs for Denmark stationed in China and later the Danish Minister from Denmark to Peking, then purchased from the estate by his close friend Erik Kofoed-Hansen, of Copenhagen, Denmark, Commander Royal Danish Navy and thence by decent. 

With international competitive bidding, the sale totaled a stunning $8,106,063, far surpassing the pre-sale estimate of $1,373,750 - $2,083,050, with 76% sold by lot and 96% by value. 

All prices include the Buyer’s Premium.