Large Chinese Huanghuali Recessed Leg Table, 17th-18th Century. Estimate $150000-250000. Lot sold $ 876,248.75. Photo: Lark Mason Associates.

NEW BRAUNFELS, TX.- Lark Mason Associates’ online auction of Asian Works of Art concluded on April 18th with an impressive result totaling over $1,650,000 for 66 lots selling out of 84 offered. The sale was previewed in their New Braunfels, Texas and New York City showrooms during Asia Week New York and was open for bidding in March and April on the iGavelauctions platform.  

Asia Week New York, which attracts a wide spectrum of bidders from around the world, had record results in sales topping over $420,000,000. This enthusiasm for Chinese art during Asia Week carried forward in the online auction offered by Lark Mason Associates, one of the auction house partners of Asia Week New York, has long been associated with realizing top prices for Asian art at auction. Said Lark Mason, who just ended his two-year position as Chairman of Asia Week New York: “The Asian art market is robust, wide, and deep. Our results and the records set during Asia Week indicate not just significant strength in this market, but a new benchmark for Asian art.”  

A fine and rare Large Huanghuali Recessed Leg Table, particularly notable because of the solid board top, blew past the presale estimate of $150,000-250,000 realizing $876,000. Bidding was strong from Asia and the table sold to a notable Chinese dealer. Large-size tables of Huanghuali rarely appear on the market and the results were not unexpected. Mason, a well-known authority on Chinese furniture remarked: “The strong price for the table was not a surprise. The market is sorting between the very best objects and those of lesser quality and the best items such as this table are extremely scarce and desirable and reaching astounding price levels.”  

Large Chinese Huanghuali Recessed Leg Table, 17th-18th Century; length: approximately 212 cm, width: approximately 52 cm, height: approximately 79 cm. Estimate $150000-250000. Lot sold $ 876,248.75. Photo: Lark Mason Associates.

altered and restored in the 20th Century, the solid top with minor patches, stains and discoloration, underside of the top at one end with two long patches on the sides where the tree trunk tapered secured by pegs, the base with three solid legs, and one veneered leg, which appears to be original to the construction, the apron possibly reduced in depth, the feet of later date and of rosewood, table likely slightly reduced in height.

Other furniture excelled in the auction including a pair of Chinese Huanghuali Horseshoeback Armchairs, dating to the 17th century, that fetched $237,500 and an exquisite 17th century Chinese Huanghuali Low Table, Kangji, which realized $58,750. The sale had a very good selection of ancient Chinese bronze vessels and archaic jade ritual objects. The highlight of the archaic bronzes was a Chinese Archaic Bronze Cooking Vessel, Yan, Western Zhou Dynasty which went into extended bidding with interest from Asia, Europe, and the United States, finally selling after 44 bids to an Asian buyer. The group of Archaic Chinese Jade Ritual Objects was also highly sought after and realized a total of nearly $100,000 for the group. Critical to these results was the solid provenance of the objects and reputation of Lark Mason Associates.

Pair of Chinese Huanghuali and Hardwood Horseshoe Back Armchairs, 17th-18th Century; height: 97.7 cm, width: 69.8 cm at the widest point, depth: the seat 46.9 cm. Estimate $40000-60000. Lot sold $ 237,500.00. Photo: Lark Mason Associates.

each with several supporting brackets likely replaced, shrinkage of joinery; one with split and repaired crest rail; both with likely replaced flanges and replaced hard panel seat, formerly caned; joinery loose and will require re-gluing; surface requires re-polishing.

Chinese Archaic Bronze Cooking Vessel, Yan, Western Zhou Dynasty; Height: 17 1/2 inches. Estimate $12000-18000. Lot sold $ 78,193.75. Photo: Lark Mason Associates.

Interior inscription partially reads, "Bao Ding... Zuo... Yan" Yan vessel made (blank) (blank) precious tripod (blank); Appraisal from S. Bernstein & Co. Jade & Oriental Art, valued at $85,000, based on information available appraisal was likely completed circa 1999; with restoration to the legs, with restoration to the loop holding the strainer in place; the surface oxidized.

Chinese Archaic Jade Bi Disk, Shang dynasty, c. 1600 BC, diameter: approximately 10 cm. Estimate $1000-2000. Lot sold $17,126.25. Photo: Lark Mason Associates.

scattered nicks and chips, natural fissures or imperfections in the stone, with red encrustations on the surface.

with receipt of purchase from S. Bernstein & Co. Jade & Oriental Art, San Francisco, CA, reference no. 2622, August 15, 2000, purchased for $8,000
with corresponding label on object.

Chinese Archaic Jade Bi Disk, Neolithic, Liangzhu Culture, c. 3400-2250 BC, diameter: approximately 16 cm. Estimate $1000-2000. Lot sold $15,750.00. Photo: Lark Mason Associates.

some chips and losses to the stone.

with receipt of purchase from S. Bernstein & Co. Jade & Oriental Art, San Francisco, CA, reference no. 2621, August 15, 2000, purchased for $9,500 
with appraisal S. Bernstein & Co. Jade & Oriental Art, San Francisco, CA, August 15, 2000, valued at $9,500 
with corresponding label on object .

Chinese Archaic Jade Bi Disk, Han dynasty, diameter: approximately 18 cm. Estimate $2000-3000. Lot sold $10,313.75. Photo: Lark Mason Associates.

scattered nicks or chips, with a fissure along the edge.

Chinese Archaic Jade Bi Disk, Han dynasty, diameter: approximately 23 cm. Estimate $2000-4000. Lot sold $7,187.50. Photo: Lark Mason Associates.

with some chips and losses to one area of the edge approx. 2 1/2 inches long, with one chip in this area glued approx. 3/8 inch long, scattered nicks along the edge, with scattered fissures, one with some flaking to the stone along the line of the fissure.

with receipt of purchase from S. Bernstein & Co. Jade & Oriental Art, San Francisco, CA, reference no. 2687, December 1, 2000, valued at $21,000 with corresponding label on object.

Chinese Russet and Yellow Jade Dragon Plaque, Warring State, length: 5 cm. Estimate $4000-6000. Lot sold $6,812.50. Photo: Lark Mason Associates.

mounted on metal brooch.

Chinese Archaic Jade Bi Disk, Western Zhou-Han Dynasty, diameter: approximately 23 cm. Estimate $3000-5000. Lot sold $6,500.00. Photo: Lark Mason Associates.

some scattered chips or flaking to the stone, scattered nicks, some calcification.

Chinese Archaic Jade Bi Disk, Eastern Zhou period (770-220 BC), diameter: approximately 15 cm. Estimate $1500-2500. Lot sold $4,875.00. Photo: Lark Mason Associates.

with scattered chips, natural fissures.

Ex-Collection: Mr. Gerald Godfrey, Hong Kong 

Exhibited: Pacific Asia Art Museum, Pasadena, California, 1986 
San Antonio Museum of Art, San Antonio, Texas, 1986 
Daytona Art Institute, Dayton, Ohio, 1989, no. 22 

Published: “Chinese Jade, The Image from Within,” Pacific Asia Art Museum, 1986, Catalogue no. 8, illustrated 
with appraisal S. Bernstein & Co. Collection, San Francisco, CA, reference no. 2921, valued at $8,500 
with corresponding label on object 

Chinese Archaic Jade Bi Disk, Shang dynasty, c. 1600 BC, diameter: approximately 13 cm. Estimate $1500-2500. Lot sold $4,507.50. Photo: Lark Mason Associates.

with scattered chips, some calcification.

with receipt of purchase from S. Bernstein & Co. Jade & Oriental Art, San Francisco, CA, reference no. 2624, August 15, 2000, purchased for $12,000
with corresponding label on object.

Chinese Archaic Glass Disk, Han dynasty, 2nd - 4th Century A.D., diameter: approximately 14 cm. Estimate $1500-2500. Lot sold $4,000. Photo: Lark Mason Associates.

the edge rough, possible small nicks, with encrusted dirt on the surface.

Published: Ancient Chinese Art, S. Bernstein, University of Washington Press, Seattle, 1999, plate 21
with receipt of purchase from S. Bernstein & Co. Jade & Oriental Art, San Francisco, CA reference no. 2465, dated October, 2000, purchase price $6000
with corresponding label on object.

Chinese Archaic Jade Three Part, Eastern Zhou dynasty, ca 8th-5th century BC. Estimate $2000-4000. Lot sold $3,875. Photo: Lark Mason Associates.

each piece approximately 5 3/4 inches (14.6 cm) at the widest point, when put together the diameter is approximately 6 1/2 inches (16.5 cm), small chips and losses along the edge of the stone.

with receipt of purchase from Ralph M. Chait Galleries, New York, NY, September 8, 2000, purchased for $9,500.