NEW YORK, NY.- Christie’s Asian Art Week sales realized USD $34,720,750 (£26,675,519 / € 29,866,683 / HK$271,268,652) with 78% sold by lot. Deep bidding was witnessed from Greater China across all categories and there was active participation from registered bidders across more than 37 countries with representation from five continents.

The top lot of the week was a grey limestone figure of Mahasthamaprapta, early Tang dynasty, 8th century, which sold for $3,252,500, more than doubling its low estimate. High prices were also realized across the thematic collecting sales with Fine Chinese Jade Carvings from Private Collections and Masterpieces of Cizhou Ware: The Linyushanren Collection, Part IV more than doubling their overall low estimates and The Ruth and Carl Barron Collection of Fine Chinese Snuff Bottles: Part VI achieving 100% sold by lot and value. Notable results were achieved for South Asian Modern + Contemporary Art, led by a masterpiece by Tyeb Mehta (1925-2009), Diagonal XV, which sold for $1,392,500; and Akbar Padamsee (B. 1928), Rooftops, which realized $912,500. Additionally, world auction records were set for artists Zainul Abedin (1914-1976) and Mohammed Kibria (1929-2011).

Tina Zonars, Chairman of Asian Art, Christie’s, comments: “The strong sell-through rates and prices-realized this week reinforce the stability of the market and the global demand across all collecting categories of Chinese works of art and Chinese painting. We were pleased to see the top prices realized for masterpieces, led by the two Tang dynasty limestone figures. We also witnessed extremely active bidding across the thematic sales of jades and Cizhou ware from private collections, reinforcing the importance of provenance. Throughout the week of sales, there was robust participation across all buying channels with deep bidding witnessed from Greater China.”

Deepanjana Klein, International Head of Classical and Contemporary Indian and South Asian Art, remarks: “This season we saw global participation for Southeast Asian Modern and Contemporary Art as well as for classical Indian, Himalayan, and Southeast Asian Art. The modern and contemporary sale achieved two new artist records and strong prices were realized for the top lots offered. The sale of Indian, Himalayan, and Southeast Asian Art also saw impressive results for thangkas, Indian sculpture, and gilt-bronzes, showcasing the strength of the field across the category.”