CHICAGO, IL.- With a saleroom packed full of international buyers, the majority from mainland China, almost 600 bidders online and the auctioneers’ book full of absentee bids, Leslie Hindman Auctioneers sale which carried a pre-sale median estimate of approximately $1 million grossed over $4.5 million.

Auctioneer Leslie Hindman said, “The auction market for Asian Works of Art is astounding. The prices realized today were as strong as prices realized at the spring sales in Hong Kong and New York. This market is truly global.”

Asian Works of Art specialist Andrew Lick said, “Vigorous buying throughout the marathon eight-hour auction underscored the Chinese market’s strength and desire to buy traditional works of art.”

The auction’s top lot, a pair of rare Chinese imperial bronze vases valued at $80,000 to $120,000, sold for $660,000 after spirited bidding by no fewer than ten bidders. An in-house Chinese buyer won the lot as a crowded, noisy saleroom cheered.

Two carved rhinoceros horn cups sold for $394,000 each. A white jade lidded vase sold for $231,800, while another surprise came in the form of a jade scholar’s object depicting shells and sea animals. Connoisseurs relished the object’s careful use of natural inclusions to portray the crustaceans, and it sold for $122,000. Both jade prizes came from the Estate of William H. Moore in Hobe Sound, Florida.

Consignments are now being accepted for the October 4 Asian Works of Art auction.