Baka Gaijin Posted April 25, 2012 Report Posted April 25, 2012 Morning all Part 3 of the Edward Wrangham sale is at Bonhams London May 15th. http://www.bonhams.com/auctions/20189/# ... eference=1 Cheers Quote
Veli Posted May 15, 2012 Report Posted May 15, 2012 The final price of this excellent tsuba was quite handsome compared to the original estimate of 1000-1600 GBP... http://www.bonhams.com/auctions/20189/lot/72/ Veli Quote
Brian Posted May 15, 2012 Report Posted May 15, 2012 Can someone explain this price to me? http://www.bonhams.com/auctions/20189/lot/266/ Brian Quote
paulb Posted May 15, 2012 Report Posted May 15, 2012 Hi Brian no I cant. I think the tsuba is exceptional workmanship and a rare collaboration but it seems way over the top when compared to the estimate. The Inro is Zeshin which i understand is regarded as about the best there is. If you look back at the previous sales from this collection many works, especially lacquer sold for huge sums of money. As a result all and everyone who had a piece of lacquer to sell shoved it on to the market but failed to get near the originals pricing. I am hoping that there is money left for Chrisites tomorrow and Thursday. If youwant to see some absolutely magnicent metal work take a look at the Christies sale in London on Thursday the Meji pieces are absolutely out of this world. Quote
Bob M. Posted May 15, 2012 Report Posted May 15, 2012 Hi Brian, The price paid for the Zeshin Inro is one in a series of record breaking prices recorded during the Wrangham sales - on this particular piece there were a number of bidders interested up to around the £90,000 level , but then it turned into a straight fight between two ( as almost always ). From around £110,000 , the auctioneer allowed the price to rise in small increments of mainly £2,000 and this went on until at a level of £193,000 , one of the bidders got fed up and put in a straight raise to £250,000. Interesting to listen to - and a good tactic on behalf of Bonhams ! I guess that if you have that sort of money available , a few tens of thousands doesn't make too much difference. Also you have the inro with the world record price tag of just over £300,000 inclusive of Buyers Premium - nearly double the previous record of £162,000 achieved in the first of the Wrangham sales. Just before anyone asks , I was a potential under-bidder on this piece , but Bonhams didn't give my bid of £75.00 the proper consideration I felt it deserved. Regards Quote
Ford Hallam Posted May 15, 2012 Report Posted May 15, 2012 The final price of this excellent tsuba was quite handsome compared to the original estimate of 1000-1600 GBP... http://www.bonhams.com/auctions/20189/lot/72/ Veli A lot I had previously advised a client would easily reach £10 000. The final hammer price doesn't surprise me in the least. As for Zeshin pieces, it's all about desirability and the historical importance of the maker. These sorts of prices for genuine Zeshin work have been on the climb for the last 20 years. Auction house prices are not always the most accurate current market price indicators... Quote
Veli Posted May 16, 2012 Report Posted May 16, 2012 A lot I had previously advised a client would easily reach £10 000. The final hammer price doesn't surprise me in the least. Yes, I agree, I was maybe more surprised by the low estimate, considering the workmanship and aesthetics standing out so clearly. Had it gone for the estimated sum, I might have had it (stupid optimism :D )... Actually before the auction I was wondering that there might be something negative connected with the tsuba, lowering its value but did not find anything. Veli Quote
Ford Hallam Posted May 16, 2012 Report Posted May 16, 2012 Hi Veli, in recent years estimates on tsuba has been all over the place. This may reflect a lack of real understanding of the items being offered or it might simply be a ploy to try and generate interest. Quote
Curran Posted May 19, 2012 Report Posted May 19, 2012 I think it has to do more with the auction house staff. TO BE VERY POLITE in trying to express it, the shift on Asian Art has long since passed to the Nouveau rich of China. (Really screwed up the french and italian wine prices on the traditional big names). Staffing those auction house departments has had a headcount and payroll reduction elsewhere (Japan/Korea). Expertise has suffered from financial and other attrition. Quote
Clive Sinclaire Posted May 19, 2012 Report Posted May 19, 2012 Gentlemen I attended last Wednesday's Christie's sale in London and there were a number of surprises, maybe the biggest was Lot 152, a group pf 9 yari saya that had a surprisingly high estimate of £10k - £15k which was actually exceeded as the hammer price was an astounding £22K which I estimate was in excess of £26K to clear the room - these were just saya - no blades! Further, a group of ten tsuba, Lot 218, estimated at £700-£900 was knocked down for £13K and similar Lots repeated this huge under-estimate. Maybe the most unusual thing was that some 23 Lots were withdrawn from the sale as they were all stolen property! Exciting times in west London sales these days. Clive Sinclaire Quote
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