Our Favorite Things: 2018 – Asian Art & Arts of the American West

Our Favorite Things: 2018 – Asian Art & Arts of the American West

From a $225,000 Remington bronze to a $1.45M rare Ming Dynasty bowl, our Asian Works of Art and Arts of the American West departments saw prices soar in 2018.  Asian Works of Art Specialist Annie Wu and Rachel Enright and Kate Harrington of our Arts of the American West department tell us the 2018 items they would have wanted to carry into the new year.

Annie Wu is a specialist for the Asian Works of Art department at Leslie Hindman Auctioneers. Ms. Wu  joined the firm in 2014 after receiving her Master of Fine Art in Management from the American University in Washington, D.C.  She researches and appraises property daily, which includes jades, bronzes, ceramics, sculptures, snuff bottles, paintings, furniture and other classical media. Prior to joining Leslie Hindman Auctioneers, Ms. Wu worked at Sloans and Kenyon Auctioneers and Appraisers in Bethesda Maryland as a specialist for the Asian Works of Art and Ethnographic department from 2012 ­-2014. Born and raised in Mainland China, she is fluent in both Mandarin Chinese, Cantonese and English.

Annie Wu’s Favorites from 2018

 A Rare Blue and White Porcelain Hexafoil Bowl 

This blue and white porcelain bowl is a perfect example of Ming Dynasty Xuande (1425-1435) wares. Emperor Xuande was famous for his deep appreciation of art. Owning a Xuande piece is also considered a success for avid Chinese porcelain collectors. This bowl is a combination of fine painting and amazing pottery skill. The history behind the bowl is also fascinating. It came from the personal collection of Stanley Field, who was the president for the Field Museum for around 25 years. “The Stanley Field Ming Bowl” hammered at 1.2 million dollars in our September Asian Works of Art auction and it was the most expensive piece of porcelain sold in the United States last fall.

Sold For: $1,452,500

September 17, 2018

 A Large Chinese Imperial Silk and Metallic Thread Carpet  

This carpet is made of silk, silver and gold wires and was dedicated for us in Ningshougong, the Palace of Heavenly Tranquility in the Forbidden City, Beijing. It is decorated with pavilions and cranes, one of the typical scenes used in Chinese imperial carpets. This carpet was purchased in China and brought to the United States back in 1937, right before the Japanese invasion. The previous owner used it as a wall hanging and thanks to this, it is still in almost perfect condition.

Sold For: $57,500

September 17, 2018

 A PALE CELADON JADE BOWL  

This bowl is made of absolute fine quality nephrite jade. The smooth carving and fine polish suggest it was made in the 18th century. Jade is an important element in Chinese art history, as it is considered to own various great characters and Chinese scholars are proud of carrying it.

Sold For: $55,000

March 26, 2018

Rachel Enright is a Consignment Manager and Specialist for Arts of the American West at the Denver, Colorado location of Leslie Hindman Auctioneers. Ms. Enright joined the firm in January of 2013 as an Account Executive and Cataloguer before being promoted in 2017. With an expertise in American Indian art and artifacts, she has played a crucial role in the expansion and development of the regional office.

CONSIGN ARTS OF THE AMERICAN WEST

Rachel Enright’s Favorites from 2018

 Navajo Child’s Blanket 

This blanket is one of the most beautiful examples of Navajo weaving that we’ve had the pleasure of offering in our Arts of the American West auctions.  The design catches your eye first with the dynamic and unusual pattern, as you look closer the many different shades of red draw you in and finally when you run your hand over the weave you feel how finely woven it is and the differences in all of the yarn.

Sold For: $30,000

November 9, 2018

 MARIA MARTINEZ AND POPOVI DA, SAN ILDEFONSO BLACKWARE JAR

We see a number of pieces by Maria Martinez throughout the year and this jar was by far my favorite.  Maria and her husband Julian discovered and developed the ability to create “black on black” ware. Maria and her son Popovi would have worked closely together throughout the process of preparing the clay and firing.  The form would have been created by Maria and the painted decoration completed by Popovi.  This jar was large and in near perfect condition, making it very desirable for collectors.

Sold For: $6,250

April 21, 2018

Kate Harrington has served as Business Development, Western Region at the Denver location since June 2017. Before joining the firm, Ms. Harrington spent seven years working with galleries in Jackson Hole, Scottsdale and Denver. Most recently, she was Gallery Director of Visions West Contemporary in Denver and Jackson Hole. In this role she planned and curated exhibitions and developed relationships with leading Western contemporary artists, important institutions and collectors. Ms. Harrington helped the gallery establish its Jackson Hole location. Prior, she was Director of American & Western Paintings at Altamira Fine Art.

CONSIGN ARTS OF THE AMERICAN WEST

Kate Harrington’s Favorites from 2018

This club chair and ottoman are a classic example of Thomas C. Molesworth’s iconic western furniture. Made in circa 1940 this chair and ottoman had the original leather, Chimayo and steel tacking which were all in good condition. Molesworth made furniture that was timeless and functional. His pieces today continue to demand the attention of collectors and this set was one of his most recognized designs.

Sold For: $68,750

November 9, 2018

Billy Schenck, Lavender Sunday

Known as the granddaddy of Pop Western Art, this painting captured everything Schenck embodies as an artist. As a cowboy and ranch sorting world champion Schenck often paints cowboys and cowgirls around the corral and out in the landscape of the southwest. His unique style and bold use of color draws the attention of collectors, putting a contemporary spin on Western art.

Sold for: $3,750

April 20, 2018