Success For Freeman’s Biannual Asian Arts Auction
Freeman’s April 2021 Asian Arts auction featured lively bidding wars between online and phone buyers, resulting in many lots selling well above their pre-sale estimates, realizing $3.7 million in total with a sell-through rate of 91%.
The highlight of the 138-lot auction was the sale of a red-underglaze Meiping “Dragons and Waves” vase, which realized an impressive $2.3 million, far surpassing its pre-sale estimate of $150,000–$250,000.
The vase came to auction from the collection of Sheelah M. Langan (1910–1993), and is a rare example of a small group of wares made for the Yongzheng emperor.
The theme of larger and smaller dragons has been related to the saying “Canlong jiaozi,” which may be translated as “the Eastern [Blue] dragon teaching his son.” This has been understood to imply both the importance of teaching the young and also to bringing one’s descendants up to succeed in court or higher office. This would certainly have been relevant for the Yongzheng Emperor who succeeded his illustrious father, the Kangxi Emperor, and in turn was to nurture the development of his own son, the Qianlong Emperor. These three Emperors collectively reigned over what may be described as a golden age for China and the Arts.
“We’re absolutely thrilled that Freeman’s was able to offer such a fine and well-curated collection of Asian art, including various porcelains, jades, and other works of art,”
remarked Head of Department Ben Farina.
“We were particularly delighted by the reception and performance of the Meiping dragon vase, and feel fortunate to have been entrusted with a number of heirloom collections, which were passed down through several generations.”