3 min read · 29 Nov 2023
Vase blanc, fleurs blanches, fond rose (White Pot, White Flowers, Pink Background) by San-Yu sold for $2.45m. Image courtesy of Christie's
A work by San-Yu was the headline sale at Christie's '20th Century Art Day Sale' on November 29 in Hong Kong.
The star lot was: San-Yu, Vase blanc, fleurs blanches, fond rose (White Pot, White Flowers, Pink Background) (1930), which sold for $2.45m, 91% above its $1.28m low estimate. It has been traded 3 times in the past.
The outperformer sold for 1600% above its low estimate. Dullah, Barong Dance in Bali (1963), sold for $355,500 ($20,500 low estimate). It has been traded twice in the past.
Breakdown of results against auction house estimates that are disclosed
1 work was backed by a guarantee: Shiraga Kazuo, Yo Ryn Kun (1989). It sold for $387,800, 13% below its $448,400 low estimate. It has been traded 3 times in the past.
7 works were bought-in, including: Zao Wou-Ki, 18.02.2002 (2002), estimated at $576,500 (low) to $832,700 (high). It has been traded 3 times in the past.
1 work was withdrawn before the sale: Wu Guanzhong, A Seaside Scene of the Lao Mountains I (1975) estimated at $1.28m (low) to $1.92m (high).
All results include the fees and premiums added to the price of a work of art when the auctioneer's hammer falls. Sale prices are compared to the auction house’s low estimate, which do not include premiums.
Guarantees: Sometimes an auction house guarantees to pay a seller for a work, regardless of whether the bidding reaches the reserve price, a figure that is typically confidential.
Bought-in: If there are no bids for a work, or if bidding falls short of the reserve price, the lot is unsold or “bought-in”.
Withdrawn: This happens when a seller decides, for whatever reason, to withdraw a work before the bidding begins.
Premiums: Typically a sliding-scale of charges paid in addition to the hammer price by the buyer, plus any other fees.