Submitted by aarAdmin on Sat, 04/11/2020 - 00:00
When Melbourne-based Gibson’s Auctions started closing its timed online auction at 10.30am Wednesday April 8, it was the culmination of an experimental sale to combat the restrictive effects of the coronavirus pandemic that, like so many other countries, had severely affected the Australian economy.
Antique and art auction houses could trade – as long as they did it entirely on line. So managing director Jennifer Gibson decided that their first online experiment – Chinese and Asian Ceramics and Works of Art – would comprise items of affordable value, hopefully appealing to a broad range of buyers some of whom might not have considered purchasing at auction in the past.
To say it was an outstanding success might be carrying enthusiasm just a little too far. However, 70 of the 141 lots sold – a clearance rate of 50 per cent – with many above the online catalogue estimate.
The outstanding piece was a Chinese crackle glaze powder blue dish (lot 137) which sold for $6000 against a catalogue estimate of $300-$500.
Two pale celadon glazed vases (lot 76) changed hands for $700 – also well above the $150-$250 estimate – while a Japanese ivory inlaid Shodana (lot 132) was knocked down for $600.
Other items of note included two Chinese glazed vases (lot 77) that sold for $550 – the same price paid for three vintage Chinese silk scrolls (lot 34).
Four Sung style bowls (lot 130) went under the hammer for $480 while a Chinese powder blue brush washer (lot 125) sold for $460.
