GAMING CHINA'S ART MARKET WITH EXPERT FORGERIES
Oct 29, 2013
Oct 28, 2013
Chinese Auction World Revealed
Another great NY Times article on the perils of the Chinese art market--this one designed for the web with very effective interactive components.
And a commentary on it that suggests the market is even more broken than the NY Times reported.China's Broken Art Market (Reuters blog by Felix Salmon)
And a commentary on it that suggests the market is even more broken than the NY Times reported.China's Broken Art Market (Reuters blog by Felix Salmon)
Oct 22, 2013
The Poly Group--China's State-owned Auction Giant
More news on the booming Chinese auction market, focusing on the state-owned Poly Group.
Oct 10, 2013
SOTHEBY'S FALL 2013 HK SALES BREAK RECORDS YET AGAIN
Yet another great sale year for Chinese art, both old and new:
Bloomberg's article has the details.
Yongle-period gilt-bronze figure of a seated Buddha. Sold for US$30.5 million
Ming, Chenghua-era “Palace” Bowl. Sold for US$18.2 million
"The Last Supper" (2001) by contemporary painter Zeng Fanzhi. Sold for US$23.3 million, a new record for a Chinese contemporary artist at auction.
Bloomberg's article has the details.
Yongle-period gilt-bronze figure of a seated Buddha. Sold for US$30.5 million
Ming, Chenghua-era “Palace” Bowl. Sold for US$18.2 million
"The Last Supper" (2001) by contemporary painter Zeng Fanzhi. Sold for US$23.3 million, a new record for a Chinese contemporary artist at auction.
Oct 4, 2013
Considerations for Insuring Your Art Collection
A thoughtful, but somewhat simplistic, article in the NY Times, October 4, 2013: With Prices High, Insuring Art a Risky Business
At least it suggests getting an outside opinion of value from someone other than your insurance agent, but does not actually advise consumers to seek valuation advice from appraisers (like me), who possess specialized training in determining appropriate levels of coverage for their needs.
At least it suggests getting an outside opinion of value from someone other than your insurance agent, but does not actually advise consumers to seek valuation advice from appraisers (like me), who possess specialized training in determining appropriate levels of coverage for their needs.
Why Hong Kong Auction Houses Are Thriving
An interesting NY Times article October 3, 2013: Niche Auction Houses Thrive in Hong Kong
Sep 19, 2013
TIPS FOR NOVICE COLLECTORS
I am always getting emails from people who buy art cheaply and then want to know what it is worth. If you want to be serious about collecting fine Asian art, here are some useful tips:
1. Buy what you like not what you think will appreciate in value.
2. Buy from reputable dealers--avoid eBay, where dealers and collectors sell off their second-rate art or fakes. Also avoid estate and rummage sales, unless you really know what you are looking at.
3. No matter what dealer you buy from, do not take their word on identification and dating; ask for documentation, do research yourself, and consult unbiased experts (museum curators, scholars, knowledgeable appraisers)
4. Buy the best type of art you can get for the money you have to spend. If, for example, you only have $5,000 to spend, buy the best art you can get for that amount of money. Do not get a work of art by a particular artist or a type of art just to have something of that type of art in your collection if all you can afford is a mediocre piece.
5. Trade up--if you find a piece better than one you already have in your collection, get that and sell (or donate to a museum) the one of lesser importance.
6. Unless you know that it can be repaired easily, do not buy art in poor condition, unless you really know what you are buying is rare and can be properly restored by trained conservators. This is especially true for Japanese prints, scrolls, and screens.
1. Buy what you like not what you think will appreciate in value.
2. Buy from reputable dealers--avoid eBay, where dealers and collectors sell off their second-rate art or fakes. Also avoid estate and rummage sales, unless you really know what you are looking at.
3. No matter what dealer you buy from, do not take their word on identification and dating; ask for documentation, do research yourself, and consult unbiased experts (museum curators, scholars, knowledgeable appraisers)
4. Buy the best type of art you can get for the money you have to spend. If, for example, you only have $5,000 to spend, buy the best art you can get for that amount of money. Do not get a work of art by a particular artist or a type of art just to have something of that type of art in your collection if all you can afford is a mediocre piece.
5. Trade up--if you find a piece better than one you already have in your collection, get that and sell (or donate to a museum) the one of lesser importance.
6. Unless you know that it can be repaired easily, do not buy art in poor condition, unless you really know what you are buying is rare and can be properly restored by trained conservators. This is especially true for Japanese prints, scrolls, and screens.
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