Bonhams Inaugurates New York Headquarters with Asian Art Triumph

Bonhams officially inaugurated its new US headquarters at 111 West 57th Street, nestled within the historic Steinway Building, during the March Asia Week New York. This eagerly anticipated debut proved an immediate success, with six live auctions collectively realizing $12.5 million. The strong results signal a highly receptive market eager for museum-quality Asian art.

"We are delighted with the results achieved during our first Asia Week New York in the new US headquarters," stated Dessa Goddard, Senior VP and US Head of Asian Art. She emphasized that the week showcased an extraordinary selection, ranging from magnificent imperial zitan furniture and Hokusai's Great Wave to an exceptional performance from the Wald Collection of snuff bottles, attracting global collectors and spirited bidding.

Among the week's standout lots, two pieces achieved identical top prices of $889,500, representing distinct yet equally iconic artistic traditions. One was a pair of rare and magnificent imperial zitan tables with intricately carved angular legs, dating from the Qianlong/Jiaqing period—monumental examples of exquisite Chinese cabinetmaking that blend grandeur with decorative sophistication. The other was a superb, early impression of Katsushika Hokusai's celebrated Kanagawa-oki nami-ura (Under the Wave off Kanagawa), a defining image of Japanese visual culture.

Beyond these top sellers, a diverse range of items underscored the breadth and depth of the offerings. These included a gilt-bronze figure of Four-Armed Avalokitesvara from the Yongle period, which sold for $279,900, and a rare *yangcai* brush pot featuring "flower ball" decoration, also fetching $279,900. A marble sculpture depicting Maitreya, dating from the Sui or early Tang dynasty, reached $229,100.

The collection of snuff bottles from Francine and Bernard Wald proved particularly valuable, more than doubling its overall high estimate to achieve $670,000, with an impressive 99% of lots sold and over 81% exceeding their estimates. A remarkable white jade "bixi" example (1750–1800) quadrupled its high estimate, selling for $19,200.

In the *Chinese Paintings, Calligraphy and Prints* session, highlighted by a significant group of works from the Paul Cheng-tzu Mao collection, Zhang Daqian emerged as the undisputed star. Considered one of the most influential Chinese artists of the 20th century, three of his key works performed exceptionally well: *Red Lotus Dedicated to Mr. and Mrs. Mao Cheng-tzu* (1974), which sold for $229,100 (more than double its estimate); *Pink Lotus* (1978), realizing $140,200; and *Landscape with Waterfall* (1974), fetching $127,500. This single sale amassed a total of $1.54 million. The clear message is that Bonhams' new New York location is more than just a venue; it is a cultural platform designed to amplify the dialogue between artworks, collectors, and global aesthetic preferences.