Chinese bronze turns to gold for Irish vendor in London auction

Not for the first time, an Irish vendor has bagged a windfall for Chinese art.

A 9-inch high Chinese bronze figure consigned to Bonhams auctioneers in London by an unnamed private Irish vendor has sold for £371,000 – almost 25 times its top estimated value.

The gilt bronze figure depicts Guandi, the god of war in China's imperial mythology seated on a throne decorated with horned dragons.

The piece, dating from the 17th/18th century, went under the hammer in an auction of “Fine Chinese Art” in New Bond Street on November 10th with an estimate of just £12,000-£15,000 but eventually sold for £371,000 (including the buyer’s premium).

‘No idea of its value’

Jane Beattie, the head of Bonhams Ireland in Dublin said the vendor, who does not wish to be named and who had inherited the piece, "had no idea of its value and was thrilled and surprised by the result".

She said the price was “indicative of the strong market for unusual Chinese pieces – particularly bronzes”.

Chinese antiques are notoriously difficult to value as delighted vendors in Ireland – and elsewhere – have discovered in recent years.

Experts from Bonhams’ Asian art department will be returning to Ireland on December 12th and 13th to offer free valuations of oriental art, porcelain, bronzes and ceramics – and to seek consignments for 2017 auctions.

To make an appointment, contact Bonhams at 31 Molesworth Street, Dublin 2.