London, 14 May 2026 - Bonhams successfully concluded its celebrated Asian Art Week in London this May, comprising a wide-ranging program of live and online auctions that brought together exceptional works spanning China, Japan, Tibet, and other regions, covering over two thousand years of artistic production.
Across two live sales, held at New Bond Street and Knightsbridge, and complemented by four online auctions, the series offered collectors a rare opportunity to acquire works of outstanding artistic and historical significance. The sales attracted strong international participation and underscored the enduring global demand for Asian works of art.
Asian Art Week ran from 8 to 19 May 2026, with live auctions taking place on 11 to 12 May at Knightsbridge and 14 May at New Bond Street, achieving a combined total of £4,444,811.
Asaph Hyman, Global Head, Chinese Art, commented: "The series of Chinese and Asian Art sales at Bonhams London demonstrated the robust strength and depth of the market. We were delighted with exceptional results delivered for private collections carefully formed and enjoyed over decades, as well as objects with long standing provenance. We now look forward to our June live and online sales in Paris, Stockholm, Los Angeles and Hong Kong."
ASIAN ART
11-12 May 2026, live auction at Knightsbridge
Heading the sale was a fine moriage cloisonné enamel 'Bird and Persimmon' vase by the workshop of Ando Jubei (1876 to 1953) of Nagoya, dated to the fourth year of Shōwa (1929) and estimated at £12,000 to 15,000, which sold for £28,160. Among the most influential Japanese cloisonné artists of the late Meiji, Taishō and early Shōwa periods, Ando Jubei was renowned for the technical innovation of his workshop, particularly in the use of moriage, or raised enamel, as well as delicately shaded transparent enamels that allow for subtle gradations of color, carefully demonstrated in the present work.
Also featured was an archaistic bronze oval ritual food vessel, Ming dynasty, dated to the Jiajing reign Bingwu year (1546), estimated at £2,000 to 3,000, which ultimately achieved a remarkable sale price of £34,560.
Another standout result was achieved by A Midnight Blue Gauze Formal Summer Court Robe (Chaofu), 19th century, which far exceeded its estimate of £6,000 to 8,000 to realize £18,560.
FINE CHINESE ART
14 May 2026, live auction at New Bond Street
Leading the sale was A Large Silver-Wire-Inlaid Bronze Figure of Guanyin, 17th/18th century. The figure measuring 61cm high, soared to an exceptional £121,050.
A Very Rare Album of Tributary Peoples (Zhigong Tu) from the Qianlong period (1736-1795), which was estimated at £80,000 to 120,000 sold for £95,650. Concertina-bound with silk-wrapped boards, the album comprises forty-four painted leaves in ink and color on paper, depicting figures from diverse ethnic groups and nations, together with forty-nine leaves of related calligraphy.
The work is associated with the monumental imperial project Qing Imperial Illustrations of Tributary Peoples (Huangqing zhigong tu), completed in 1761, which documented the history, geography, costume, customs and diplomatic relationships of 27 countries and 274 ethnic groups, and may represent one of the earliest preparatory versions of this undertaking.
A LIFE IN CERAMICS: THE PETER AND MARY WHITE COLLECTION OF CHINESE ART, PART III
8-15 May 2026, Online auction via New Bond Street
The standout lot of the sale was an elegant blue-and-white 'Spring Evening Banquet' brush pot (bitong) from the Kangxi period, which realized £48,640.
Further highlights included a blue-and-white documentary 'One Hundred Antiques' lantern jar, cyclically dated to the Gengchen year (1640) and of the period, which realized £30,720.
Additionally, a rare blue and white 'cat' night light from the Chongzhen period (1628-1644), estimated at £8,000 to 12,000, sold for over twice the high estimate at £25,600. Such objects are described in a letter of 1712 by the Jesuit missionary Père d'Entrecolles, who recorded their use as night lights with a small lamp placed inside so that the flame illuminated the eyes. This ingenious device was believed to deter mice after dark, combining whimsical charm with practical function.
CHINESE AND JAPANESE ART FROM RICHARD VANDEKAR LTD:
A THIRD-GENERATION LONDON DEALER
8 to 18 May 2026, Online auction via Knightsbridge
A highlight of the sale was a fine pair of famille rose ruby back semi eggshell 'Lady and Boy' dishes, dating to the Yongzheng period (1723-1735), which was estimated at £20,000 to 30,000, and sold for £30,720. Around 1720, the development of a new opaque overglaze palette in China, most notably the introduction of an opaque white enamel, greatly expanded the chromatic possibilities available to potters. Some of the most technically accomplished fencai wares were produced during the Yongzheng reign, and the present dishes exemplify this refinement. Crafted from eggshell thin porcelain, they belong to the group known as ruby back wares, distinguished by their distinctive pink toned exterior.
Also featured was a pair of cloisonné enamel and gilt-bronze elephants, the bodies dating to the Jiaqing period and mounted in the second half of the 19th century by the celebrated French bronzier Ferdinand Barbedienne (1810 to 1892). Estimated at £4,000 to 6,000, the pair achieved a strong result, selling for £16,640.
Elephants held a distinctive ceremonial role at the Qing court. Maintained within the Imperial capital of Beijing, they were deployed in major state processions, particularly those associated with imperial audiences and important ritual occasions, where their presence symbolised power, dignity and auspicious authority.
THE TRUDY AND JOHN NEVILLE COHEN COLLECTION OF CHINESE SNUFF BOTTLES AND JADE CARVINGS
8-18 May 2026, Online auction via New Bond Street
Taking top spot was a finely moulded famille rose 'Liu Hai' snuff bottle from the Jiaqing period, which realized £33,280.
Highlights included a finely carved white to pale green jade figure of an elephant and boy, dating from the Qianlong to Jiaqing period (1736-1820), exemplifying the refined workmanship and auspicious symbolism favoured at the Qing court. The piece was offered with an estimate of £5,000 to 8,000 and sold for over three times the high estimate for an incredible £28,160.
A rare cloisonné enamel 'bats' snuff bottle and stopper, bearing a Qianlong four character mark and of the period (1736-1795). The vibrant enamels and confident design highlight the sophistication of imperial cloisonné wares. It was estimated at £2,600 to 3,900 and sold for over twice estimate at £8,960.
COLLECTORS TREASURES: ASIAN ART ONLINE
8-19 May 2026, Online auction via Knightsbridge
Highlights included a large amber and brown-glazed pottery horse from the Tang Dynasty, which significantly exceeded expectations. Estimated at £3,000 to 5,000, the piece achieved an impressive £15,360, demonstrating strong demand for well-preserved Tang ceramics and the continued appeal of sculptural works from this period.
Another notable result was a large Yaozhou celadon-glazed bowl from the Song Dynasty. With a pre-sale estimate of £2,000 to 3,000, it realized £5,376, more than doubling its high estimate and reflecting sustained collector interest in refined Song ceramics known for their subtle glaze and elegant form.
(Press Release)
