Stars of Asian Art collection
The Raphy Star Collection of Important Asian Art achieved a new record for a single-owner collection of Asian Art at Mossgreen Auctions in Sydney, Australia recently with a total of over AUD$2 million (£1,180,000).
The top selling lot, a rare and beautifully carved Chinese polychrome wood sculpture of a Bodhisattva, Song Dynasty, 11th century sold for $396,800 (£233,000) to an international buyer against a pre-auction estimate of $100,000-150,000 (£60,000 – £88,000).
The catalogue cover lot, a very fine and rare Nepalese parcel-gilt bronze figure of Tara, 9th-10th century sold for $322,400 (£190,000) against a pre-auction estimate of $150,000-200,000 (£88,000-£118,000).
Other highlights included the rare Nepalese bronze standing figure of Avalokitesvara, 10th-11th century which sold for $210,800 (£124,000); an important Indian pink sandstone head of Buddha which sold for $148,800 (£88,000) and a large Khmer sandstone figure of Vishnu which sold for $136,400 (£80,000).
Finally, the wooden head of a Luohan and the rare, Ming Dynasty banknote which was discovered hidden inside by Mossgreen specialists as they catalogued the piece, sold for $47,120 (£28,000).