Celebrating: Asian Art


February 2026

Asian art continues to attract strong and sustained interest at auction, driven by its extraordinary craftsmanship, rich symbolism and global appeal. From early Chinese ceramics and ritual bronzes to Japanese lacquer and export wares, these objects speak across cultures and centuries, appealing equally to established collectors, interior buyers and an increasingly international online audience.

Explore the recent results at Duggleby’s which underline this strength. Buyers are responding to quality, authenticity and visual impact, whether through finely painted porcelain, sculptural hardstone carvings or objects once made for ritual, ceremony or everyday life. With our next Asian Art sale taking place on 4 April, now is an ideal time to consider consigning.

Painted Porcelain and Ceremonial Wares


Chinese ceramics remain a cornerstone of the Asian art market, particularly pieces that combine confident decoration with strong colour and form. A 19th century Chinese famille rose yellow ground vase, richly decorated with figural battle scenes and exotic birds, achieved £650, reflecting the ongoing demand for vibrant enamels and narrative painting. Similarly, a Chinese Ming dynasty ceremonial teapot carrier, complete with its painted internal teapot and paired with a famille verte vase, sold for £700, showing the appeal of rare survival pieces connected to traditional rituals.

At the earlier end of the spectrum, a 17th century Chinese blue and white charger decorated with a Qilin realised £950, underlining the market’s appetite for bold, well-proportioned early porcelain with mythological themes.

We are actively seeking Chinese porcelain of all periods, including famille rose and verte wares, blue and white, ceremonial vessels and chargers with strong decoration and good scale.

Painted Sculptural Form & Symbolic Figures


Chinese Sculpture and architectural elements form an important part of Asian art collecting, offering both decorative presence and deep symbolic meaning.

A pair of Chinese hardstone Foo dogs, carved in mottled green stone and displaying the classic male and female symbolism, sold for £500, while a Ming dynasty sancai glazed roof tile, modelled as a dignitary on horseback, achieved £600, appealing for both its rarity and architectural origin.

Perhaps most striking, a pair of large Chinese cast bronze tigers, one resting and one advancing, which sold for £1,000. Their scale, movement and patinated surfaces made them highly desirable statement pieces.

We welcome consignments of Asian sculpture including bronzes, hardstone carvings, architectural fragments, roof tiles and animal figures, particularly those with strong presence and clear symbolism.

Painted Ritual Objects & Artistry


Smaller objects often carry some of the greatest cultural significance, particularly those linked to ritual, personal use or specialist craftsmanship.

A Ming dynasty gilt bronze censer, bearing a Xuande mark, sold for £750, demonstrating continued interest in ritual bronzes with classical form and scholarly associations. Japanese lacquer also performed strongly, led by a Meiji period gold lacquer inro by Minsetsusai Kyūho, decorated with a peacock and achieving £2,500, the standout result of the group.

Completing the section, a 19th century Chinese export black lacquer games box, with its fitted interior and decorative trays, sold for £220, highlighting the enduring appeal of export wares and finely made domestic objects.

Consigning for the April Asian Art Sale


These recent results confirm the strength and breadth of the Asian art market, with buyers responding to quality across ceramics, sculpture and decorative arts. Whether you hold a single piece or a broader collection, our forthcoming Asian Art sale on 4 April offers an excellent opportunity to reach an engaged and international audience. Entries for this sale close 5 March.
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