Echoes of the East: The Market for Asian Art


March 2026

It is often the quietest objects in a home that hold the most interesting stories. A porcelain figure on a mantelpiece, a charger tucked into a cabinet, a vase inherited and long since blended into the background – these are the pieces we live with, often without a second thought. Yet time and again, when they come to auction, they reveal something rather remarkable: people want them.

Asian Art has always held a special place in the world of collecting. Its appeal lies not only in craftsmanship, but in its depth of history, symbolism and beauty. What has changed in recent years is the breadth of that appeal.


A Growing and Evolving Market


The market for Asian Art has become increasingly global, with collectors bidding from across continents. Auction houses continue to see steady participation, and while the very top end of the art market has experienced some shifts, the mid-range remains active and resilient.

A new generation of buyers is also shaping demand. Younger collectors, often engaging through online platforms, are drawn to objects that combine decorative appeal with cultural interest. This has opened the door for a wider range of pieces to find buyers – not just rare masterpieces, but well-crafted, visually appealing works at accessible price points.

Asian Art fits naturally into this space, offering both history and beauty in equal measure.


Recent Results That Tell the Story


We are seeing this demand play out clearly in our own sales.
Recent results from our Antique & Decorative Objects auctions demonstrate how a wide variety of Asian pieces can perform when presented to the right audience. A Chinese famille rose porcelain model of the laughing Buddha from the early Republic period achieved £340, admired for its character and presence.

Elsewhere, a collection of 19th century Cantonese famille rose tableware realised £120, while a 19th century Canton charger with vibrant polychrome decoration sold for £80. A Chinese Republic famille rose vase and cover, decorated with figures in a garden setting, achieved £65.

Smaller works also attracted strong interest. A Chinese bronze Tang-style horse, compact yet rich in detail, sold for £50, and a pair of 20th century Chinese flambe vases achieved £75.

Together, these results highlight the breadth of the market and the consistent appetite for well-presented Asian works.

Strong Results for Specialist Asian Works


Alongside decorative and accessible pieces, our dedicated Asian Art sale, held on 2 April, demonstrated the continued strength of the market for more specialist works.

Notable results were achieved across a range of traditional Asian works. An 18th century Chinese blue and white meiping vase, finely decorated with deer in a landscape, sold for £1,900, its elegant form and classical decoration appealing strongly to collectors. 

A Tibetan bronze Buddha, seated in meditation on a lotus base and notable for its presence and scale, achieved £460. Meanwhile, a large Japanese Imari porcelain figure, dating to the Meiji period and modelled as a bijin in a flowing, richly decorated kimono, realised £700, admired for both its size and intricate painted detail.
Sri Lankan modern art also performed particularly well, reflecting growing international recognition of the Colombo ’43 Group. Among the pieces were two oils by Ivan Peries, each intimate in scale yet atmospheric in composition. Their strong provenance – having been acquired directly from the artist’s family – further enhanced their appeal, and each achieved a final hammer price of £5,200. Another example was a work by L. T. P. Manjusri, titled Dancing Gopis, which realised £1,100, its delicate line and distinctive interpretation of traditional themes demonstrating the artist’s important role within the movement.

The Importance of Presentation


One of the most significant factors in achieving strong results is how an object is presented. In a home, a piece may feel familiar or even overlooked. At auction, with careful cataloguing, professional photography and the right audience, it can take on a completely new life.

When multiple bidders recognise the appeal of an object – whether for its history, craftsmanship or decorative value – competition follows. That is when true market value is revealed.

Thinking of Selling?


Our Antique & Decorative Objects sales are designed to bring together a broad and engaged audience. Collectors of interiors, ceramics, works of art and Asian pieces all meet in the same space, creating a lively and competitive environment where objects can shine. For more specialised works, our dedicated Asian Art sales provide a focused platform, ensuring that significant pieces reach the collectors who are actively seeking them. This dual approach allows us to place each object where it has the greatest potential.

If you have pieces at home, now is an excellent time to reconsider them. Whether you have a single item or a larger collection, we are always happy to provide advice and a free, no-obligation valuation. We combine specialist knowledge with wide-reaching marketing, ensuring your items are not only well understood, but also seen by the right buyers. 

What may feel familiar to you could be exactly what someone else has been searching for.
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