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A poignant, elegant and compelling meditation on time, Hiroshi Sugimoto’s portrayals of otherworldly seascapes capture motionless waters in a state of tranquillity. Produced via prolonged exposures, Sugimoto creates unrecognisable scenes of the sea that are unusually flat and clean, where waves melt into each other like silk beneath misty horizons. Taking away any specificity of the location depicted, Sugimoto presents to the viewer a distilled image that freezes a moment of time whilst simultaneously encapsulating an impression of eternity within one simple frame.
“Water and air. So very commonplace are these substances, they hardly attract attention―and yet they vouchsafe our very existence. The beginnings of life are shrouded in myth: Let there [be] water and air. [...] Every time I view the sea, I feel a calming sense of security, as if visiting my ancestral home; I embark on a voyage of seeing.”
— Hiroshi SugimotoSetting him apart from his contemporaries, Sugimoto’s distinctive use of natural light and manipulation of shadow creates sublime, abstract photographs of the sea that are almost geometric in form, reducing the face of the earth to its most primordial, simplistic elements: water and air. Adamant on producing images that are without a single streak of clouds in the sky, the artist spent 10 years developing a processor that eliminates unevenness in his photographs.
The artist interviewed at the Enoura Observatory, which faces the Bay of Sagami, further elaborating on the inspiration of his seascape worksScenes of the Eternal - The Seascapes Series
For over 40 years, Sugimoto had travelled the world to capture the Earth’s various seas, utilising an identical composition for all of his seascapes – the horizon line divides each image across the centre. This strict repetition of format reveals the unique meeting of sea and sky at each location, never appearing exactly the same – even though Sugimoto had returned to certain locations time after time. Each image contains subtle variations of the atmosphere and water surface, appearing absolutely universal yet exceedingly specific.
Works such as North Pacific Ocean, Ohkurosaki and Bay of Sagami, Atami were constructed with the same photography settings, choice of framing, and use of material, differing only in location and the passage of time that disrupts the unchanging seascapes. Capturing the permanence of the impermanent, Sugimoto’s seascapes represent a new perspective of photography where the lines of the pictorial and the naturalistic blur into one.
“The sea represents the world before the birth of humanity, as well as after its end.”
— Hiroshi Sugimoto
Sugimoto’s first memories of the sea were created in the Atami area. Geographically, both North Pacific Ocean, Ohkurosaki and Bay of Sagami, Atami depicts the waters of the Noth Pacific Ocean in the Atami region near or facing the Bay of Sagami. As a child, he and his family took a train trip in the region; and as the train passed through a tunnel, a brilliant and clear view of the sea was revealed. Sugimoto saw a distinct horizon line where the sky met the waters, and the view made him think: ‘I am here and I exist.’i This memory no doubt proved crucial to the artist’s seascapes series, as he returned to photograph these waters throughout the years (one version of which is in the collection of the Guggenheim Museum in New York), whilst also designing the Enoura Observatory which faces the Bay of Sagami.
Detail of Lot 344 - North Pacific Ocean, Ohkurosaki
Minimal Composition, Maximal Emotion
Sugimoto’s seascapes are characterised by their distinctive horizon line that splits the air and water into equal halves. This minimalist composition is echoed by many artists as a visual tool to explore similar themes of contemplation, such as Mark Rothko. In 2012, Pace Gallery London held a duo exhibition – Rothko/Sugimoto: Dark Paintings and Seascapes – that explored the relationship between Rothko’s late monochrome paintings that focused only on light and dark, and Sugimoto’s seascapes. In preparation for the exhibition, Sugimoto had touched on the similarities between the work of Rothko and his own:
“For several decades I have created seascapes. Not depicting the world in photographs, I’d like to think, but rather projecting my internal seascapes onto the canvas of the world. Skies now forming bright rectangles, water now melting into dark fluid rectangles. I sometimes think I see a dark horizon cutting across Mark Rothko’s paintings. It’s then I unconsciously realise that paintings are more truthful than photographs and photographs are more illusory than paintings.”
— Hiroshi SugimotoPainted a year before his suicide, Rothko’s late monochrome paintings such as Untitled (Black on Gray), 1969-70 from the collection of the Guggenheim Museum, New York are theatrical and intense in its execution. An elegant reflection on human existence, this group of monochrome paintings utilise simplistic and abstract means to express complex yet universal human emotions.
Works by Sugimoto and Rothko shown side by side at Rothko/Sugimoto: Dark Paintings and Seascapes at Pace Gallery, London, 2012
Sugimoto, like Rothko, is able to encapsulate a wide spectrum of emotions using limited colours of black and white within a simple bilateral composition. Sugimoto’s focus on water and air — the ingredients that gave rise to life — evoke primordial oceans and the origins of human consciousness. Rothko and Sugimoto share the same philosophical interest in exploring themes of human emotions and introspection, timelessness, light and shadow through a use of a limited monochromatic colour palette. The minimalist and meditative quality of each of their works provides an openness for viewers to contemplate the beauty of nature in its purest form, as well as reflect upon the essential questions of life.Both a tribute to his childhood memories and the power of nature, Sugimoto’s peaceful yet intense seascapes reimagine photography through minimalist composition, poetic motionlessness and monochromatic nuances. As showcased by both North Pacific Ocean, Ohkurosaki and Bay of Sagami, Atami, Sugimoto’s seascapes are formed of the simplest elements of sea, sky and horizon, to bring together larger themes such as permanence within impermanence and universal human emotions. As such, they speak not just to the visual senses but also stir our inner depths with philosophical contemplation on life itself. Ultimately, these visuals are more than just photographic works – they represent the power of nature and its ability to provoke thought, emotion and transcendence.
Detail of Lot 345 - Bay of Sagami, Atami
Collector’s Digest
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Hiroshi Sugimoto (b. 1948) was born and raised in Tokyo. He studied politics and sociology at Rikkyo University, later retraining as an artist at the Art Center College of Design in Los Angeles. He now lives between New York and Tokyo.
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Sugimoto has been an active photographer since the 1970s, and has always explored themes of memory and the passage of time through the use of long exposures that often require an entire roll of film.
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Apart from the Seascapes series, some of his other major photographic series include the Dioramas, Theaters, Portraits, Architecture and Lightning Fields.
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Sugimoto has been honoured with extensive solo exhibitions throughout his career, in key venues throughout the world. This includes his recent 2020 solo show at the Kyocera Museum in Kyoto.
i Hiroshi Sugimoto, quoted in Roxanne Bagheshirin Lærkesen, ed., ‘Hiroshi Sugimoto Interview: Between Sea and Sky’, Louisiana Channel, 11 September 2018, online
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Provenance
Fraenkel Gallery, San Francisco
Acquired from the above by the present ownerLiterature
Damiani and Matsumoto Editions, Hiroshi Sugimoto: Seascapes, New York, 2015, p.273 (illustrated, p.209)
Artist Biography
Hiroshi Sugimoto
Japanese • 1948
Hiroshi Sugimoto's work examines the concepts of time, space and the metaphysics of human existence through breathtakingly perfect images of theaters, mathematical forms, wax figures and seascapes. His 8 x 10 inch, large-format camera and long exposures give an almost eerie serenity to his images, treating the photograph as an ethereal time capsule and challenging its associations of the 'instant.'
In his famed Seascapes, Sugimoto sublimely captures the nature of water and air, sharpening and blurring the elements together into a seamless, formless entity. This reflection of the human condition and its relationship with time follows through his exploration of historical topics and timeless beauty as he uniquely replicates the world around us.
345
Bay of Sagami, Atami
titled, dated and numbered with the artist's blindstamp '"BAY OF SAGAMI ATAMI" 1997 21/25 480' along the bottom edge
gelatin silver print
42.2 x 54.2 cm. (16 5/8 x 21 3/8 in.)
Executed in 1997, this work is number 21 from an edition of 25.
Estimate
HK$160,000 - 240,000
€18,700-28,000
$20,500-30,800
Sold for HK$228,600
Anastasia Salnikoff
Head of Mid-Season Sales
+852 2318 2014
anastasiasalnikoff@phillips.com
Thomas Perazzi
Head of Watches, Asia
+852 2318 2001
WatchesHK@phillips.com
Disruptors: Evening Sale of 20th Century & Contemporary Art, Design and Watches
Hong Kong Auction 25 May 2023
301
Anna Park
Nude
Estimate HK$500,000 - 700,000
Sold for HK$698,500
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302
Wing Shya
Three works: Happy Together Stills (i) The Talk at Bar Sur; (ii) Prologue 2; (iii) Two to Tango
Estimate HK$80,000 - 120,000
Sold for HK$165,100
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303
Rolex
Ref. 6536/1
Model: Submariner
An impressive, attractive and rare stainless steel diver’s wristwatch with center seconds, black lacquered dial and braceletEstimate HK$240,000 - 480,000
Sold for HK$508,000
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304
Patek Philippe
Ref. 5207P-001
An exceptionally fine and rare platinum perpetual calendar minute repeating tourbillon wristwatch with small seconds, moon phases, leap year, day and night indication, additional solid caseback, setting pin, Certificate of Origin and presentation boxEstimate HK$4,000,000 - 6,000,000
Sold for HK$4,826,000
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305
Cartier
Ref. 2774
Model: Crash
A rare, possibly unique and exquisite white gold and diamond-set asymmetrical wristwatch with Certificate of Origin and presentation boxEstimate HK$500,000 - 1,000,000
Sold for HK$990,600
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306
Audemars Piguet
Ref. 14802ST
Model: Royal Oak Jubilee
An extremely attractive and rare limited edition stainless steel wristwatch with salmon dial, date, bracelet, certificate and presentation box, numbered 622 of a limited edition of 1,000 pieces, made in commemoration of the 20th Anniversary of the Royal OakEstimate HK$600,000 - 1,200,000
Sold for HK$952,500
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307
Fernando Campana and Humberto Campana
'Bolotas' armchair
Estimate HK$120,000 - 180,000
Sold for HK$165,100
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308
Mr.
Misaki
Estimate HK$2,000,000 - 3,000,000
Sold for HK$3,302,000
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309
This lot is no longer available.
310
Yayoi Kusama
I Who Sing in Celebration of Humanity
Estimate HK$7,500,000 - 9,500,000
Sold for HK$8,509,000
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311
André Butzer
Untitled
Estimate HK$700,000 - 900,000
Sold for HK$889,000
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312
Charlotte Perriand and Pierre Jeanneret
Bookshelf with cabinets, model no. 14, from 'L’Équipement de la Maison' series
Estimate HK$150,000 - 200,000
Sold for HK$304,800
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313
Cartier
Ref. WGTA0044
Model: Tank Asymétrique
A rare, fine and attractive limited edition yellow gold asymmetrical wristwatch with certificate and presentation box, numbered 89 of a limited edition of 100 piecesEstimate HK$200,000 - 400,000
Sold for HK$241,300
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314
Rolex
Ref. 6241
Model: Cosmograph Daytona
An extremely rare and attractive yellow gold chronograph wristwatch with champagne dialEstimate HK$940,000 - 1,500,000
Sold for HK$1,092,200
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315
Cartier
Ref. WGTA0088
Model: Tank Chinoise
A rare, "like-new" and elegant limited edition yellow gold rectangular-shaped wristwatch with warranty and presentation box, numbered 83 of a limited edition of 150 piecesEstimate HK$100,000 - 250,000
Sold for HK$165,100
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316
This lot is no longer available.
317
KAWS
COMPANION
Estimate HK$4,000,000 - 6,000,000
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318
Andy Warhol
Figures on a Busy Street
Estimate HK$450,000 - 650,000
Sold for HK$444,500
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319
Nicolas Party
Trees
Estimate HK$10,000,000 - 15,000,000
Sold for HK$12,550,000
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320
David Hockney
The Arrival of Spring in Woldgate, East Yorkshire in 2011 (twenty eleven) - 4 May
Estimate HK$680,000 - 850,000
Sold for HK$1,079,500
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321
Takashi Murakami & Virgil Abloh
"FLOWER"
Estimate HK$1,000,000 - 2,000,000
Sold for HK$2,921,000
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322
Anish Kapoor
Non Object (Mirror)
Estimate HK$3,800,000 - 4,800,000
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323
Gio Ponti
Coffee table
Estimate HK$120,000 - 180,000
Sold for HK$152,400
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324
Gio Ponti
Pair of armchairs, model no. 247, from the 'Modern by Singer' series
Estimate HK$100,000 - 150,000
Sold for HK$114,300
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325
Angel Otero
Bayamón
Estimate HK$700,000 - 1,000,000
Sold for HK$1,079,500
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326
Stanley Whitney
Stay Song 27
Estimate HK$1,800,000 - 2,800,000
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327
Rafa Macarrón
343 Almas
Estimate HK$800,000 - 1,200,000
Sold for HK$1,016,000
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328
Vacheron Constantin
Ref. 44018
Model: 222
A very elegant and attractive yellow gold wristwatch with date and integrated braceletEstimate HK$250,000 - 500,000
Sold for HK$508,000
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329
Audemars Piguet
Ref. 25654BA.OO.0944BA.01
Model: Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar
An extremely fine, rare and well-preserved yellow gold perpetual calendar wristwatch with MK I dial, moon phases and integrated braceletEstimate HK$470,000 - 940,000
Sold for HK$660,400
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330
Patek Philippe
Ref. 3940
A rare and attractive yellow gold perpetual calendar wristwatch with moon phases, leap year, 24-hour indication, Certificate of Origin and presentation boxEstimate HK$200,000 - 400,000
Sold for HK$508,000
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331
RETNA
He's A Criminal No Different From Me. One Could Argue I Could Be Painted With The Same Brush
Estimate HK$300,000 - 500,000
Sold for HK$762,000
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332
This lot is no longer available.
333
José Parlá
New Language Forms
Estimate HK$380,000 - 580,000
Sold for HK$355,600
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334
Takashi Murakami & Virgil Abloh
"ARROWS AND FLOWER"
Estimate HK$1,200,000 - 2,200,000
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335
Aya Takano
In the 30th Year of the Showa, the Day the Fire Flowers Rose
Estimate HK$500,000 - 800,000
Sold for HK$635,000
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336
Katherine Bernhardt
Six Papayas
Estimate HK$300,000 - 500,000
Sold for HK$368,300
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337
Cartier
Ref. 1734
Model: Tank Américaine
A very fine and rare limited edition platinum wristwatch with salmon dial and presentation box, numbered 16 of a limited edition of 30 pieces made for the 150th anniversary of the Swiss ConfederationEstimate HK$100,000 - 200,000
Sold for HK$165,100
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338
Patek Philippe
Ref. 5065A
Model: Aquanaut
An attractive and rare stainless steel wristwatch with center seconds, date and presentation boxEstimate HK$160,000 - 310,000
Sold for HK$330,200
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339
Franck Muller
Ref. 2870 NADF
Model: Chronographe Double Face
A rare and attractive yellow gold double-faced chronograph wristwatch with two-tone silvered dials, pulsations, telemeter and tachymeter scales, Certificate of Origin and presentation boxEstimate HK$80,000 - 160,000
Sold for HK$190,500
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340
Jean Prouvé
Sun shutter, designed for schools in Cameroon
Estimate HK$80,000 - 120,000
Sold for HK$101,600
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341
Jean Prouvé
Sun shutter, designed for schools in Cameroon
Estimate HK$80,000 - 120,000
Sold for HK$101,600
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342
Wolfgang Tillmans
paper drop (Studio) I
Estimate HK$100,000 - 150,000
Sold for HK$177,800
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343
Wolfgang Tillmans
paper drop (London) II
Estimate HK$100,000 - 150,000
Sold for HK$139,700
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344
Hiroshi Sugimoto
North Pacific Ocean, Ohkurosaki
Estimate HK$160,000 - 240,000
Sold for HK$215,900
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345
Hiroshi Sugimoto
Bay of Sagami, Atami
Estimate HK$160,000 - 240,000
Sold for HK$228,600
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346
Ron Arad
'Big Easy Volume 2' armchair
Estimate HK$200,000 - 300,000
Sold for HK$190,500
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347
Gio Ponti
'Diamond' flatware service for 24
Estimate HK$190,000 - 280,000
Sold for HK$254,000
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348
Vacheron Constantin
Ref. 49152/000A-9540
Model: Overseas Chronograph
A fine and rare stainless steel chronograph wristwatch with date, guarantee and presentation box, numbered 91 of a limited edition of 100 pieces made for the Greek marketEstimate HK$120,000 - 200,000
Sold for HK$165,100
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349
Rolex
Ref. 16520
Model: Cosmograph Daytona
A very fine and well-preserved stainless steel chronograph wristwatch with bracelet, guarantee and presentation boxEstimate HK$180,000 - 280,000
Sold for HK$254,000
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350
Audemars Piguet
Ref. 26300ST.OO.1110ST.08
Model: Royal Oak Chronograph
A fine and attractive stainless steel chronograph wristwatch with date, bracelet, Certificate of Authentication and presentation boxEstimate HK$160,000 - 320,000
Sold for HK$304,800
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351
Rolex
Ref. 1680
Model: Submariner, “Red Sub”, MK II
A rare and attractive stainless steel diver’s wristwatch with center seconds, date, MK II dial, bracelet and presentation boxEstimate HK$120,000 - 300,000
Sold for HK$190,500
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352
After Jean-Michel Basquiat
Flexible
Estimate HK$450,000 - 650,000
Sold for HK$533,400
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353
Kenny Scharf
Unique Surfboard
Estimate HK$450,000 - 650,000
Sold for HK$406,400
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354
Poul Kjærholm
'Hammock' lounge chair, model no. PK 24
Estimate HK$90,000 - 120,000
Sold for HK$114,300
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355
Urwerk
Ref. UR-105M
Model: Dark Knight
A fine, rare and unusual limited edition titanium wristwatch with three-dimensional satellite hour display, power reserve, warranty and presentation box, numbered 10 of a limited edition of 77 piecesEstimate HK$180,000 - 280,000
Sold for HK$304,800
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356No Reserve
Rolex
Ref. 126000
Model: Oyster Perpetual 36
A attractive stainless steel wristwatch with center seconds, “Tiffany” blue lacquer dial, bracelet, guarantee and presentation boxEstimate HK$60,000 - 120,000 •
Sold for HK$203,200
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357No Reserve
Alain Silberstein
Ref. TMA1-002
Model: Tourbillon Volant
A very rare and unusual limited edition stainless steel semi-skeletonised tourbillon wristwatch with date, numbered 1 of a limited edition of 9 piecesEstimate HK$80,000 - 160,000 •
Sold for HK$139,700
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358
KAWS and Estudio Campana
KAWS: MONSTER Chair
Estimate HK$400,000 - 600,000
Sold for HK$381,000
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359
KAWS
UNTITLED
Estimate HK$500,000 - 700,000
Sold for HK$419,100
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360
Hans J. Wegner
'Valet' chair, model no. 540
Estimate HK$40,000 - 60,000
Sold for HK$133,350
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361
Arne Jacobsen
'Egg' chair model no. 3316 and later ottoman, model no. 3127
Estimate HK$30,000 - 50,000
Sold for HK$35,560
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362
Yoshitomo Nara
Hand Searching
Estimate HK$400,000 - 600,000
Sold for HK$584,200
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