An imposing double gourd bronze vase by Inoue Ryusai, decorated in high relief with iris flowers led the way at £900.
Sharing the honours was a hardwood figure of a Chinese warrior, 15in (38cm) high, which also took £900 while a Satsuma vase signed Kozan, floral-decorated with books and tea ceremony wear to the interior, sold at £625.
Back on more familiar territory, Whieldon pottery provided the highlight of the English ceramics.
With gadrooned rims and brown sponged glazes, the group of two platters and five plates attracted strong interest on the telephones and in the salerooms, eventually selling at £1200.
Goldings, Grantham,
February 7-8
Buyer’s premium: 15 per cent
Collection of Meiji is an attraction in Lincolnshire
UK: ORIENTAL antiques rarely make the strongest contribution to provincial sales – although they have provided a few hugely gratifying if rather embarrassing sleepers before today – but the first day of this Lincolnshire sale featured a private collection of Meiji works of art that attracted strong bidding from the specialist trade.