Bonhams Jules Speelman Collection Sale Totals €15.2M, Exceeds Estimate by 262%
The Facts
Bonhams achieved €15.2 million from the 28-lot Jules Speelman Collection, far surpassing a pre-sale estimate of €4.2 million. The auction was 96% sold by lot and 100% by value, with four lots exceeding €1 million. The top lot, a gilt copper alloy figure of Vajradhara from 14th-century Nepal, sold for €4,162,400 against an estimate of €600,000–800,000. Other highlights included a parcel gilt silver figure of Ushnishavijaya that brought €3,920,400 and a gilt copper alloy figure of Virupa attributed to Sonam Gyaltsen that sold for €1,258,400.
The Signal
The sale underscores Bonhams' growing dominance in the Himalayan art market, contributing to a global total of €20 million for 2024. Jules Speelman, a third-generation dealer, spent 60 years assembling the collection, and the strong results reflect sustained demand for high-quality Buddhist sculpture and Asian works of art. Collectors and institutions competed aggressively, signaling that rare, provenance-rich Himalayan material continues to command premium prices even in a broader market correction.
- People: Jules Speelman, Asaph Hyman, Edward Wilkinson
- Auction Houses: Bonhams
- Locations: Paris
- Prices: €15,200,000, €4,162,400
📊 Market Intelligence
Get deeper analysis, artist indices, and auction analytics on Art Collector IQ →
The Morning Signal · Daily
Get stories like this in your inbox
The art world in one daily email — auctions, openings, and acquisitions from 90+ primary sources, distilled into a five-minute read. Independent — no marketplace, no gallery ads.
Join collectors, dealers & curators
No spam · free every morning · unsubscribe anytime
The Jobs Digest · Weekly
New art-world jobs, every Monday
The Jobs Digest rounds up the week’s new museum, gallery, and auction-house openings — with salary when disclosed. One email a week, unsubscribe anytime.
