by Roland Arkell & Frances Allitt
A 9th century gilt bronze figure of Guanyin, bought at a garage sale in 1999 for under $100, sold for $1.7m (£1.3m) at Sotheby’s New York on March 20.
A pair of Yongzheng quail and chrysanthemum bowls, sold for $820,000 (£630,000) at Bonhams New York on March 18.