Opening Doors to China’s Art Market, Lark Mason Associates Celebrates 20 Years as on Online Auction Pioneer and TV Personality

New York: In the dynamic world of online auctions, Lark Mason stands as a pioneer, a figure whose distinctive bow tie, tweed sports jacket, and horn-rimmed glasses paint the portrait of the quintessential Ivy League professor. Yet, for the diehard followers of the popular PBS-TV Antique Roadshow, he is more than an academic archetype. Since 1996, when the show first aired, viewers have been tuning in eager for the moment when Mason, with his discerning eye and astute knowledge, becomes the bearer of good news for those hopeful individuals lined up to have their Asian art treasures appraised.

At a time when online auctions were considered a novelty, Mason foresaw the future and launched iGavelAuctions in 2003, which coincided with a period of remarkable economic growth in mainland China. Mason’s name recognition attributed in part to his association with Wang Shixiang, the eminent Chinese furniture scholar, with whom he collaborated with on translating the book “Connoisseurship of Chinese Furniture,” further underscored iGavel’s credibility. The platform became a focal point for Chinese buyers, acting as a gateway for them to expand beyond Asian sales within China to American and European art auctions. The influx of Chinese Mainland buyers into the Western auction marketplace, facilitated by iGavelAuctions, extended benefits far beyond the confines of its namesake online platform.

Mason’s journey began at the age of 12, when he attended his first auction, followed by working for a local auctioneer in Atlanta, Georgia, and eventually opening his first antique business while in college in Tennessee. Fast forward to today as he marks his 20th anniversary in the digital landscape, Mason stands as an unparalleled authority in the field of Asian art, attracting collectors from every corner of the globe and outranking its online competitors.

The virtual auction floor is always alive with excitement, and notable sales reverberate through the digital space. A Chinese Hand Scroll, Eminent Chinese General and Subordinates who Subdued Taiwan, c. 1900, soared to a record-setting $4,182,000.00, while a Chinese Gilt Bronze Figure of Vajrasattva from the Early Ming Dynasty sold for a staggering $1,530,000.00. The virtual gavel fell again for a Pair of Chinese Porcelain Fahua Style ‘Lotus’ Jars and Covers from the Qing Dynasty, realizing an impressive $950,000.00. A Large Chinese Huanghuali Cabinet from the Kangxi Period, which sold for $546,600, found a new home, and a captivating Large Chinese Porcelain Enameled Figure of Amitayus on Lotus Base from the 18th / 19th Century climbed to a remarkable $990,000.00. The virtual auction room echoes with the success of a Pair of Chinese Huanghuali Yoke Back Armchairs from the 17th Century, fetching $540,000.00.

Mason’s influence extends beyond the boundaries of Asian art. In another corner of the digital marketplace, his sale for Anthony Bourdain attracted a global audience. Virtual bidders from around the world vied for unique items, setting records for a Custom US Navy Jacket from the USS Nashville, bearing a ‘Tony Bourdain’ Patch, which sold for $171,250.00. The digital excitement reached its peak as a Custom Bob Kramer Steel and Meteorite Chef’s Knife, complete with a Certificate to Anthony Bourdain, soared to an impressive $231,250.00.

With offices in Manhattan and New Braunfels, Texas, Lark Mason Associates has solidified its place in the competitive field of online auctions. Recognition is not confined to physical spaces but resonates through the digital waves of success. In this dynamic arena, Mason’s legacy is one of innovation, expertise, and a global community brought together by the click of a mouse. As the celebration unfolds, the 20th anniversary becomes a testament to Mason’s enduring influence in the ever-evolving world of online auctions.