Oregon Lawsuit Claims $45 Estate Sale Chinese Paintings May Be Worth Millions

A lawsuit filed in Clackamas County Circuit Court alleges that an estate sale company in Oregon mishandled the sale of valuable Chinese paintings, pricing them as low as $45 each. The family of the late Robert Behymer Moody argues that the artworks, which may be worth millions, were undervalued due to reliance on Google Image Search for appraisals.

Details of the Lawsuit

John E. Moody, the son of the late diplomat who acquired the paintings in the 1940s, claims the estate sale company, Marble Road Estate Sales, sold numerous scrolls and rubbings without proper valuation. According to the complaint, these artworks were discovered hidden beneath clothing in his mother’s home near Lake Oswego.

The lawsuit, reported by the Oregonian, seeks to unwind the sale and return the artworks to the family. Moody alleges that the scrolls, priced between $45 and $275, could potentially be by the renowned Chinese artist Xu Beihong, whose works have fetched millions at auction.

Valuation Concerns and Art Market Implications

The court filings indicate that several paintings might be attributed to Xu Beihong, known for his galloping horse depictions. His auction records show sales reaching nearly $42 million, raising questions about the accuracy of the pricing strategy employed by the estate sale company.

“If you buy something from the store and then they say, ‘Sorry, we marked it the wrong price. You have to give it back,’ I say, ‘No way,’” stated defendant Changning “Charlie” Huang, who questioned the family’s efforts to reclaim the artworks.

The Broader Context of Estate Sales

This case highlights the complexities of estate sales, where hidden treasures can lead to unexpected finds. Buyers often search through boxes and attics, hoping to discover items of significant value. In 2016, a Minnesota collector paid under $50 for a painting later identified as a Vincent van Gogh, valued at approximately $15 million.

Similarly, a Portland teenager recently purchased a warm-up jacket worn by Wilt Chamberlain for just $3, which later resurfaced at auction with an estimated value between $150,000 and $250,000.