CHINESE CERAMICS & WORKS OF ART SPRING AUCTIONS ACHIEVED HK$348,910,000 / US$45,168,016
Hong Kong – On 28 May 2021, Christie's held three themed live auctions for the category - Jade Carvings From A Distinguished European, Classical Chinese Furniture From Heveningham Hall, and Important Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art. The combined sales realised a total of HK$348,910,000 / US$45,168,016.
The top lot of the sale series was A Magnificent and Exceedingly Rare Huanghuali Folding Horseshoe-Back Armchair, Jiaoyi, Late Ming-Early Qing Dynasty, 17th Century, which sold over 5.5 times above the high estimate for HK$65,975,000 / US$8,542,001, establishing a new world auction record for a huanghuali folding armchair after 10-minutes of intense phone bidding competition.
Another notable highlight from the sales today was an Important And Extremely Rare Blue And White 'Kui Dragon' Jar, Xuande Six-Character Mark In Underglaze Blue Within A Double Circle And Of The Period (1426-1435) from the private collection of the esteemed Mr. Robert Chang, which sold for HK$31,450,000 / US$4,070,947 (shown right). Proceeds from the sale will benefit The Robert Chang Art Education Charitable Foundation.
Jade Carvings From A Distinguished European Collection
The sale totalled HK$23,462,500 / US$3,037,767 and was 93% sold by lot and 144% hammer above low estimate. 81% of lots were sold above high estimate.
The top lot of the sale was an Imperial Finely-Carved And Reticulated Spinach-Green Jade Brush Pot,
Qianlong Period (1736-1795), which fetched HK$3,500,000 / US$453,157 (above).
Numerous works sold for multiples of its pre-sale estimates including An Inlaid Greenish-White Jade Vase And Cover, Qing Dynasty, 18th Century, which sold more than double its high estimate realising HK$3,000,000 / US$388,420 (above centre); a Finely-Carved White And Russet Jade 'Goldfish' Box And Cover, Qing Dynasty, 18th-19th Century, which sold more than 15 times over pre-sale high estimate for HK$1,875,000 / US$242,762 (above left); and a Chicken Bone Jade 'Zodiac Animals' Bowl, Qing Dynasty, 18th Century, which realised HK$1,625,000 / US$210,394 (above right), more than 16 times above its pre-sale high estimate.
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Chinese Classical Furniture From Heveningham Hall
The dedicated standalone sale totalled HK$118,262,500 / US$15,311,836, and was 73% sold by lot and 171% hammer above low estimate. Almost 60% of lots were sold above high estimate.
In addition to the record-setting Huanghuali Folding Horseshoe-Back Armchair, Jiaoyi (on cover page) which sold for HK$65,975,000 / US$8,542,001, the sale also attracted heated bidding for other highlights, including a Very Rare Huanghuali Round-Corner Tapered Cabinets And Stand, Yuanjiaogui, Late Ming Dynasty, 17th Century, sold for HK$6,850,000 / US$886,892 (above centre), nearly double its high estimate; A Huanghuali 'Four-Corners Exposed’ Official’s Hat Armchairs, Sichutouguanmaoyi, Late Ming Dynasty, 17th Century, realised HK$3,750,000/ US$485,525 (above left), more than four times its high estimate; An Important and Exceptionally Rare Huanghuali Waisted Daybed, TA, Late Ming Dynasty, 17th Century, achieved HK$6,250,000 / US$809,208 (above right).
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Important Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art
The sale totalled HK$207,185,000 / US$26,818,412 with 53% of lots sold above the high estimate.
All Cloisonné Enamel works from The Springfield Museums collection was 100% sold, highlighted by A Rare Imperial Cloisonné Enamel ‘Shou Character And Anbaxian’ Pear-Shaped Vase, Qianlong Period (1736-1795), which sold for HK$7,690,000 / US$995,408 (shown left), over 8.5 times the high estimate. The collection, sold to support art acquisitions and collections care, achieved 212% hammer above low estimate.
Collectors continued to pursue works of art from private collections including the stunning array of ceramics presented in Dragons From The Empire – Imperial Ceramics From The Yidetang Collection, which saw 171% hammer above low estimate. A Very Rare Famille Rose Lemon Yellow-Ground 'Nine-Dragon' Deng and Cover, Qianlong Period (1736-1795), topped the collection to realise HK$11,050,000 / US$1,430,333 (shown right).
Other notable highlights include A Very Rare Gilt-Decorated Celadon-Glazed Ground ‘Dragon’ Jar And Cover, Jiaqing Six-Character Seal Mark In Iron Red And Of The Period (1796-1820), which was acquired for HK$7,450,000 / US$964,342 (above centre); An Exquisite and Extremely Rare Three-Colour Tixi Lacquer Circular Tray, Song Dynasty (960-1279), which achieved HK$8,050,000 / US$1,042,007 (above left); and A Sacrificial Blue-Glazed Vase, Meiping, Yongzheng Period (1723-1735) from The Zhuyuetang Collection, which sold for HK$3,250,000 / US$420,686 (above right).
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Pavilion Online – Chinese Art (27 May – 11 June)
Complimenting the live auction is the Pavilion Online sale, which brings to the market an exciting selection of fine Chinese ceramics and works of art across China’s dynastic history, including archaic bronzes, early ceramics, Imperial porcelain, jade and hardstone carvings, bronze vessels, Buddhist sculptures and textiles.