HONG KONG.- Along with the previously announced dedicated auction “Eternal Ming – Treasures from the MQJ Collection”, Christie’s will present a total of four live sales of Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art on 29 November 2024 during the inaugural Asian Art Week at Christie’s new Asia Pacific headquarters at The Henderson in Hong Kong. These sales will feature important and remarkable collections from around the world with exceptional provenance, with a total low estimate for the four sales reaching over HK$350 million.

MASTERPIECES OF CHINESE ART FROM THE PALMER FAMILY COLLECTION

Following the remarkably successful sale of one of the most important private European collections – the Palmer Family Collection – in May 2023, Christie’s will present “Masterpieces of Chinese Art from the Palmer Family Collection”. Amassed over 90 years across multiple generations, this collection includes examples of classic Ming blue and white and Imperial Qing porcelain, jade carvings, and metalwork – all acquired from the most distinguished dealers and auction houses in London in the early 20th century. Most pieces in the collection were exhibited in significant exhibitions held by the world-renowned Oriental Ceramics Society in London from the 1930s to the 1960s.

A leading highlight of this dedicated auction is an Imperial Inscribed White Jade ‘Twin Fish’ Bowl. This important, rare object is one of only two Qianlong jade washers of this form bearing a dated imperial inscription and inscribed with two of Qianlong’s favourite seals.

COSMIC ESSENCE ARCHAIC JADES FROM THE LANTIEN SHANFANG COLLECTION

“Cosmic Essence - Archaic Jades from the Lantien Shanfang Collection”, a standalone, single-owner live auction, presents 75 lots of remarkable archaic jades from the renowned Taiwanese Lantien Shanfang Collection. The pieces offered in this sale span from the Neolithic Period to the Eastern Han Dynasty, showcasing a comprehensive survey of the development of archaic jades in China from 3900 BC to 220 AD. All 75 pieces were exhibited in the “1999 Collectors' Exhibition of Archaic Chinese Jades” held at the National Palace Museum, Taipei, and have never been seen by the public since then.

The top highlight of the sale is a Superbly Carved Turquoise Bixie, dating to the Western Han dynasty, circa 206-8 BC. It is one of the largest and most finely carved bixie in existence, and the only one of this size carved from turquoise. While turquoise played an essential role in Chinese art as early as the late Neolithic period, it was more commonly used as inlays rather than as carvings in the round. This unique bixie serves as a significant example of the skilful artistry of Han craftsmen, showcasing their ability to work with this precious material and imbuing it with vividness and character.

Other highlights include a Highly Important and Extremely Rare ‘Exalted Bird On An Altar’ Jade Bi from the Liangzhu Culture, circa 3100-2000 BC. This exceptional piece is one of only twelve jade discs in the world incised with a bird motif, alongside other noteworthy items.

IMPORTANT CHINESE CERAMICS AND WORKS OF ART

Concluding the three-month inaugural sale series of Christie’s Asia Pacific at its new regional headquarters at The Henderson in Hong Kong, this November, the Important Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art auction will present more than 150 extraordinary lots, spanning from Western Zhou to the Republic period. Offerings include multiple categories, ranging from Song ceramics, and Ming and Qing Imperial porcelain to lacquers, Chinese classical furniture, Imperial seals, and scholar's objects – all with notable provenance and sourced from renowned private collections worldwide.

Leading the sale is a Rare and Fine Blue and White 'Immortal' Bowl dating to the Xuande period. Produced by the Imperial kilns in Jingdezhen for the Xuande court, this bowl exemplifies the peak of porcelain production during this illustrious era, renowned for its exceptional quality. The bowl is exquisitely painted in vibrant tones of blue, depicting the story of Chuixiao Yinfeng (“Playing the flute to attract the phoenix”). This auspicious theme, celebrated during the Xuande period, symbolises a wish for a prosperous reign under the Emperor.

Further highlights include a Magnificent Qianlong Famille Rose 'Hundred Deer' Vase, Hu; a Superb Pair of Zitan Corner-leg Painting Tables from the Qianlong period; a Pair of Gold-enamelled ‘Landscape’ Bowls; and a selection of 38 pieces of ceramics and works of art from the Yidetang Collection.