LONDON.- Christie's will present Art of Asia, including the Palmer Family Collection, a dedicated online auction of Chinese works of art from 30 October to 12 November 2025, coinciding with Asian Art in London (27 October – 6 November). The sale is led by the final chapter of the Palmer Family Collection, a distinguished legacy built over three generations by the family that founded the Reading-based company Huntley & Palmers, “The Most Famous Biscuit Company in the World”. The collection is now offered for sale by the family's fourth generation.

The Palmer Family Collection

Comprising 112 lots, the Palmer Family Collection includes Chinese ceramics and works of art from the Song (960-1127), Ming (1368-1644) and Qing dynasties (1644-1911), all with exceptional provenance.

As one of the last major Chinese ceramic and works of art collections remaining in private hands in the UK, the Collection was assembled during the first half of the 20th century. Following earlier chapters presented at Christie's Hong Kong in 2023 and 2024, this concluding selection offers collectors the last opportunity to acquire works from a family collection shaped by over a century of connoisseurship.

Highlights include:

• Six Chinese painted enamel ruby-back dishes, Yongzheng period (1723-1735), estimate £30,000-50,000, two exhibited at the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford, Chinese Painted Enamels, 1978

• Chinese pale blue-ground painted enamel dish, 18th century, acquired Spink & Son Ltd, London, 1937, estimate £6000-8000

• Selection of finely painted Chinese 18th century enamel vessels, many featured in the Oriental Ceramic Society exhibition, Chinese Painted Enamels, 1978, estimates range from £3000-50,000

• Rare famille rose black-back 'flowers and birds' dish, the porcelain, Yongzheng six-character mark and of the period (1723–1735), enamels possibly later, estimate £80,000–120,000

Additional Works on Sale

Alongside the Palmer Family Collection, the sale features works from important private European and Asian collections, including:

• A group of eight exceptional cloisonné enamel works of art from a Distinguished Private Collector, led by an 18th century five-piece altar garniture formerly in the collections of George Walter Vincent Smith (1832-1923) and Springfields Museum, Massachusetts, USA, estimate of £150,000-250,000

• A rare gilt brass alloy figure of Shakyamuni Buddha, Xuande mark and period (1426-1435), estimate £250,000 – 350,000 - a fine example of the refined gilt bronze sculptures produced by the Chinese imperial workshops

• A massive sancai-glazed pottery model of a horse, Tang dynasty (618-907 AD), £80,000-120,000, published and exhibited at Eskenazi, London, 1998

Kate Hunt, Director, Head of Department, Christie's London, comments, “The Palmer Family Collection represents a remarkable chapter in the history of English collecting, shaped by discerning taste and a deep appreciation of Chinese ceramics and works of art. With its distinguished provenance and cultural importance, this final group offers an extraordinary opportunity for collectors worldwide.”

Howard Palmer, comments, “For four generations, our family has had the privilege of living with these works of art. The collection was formed by our grandparents and great-grandparents who were avid collectors of Chinese ceramics, jades and enamels. It honours their curiosity and connoisseurship. They formed solid friendships with fellow collectors of their era, and we're delighted that these pieces from the collection will find a wider audience through this Christie's sale in London.”