HONG KONG.- Following the announcements of the three dedicated live auctions this spring, The Ai Lian Tong Collection – 800 Years of Chinese Ceramics, Pearls of The Orient – Treasures from Hong Kong Private Collectors, and Chinese Classical Furniture from the Shitou Shuwu Collection, Christie’s presents Important Chinese Works of Art, to be held on 30 April during Hong Kong Asian Art Week. This sale offers a curated selection of nearly 100 exceptional Chinese ceramics and works of art, spanning the Shang to the Qing dynasties and ranging from archaic jades and bronzes to imperial ceramics, seals, and Buddhist sculptures, representing outstanding collections and academic significance.

Leading the sale is a magnificent and exceedingly rare pair of early Ming dynasty gilt-bronze luohan figures. Masterfully cast and depicting both Chinese- and Indian-style monks, the figures each bear inscriptions indicating their original placement within a temple ensemble. This remarkable pair belongs to an extremely rare identifiable group, with only two other related figures known.

Exemplifying the pivotal transition from the naturalistic aesthetic of the Song period to the refined imperial court style of the early 15th century, the figures offer significant scholarly insight into the evolution of Buddhist iconography. Their impressive scale, exceptional craftsmanship, and systematic left/right inscriptions strongly suggest an imperial-scale commission for a major Buddhist temple complex, underscoring their importance among early Ming Buddhist sculptures.

More highlights include:

A rare and impressive large white-glazed jar and cover
Sui Dynasty (581–618)
13 1/8 in. (33.3 cm.) high
Estimate: HK$5,500,000–8,000,000 / US$710,000–1,000,000

This rare and impressive large white-glazed jar represents a major milestone in the development of Chinese ceramics. These wares belong to some of the earliest high-temperature stonewares with a true white body and transparent glaze—an achievement only fully realised in the 6th century, when firing techniques advanced significantly. Exquisitely potted with a refined form and luminous glaze, this jar exemplifies these technical breakthroughs.

An exceptionally rare archaic jade carving of a tiger
Late Eastern Han Dynasty
3 3/4 in. (9.5 cm.) long
Estimate: HK$3,500,000–5,500,000 / US$450,000–700,000

Finely carved in a dynamic recumbent pose, this jade tiger combines the directional authority of the White Tiger of the West with the protective, auspicious power of the bixie, expressed through its horns, wings, and muscular form. Its bulging eyes, bared teeth, and powerful modelling showcase the highest artistry of Han zoomorphic jade carving. With no identical published example known, its rarity is underscored by comparisons across major museums in Beijing and Taipei.

A rare large blue and white ‘peony’ jar
Yuan Dynasty (1279–1368)
14 ¾ in. (37.5 cm.) high
Estimate: HK$3,000,000–5,000,000 / US$390,000–640,000

With its powerful form, bold design, and striking ‘heaping and piling’ cobalt effect, this jar epitomises the finest blue-and-white porcelain production of the Yuan dynasty. Its richly decorated bands feature peony and lotus scrolls, classic scrolls, and lotus petals above trefoil lappets. The lavish use of imported Middle Eastern cobalt underscores its status as an extraordinarily costly and prestigious luxury object in its time. Comparable examples are held in major collections including the Topkapi Saray Museum, the Shanghai Museum, and the Jingguantang Collection.

A rare copper-red decorated bracket-lobed cup stand
Hongwu period (1368–1398)
7 7/8 in. (20 cm.) across
Estimate: HK$2,800,000–4,000,000 / US$360,000–510,000

Recognised for the intensity of its copper-red tone, this cup stand stands among the most striking examples of early Ming monochrome wares. Its rich colour, even application, and beautifully defined form highlight its importance within Hongwu imperial production. Comparable examples include pieces in the Shanghai Museum.

A yellow-ground blue and white ‘gardenia’ dish
Zhengde six-character mark (1506–1521)
10 in. (25.2 cm.) diameter
Estimate: HK$2,500,000–3,500,000 / US$320,000–450,000

This dish evolves from designs created in the Xuande period and reached refinement during the Hongzhi reign. Highly prized at court, similar works are held in renowned collections such as the Percival David Foundation and the Smithsonian Institution. The central gardenia motif, celebrated for its fragrance and use as a yellow dye, elevates the object into a refined expression of imperial taste and symbolism.