HONG KONG.- On 29 October 2026, Christie's Hong Kong Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art presented three prestigious single-owner collections, bringing to market a distinguished selection of rare and important works spanning imperial treasures: ceramic, lacquer and jade. The sales attracted strong participation, with a packed saleroom and sustained bidding in the room, by telephone and online.

The Ai Lian Tang Collection

• 'The Ai Lian Tang Collection – Gems of the Imperial Capital' achieved HK$214,490,000 / US$27,334,155, with 97% sold by lot and a hammer price 163% above the low estimate.

• The result brought the collection's three-season total to HK$737,824,100 / US$94,026,754, establishing The Ai Lian Tang Collection as the third most valuable Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art single-owner collection ever sold at auction worldwide.

• Leading the sale was a magnificent and fine yangcai 'hundred deer' hu-form vase, which realised HK$35,060,000 / US$4,467,973.

• A superb very rare carved emerald-green jadeite 'taotie' snuff bottle achieved HK$25,910,000 / US$3,301,916, realising more than seven times its low estimate and setting a new world auction record for a Chinese snuff bottle in over a decade.

The Au Bak Ling Collection

• 'The Au Bak Ling Collection Volume III' realised HK$140,527,200 / US$17,908,491, with a hammer price 113% above the low estimate.

• The result brought the collection's three-season total to HK$335,446,700 / US$42,748,623.

• The top lot of the sale was a fine and extremely rare imperial blue and white quatre-lobed 'floral' flask, ganlu ping, which sold for HK$25,300,000 / US$3,224,179

For the Son of Heaven: The Imperial Qianlong Gold Ewer

• The dedicated single-lot auction, featuring a magnificent imperial gold ewer and cover created for the Qianlong Emperor, achieved HK$55,800,000 / US$7,111,035, becoming the top lot of this season.

Strong international demand across all collecting categories underscores collectors' confidence in the quality, rarity and provenance of the works offered, reinforcing Christie's position as the leading auction house for prestigious single-owner collections worldwide.

Chinese Paintings Live Auctions

The live auctions of Fine Chinese Classical Paintings and Calligraphy and Fine Chinese Modern and Contemporary Ink Paintings, held on 27 and 28 October, realised a combined total of HK$230,143,200 / US$29,340,023, with a hammer price 115% above the low estimate. Bada Shanren's Flowers and Birds, an album of twelve leaves, sold for HK$61,900,000 / US$7,894,478, achieving a hammer price over five times its low estimate and becoming the most valuable Chinese Classical Painting sold this season. Leading the Chinese Modern and Contemporary Ink Paintings was Li Keran's Sailing in River Li, which realised HK$12,800,000 / US$1,631,265.

In 2026, Christie's, the world-leading art and luxury business, is celebrating its 40th Anniversary in Asia. Over the last four decades, Christie's has established itself as Asia's leading house, orchestrating many of the region's most historic and record-breaking sales of exceptional objects and collections, driving region-wide expansion, and pioneering digital innovations that have redefined the way Asian collectors connect with and experience the industry. To celebrate this milestone, Christie's is presenting a year-long programme of art and luxury sales, exhibitions and events across the region.