HONG KONG.- A collection of extraordinary Yixing stoneware teapots and scholar’s objects from Mr & Mrs Jimmy Sha will go under the hammer at 1:30pm on 24 November at the Island Ballroom of the Island Shangri-La Hotel In Hong Kong.

The Masterpieces of Yixing Stoneware from the Mr & Mrs Jimmy Sha Collection consists of 22 pieces of Yixing stoneware teapots and scholar’s objects of the most extraordinary quality that have ever appeared at auction in Hong Kong before. The exquisite and scholarly taste of the connoisseur is reflected in this meticulous yet careful selection of Yixing stoneware that were not only commissioned by the Chinese Emperor but also jointly crafted by famous potters and eminent scholars of the Qing dynasty. One of the highlights of this collection is a Qianlong slip-painted and appliqué-decorated ‘lotus’ teapot and cover, formerly in the collection of Gong Xinzhao (1987-1949), who was appointed the Chinese Ambassador of the Post-Confederation Canada during the final year of the Guangxu era (1908). Another is an inscribed ‘mansheng-type’ Yixing stoneware teapot and cover, jointly made by two prominent Yixing potters of the 19th century, Wang Dongshi and He Xinzhou, and produced from the special workshop known as ‘Yucheng’ near the city of Ningpo in northeastern Zhejiang province. The superb quality of this teapot bears witness to the outstanding craftsmanship in a strong scholarly taste that even exceeded their predecessors known as the 'Mansheng Pots'. The collection also includes three teapots made by Gu Jingzhou (1915-1996), the most outstanding Yixing potter of the 20th century in China.

The collection has been formed by Mr and Mrs Jimmy Sha over a period of almost 30 years, sometimes serendipitously with the direct acquisition of private collections, but more often gradually and painstakingly.

Highlights of the sale include:

Lot 101
An Yixing stoneware teapot and cover
Early Qing dynasty, signed Jingxi Shao Boyuan
HK$300,000 - 400,000

Lot 108
An exceptional Yixing stoneware slip-painted 'lotus' teapot and cover
Qianlong seal mark and of the period
HK$4,500,000 - 5,500,000

Lot 112
An inscribed Mansheng-type Yixing stoneware 'yucheng' teapot and cover
Tongzhi, signed Wang Dongshi, incised by He Xinzhou
Estimate on request

Lot 120
An Yixing stoneware 'stone-spoon' teapot and cover
Modern, signed Gu Jingzhou
HK$3,500,000 - 4,500,000