BOSTON, MASS.- A monumental Fencai Imperial Qing Dynasty vase auctioned for $24.7 million at Skinner last night, setting a record as the top grossing lot ever sold in New England, and topping all sales of Qing Dynasty vases in the U.S. The Skinner Asian Works of Art auction coincides with Asia Week, and this vase has surpassed all other objects sold during the event to date.

An intensely focused and enthusiastic crowd packed the auction room, and most rose to their feet as the vase soared past the $10 million mark. After spirited bidding from multiple bidders present in the room and participating by phone, the hammer fell to a round of applause.

According to Judith Dowling, Director of Asian Works of Art at Skinner, Inc., “The vase is a tour-de-force of ceramic techniques, and it is believed that the Emperor ordered it made.” It was fired at the Jingdezhen kilns under the direction of the famous superintendent Tang Ying (1682-1750). The National Palace Museum in Beijing, China is home to the only other known example of the same size and decoration.

Prior to the auction, previews in New York and Boston generated tremendous excitement. Interested collectors arrived from around the world to view the historically significant piece in person.

Karen Keane, CEO of Skinner, Inc. noted, “Boston is a vibrant and essential marketplace for Asian works of art and we at Skinner were honored to have the opportunity to be stewards of such an important and beautiful work of art. The auction was a thrill for all of us who were involved.”