HONG KONG.- A finely curated sale of exceptional Chinese Imperial porcelain and works of art at Bonhams Hong Kong last month made a total of HK$ 50,818,500 with more than 80% of the lots sold.

Commenting on the results of the sale, Asaph Hyman, International Head, Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, Asia & Europe said: “We are delighted with the results. They demonstrate the robustness of the market and its enthusiasm for the exceptional.”

Xibo Wang, Head of Department, added: “The sale was carefully curated to allow important buyers to focus on select groups of high quality objects. The strong prices showed that rare pieces with impeccable provenance are still highly sought after by collectors worldwide.”

The top lot was a pair of exceptionally rare Imperial doucai waterpots, Yongzheng six-character marks and of the period (1723-1735), which sold for HK$12,640,000 (estimate HK$10,000,000-15,000,000). Interest came from in the room as well as on the phones. The waterpots boasted impressive provenance: they were formerly in the Jingguantang and Gerald M. Greenwald collection and exhibited on a number of occasions by the Min Chiu Society and in the Tsui Museum of Art, Hong Kong. There are only four other known examples in Imperial and private collections, including the Palace Museum, Beijing.

A unique example of a rare iron-red and gilt-decorated ‘dragon’ candlestick, Yongzheng seal mark and of the period, which has been with the same European family for about 115 years, generated strong interest. Enthusiastic bidding in the room and on the telephones resulted in the lot tripling its estimate of HK$ 900,000-1,200,000, selling in the room for HK$3,040,000 to an important collector.

Another outstanding example of Qing dynasty Imperial porcelain was the exceptionally rare underglaze-blue and iron-red enamelled vase, Qianlong seal mark and of the period (1736-1795) which sold for HK$ 5,620,000 (estimate HK$4,500,000-6,000,000). Previously in the well-known T.Y. Chao and Shimentang collection, the vase is one of only three recorded. The archaistic inspiration as depicted on this vase is a manifestation of the Qianlong Emperor's wish to 'restore ancient ways', calling on craftsman to draw inspiration from archaic examples and embrace the intrinsic values of sincerity, simplicity, and happy exuberance.

Further vestiges of the Qing Court, dating to the Kangxi reign period (1662-1722) were also much in demand, including an impressively cast Imperial gilt-lacquered bronze figure of Amitayus and an Imperial gilt-bronze archaistic ritual bell, bianzhong, Kangxi cast mark, dated to the 54th year corresponding to 1715 and of the period. The devotional figure of Amitayus is engraved on the underside with the character shi denoting the number ‘ten’, and is believed to be a limited series of Imperial gilt-lacquered bronze figures of Amitayus commissioned by the Kangxi Emperor for his grandmother, the Empress Dowager Xiaozhuangwen (1613-1688). On the day it achieved its high estimate, selling for HK$7,240,000 (estimate HK$4,000,000-6,000,000). The Imperial bell, which was originally part of a set of sixteen, sold for HK$ 2,440,000 (estimate HK$2,200,000-2,800,000).

Other notable results include a rare Imperial Ge-type vase, Qianlong seal mark and of the period which sold for HK$ 4,240,000 (estimate HK$3,500,000-5,000,000; and a rare white jade archaistic tripod incense burner and cover, Qianlong which multiplied its estimate of HK$ 600,000 – 800,000, selling for a remarkable HK$ 3,640,000.