Hong Kong, 10 October 2012
Sotheby’s Hong Kong doubled its initial estimation for a pair of yellow ground famille-rose double-gourd vases from the Qianlong period: the vases, estimated between $5.1m and $7.7m (HK$40-60m), were sold for $13.7m (HK$107m).
These magnificent enamelled vases, of the finest ceramic and delicate ornaments, and exceptionally rare, come from the collection of Mrs Christian Holmes (1871-1941).
In the morning, twelve lots of Imperial monochromes from the Qing period were sold for $10.8m (HK$84.5m). They belonged to the collection of J.M. Hu, a great Chinese collector deceased in 1995. He possessed magnificent Imperial ceramics, treasures of Chinese painting, and as well remarkable calligraphy. He donated part of his ceramics collection to the Shanghai Museum and actively supports academic research.
Auctions of Chinese ceramics are still going on today at Sotheby’s Hong Kong.