Chinese art sale more than doubles estimate

Song-dynasty ceramics were in strong demand at Sotheby’s two day Chinese art sale series in Hong Kong , which concluded on November 25 with totals of HK$99.3 million/US$12.7 million, more than double the pre-sale estimate of HK$46.3 million/US$5.9 million.

The private Japanese collection of early ceramics fetched nearly HK$10 million / US$1.3 million against estimates of HK$1.5 – 2.1 million / US$190,000 – 270,000.

Other highlights included Xiao Tang Ji: fine brushpots and works of art from the Collection of Xiao Tang, which sold for a total of HK$16.8 million / US$2.2 million, with several brushpots achieving outstanding results, including the top lot of sale – a Qing dynasty huanghuali ‘prunus’ brushpot that sold for HK$5.32 million / US$680,000, more than three times its low estimate.

In total, 553 lots were offered, 81% of which sold, 50% of them for above their high estimate.

“We are delighted with the results of the two-day sale series at Sotheby’s Honk Kong gallery,” said Julian king, Sotheby’s international specialist of Chinese ceramics and works of art department. “The sales were very well attended and attracted a truly international group of collectors, who competed for the finest pieces against determined phone and online bidding.

“The Chinese Art Sale was a great success, totalling HK$69.8 million/US$9 million, more than double the low estimate. Almost 60% of the lots were sold above their high estimates. Snuff Bottles from the Mary George Bloch Collection: Part IX continued to attract an enthusiastic crowd of collectors from all over the world, and every lot was sold, with the top lots performing exceedingly well.”