Christie's
Autumn 2009 sales of Important Chinese Ceramics & Works of Art held
on Dec 1, 2009realized a combined
total of HK$371 million (US$48 million) - an increase of 15% over the Spring 2009
season. The sale of Important Chinese Lacquer from the Lee Family
Collection, Part II totalled over HK$90 million (US$11.6 million) and was
87% sold by lot, 95% sold by value. The sale of Important Chinese Ceramics
& Works of Art that followed totalled HK$281 million (US$36.4 million).
Leading the season's offerings was a magnificent carved cinnabar lacquer square
tray depicting figures in a landscape from the Ming dynasty, Hongwu period
(1368-1398). Superbly carved and formerly in the collection of Sir John
Figgess, this work fetched HK$25.3million (US$3.3million), a record for a
cinnabar lacquer tray.
The
strong results from Part II of the Lee Family collection of Chinese lacquer
reflects the firm demand for top quality works in what is still a relatively
new collecting category. Works from this much-respected collection attracted
tremendous pre-sale interest from collectors around the world, who were eager
to acquire museum-quality pieces which had been selected with enormous care
over a 30-year period by one of the most knowledgeable collectors in this
field, K.T. Lee. Enthusiastic bidding came from a range of international
clients, with noticeable participation from established collectors in the West.
In addition to the top price of the day with the record cinnabar lacquer tray,
this sale saw a record price paid for a Chinese mother-of-pearl inlaid lacquer
with an outstanding and extremely rare Yuan dynasty (1279-1368) mother-of-pearl
inlaid octagonal box and cover that sold for HK$20.8 million (US$2.7 million).
International bidding was
significant throughout all collecting categories, with participation from
Mainland Chinese clients even more prominent this season - by comparison with
Autumn 2008, the number of successful Mainland Chinese buyers increased 63%.
Among the most sought-after works in the sale of Important Chinese Ceramics
& Works of Art were important ceramics made for the Qing court- a
collecting category that is a perennial favourite with today's collectors.
Works of significant provenance performed extremely well, as evidenced by the
superb white jade buffalo from the Qianlong period (1736-1795) formerly in the
collection of the famous Dutch industrialist and collector Hugo Tutein
Nolthenius, which sold for HK$20.8 million (US$2.7 million). The
well-established provenance of this work, combined with its freshness to the
market, helped ensure that this delightful sculpture was the highest sold jade
in the sale.
Christie's
Autumn 2009 sales of Important Chinese Ceramics & Works of Art held
on Dec 1, 2009realized a combined
total of HK$371 million (US$48 million) - an increase of 15% over the Spring 2009
season. The sale of Important Chinese Lacquer from the Lee Family
Collection, Part II totalled over HK$90 million (US$11.6 million) and was
87% sold by lot, 95% sold by value. The sale of Important Chinese Ceramics
& Works of Art that followed totalled HK$281 million (US$36.4 million).
Leading the season's offerings was a magnificent carved cinnabar lacquer square
tray depicting figures in a landscape from the Ming dynasty, Hongwu period
(1368-1398). Superbly carved and formerly in the collection of Sir John
Figgess, this work fetched HK$25.3million (US$3.3million), a record for a
cinnabar lacquer tray.
The
strong results from Part II of the Lee Family collection of Chinese lacquer
reflects the firm demand for top quality works in what is still a relatively
new collecting category. Works from this much-respected collection attracted
tremendous pre-sale interest from collectors around the world, who were eager
to acquire museum-quality pieces which had been selected with enormous care
over a 30-year period by one of the most knowledgeable collectors in this
field, K.T. Lee. Enthusiastic bidding came from a range of international
clients, with noticeable participation from established collectors in the West.
In addition to the top price of the day with the record cinnabar lacquer tray,
this sale saw a record price paid for a Chinese mother-of-pearl inlaid lacquer
with an outstanding and extremely rare Yuan dynasty (1279-1368) mother-of-pearl
inlaid octagonal box and cover that sold for HK$20.8 million (US$2.7 million).
International bidding was
significant throughout all collecting categories, with participation from
Mainland Chinese clients even more prominent this season - by comparison with
Autumn 2008, the number of successful Mainland Chinese buyers increased 63%.
Among the most sought-after works in the sale of Important Chinese Ceramics
& Works of Art were important ceramics made for the Qing court- a
collecting category that is a perennial favourite with today's collectors.
Works of significant provenance performed extremely well, as evidenced by the
superb white jade buffalo from the Qianlong period (1736-1795) formerly in the
collection of the famous Dutch industrialist and collector Hugo Tutein
Nolthenius, which sold for HK$20.8 million (US$2.7 million). The
well-established provenance of this work, combined with its freshness to the
market, helped ensure that this delightful sculpture was the highest sold jade
in the sale.
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