News

Christie's Autumn 2009 sales of Important Chinese Ceramics & Works of Art held on Dec 1, 2009  realized 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).