HONG KONG.- Sotheby’s Hong Kong concluded its two-day Chinese Art Sale Series on 25 November at Sotheby’s Hong Kong Gallery which totalled HK$99.3 million / US$12.7 million, more than double pre- sale estimate (HK$46.3 million / US$5.9 million*).

Julian King, Sotheby’s International Specialist of Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art Department, said, “We are delighted with the results of the two-day sale series at Sotheby’s Hong Kong Gallery, which totalled 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 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. The highlight of the sale was 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. Song-dynasty ceramics were in strong demand, with A Private Japanese Collection of Early Ceramics fetching nearly HK$10 million / US$1.3 million against estimates of HK$1.5 – 2.1 million / US$190,000 – 270,000.

“Snuff Bottles from the M ary 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. Topping the list was a Qianlong famille-rose porcelain ‘Landscape and Imperial Poem’ snuff bottle attributed to Tang Ying, which sold for HK$6.28 million / US$810,000, followed by a Canton enamel yellow-ground ‘Deer and Landscape’ snuff bottle mark and period of Yongzheng which sold for HK$2.02 million / US$260,000, close to three times its low estimate.”

Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art Sale Series (24 – 25 November) – Sale Results Breakdown:

Snuff Bottles From The Mary And George Bloch Collection: Part IX
Total: HK$29,497,500 / US$3,781,731 (Est. HK$16.6 – 21.2 million / US$2.1 – 2.7 million)

Chinese Art
Total: HK$69,827,500 / US$8,952,244 (Est. HK$29.7 – 42.3 million / US$3.8 – 5.5 million)

Grand Total for Two-day Sale Series
Total: HK$99,325,000 / US$12,733,974 (Est. HK$46.3 – 63.5 million / US$5.9 – 8.2 million)