The China Guardian Hong Kong 2025 Autumn Auction concluded on 8 October after three days of vibrant sales. Nearly 2,000 lots were offered, achieving an average sell-through rate of 70% and total sales of approximately HK$445 million (US$57.2 million) – a 9% increase compared to the Spring auction.
Ceramics and works of art led the results, accounting for nearly half the total, with sales reaching around HK$227 million (US$29.2 million). Two Qianlong-era imperial treasures topped the category: a zitan wood throne, which sold for HK$11.85 million (US$1.5 million), and a doucai gourd vase, which fetched close to HK$9 million.
Among the five dedicated sales for this category, standout results came from the Yidetang single-owner sale, featuring the late Hong Kong property tycoon Walter Kwok’s collection. Of the 55 Qing dynasty porcelain pieces offered, only two went unsold – achieving a 96% sell-through rate and generating over HK$48.5 million.
Lot 1703 | A magnificent zitan throne
Qing dynasty, Qianlong period (1736-1795)
Width: 125 cm
Provenance:
- Previously from a French private collection, acquired in China in the beginning of 20th century
- Christie’s Paris, 8 December 2021, lot 58
Sale: Enshrouded Within: Chinese Imperial Treasures
Estimate: HK$9,000,000 - 13,000,000
Hammer Price: HK$10,000,000
Sold: HK$11,850,000 (US$1.5 million)
Imperial thrones are emblems of sovereignty and authority, constructed to strict standards of scale, ornamentation, and material. Placed centrally in an imperial hall, they would typically be flanked by incense burners, ceremonial animals, and fans, with a grand screen behind.
While their basic form is derived from the traditional armchair – with backrest, armrests, and upright seat – imperial examples are far grander in proportion, with deeper seats, taller backs, and broader frames designed to create an imposing scene.
The throne offered in this sale dates to the Qianlong period and exemplifies the peak of Qing throne craftsmanship. Crafted entirely from zitan, a dense, precious hardwood reserved for the imperial court, it follows the five-panel format with inset decoration on the back and side panels.
The Qing court favored three main themes in throne decoration: dragons, floral patterns, and landscapes, typically rendered in luxurious materials. This example combines both floral and dragon motifs, symbols of imperial refinement and auspicious blessings.
The central back panel and flanking sides are carved in deep relief with the fruiting and flowering double-gourd vine, representing fertility, abundance, and dynastic continuity. The vines, blossoms, and fruit are executed with dynamic energy, blending traditional Chinese symbolism with an ornamental flair reminiscent of Baroque design.
Decorative consistency extends throughout the structure, including stepped borders, indented corners, and kui dragon carvings on the rear, all crafted in a high-relief technique where the background is meticulously shaved away to leave polished, raised motifs. The result is a mirror-like surface with striking depth and dimensionality – signature features of imperial throne craftsmanship.
A comparable mid-Qing zitan throne with dragon motifs was sold by China Guardian Hong Kong in 2022 for over HK$36 million.
Zitan and red lacquered high-waisted throne | Mid-Qing period (1636 - 1911) | Sold: HK$36,090,000, China Guardian Hong Kong, 2022
John Chong | Manager, Ceramics and Works of Art
Lot 1671 | A doucai 'bat and peach' double-gourd vase, huluping
Qianlong six-character sealmark and of the period (1736-1795)
Height: 30.2 cm
Provenance:
- A Hong Kong private collection
Sale: Enshrouded Within: Chinese Imperial Treasures
Estimate: HK$6,000,000 - 8,000,000
Hammer Price: HK$7,550,000
Sold: HK$8,983,500
The second top lot was a Qianlong-era gourd-shaped vase, finely painted in the doucai (“contrasting colors”) technique and layered with auspicious symbolism.
In Chinese tradition, the gourd is associated with good fortune, its shape echoing the character for “auspicious” (吉). Its many seeds and trailing vines represent fertility, continuity, and prosperity. In Daoist lore, the gourd becomes a magical vessel, containing elixirs or entire spirit realms – as in tales of Li Tieguai, one of the Eight Immortals.
Gourd-shaped vessels flourished during the Qing dynasty and were especially favored by emperors. Today, the Palace Museum in Beijing holds over 500 Qing examples, surpassing earlier dynasties in both quantity and variety. Two closely related Qianlong-era famille rose gourd vases are preserved in the Palace Museum in Beijing and the Shenyang Imperial Palace.
A similar example in the Shenyang Imperial Palace
This example features a small mouth, short neck, and bulbous double-gourd body. The design includes peaches, entwined vines, red bats, and swastikas (wan 卍) – symbols of longevity and blessings. Ruyi clouds and continuous swastikas encircle the neck and foot, reinforcing themes of harmony and prosperity.
The palette is bright yet harmonious, with delicate pastel enamels filling in outlines of underglaze blue – a hallmark of Qianlong-period doucai porcelain. The composition is dense but well-proportioned, showcasing meticulous craftsmanship.
Such vases were often used as flower holders on scholars’ desks or display shelves. Their quiet elegance is immortalized in one of the Twelve Beauties paintings commissioned by Prince Yong (later Emperor Yongzheng), where a refined lady sits beside a gourd vase filled with cut flowers.
One of the Twelve Beauties paintings
Lot 1506 | An archaic jade horse
Han dynasty (206 BC - AD 220)
Width: 10.2 cm
Sale: Heavenly Rites: Fine Chinese Jade Carvings
Estimate: HK$3,000,000 - 4,000,000
Hammer Price: HK$5,400,000
Sold: HK$6,468,000 (US$831,000)
Another highlight of the auction was a Han dynasty jade horse – a masterful example of early Chinese sculpture that captures the physical strength and cultural stature of the horse in Han court life.
During the Han dynasty, horses were prized for their military value, particularly in campaigns against the Huns. The powerful “sweat-blood” horses imported from Central Asia became enduring symbols of elite status and imperial ambition. Iconic representations include stone reliefs at the tomb of General Huo Qubing and the renowned Flying Horse of Gansu.
This jade horse is carved from a lustrous jade with a subtle cyan hue and natural brown patina. Shown reclining with head raised and alert, it strikes a poised, muscular pose. The facial features – open mouth, squared jaw, flared nostrils, and pointed ears – are rendered in shallow relief, inviting tactile exploration.
Along the neck and spine, raised ridges recall Warring States jade carving traditions, while short parallel lines suggest the texture of the mane. The contours are smooth and compact, with hooves tucked beneath and the tail resting on the haunches – capturing the steed’s strength, vitality, and elegance in repose.
Highlight Lots from Harmonious Flames of Majesty: Qing Porcelain from the Yidetang Collection Sale:
Lot 1605 | A magnificent imperial coral-ground yangcai-enamelled 'floral' bowl
Yongzheng four-character mark and of the period (1723-1735)
Diameter: 15 cm
Provenance:
- Christie’s Hong Kong, 26 September 1989, lot 600
- Christie’s Hong Kong, 29 April 2001, lot 551
- The Yidetang collection, Hong Kong
Sale: Harmonious Flames of Majesty: Qing Porcelain from the Yidetang Collection
Estimate: HK$4,000,000 - 6,000,000
Hammer Price: HK$4,200,000
Sold: HK$5,040,000
Lot 1642 | An imperially-inscribed celadon-ground famille rose 'landscape' vessel
Qianlong Chenhan and Weijing Weiyi four-character sealmarks and of the period (1736-1795)
Diameter: 23.5 cm
Provenance:
- Formerly in the Regal family collection, New York
- Nagel Auction, Autumn 2009, lot 148
- The Yidetang collection, Hong Kong
Sale: Harmonious Flames of Majesty: Qing Porcelain from the Yidetang Collection
Estimate: HK$1,500,000 - 2,000,000
Hammer Price: HK$3,800,000
Sold: HK$4,560,000
Lot 1626 | A superb imperial coral-ground yangcai-enamalled 'peony' bowl
Yongzheng four-character mark and of the period (1723-1735)
Diameter: 11.2 cm
Provenance:
- Stephen Junkunc, III
- Christie’s New York, 21 March 2000, lot 369
- The Yidetang collection, Hong Kong
Sale: Harmonious Flames of Majesty: Qing Porcelain from the Yidetang Collection
Estimate: HK$3,500,000 - 4,500,000
Hammer Price: HK$3,700,000
Sold: HK$4,440,000
Lot 1637 | An extremely rare Ming-style blue and while 'figural' vase, meiping
Qianlong six-character sealmark and of the period (1736-1795)
Height: 21.7 cm
Provenance:
- An Asian private collection
- Christie’s London, 6 June 2000, lot 341
- Christie’s Hong Kong, 28 November 2006, lot 1522
- The Yidetang collection, Hong Kong
Sale: Harmonious Flames of Majesty: Qing Porcelain from the Yidetang Collection
Estimate: HK$2,000,000 - 2,800,000
Hammer Price: HK$3,500,000
Sold: HK$4,200,000
Lot 1615 | A rare blue and white 'dragon' vase, yuhuchunping
Qianlong six-character sealmark and of the period (1736-1795)
Height: 29.6 cm
Provenance:
- Sotheby’s Hong Kong, 15 May 1990, lot 151
- Robert Chang collection, Hong Kong
- Christie’s Hong Kong, 31 October 2000, lot 829
- The Yidetang collection, Hong Kong
Sale: Harmonious Flames of Majesty: Qing Porcelain from the Yidetang Collection
Estimate: HK$2,000,000 - 2,800,000
Hammer Price: HK$3,000,000
Sold: HK$3,600,000
Lot 1610 | A pair of rare celadon-glazed 'bat and lotus' washers
Qianlong six-character sealmarks and of the period (1736-1795)
Diameter: 13.1 cm
Provenance:
- The Yidetang collection, Hong Kong
Sale: Harmonious Flames of Majesty: Qing Porcelain from the Yidetang Collection
Estimate: HK$1,000,000 - 1,500,000
Hammer Price: HK$2,500,000
Sold: HK$3,000,000
Lot 1631 | A rare doucai 'dragon' jar
Yongzheng six-character mark and of the period (1723-1735)
Height: 18.5 cm
Provenance:
- Jingguantang collection, Hong Kong
- Christie’s Hong Kong, 3 November 1996, lot 581
- The Yidetang collection, Hong Kong
Sale: Harmonious Flames of Majesty: Qing Porcelain from the Yidetang Collection
Estimate: HK$1,000,000 - 1,500,000
Hammer Price: HK$2,000,000
Sold: HK$2,400,000
Auction Details:
Auction House: China Guardian (HK) Auctions
Categories: Ceramics and Works of Art
Date: 6 - 8 October 2025
Sale:
- Enshrouded Within: Chinese Imperial Treasures | HK$61.81 million
- Harmonious Flames of Majesty: Qing Porcelain from the Yidetang Collection | HK$48.53 million
- Heavenly Rites: Fine Chinese Jade Carvings | HK$45.52 million
- Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art | HK$44.17 million
- Eternal Timelessness: An Important North American Private Collection of Jades | HK$27.67 million
Sale Total for the Category: Approximately HK$227 million