Christie's London│Fine Chinese Ceramics│Auction Summary

"Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art" sale at Christie's London ended yesterday, the bidding atmosphere was dull, with an unsatisfying selling rate of 60%. Luckily, a pair of vases and a cabinet "rescued" the entire sale. The final price of the pair of vases alone makes up 75% of the total sales.

The pair of famille rose “butterfly” double-gourd vase is the star lot at this sale. Bidding started at £1.7m, only two phone bidders stayed in the bidding war till the end. The hammer price is £13m, while the final price (with buyer's premium) is around $14.7m. According to reliable source, the buyer is a Chinese male collector.

The huanghuali display cabinet (aka shu gui in Chinese) was an unrecognized item at the London spring sales. Bidding started at £80,000, the hammer price reached £1.5m, the final price (with buyer's premium) is around £1.8m.

 

Top lots

A MAGNIFICENT PAIR OF FAMILLE ROSE ‘BUTTERFLY’ DOUBLE-GOURD VASES, QIANLONG SIX-CHARACTER SEAL MARKS IN UNDERGLAZE BLUE AND OF THE PERIOD (1736-1795)

Lot No.: 99
Height: 23cm
Provenance: Collected in the 1930s in London by an English lady from a noble family and thence by descent
Estimate: £2,000,000 - 3,000,000
Sold: £14,725,000

A LARGE HUANGHUALI DISPLAY CABINET, SHU GUI, QING DYNASTY (1644-1911)

Lot No.: 137
Size: 198 x 98 x 61cm
Provenance: The property of a Lady
Estimate: £80,000 - 120,000
Sold: £1,805,000

A PAIR OF FAMILLE ROSE CAPARISONED ELEPHANTS, QIANLONG PERIOD (1736-1795)

Lot No.: 95
Size: 27.3cm
Provenance: 
With John Sparks, London, no. 3172.
From the collection of H.F.Parftt.
From a private English collection.
Estimate: £50,000 - 80,000
Sold: £281,000

 

Auction Summary

Auciton House: Christie's London
Salesroom: King Street
Sale: Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art
Sale No.: 13981
Date: 2017/5/9
Total Sales: £19,456,750
Lots: 136
Sold: 81
Unsold: 55
Average Price per Sold Lot: £240,206
Selling Rate: 60%

(prices include buyer's premium, unless otherwise stated)