The focus of "Fujita" auction remains on archaic bronzes and "Shiqu Baoji" paintings, yet the three Longquan celadons had also done pretty well in warming up the sale, sold among 3 to 8 times of pre-auction estimates. These three lots were sold for US$1,810,500 in total, and one of them was bought by a revered London dealer.

TheValue interviewed William Chak, the founder of Chak's, before the auction took place. As a major collector of Longquan celadons, Chak told us that among the three "Fujita" Longquan celadons, the two vases, Lot 501 and 503, are quite similar. Yet the one made in the Yuan dynasty is a lot better than the one made in the Ming dynasty, whether we are judging from their shapes, colours or motifs. At the end, the former was sold at a price much higher than the latter.

The remaining lot is a Longquan celadon carved jar with cover, also made in the Yuan dynasty, Chak pointed out that its cover matters most. Firstly, this ware was made centuries ago, it is extremely difficult to keep the original cover, let alone the intactness. Secondly, the lotus leaf form cover itself is quite refinded. At that time, William forecasted that "normally, this jar could fetch HK$2m to 3m". Yet, the auction market is not always predictable. Giuseppe Eskenazi, one of the most important antique dealers in the world, outbidded others, and bought the jar for US$787,500.

"Fujita" Longquan celadons

A LONGQUAN CELADON CARVED JAR AND COVER YUAN DYNASTY, 14TH CENTURY

Lot No.: 502
Height: 32.4cm
Estimate: US$100,000 – 150,000
Sold: $787,500

A SUPERB LARGE CARVED AND MOLDED LONGQUAN CELADON ‘PHOENIX TAIL’ VASE, YUAN DYNASTY, 14TH CENTURY

Lot No.: 501
Height: 63.2cm
Estimate: US$200,000 – 300,000
Sold: $727,500

A RARE MASSIVE CARVED LONGQUAN CELADON ‘PHOENIX-TAIL’ VASE, MING DYNASTY, 15TH CENTURY

Lot No.: 503
Height: 67.8cm
Estimate: US$100,000 – 150,000
Sold: $295,500

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