To curate successful sales, the latest market trend is an important reference for auction houses. Having seen the increasing demand in the market for maotai, China’s ‘national liquor’, Christie’s is going to be the first international auction house to host a maotai sale, which will take place in Shanghai this September.

Speaking of the frenzy for alcohol, many of us may have heard of the high prices that a bottle of whisky or red wine could fetch at international auctions. While many alcohol lovers are crazy over whisky and wine, maotai is also growing in popularity in the market, especially among Chinese collectors.

Christie’s Shanghai is going to hold a maotai sale

At the Beijing spring auction this year, China Guardian achieved an excellent result in a dedicated sale for maotai. Over 100 lots were all successful sold, realizing a sale total of more than RMB 41m.

The most expensive lot of the sale was a 1984 ‘Feitian’ Maotai with 12 bottles in one box. It was estimated at RMB 800,000 - 1.6m and sold for RMB 2.47m.

1984 ‘Feitian’ Maotai｜China Guardian Beijing spring sales 2018

1972 Kweichow Moutai ‘Gold Wheel’ (ceramic bottle) ｜Poly Beijing spring sales 2018

Poly auction also recorded satisfactory results with its maotai sale, raising over RMB 14m. The top lot was a Kweichow Moutai from 1983 - 1986, which was sold for RMB 1.96m (premium included). A 1972 Kweichow Moutai ‘Gold Wheel’ (ceramic bottle) also fetched RMB 368,000 (premium included).

To get a share in the huge maotai market, Christie’s is presenting Treasures of Chishui River — Kweichow Moutai in Shanghai on 21 September. Highlights include a bottle of WuXing Export Trade Maotai 1958 (540ml) and a bottle of 1957 WuXing Maotai, which are both estimated at RMB 100,000 - 300,000. The sale also offers two bottles of 1970s KuiHua Maotai (540 ml each), which are estimated at RMB 150,000 - 260,000.

WuXing Export Trade Maotai 1958 (left) and 1957 WuXing Maotai (right)

1970s KuiHua Maotai

Auction details

Auction house: Christie’s Shanghai
Address: 1st Floor, Ampire Building, No.97 Yuanmingyuan Road, Shanghai
Sale: Treasures of Chishui River - Kweichow Moutai
Viewing:
19 September 2018｜10am - 9pm
20 September 2018｜10am - 6pm
21 September 2018｜10am - 1pm
Auction: 21 September 2018｜11am