Returning after three years, International Antiques Fair (IAF) has pumped energy back on the city's antiques scene, as art lovers, collectors, and antiques dealers from all around the world gathered once again at Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.
As with previous editions, this year's fair welcomes important exhibitors to present historical treasures spanning centuries, ranging from ceramics, jades, and lacquerwares to classical furniture, Buddha statues, and much more.
Open to public until 30 May, IAF boasts an exciting line-up of public events, with one of the highlights being a guided tour led by William Chak – one of the biggest names among antiques dealers and founder of IAF.
Art lovers from around the globe gathered at International Antiques Fair Hong Kong
William Chak, founder of IAF personally led a guided tour
A large yangcai 'Eight Immortals' vase from Qianlong period (1735-1796) on display at Chak's
In the Chinese antiques community, Chak is someone special. While his name sits alongside other respected art dealers, he is also an internet sensation in China, a professor at university, and the mastermind behind IAF.
One of his crowning moments happened in 2005, when he bought an imperial porcelain vase for his client at HK$115.4 million (US$14.8 million) – at the time an auction record for Qing dynasty porcelain and also the most expensive work of art ever sold in Asia. It was when he made a splash and became a familiar name not only in the antiques world, but also in Hong Kong.
With a mission to promote antiques, each year William Chak personally leads a tour to enhance visitors' understanding and appreciation of historical treasures at IAF. And this year's no exception.
William Chak sharing his insights on this year's special exhibition
As an influencer with over one million followers on social media, William Chak drew a large crowd with him along the way, the audience all ears as he shared his extensive knowledge of antiques and provided intriguing insights into the craftsmanship and cultural significance of each piece.
After exploring a diverse range of antiques, the group made a stop at this year's special exhibition, The Art of Kungfu Tea, Ruoshen Teacup. There, they delved into Chinese tea culture as a form of etiquette and art, examining over 200 pieces of blue-and-white porcelain tea wares, with a particular focus on those owned by the three greatest emperors of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911).
Antiques appraisal is one of IAF's most popular events
Antiques appraisal is one of IAF's most popular events
When it comes to IAF, there'll also be no going past one of its most popular events, on-site antiques appraisal.
Throngs of visitors queued inside the exhibition hall, carrying boxes of "heirlooms", eager to have them authenticated and evaluated by a panel of experts.
As attendees waited with bated breath for their turn, some were overjoyed to learn their treasures were genuine and left with beaming smiles. However, for others, the disappointment was etched on their faces as experts identified flaws in their replicas.
Tea ceremony performed by WUYI STAR Tea Garden
The sharing session attracted a crowd capacity
The author of "歲時茶山記" shared his new book
With a theme around tea culture, IAF greeted visitors to several sessions of tea ceremony, where art and antiques lovers can experience first-hand the aesthetic and sensory experience of China traditional tea-making.
This year's fair also welcomed the author of "歲時茶山記" – briefly translated as "A Walk Through the Seasons of Tea" – to share his new book and delve into how four seasons and landscapes influence tea production and its culture.
International Antiques Fair 2023
Dates and Time (Hong Kong local time):
- 27 - 29 May | 11:00am - 7:00pm
- 30 May | 11:00am - 5:00pm
Venue: Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre - Hall 5G
Address: 1 Expo Drive, Wanchai, Hong Kong
Free admission for the public