Sotheby's Hong Kong unveiled its highlighted selection for the coming spring sales. The focal point of the sale falls to a Rare Pink-Ground Falangcai Bowl from the Kangxi period, which is expected to set a new auction record for the world's most expensive ceramic. In addition to firsthand photos of the bowl that we have taken, The Value presents a sneak peek before the teaser of this bowl is officially released.

The beginning of the teaser shows a box covered with wrapping cloth. Then the knot is untied, unfolding the background of the bowl with story-telling scenes — in which one can see symbolic images of a cross, a missionary, sailing boat, the Temple of Heaven and portrait of the Kangxi Emperor — inserted alternately in between the unpacking process.

To further shed light on the beauty and rarity of the bowl, we interview Nicolas Chow, the International Head and Chairman of the Chinese Works of Art department. Please stay tuned for the interview.

During the interview, we asked him about the estimate. According to the official press release, the bowl is expected to fetch in excess of HK$200m (US$25.6m). Chow spoke to us that this bowl has a very high chance to break the record formerly set in the autumn sales last year by Ru-ware brush washer from the Northern Song dynasty, which was sold for HK$294m at that time. In other words, HK$200m is only a conservative estimate as Sotheby's is actually aiming at a price above HK$300m or even higher.

A PINK-GROUND FALANGCAI BOWL PINK ENAMEL YUZHI, MARK AND PERIOD OF KANGXI

Size: 14.7cm
Provenance:

• K.K. Chow, Shanghai, 1930/31.
• Bluett & Sons, London, 1931.
• Collection of Martin Erdmann, acquired in 1931.
• Christie’s London, 17th November 1937, lot 73 (part lot).
• Bluett & Sons, London.
• Collection of Henry M. Knight (died 1971), The Hague, Holland, acquired in 1938.
• Sotheby’s Hong Kong, 20th May 1986, lot 123.
• Collection of the Idemitsu Museum of Arts, Tokyo.

Exhibited:

• Oosterse Schatten: 4,000 Jaar Aziatische Kunst, Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, 1954, cat. no. 368, illustrated pl. 23.
• Ceramics that Fascinated Emperors – Treasures of the Chinese Jingdezhen Kiln from the Idemitsu Collection, Idemitsu Museum of Arts, Tokyo, 2003.

Estimate upon request (It is expected to fetch in excess of HK$200m)