Follow Hong Kong Immigration and Hong Kong Culture: The Sotheby's Hong Kong Important Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art 2013 Autumn Sale concluded on October 8, breaking multiple records. The total turnover for the five auctions reached HK$1.26 billion / US$161.5 million, significantly exceeding the total estimate of HK$750 million / US$96 million.
The highest-priced lot was a Ming Yongle gilt-bronze figure of Shakyamuni Buddha (estimated to sell for over HK$50 million / US$6.4 million), which was acquired by Mr. Zheng Huaxing, owner of Wujuezhai in Zhongshan, Guangdong, for a staggering HK$236.44 million / US$30.3 million, setting a new world auction record for Chinese sculpture.
Nicolas Chow, Deputy Chairman of Sotheby's Asia and International Head of the Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art Department, stated: "As we celebrate the 40th anniversary of Sotheby's in Asia, our autumn auctions have achieved remarkable results thanks to the exceptional quality, impeccable provenance, and diverse range of the lots, as well as the enthusiastic participation of clients from around the world. A Ming Yongle gilt-bronze Buddha from the early 15th century set a new world auction record for Chinese sculpture, standing out among its peers. Domestic buyers, who had been relatively quiet in recent seasons, returned to the auction floor in force this season, allowing many key lots to return to their homeland."
Other high prices and auction records include:
A Ming Chenghua blue and white 'palace bowl' with scrolling mallow flowers was purchased by the renowned Hong Kong antique dealer Mr. Zhai Jianmin for a high price of HK$141.24 million / US$18 million, setting the second-highest auction price ever for Ming dynasty porcelain.
A Qing Qianlong celadon-glazed relief-carved 'hundred longevity' vase with ruyi handles, decorated with bats and fish, sold for HK$88.6 million / US$11.4 million, setting an auction record for Qing dynasty monochrome porcelain.
A Tang dynasty dry lacquer Buddha head from the "Collection of Sakamoto Goro" sold for HK$40.44 million / US$5.2 million, setting an auction record for Tang dynasty sculpture.