Culture / Art Republik

Ancient Chinese vase set to fetch $7 million in Hong Kong

A simple Chinese vase made over 800 years ago and unveiled in Hong Kong Monday is expected to fetch HK$60 million when it goes under the hammer next month.

Mar 04, 2015 | By AFPRelaxnews

Chinese Guan Vase

A simple Chinese vase made over 800 years ago and unveiled in Hong Kong Monday is expected to fetch HK$60 million ($7.7 million) when it goes under the hammer next month, Sotheby’s said.

The plain octagonal piece, tinted a milky blue, was created during the Southern Song Dynasty and is just 20 centimetres (eight inches) tall.

Guan Vase Southern Song Dynasty

Despite its simplicity it represents the most coveted art of the period, Sotheby’s said, since it is part of a rare collection crafted for the imperial court, known as “guan yao” or “official ware”.

The vase is from the same collection as a Chinese porcelain bowl which fetched nearly $27 million at a Sotheby’s sale in April 2012 (below). That price was a record for Song Dynasty ceramics.

Imperial Chinese bowl

The Southern Song Dynasty vase is part of Sotheby’s Hong Kong Chinese Works of Art spring sale, which starts on April 7.


 
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