Vividly painted in rich cobalt blue, the vase depicted a tumultuous scene: four furiously writhing dragons (a curious mixture of three- and five-claw beasts) between crashing wave and lappet borders on a meandering floral ground.
Previously sold at Sotheby’s Hong Kong in 1993, for a premium-inclusive HK$3.98m, the increase in demand, coupled with a decrease in supply for such fine quality Qing porcelain, saw it contested by London-based Richard Littleton of Oriental Arts (UK) Ltd to HK$11.5m (£1,076,780) – underbid by Hong Kong dealer William Chak. The sale totalled HK$73,656,000 (£6,896,630).
Qianlong (1736-95) mark and period dragon vase
Early Qing imperial porcelain has long been the darling of the Hong Kong Chinese auctions so when a Qianlong (1736-95) mark and period dragon vase with a previously unpublished pattern came up at Sotheby’s (20/15/10% buyer’s premium), Hong Kong on October 29, sparks flew and an auction record was set for a piece of Qianlong porcelain.
