CHRISTIE’S Hong Kong Spring Sales of Important Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, to be held May 30 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center, will present nearly 400 lots of Chinese imperial ceramics and works of art, valued in excess of HK$400 million (US$52 million).

Highlighting the series of sales are stunning cloisonné enamels from the Mandel Collection; a superb selection of important ceramics, jades and textiles in the Imperial Sale; and new categories including archaic bronze and a large group of Ming huanghuali furniture which will be offered at auction in Hong Kong.

Comprising 30 lots with a total estimate of over HK$40 million, the collection of cloisonné enamel works from mostly the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) and the Qianlong Period (1736-1795) from the Mandel Collection was carefully assembled by U.S. collectors Sam and Annette Mandel.

Leading the sale is a pair of magnificent cloisonné enamel caparisoned elephants from the Qianlong Period, reputed to have once been in the collection of Sir Winston Churchill, Aristotle Onassis and Maria Callas.

Another pair of exquisite animals from the collection is the very rare pair of peacock censers from the Qianlong Period. The incense burners are modeled as peacocks and are extremely rare.

A group of exquisite white-glazed porcelains from the Song to the early Ming period are also presented in the auction.

Besides porcelains, this season Christie’s will offer a large group of archaic bronze dating from the Shang (1,600-1,100 B.C.) to the Zhou (1,029-221 B.C.) dynasties, during which time bronze was a symbol of power for the ruling elite.

Highly appreciated for its great social, historical and artistic value, Chinese ancient bronze ware remained much sought after today by international and increasingly, Asian collectors.

Leading this category is an important large archaic bronze ritual wine vessel, Fu Zun from the Shang Dynasty, early Anyang period, 13th-12th century B.C.

A vast array of other fine imperial works of art that appeal to international collectors of diverse interests and tastes such as lacquer, jadeite carvings, textiles and other types of ceramics will also be presented.

(SD-Agencies)