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 Title: Sotheby's Masterpieces Of Chinese Precious Metalwork / Ming & Qing Imperial Gold  

Auction held in: Hong Kong

Sale Date:  4/11/08

Sale No: HK0288 

No. of Lots: 25

No. of Pages: 142

Condition:  Excellent In A Hard-Cover Catalog 

Masterpieces of Chinese Precious Metalwork - Ming and Qing Imperial Gold - A Magnificent and Extremely Rare Embellished Gold Tripod Vessel and Cover (Ming Dynasty, Xuande period), undoubtedly one of the most precious and most costly works of art of its time, commanded HK$116,807,500 (US$14,947,856), setting a world auction record for Chinese metalwork and almost doubling its estimate (est. in excess of HK$60 million/US$7.7 million), selling to great applause after a battle between two bidders. The vessel is engraved with five-clawed dragons - the most recognisable symbol of Imperial power - and encrusted with rubies, sapphires, pearls and other gems is. No early Ming gold vessel of similar quality or status appears to have survived in private hands and it is one of only eight early Ming gold vessels preserved outside China, all of which are in public institutions today. Another highlight of the sale was an Extraordinary Embellished Gold Ewer and Cover, period of Qianlong, which brought HK$36,167,500 / US$4,628,355) (est. in excess of HK$25 million / US$3.2 million). This small solid gold ewer, richly decorated in high relief with peony scrolls and with filigree work embellished with pearls, turquoise, sapphires and rubies, bears the mark of the Qianlong Emperor and was used by the Emperor after his abdication on New Year’s Day to celebrate his first writing of the year and pray for successful administration and peace and order in the nation. The ewer was most probably used to pour wine in the cup.  

 

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