Lot 901. Property from the Dawentang Collection. A rare inscribed Xing white-glazed 'ying' jar, late Tang dynasty, 9th-10th century; 15.5 cm high. Price realised HKD 889,000 (Estimate HKD 700,000 – HKD 1,000,000) © Christie's Images Ltd 2026

Provenance: A Hong Kong private collection, prior to 1999, by repute
Jason's Gallery, Hong Kong, acquired in 2015

Literature: Chinese Ceramics from the Dawentang Collection, Vol. I, Hong Kong, 2019, pp.64-65, no.1

Exhibited: Hong Kong Museum of Art, Honouring Tradition and Heritage: Min Chiu Society at Sixty, Hong Kong, 18 December 2020 – 28 April 2021, cat. no. 12

Note: Xing wares were one of the finest white-bodied ceramics from the Tang dynasty; those inscribed with ying marks were particularly desirable, as they were tribute wares for the Tang court. According to Lu Minghua, the character ying refers to the Bai Bao Da Ying Ku (the Imperial Repository of a Hundred Treasures), which served as a treasury for the emperor’s personal use.

Compare with a slightly larger Tang dynasty white-glazed ‘ying’ jar excavated in Hebei province, illustrated in Series of China’s Ancient Porcelain Kiln Sites: Xing Kiln of China, Beijing, 2012, no.102; and one of the same height, but lacking the inscription, illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum, Porcelain of the Jin and Tang Dynasties, Hong Kong, 2016, no. 84.

Lot 902. Property from the Dawentang Collection. A Jun sky-blue-glazed bowl, Jin dynasty (1115-1234); 10.5 cm diam. Price realised HKD 635,000 (Estimate HKD 500,000 – HKD 800,000) © Christie's Images Ltd 2026

Provenance: Sold at Sotheby’s Hong Kong, 29 April 1997, lot 506

Literature: Chinese Ceramics from the Dawentang Collection, Vol. I, Hong Kong, 2019, pp.84-87, no.6
Zhongguo Minjian Shoucang Taoci Daxi – Xianggang Aomen Taiwan, Hebei, 2019, p. 88
Regina Krahl, Arts of Asia, Hong Kong, July – August 2020, p.126, fig. 5

Note: The bowl is well potted with deep, rounded sides rising from a short foot, covered overall with a sky-blue glaze that thins to a beige mushroom tone on the mouth rim.

The present vessel is of an unusual shape with short rounded sides resembling an alms bowl. Compare to a similar Jun bowl in the Suzhou Museum, with a glaze of a slightly lighter tone; another formerly in the Sir Percival David Foundation Collection, now housed in the British Museum, illustrated in Percival David Foundation of Chinese Art: A Guide to the Collection, London, 2002, p.38, no.12; and one published in Chinese Ceramics from the Meiyintang Collection, Vol. 1, London, 1994, no. 384.

Lot 903. Property from the Dawentang Collection. A very rare Yue celadon ‘Zhang Qian on a raft’ ewer and cover, Five Dynasties-Early Northern Song dynasty, 10th century; 20.1 cm high. Price realised HKD 5,080,000 (Estimate HKD 2,500,000 – HKD 5,000,000) © Christie's Images Ltd 2026

Provenance: Sold at Sotheby’s Hong Kong, 5 November 1996, lot 702

Literature: Chinese Ceramics from the Dawentang Collection, Vol. I, Hong Kong, 2019, pp. 68-71, no.2
Zhongguo Minjian Shoucang Taoci Daxi – Xianggang Aomen Taiwan, Hebei, 2019, pp. 44-45
Peter Y.K. Lam, Featuring Fifty Favourite Objects, Arts of Asia, Hong Kong, January- February 2020, p. 81

Exhibited: Hong Kong Museum of Art, Honouring Tradition and Heritage: Min Chiu Society at Sixty, Hong Kong, 18 December 2020 – 28 April 2021, cat. no. 14

Note: The ewer is well-proportioned with a globular body supported on a short foot, carved on each side depicting Zhang Qian seated on a raft, his belongings suspended from a gnarled branch above his head, floating down a fast-flowing river. The cover is carved with ruyi-form clouds below a lotus bud finial, covered overall with a smooth, clear greyish-green glaze.

The story of an immortal sailing on a raft was first recorded in the Jin dynasty classic Bowu Zhi. In the Sui and Tang dynasties, the tale of Zhang Qian’s raft voyage spread widely, reflecting the literati’s ideal of transcending the mundane world. The present ewer stands as a perfect example of such ideals being integrated in porcelain creation.

Compared with ewers of the Tang dynasty, those of the Five Dynasties period exhibit more intricate construction; their spouts are slender and elongated, making them more practical for use. A nearly identical Northern Song ‘Zhang Qian sailing on a raft’ Yue ewer, excavated in Wenzhou in 2005 and housed in the Wenzhou Museum, is illustrated in Focus on the Treasures-Wu’s Culture Heritage Reimagined, Beijing, 2025, pp.6-19. Compare to another Northern Song dynasty Yue ewer, also with Immortals design, but of slightly smaller size, from the Capital Museum, Beijing, see Zhongguo Meishu Quanji: Taoci, Vol.2, Shanghai, 1988, no.126 (fig. 1). Compare also a similar Yue ewer carved with peony scrolls in the Umezawa Gallery, Japan, illustrated in Mayuyama, Seventy Years, Vol. 1, Tokyo, 1976, p.117, no.336; and a Five dynasties Yue ewer in the Palace Museum, Beijing, without a cover, collection number: gu 00142989.

Lot 908. Property from the Dawentang Collection. A rare green and aubergine-enamelled jar and cover, Jiajing period (1522-1566); 15.6 cm high. Price realised HKD 635,000 (Estimate HKD 500,000 – HKD 700,000) © Christie's Images Ltd 2026

Provenance: Collection of Edward T. Chow
Sold at Sotheby's Hong Kong, The Edward T. Chow Collection Part One: Ming & Qing Porcelain, 25 November 1980, lot 43
Offered at Sotheby's Hong Kong, 4 November 1997, lot 1421

Literature: Chinese Ceramics from the Dawentang Collection, Vol. I, Hong Kong, 2019, pp.224-227, no. 38
Regina Krahl, Arts of Asia, Hong Kong, July – August 2020, p.127, fig. 6

Exhibited: Hong Kong Museum of History, The Radiant Ming 1368-1644 through the Min Chiu Society Collection, Hong Kong, 2015, cat. no. 128

Note: It is very rare to find a Jiajing jar of this design with a striking combination of rich green and aubergine enamels. No other identical example appears to have been published. The enamels on the jar are characteristic of those found on imperial Jiajing wares, such as a green-enamelled zhadou incised with phoenix motifs in the Palace Museum, illustrated in Imperial Porcelains from the Reign of Jiajing, Longquan and Wanli in the Ming Dynasty, Beijing, 2018, no. 162.

Lot 909. Property from the Dawentang Collection. A fine and superb yellow-enamelled dish, Jiajing six-character mark in underglaze blue within a double circle and of the period (1522-1566); 17 cm diam. Price realised HKD 508,000 (Estimate HKD 400,000 – HKD 600,000) © Christie's Images Ltd 2026

Provenance: Sold at Christie’s Hong Kong, 4 November 1996, lot 724

Literature: Peter Y.K. Lam, Hong Kong Choices: Ming and Qing Imperial Porcelain from Three Prominent Collections, Arts of Asia, Hong Kong, July - August 2017, p.59, fig. 7

Chinese Ceramics from the Dawentang Collection, Vol. I, Hong Kong, 2019, pp.220-223, no. 37

Exhibited: Hong Kong Museum of Art, The Grandeur of Chinese Art Treasures: Min Chiu Society Golden Jubilee Exhibition, Hong Kong, 25 September 2010 – 2 January 2011, cat. no. 151

Hong Kong Museum of History, The Radiant Ming 1368-1644 through the Min Chiu Society Collection, Hong Kong, 2015, cat. no. 112

Lot 910. Property from the Dawentang Collection. A rare blue and white 'Boys at play' square vase, Yongzheng six-character mark in underglaze blue and of the period (1723-1735); 13 cm high. Price realised HKD 1,270,000 (Estimate HKD 600,000 – HKD 800,000) © Christie's Images Ltd 2026

Provenance: Sold at Sotheby’s Hong Kong, 2 November 1998, lot 392

Literature: Chinese Ceramics from the Dawentang Collection, Vol. II, Hong Kong, 2019, pp.370-373, no. 57

Note : Small Yongzheng ‘boys’ square vases are rare. Compare a slightly smaller one from the collection of Miss Dorothy Bushell, now in the Victoria and Albert Museum, accession number: FE.118-1975; a similar one from the John Gardner Coolidge Collection, lent by Mrs. John Gardner Coolidge since 1946 to the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, accession number: 46.802; and one sold at Christie’s Hong Kong, The Au Bak Ling Collection, Volume II, 30 October 2025, lot 953.

Lot 912. Property from the Dawentang Collection. A rare pair of doucai 'figures in landscape' dishes, Yongzheng six-character marks in three lines in underglaze blue within double circles and of the period (1723-1735). One: 15.6 cm diam. The other: 15.4 cm diam. Price realised HKD 1,778,000 (Estimate HKD 1,500,000 – HKD 3,000,000) © Christie's Images Ltd 2026

Provenance: C.T. Loo, Paris
Bluett & Sons, London, purchased from the above in Paris in November 1951, no.2062
Collection of H. M. Knight, purchased from the above on 21 March 1952
Sold at Sotheby’s London, 12 May 1970, lot 93
Collection of Paul and Helen Bernat
Sold at Sotheby’s Hong Kong, The Paul and Helen Bernat Collection of Important Qing Imperial Porcelain and Works of Art, 15 November 1988, lot 13
Sold at Sotheby’s Hong Kong, 30 October 2000, lot 155

Literature: Chinese Ceramics from the Dawentang Collection, Vol. II, Hong Kong, 2019, pp.416-421, nos. 70-71

Exhibited: Rijksmuseum Amsterdam, Oosterse Schatten, 4000 Jaar Aziatische Kunst, Amsterdam, 1954, cat. no. 384
The Capital Museum, Treasures of Hong Kong: The 20th Anniversary of Hong Kong’s Handover, Beijing, 2017, cat. no. 163
Hong Kong Museum of Art, Honouring Tradition and Heritage: Min Chiu Society at Sixty, Hong Kong, 18 December 2020 – 28 April 2021, cat. no. 117

Note: Each dish is exquisitely painted in vibrant tones, one depicts a hermit on a mule followed by his attendant crossing a bridge beside a riverside landscape, the other with a fisherman fishing from a rocky shore. The exterior is decorated with long arched stalks of bamboo and lingzhi growing from rockwork.

While a number of Yongzheng doucai dishes with a central medallion scene survive, exceedingly few examples are decorated with figures in landscape. Compare to a Yongzheng doucai ‘immortals’ dish from the Palace Museum, Beijing, illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum, Porcelains in Polychrome and Contrasting Colours, Hong Kong, 1999, no.219. Compare also to a Yongzheng dish painted with an immortal and his attendant, the exterior further decorated with arched bamboos and lingzhi, housed in the Tsinghua University Art Museum, Beijing.

Lot 913. Property from the Dawentang Collection. A fine and very rare copper-red glazed and green-enamelled langyao 'chi dragon' bottle vase, Kangxi period (1662-1722)2;18.4 cm high, wood stand. Price realised HKD 6,604,000 (Estimate HKD 1,500,000 – HKD 2,500,000) © Christie's Images Ltd 2026

Provenance: Collection of Edward T. Chow
Collection of Man-Chung Wang
Sold at Christie’s New York, 19 September 2007, lot 386

Literature: H.D. Ling and E.T. Chow, Collection of Chinese Ceramics from the Hall of Leisurely Pastime, Vol. II, Hong Kong, 1950, no.115
Chinese Ceramics from the Dawentang Collection, Vol. II, Hong Kong, 2019, pp.362-365, no. 54

Exhibited: Hong Kong Museum of Art, The Grandeur of Chinese Art Treasures: Min Chiu Society Golden Jubilee Exhibition, Hong Kong, 25 September 2010 – 2 January 2011, cat. no. 165
Hong Kong Museum of Art, Honouring Tradition and Heritage: Min Chiu Society at Sixty, Hong Kong, 18 December 2020 – 28 April 2021, cat. no. 104

Note: The body and tall neck are covered with a rich vibrant strawberry-crackled glaze, the unique greenish band on the mouth rim is delicately incised with a pacing chi-dragon and a mythical beast and painted in black enamel.

Langyao wares from the Kangxi period are usually covered with a high-fired copper-red glaze or copper-green glaze. The current vase, with a combination of copper-red glaze and a band of low-fired green enamel on the mouth, further adorned with dragons in black enamels, is almost unseen on other examples and might possibly be unique, making it extremely rare. It is all the more remarkable for its small size, which is ideal for scholarly desk display and appreciation.

Compare to two larger Langyao red-glazed bottle vases, but without incised decorations, one sold at Christie’s Hong Kong, The Au Bak Ling Collection, Volume II, 30 October 2025, lot 923; and one sold at Christie’s New York, The Collection of Robert Hatfield Ellsworth Part III, 19 March 2015, lot 449.

Vibrant red glazes had always been treasured by the Qing emperors. Emperor Qianlong, for example, highly admired copper-red glazed vases and composed poems to express his affection. One such poem is published in Qinggaozong Yuzhi Shiwen Quanji – Yuzhishi Siji, Vol. 21, 1976, Taipei, p. 585.

Lot 914. Property from the Dawentang Collection. A rare carved white-glazed ‘cloud’ water pot, Kangxi six-character mark in underglaze blue in three lines and of the period (1662-1722); 7.2 cm high. Price realised HKD 2,794,000 (Estimate HKD 1,200,000 – HKD 1,800,000) © Christie's Images Ltd 2026

Provenance:: Alice Boney, New York
Bluett & Sons, London, purchased from the above on 9 February 1962
Collection of E. T. Hall, purchased from the above on 13 June 1962, no.125
Sold at Sotheby’s Hong Kong, 2 May 2000, lot 516
 

Literature: Sotheby’s Thirty Years in Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 2003, no. 130
Chinese Ceramics from the Dawentang Collection, Vol. II, Hong Kong, 2019, pp.354-357, no. 52
Peter Y.K. Lam, Imperial Kangxi Porcelain from the Dawentang Collection, Arts of Asia, Spring 2021, p.36, fig. 7
 

Exhibited:: Oriental Ceramic Society, The Arts of the Ch’ing Dynasty, London, 1964, cat. no. 305
Oriental Ceramic Society, The Chinese Scholars Desk, 17th to 18th century, Ashmolean Museum, Oxford, 1979, cat. no.14
Hong Kong Museum of Art, Honouring Tradition and Heritage: Min Chiu Society at Sixty, Hong Kong, 18 December 2020 – 28 April 2021, cat. no. 103

Note : The gently incurving sides are finely carved to depict billowing clouds of ruyi form rising in columns, covered overall with a pale even white glaze of lustrous tone.

Water pots of this type are more commonly found covered with a celadon glaze. White-glazed examples like the current lot are far rarer. A similar Kangxi white-glazed water pot is found in the Shanghai Museum, recorded in Zhongguo Taoci Quanji,vol. 14, Shanghai, 2000, no.127. Compare also to a white-glazed water pot from the collection of Mr. Quincy Chuang, illustrated in An Anthology of Chinese Ceramics, Hong Kong, 1980, p.164, no.121. For celadon-glazed examples, see one in the Palace Museum, Beijing, illustrated in Qing Porcelain of Kangxi, Yongzheng and Qianlong Periods from the Palace Museum Collection, Hong Kong, 1989, no.130; and one formerly in the collection of Diana D. Ashcroft, sold at Christie’s Hong Kong, 31 May 2017, lot 3013. A pair of this shape but decorated with doucai decorations was formerly in the Greenwald Collection, sold at Christie’s Hong Kong, 1 December 2010, lot 2816.

Lot 916. Property from the Dawentang Collection. A superb pair of famille rose pink-enamelled ‘Peony’ bowls, Yongzheng period (1723-1735); 10.5 cm diam. Price realised HKD 1,778,000 (Estimate HKD 1,200,000 – HKD 2,500,000) © Christie's Images Ltd 2026

Provenance: Collection of H. M. Knight

Sold at Sotheby's London, 12 May 1970, lot 114

Collection of E.T. Hall, nos. 377 and 378

Sold at Christie's London, The E.T. Hall Collection of Chinese Monochrome Porcelains, 7 June 2004, lot 140

Sold at Christie’s Hong Kong, 29 May 2013, lot 2108

Literature: Chinese Ceramics from the Dawentang Collection, Vol. II, Hong Kong, 2019, pp.404-407, nos. 65-66

Note : Each bowl is finely potted with deep rounded sides rising from a straight foot. The exterior is covered with a vibrant ruby-red enamel, the interior is finely decorated with a blooming peony spray.

Compare to a similar bowl from the Meiyintang Collection, however, decorated with fruits to the interior, illustrated by Regina Krahl, Chinese Ceramics from the Meiyintang Collection, vol.2, London, 1994, no.957, later sold at Guardian Beijing, 27 June 2022, lot 2815; compare also a pair of ruby-red ground cups painted with three flower buds to the interior, from the J. M. Hu Collection, illustrated in Qing Imperial Monochromes – The Zande Lou Collection, Hong Kong, 2005, no. 16; and a tea bowl decorated with prunus to the interior, sold at Christie’s Hong Kong, 31 May 2017, lot 3015.

Lot 918. Property from the Dawentang Collection. A fine and exceptionally rare Ge-type glazed double-gourd vase, Yongzheng six-character seal mark in underglaze blue and of the period (1723-1735); 24.4 cm high. Price realised HKD 6,985,000 (Estimate HKD 4,000,000 – HKD 6,000,000) © Christie's Images Ltd 2026

Provenance: Collection of Edward T. Chow (1910-1980)

Sold at Sotheby’s Hong Kong, The Edward T. Chow Collection: Part One, 25 November 1980, lot 90

Collection of Robert Chang (1927-2024)

Sold at Sotheby’s Hong Kong, 25 April 2004, lot 262

Literature: Peter Y.K. Lam, Hong Kong Choices: Ming and Qing Imperial Porcelain from Three Prominent Collections, Arts of Asia, Hong Kong, 2017, p.68, fig. 29

Chinese Ceramics from the Dawentang Collection, Vol. II, Hong Kong, 2019, pp.450-453, no.80

Exhibited: An Exhibition of Important Chinese Ceramics from the Robert Chang Collection, London, 1993, cat. no. 60

The Oriental Ceramic Society of Hong Kong, Art & Imitation in China, Hong Kong, 14 October – 17 December 2006, cat. no. 78

Hong Kong Museum of Art, The Grandeur of Chinese Art Treasures: Min Chiu Society Golden Jubilee Exhibition, Hong Kong, 25 September 2010 – 2 January 2011, cat. no. 179

Hong Kong Museum of Art, Honouring Tradition and Heritage: Min Chiu Society at Sixty, Hong Kong, 18 December 2020 – 28 April 2021, cat. no. 128

Note : The elaborately potted vase is covered with an even crackled ge-type glaze, the collared neck terminates in a bulbous mouth with a pair of ribbon-like handles. Vases of this double-gourd form are also referred as shuangxi baozhuping, ‘double happiness precious pearl vase’ in Qing court archives.

According to an inventory list included in the palace archives, in the 12th month of 30th year of Guangxu reign (1904), ‘two ge-type shuangxi baozhuping with Yongzheng marks are stored in the Dongshun Shanfang’, very likely referring to ge-type double-gourd vase as the present one.

This form of double-gourd vases with handles first appeared during the Yongzheng period and can be found in a number of different glazes. Compare with a nearly identical vase also from E.T. Chow Collection, sold at Sotheby’s Hong Kong, 19 May 1981, lot 498. A closely related example is a Yongzheng celadon-glaze vase of same form in the Shanghai Museum; another example in blue and white and copper-red decorated is in the Nanjing museum, illustrated in Treasures in the Royalty – The Official Kiln Porcelain of the Chinese Qing Dynasty, Shanghai, 2003, p.128; and a Yongzheng Ru-type one from the Palace Museum, Beijing, illustrated in Selection of Ru Ware – the Palace Museum’s Collection and Archaeological Excavation, Beijing, 2015, no.99.

Lot 919. Property from the Dawentang Collection. A fine and rare lemon yellow-enamelled wine cup, Yongzheng six-character mark in underglaze blue within a double square and of the period (1723-1735); 6.2 cm diam. Price realised HKD 2,032,000 (Estimate HKD 800,000 – HKD 1,500,000) © Christie's Images Ltd 2026

Provenance : Sold at Sotheby’s Hong Kong, 14 November 1989, lot 162

Sold at Sotheby’s Hong Kong, 4 November 1997, lot 1525

Literature: Chinese Ceramics from the Dawentang Collection, Vol. II, Hong Kong, 2019, pp.466-469, no. 84

Exhibited : Hong Kong Museum of Art, Honouring Tradition and Heritage: Min Chiu Society at Sixty, Hong Kong, 18 December 2020 – 28 April 2021, cat. no. 125 (one of two)

Note : The wine cup is covered on the exterior with a vibrant lemon yellow enamel, the interior and base left white. The cup is rare for its size and double square mark. Compare to a nearly identical cup bearing a double square Yongzheng mark, from the collection of Dr. Ip Yee, was included in An Anthology of Chinese Ceramics, Hong Kong, 1980, no.128.

Lot 920. Property from the Dawentang Collection. A fine and rare Ru-type glazed octagonal vase, Qianlong six-character seal mark in underglaze blue and of the period (1736-1795); 21.2 cm high. Price realised HKD 2 (Estimate HKD 3,000,000 – HKD 5,000,000) © Christie's Images Ltd 2026

Provenance: Sold at Sotheby’s Hong Kong, 8 April 2010, lot 1922

Literature: Chinese Ceramics from the Dawentang Collection, Vol. II, Hong Kong, 2019, pp.524-527, no. 103

Exhibited: The Capital Museum, Treasures of Hong Kong: The 20th Anniversary of Hong Kong’s Handover, Beijing, 2017, cat. no. 30
Hong Kong Museum of Art, Honouring Tradition and Heritage: Min Chiu Society at Sixty, Hong Kong, 18 December 2020 – 28 April 2021, cat. no. 130

Note: The beauty of Song dynasty glazes was greatly admired by the emperors of the Qing dynasty. The crackled celadon glaze seen on the present vase is an interpretation of the Ru ware, one of the most sought-after wares of the Song dynasty. According to Qing court archives, on the 1st day of the 9th month of Qianlong 16th year (1751), “seven Ru octagonal vases were presented to the Emperor, who then ordered nanmu stands to match them.”.

One example of the Southern Song dynasty guan vase of very similar form as the current lot, is in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, collection number: guci 017701.

Compare to a Qianlong vase of very similar form and glaze from the National Palace Museum, Taipei, illustrated in Catalog of the Special Exhibition of K’ang-Hsi, Yung-Cheng and Ch’ien-Lung Porcelain Ware from the Ch’ing Dynasty in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, 1986, cat. no. 102; one from the Avery Brundage Collection, now in the Asian Art Museum, San Francisco, collection number: B60P2321; a pair from J. M. Hu Collection, now in the Shanghai Museum, illustrated in Qing Imperial Monochromes – the Zande Lou Collection, Hong Kong, 2005, no.29.

Lot 921. Property from the Dawentang Collection. A fine lemon yellow-enamelled tea bowl, Yongzheng six-character mark in underglaze blue within a double circle and of the period (1723-1735); 9 cm diam. Price realised HKD 1,651,000 (Estimate HKD 800,000 – HKD 1,500,000) © Christie's Images Ltd 2026

Provenance: Collection of Jingguantang (T. T. Tsui)
Sold at Christie’s Hong Kong, The Jingguantang Collection: Magnificent Chinese Works of Art, 3 November 1996, lot 558

Literature: Chinese Ceramics from the Dawentang Collection, Vol. II, Hong Kong, 2019, pp.474-477, no. 87

Exhibited: Hong Kong Museum of Art, Honouring Tradition and Heritage: Min Chiu Society at Sixty, Hong Kong, 18 December 2020 – 28 April 2021, cat. no. 125 (one of two)

Note: The ‘lemon-yellow’ enamel is an enamel of pastel tone mixed with white to achieve opaqueness, which was almost exclusively used for small cups and bowls during the Yongzheng and Qianlong periods. Compare to a slightly smaller pair of lemon yellow-enamelled tea bowls, from the Au Bak Ling collection, sold at Christie’s Hong Kong, 26 September 2024, lot 13; and a pair from the Leshantang collection, sold at Sotheby’s Hong Kong, 9 April 2024, lot 105.

Lot 924. Property from the Dawentang Collection. A superb and exceptionally rare copper-red-decorated and blue and white 'dragon' moonflask, Qianlong six-character seal mark in underglaze blue and of the period (1736-1795); 32 cm high. Price realised HKD 4,445,000 (Estimate HKD 3,500,000 – HKD 5,000,000) © Christie's Images Ltd 2026

Provenance: Sold at Sotheby’s London, 12 June 1990, lot 305
Sold at Sotheby’s Hong Kong, 8 October 2006, lot 1063

Literature: Tina Yee-wan Pang, A Passion for Collecting: The Oriental Ceramic Society of Hong Kong, Orientations, vol. 43, January- February 2012, p.50
Chinese Ceramics from the Dawentang Collection, Vol. II, Hong Kong, 2019, pp. 486-489, no. 91

Exhibited: The Oriental Ceramic Society of Hong Kong, Divine Power: The Dragon in Chinese Art, Hong Kong, 11 February – 31 October 2012, cat. p.109
Hong Kong Museum of Art, Honouring Tradition and Heritage: Min Chiu Society at Sixty, Hong Kong, 18 December 2020 – 28 April 2021, cat. no. 135

Note: Each side of the vase is decorated in vibrant copper-red tones with a dragon leaping in pursuit of a copper-red flaming pearl amidst blue clouds and above a band of wind-tossed waves, and a pair of arched handles painted with classic scroll flanks the cylindrical neck.

This type of moonflask is also known as ‘ma gua ping’. According to Qing court archives, on the 8th day of the 4th month of the Qianlong 7th year (1742), ‘court official Hai Wang received an order to make a few ma gua ping with copper-red dragons and underglaze-blue clouds over a white ground, to be passed on to Tang Ying in Jiangxi’. The present moonflask may be one of those recorded flasks.

Compare to a very similar Qianlong moonflask from the Palace Museum, Beijing, illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum, Blue and White Porcelain with Underglazed Red (III) , Hong Kong, 2000, no. 213; a larger one was exhibited in the Hong Kong Museum of Art, illustrated in The Wonders of the Potter's Palette, Hong Kong Museum of Art, 1994, no. 66; one from the collection of Gerald Reitlinger, illustrated by Soame Jenyns, Later Chinese Porcelain, London, 1971, P. XCIV, fig. 1.

Compare to a larger flask of the same form and design, sold at Christie’s Hong Kong, 3 November 1996, lot 776; and one sold at Sotheby’s Hong Kong, 7 April 2009, lot 1605.

Lot 926. Property from the Dawentang Collection. A fine large Ru-type glazed carved 'chi dragon' charger, Yongzheng six-character seal mark in underglaze blue and of the period (1723-1735); 50.8 cm diam. Price realised HKD 1,905,000 (Estimate HKD 1,800,000 – HKD 3,000,000) © Christie's Images Ltd 2026

Provenance: Sold at Sotheby’s Hong Kong, 4 May 1994, lot 105

Literature: Chinese Ceramics from the Dawentang Collection, Vol. II, Hong Kong, 2019, pp.446-449, no.79

Exhibited: The Oriental Ceramic Society of Hong Kong, Divine Power: The Dragon in Chinese Art, Hong Kong, 11 February – 31 October 2012, cat. p.98
The Capital Museum, Treasures of Hong Kong: The 20th Anniversary of Hong Kong’s Handover, Beijing, 2017, cat. no. 26
Hong Kong Museum of Art, Honouring Tradition and Heritage: Min Chiu Society at Sixty, Hong Kong, 18 December 2020 – 28 April 2021, cat. no. 127

Note: The centre is finely carved with a medallion enclosing a chi dragon leaping among puffs of cloud. The exterior is carved with a border of upright overlapping petals, covered overall with an elegant pale celadon glaze to imitate the Ru ware.

A Yongzheng dish of the same pattern from the T. Y. Chao collection is illustrated in Ming and Ch’ing Porcelain from the Collection of the T Y Chao Family Foundation, Hong Kong, 1978, no.46, later sold at Sotheby’s Hong Kong, 19 May 1987, lot 286. Another example in the Shanghai Museum, previously from the collection of J. M. Hu, is illustrated in Qing Imperial Monochromes – the Zande Lou Collection, Hong Kong, 2005, no.7; a further example formerly in the Tsui Museum of Art, is recorded in Chinese Ceramics - Qing Dynasty, IV, Hong Kong, 1995, no. 20.

The dish is likely modelled after the Longquan prototype. Compare to a similarly decorated Yuan dynasty Longquan ‘dragon’ dish from the Palace Museum, Beijing, collection number: gu 00143222.

Lot 927. Property from the Dawentang Collection. A fine doucai ‘chrysanthemum medallion’ bowl, Yongzheng six-character mark in underglaze blue within a double square and of the period (1723-1735); 11.8 cm.) diam. Price realised HKD 1,905,000 (Estimate HKD 500,000 – HKD 800,000) © Christie's Images Ltd 2026

Provenance: Sold at Sotheby’s Hong Kong, 1 November 1999, lot 365

Literature: Chinese Ceramics from the Dawentang Collection, Vol. II, Hong Kong, 2019, pp.434-437, no.76
Zhongguo Minjian Shoucang Taoci Daxi – Xianggang Aomen Taiwan, Hebei, 2019, p.266

Exhibited: Hong Kong Museum of Art, Honouring Tradition and Heritage: Min Chiu Society at Sixty, Hong Kong, 18 December 2020 – 28 April 2021, cat. no. 118

Note: The current bowl is very rare bearing a double square mark. A very similar pair of bowls is illustrated in Chinese Porcelain, The S.C. Ko. Tianminlou Collection, Hong Kong, 1987, pl.100; and a larger example in the Palace Museum, Beijing, is recorded in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum, Porcelains in Polychrome and Contrasting Colours, Hong Kong, 1999, p.250, pl.229.

Lot 928. Property from the Dawentang Collection. A rare doucai ‘chrysanthemum medallion’ globular jar, Yongzheng six-character mark in underglaze blue within a double circle and of the period (1723-1735); 10.2 cm high. Price realised HKD 1,651,000 (Estimate HKD 600,000 – HKD 800,000) © Christie's Images Ltd 2026

Provenance: Sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 2 May 1994, lot 692
Sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 3 November 1998, lot 957

Literature: Chinese Ceramics from the Dawentang Collection, Vol. II, Hong Kong, 2019, pp.430-433, no.75
Zhongguo Minjian Shoucang Taoci Daxi – Xianggang Aomen Taiwan, Hebei, 2019, p.264

Note: The design of the current jar is inspired by its Chenghua prototype, such as the Chenghua-marked doucai jar with medallions of chrysanthemums and butterflies from the Qing Court Collection, illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum, Porcelains in Polychrome and Contrasting Colours, Hong Kong, 1999, no. 166.

Compare also to a Yongzheng example in the Palace Museum, Beijing, illustrated in Dayun Painted Porcelain of the Qing Dynasty, Vol. 1, Beijing, 2024, no. 2, which is also featured on the cover.

Lot 929. Property from the Dawentang Collection. A rare pair of small falangcai ruby-red ground 'chrysanthemum' dishes, Yongzheng blue enamel four-character marks in double squares and of the period (1723-1735); 9 cm diam. Price realised HKD 3,175,000 (Estimate HKD 2,500,000 – HKD 5,000,000) © Christie's Images Ltd 2026

Provenance: Sold at Sotheby’s Hong Kong, 29 October 1991, lot 247
Offered at Sotheby’s Hong Kong, 9 October 2012, lot 3069

Literature: Peter Y.K. Lam, Hong Kong Choices: Ming and Qing Imperial Porcelain from Three Prominent Collections, Arts of Asia, Hong Kong, 2017, p.66, fig. 25
Chinese Ceramics from the Dawentang Collection, Vol. II, Hong Kong, 2019, pp.382-387, nos. 60-61
Regina Krahl, Arts of Asia, Hong Kong, July - August 2020, p.125, fig. 2

Exhibited: Hong Kong Museum of Art, Honouring Tradition and Heritage: Min Chiu Society at Sixty, Hong Kong, 18 December 2020 – 28 April 2021, cat. no. 115

Note: This pair of delightful dishes are decorated with sprays of chrysanthemum against a rich ruby-red ground. The petals are vividly detailed in white and pale yellow at the centre, while the leaves are picked out in turquoise and lime green.

The ruby-red enamel was originally developed in Europe, but Chinese craftsmen made significant improvements through reducing the proportion of colloidal gold and the amount of tin, which symbolised a breakthrough development. According to the Qing court archives, on the 8th day of the 9th month in the Yongzheng 10th year (1732), the Enamel Workshop records: “A total of nine pairs of painted enamel ‘chrysanthemum’ dishes, bowls, tea cups, and wine cups were produced and presented to the emperor”. The present pair of dishes is presumably one of the dishes documented in the records.

A pair of similar ‘chrysanthemum’ dishes can be found in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, illustrated in Porcelain with Painted Enamels of Qing Yongzheng Period (1723-1735), Taipei, 2013, no.9, collection number: guci 17107, 17108 (fig. 1); and a slightly larger one was sold at Christie’s Hong Kong, The Imperial Sale, 1 June 2011, lot 3649.

A related ruby-red ground Yongzheng-marked dish but enamelled with bamboo from the National Palace Museum, is recorded in Special Exhibition of Ch’ing Dynasty Enamelled Porcelains of the Imperial Ateliers, Taipei, 1992, p.197, no.99; and a pair enamelled with prunus is illustrated op.cit., pp.42-43, no. 11.

Lot 930. Property from the Dawentang Collection. An exceedingly fine and exceptional pair of blue and white garlic-mouth 'sanduo' vases, Qianlong six-character seal marks in underglaze blue and of the period (1736-1795); 28.2 cm high. Price realised HKD 5,715,000 (Estimate HKD 3,000,000 – HKD 5,000,000) © Christie's Images Ltd 2026

Provenance: S. Marchant and Son, London
Sold at Christie’s Hong Kong, 27 October 2003, lot 635

Literature: Chinese Ceramics from the Dawentang Collection, Vol. II, Hong Kong, 2019, pp.482-485, nos. 89-90

Exhibited: Hong Kong Museum of Art, Honouring Tradition and Heritage: Min Chiu Society at Sixty, Hong Kong, 18 December 2020 – 28 April 2021, cat. no. 133

Note: Each vase is elegantly shaped with smoothly sloping shoulders and elongated neck. The globular body is finely decorated with flowering branches, all between a band of upright petals and ruyi key frets to the shoulder. The underglaze blue decoration of the present pair is inspired by the Yongle and Xuande prototypes. According to Qing court archives, on the 25th day of the 6th month of Qianlong 3rd year (1738), a ‘Xuande blue and white garlic-mouth vase’ was delivered to Tang Ying, the superintendent in Jingdezhen, possibly as a commission to make imitation copies. The present pair is possibly one of such vases.

Vases of this shape and design were first seen in the Yongzheng reign. Compare to a Yongzheng example in the National Museum of China, Beijing, which serves as a model for later periods.

Compare to a very similar Qianlong vase from the National Palace Museum, Taipei, illustrated in Blue and White Ware of the Ch’ing Dynasty, vol. 2, Hong Kong, 1968, pl.5 (fig. 1); one from the Nanjing Museum, recorded in Treasures in the Royalty – The Official Kiln Porcelain of the Chinese Qing Dynasty, Shanghai, 2003, p.211; one from the Wangxinglou Collection, sold at Christie’s Hong Kong, 30 May 2022, lot 2718; and one from the Tianminlou Collection, sold at Sotheby’s Hong Kong, 3 April 2019, lot 14.

Lot 931. Property from the Dawentang Collection. A pair of famille rose ‘melon and butterfly’ bowls, Qianlong six-character seal marks in underglaze blue and of the period (1736-1795). One: 10.8 cm diam. The other: 11 cm diam. Price realised HKD 889,000 (Estimate HKD 700,000 – HKD 900,000) © Christie's Images Ltd 2026

Provenance:
One: Sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 29 May 2007, lot 1519
Sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 1 December 2009, lot 1927

The other: Sold at Sotheby's Hong Kong, 25 November 1987, lot 191
Sold at Christie's New York, 25 March 2011, lot 1703

Literature: Chinese Ceramics from the Dawentang Collection, Vol. II, Hong Kong, 2019, pp.512-515, nos.97-98

Exhibited: The Capital Museum, Treasures of Hong Kong: The 20th Anniversary of Hong Kong’s Handover, Beijing, 2017, cat. no. 185

Note: Each bowl is delicately enamelled with fruiting and flowering melon vine and bamboo which continue over the rim into the interior. The ripe melons burst open to show the red seeds, with a pink butterfly in flight.

Compare to a very similar bowl from the Nanjing Museum, illustrated in Treasures in the Royalty – the Official Kiln Porcelain of the Chinese Qing Dynasty, Shanghai, 2003, p.218. A pair of bowls previously from Sir Percival David Collection, now in the British Museum and illustrated by Rosemary Scott, Illustrated Catalogue of Qing Enamelled Ware in the Percival David Foundation of Chinese Art, London, 1991, no.898.

Christie's. PEARLS OF THE ORIENT - TREASURES FROM HONG KONG PRIVATE COLLECTORS, Hong Kong, 30 April 2026