Hong Kong – This spring, Christie’s Hong Kong will once again be presenting some of the world’s most coveted and sought after imperial works of art with the unveiling of the tremendously important Yongzheng-period celadon-glazed amphora. With powerful presence and remarkable design, the large amphora will be proudly offered as a single lot stand-alone sale.

The Yongzheng emperor’s reverence for the past is exemplified by its unusual form of two powerful dragon handles flanking a bamboo-form neck above a baluster body, which is by inspired by Tang dynasty pottery prototypes, while the resplendent bluish-green glaze harks back to the Longquan celadon wares made in the Song dynasty. Yongzheng amphorae of this size and intricacy are incredibly difficult to fire, with very few examples surviving to present day, most of which are in important museum collections around the world.

The current lot set a world record price for a Qing monochrome porcelain when it was offered at Christie’s in 2004 and sold for HK$17,423,750. It is expected to generate enthusiastic bidding once again this season and set a new record price. On 31 May, collectors will be presented with this privileged opportunity to acquire among the finest and rarest works of art from this period.