Across the vast arc of Chinese history, countless magnificent works of art have emerged, each bearing witness to the cultural sophistication of its time. Among them, monochrome wares stand apart for their quiet beauty and enduring allure. With subtle complexity and restrained grace, they continue to captivate the modern eye.
This season, at Christie’s Hong Kong Autumn Auctions, the Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art department presents not only its flagship sale, Important Chinese and Asian Works of Art, but also two highly anticipated single-owner sales: The Au Bak Ling Collection Volume II and The Ai Lian Tang Collection – Imperial Scholar’s Objects – all of which include notable examples of monochrome art.
With Christie’s Asian Art Week now in full swing – and the preview currently on view at The Henderson building through 29 October – Marco Almeida, Head of Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, guides us through three standout highlights from the Hong Kong Autumn Auctions.
Lot 1009 | A Magnificent and Extremely Rare Ding Carved ‘Peony’ Vase
Northern Song dynasty (960-1127)
Height: 25 cm
Provenance:
- Collection of Sir Alan and Lady Barlow (1881-1968 and 1885-1989)
- Sold at Christie’s London, 8 December 1986, lot 227
- The Muwen Tang Collection
- Sold at Sotheby’s London, 12 November 2003, lot 8
- Eskenazi Ltd., London
- Xiwenguo Zhai Collection
- Sold at Sotheby’s Hong Kong, 5 April 2017, lot 3218
Sale: Important Chinese and Asian Works of Art
Estimate: HK$18,000,000 – 25,000,000
Ding ware is one of the most celebrated ceramics from the Song dynasty, notable for its warm ivory tone. What often graces the market are open forms such as washers and plates, making the availability of a vase—especially of this shape—remarkable. To date, only two comparable examples exist; one is housed in the Beijing Palace Museum, adorned with dragons, while the other, similar in form and recently discovered, can be found in the Zulu County Museum in Hebei.
Key qualities of Ding ware that attract collectors include its exquisite glaze, elegant form, and refined decoration. This vase exemplifies all three, showcasing a particularly fine glaze and intricate carving that harmoniously aligns with its structure.
This piece’s distinguished provenance adds to its allure. Sir Alan Barlow was a notable collector in early 20th-century Britain, contributing to the Western appreciation of Chinese art. His collection, including this vase, has made its mark in esteemed institutions like the British Museum and the Ashmolean Museum.
Lot 926 | A Fine and Extremely Rare Peachbloom-Glazed ‘Three-String’ Vase, Laifu Zun
Kangxi six-character mark in underglaze blue and of the period (1662-1722)
Height: 20.5 cm
Provenance:
- Sold at Sotheby’s Hong Kong, 21 May 1979, lot 95
Sale: The Au Bak Ling Collection Volume II
Estimate: HK$18,000,000 – 25,000,000
The newly expanded Au Bak Ling Collection showcases 45 pieces that offer a broader testament to Mr. Au’s exceptional taste. Featured prominently is the peachbloom-glazed laifu zun, a radish-shaped vase recognized as one of the finest of its kind in recent years. This vase has a remarkable history, having starred in Mr. Au’s landmark 1998 exhibition at the Royal Academy of Arts in London, a first for a private collection of Chinese porcelain at the institution.
Peachbloom glaze, exclusive to specific scholars’ objects from the Kangxi period, possesses an enchanting depth of pink with green speckles that emerge upon closer inspection. This distinctive glaze is challenging to achieve, as it requires a reduction firing process that yields unpredictable results, each piece thus becomes uniquely individualistic.
Lot 808 | A Magnificent and Extremely Rare Emerald-Green Jadeite Archaistic Censer and Cover, Fangding
Late Qing dynasty
Height: 16.5 cm
Provenance:
- Baron Fujita Denzaburo (1841-1912), Osaka
- Sold at an auction organized by Osaka Bijitsu Club, held at the Baron Fujita family residence, on 10 May 1929, no. 238
- Sold at Sotheby’s Hong Kong, 2 May 2000, lot 797
Sale: The Ai Lian Tang Collection – Imperial Scholar’s Objects
Estimate: HK$6,000,000 – 8,000,000
The Ai Lian Tang Collection embodies the passions of a dedicated connoisseur deeply engaged with Chinese art, covering a range of items from jade carvings to scholars’ artifacts. Among the most striking pieces is the jadeite censer, carved from a notably large block of jadeite, yielding an emerald hue that captivates the eye.
Jadeite in China gained prominence during the Qing dynasty, especially under the Qianlong Emperor, who was famed for his fascination with antiquity. This censer not only reflects his historical interests but also boasts an exquisite design that showcases the depth and translucency of the jadeite, highlighting areas of vivid color while elegantly downplaying less saturated spots.
Previously owned by Baron Fujita Denzaburō, a key financial figure and museum founder during the Meiji period, this piece carries significant historical importance, having been released at a dedicated auction of his illustrious collection in 1929.
Christie’s Hong Kong | 2025 Autumn Asian Art Week
Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art
Venue: 6/F, The Henderson, Hong Kong
Preview: Now until 29 October 2025
Auctions: 30 October 2025
- The Ai Lian Tang Collection – Imperial Scholar’s Objects｜10:30am
- The Au Bak Ling Collection Volume II｜11:15am
- Important Chinese and Asian Works of Art｜2:30pm