HK's Top 10... Expensive auction items!

1 The Meiyintang Chicken Cup, ceramic 

$281m, 2014, Sotheby’s

The holy grail of Chinese ceramic connoisseurship, this flawless doucai (joined colours) ware is ultra-rare, due to its exceptionally difficult technical elements. Built during the Ming Dynasty’s Chenghua rule more than 500 years ago, it features a red rooster with a golden hen, a brood of chicks and flowers. Today, it’s next to impossible to acquire a genuine Chenghua ceramic, with less than three perfect ceramics available and most remaining in private collections.

2 Lotus and Mandarin Ducks – Zhang Daqian, art 

$191m, 2011, Sotheby’s

One of the greatest Chinese painters of the 20th century, Zhang Daqian developed his technique of pocai (splashed ink and a multitude of colours) due to his failing eyesight. This 1947 hanging scroll from the Mei Yung Tang Collection features charcoal and vermillion-red shades of bloomed lotus and buds, with three ducks paddling through the river.

3 The Last Supper – Zeng Fanzhi, art 

$180m, 2013, Sotheby’s 

Replacing the 12 apostles with the mask-and-red-scarf-wearing Young Pioneers of China feasting on watermelons, Fanzhi crafts a societal piece that uses real students as models to metaphorically scrutinise the growth of the Chinese economy while the red scarves represent Communist ideals. 

4 Kangxi period Wan Shou vase 

$64.5m, 2013, Christie’s

Believed by scholars to be made 
for the Qing dynasty’s Kangxi Emperor, this 300-year old blue-and-white Wan Shou vase is a calligraphic magnum opus. The vase is covered with 10,000 meticulously placed characters ranging from 
seal scripts to pictogram scripts of fishes and trees.

5 Burmese ruby and diamond necklace 

$49.4m, 2013, Christie’s

With a total of 87.88 carats, this opulent necklace set the world record for the most expensive ruby necklace plus a world record price for a contemporary designer. It features a chandelier-esque design, encrusted with diamonds and rigged with 35 intense ‘pigeon’s blood’ rubies.

6 Oval-shaped orangy pink diamond 

$38.2m, 2013, Sotheby’s

Yes, the term ‘orangy pink’ exists – and this 12.85-carat VVS1 clarity diamond sold for US$385,000 per carat, making it the world’s most expensive orangy pink diamond of any shape while also setting the world record price per carat for an orangy pink diamond. 

7 Bali Life – Lee Man-fong, art 

$36m, 2013, Christie’s

Setting the world record price for any Southeast Asian art ever sold at auction, Chinese-Indonesian Lee’s Bali Life centres on the idyllic Balinese lifestyle, depicting close communal ties, religious celebrations and traditional festivities, with extreme attention to detail.

8 The Empresses of The Orient ear pendants 

$25.9m, 2013, Christie’s

Truly one of a kind, this pair of natural pearl and diamond ear pendants are complemented by a vivid diamond cap topped by a natural white button pearl. The sale also set the world record price for a pair of natural pearl ear pendants. Perfectly round natural pearls are exceptionally rare and are valued as much as gemstones.

9 The Magpie’s Treasure Nest Clock – Patek Philippe  

$18m, 2013, Sotheby’s

Coming in at just over 33 pounds, this extravagant clock features a magpie feeding a young chick and, below them, the actual timepiece surrounded by numerous gemstones. Embellishments include 24.95 carats of diamonds, 13.17 carats of rubies and a dangling 104.75 carat oval tanzanite hanging from the magpie’s beak. The clock is most probably 
an afterthought.

10 Romanée-Conti Vintage 1978 wine

$3.7m, 2013, Christie’s

Setting the world auction record for the revered wine producer at $306,250/bottle, Romanée-Conti managed to sell a dozen 36-year-old Burgundy vinos, prompting the price to rise three times the pre-sale estimate, in turn setting another record for the books for most expensive 12 bottles of wine. Is it wine o’clock yet? Butch Domingo

Source: TineOut HongKong