A rare Chinese porcelain vase from the Qing dynasty (1644-1911) was sold at Sotheby’s auction house for a staggering $83.2 million. This set a new world record for the most expensive Chinese artwork ever sold at auction.
The vase was a small, ‘Ru-type’ brush washer, standing just 5.1 inches (13 cm) tall. It was made during the reign of the Qianlong Emperor, who was known for his discerning taste and passion for collecting rare Chinese ceramics.
The vase is believed to be one of only three known surviving examples of this particular type of Ru-ware porcelain from the Qing dynasty. Ru-ware is considered one of the most sought-after and valuable types of Chinese ceramics due to its rarity and the technical mastery required to produce it.
The exceptional quality, rarity, and imperial provenance of this vase contributed to its record-breaking sale price. Chinese collectors, in particular, were eager to acquire this piece of their cultural heritage, driving the bidding to astronomical levels. The anonymous buyer, believed to be from Asia, paid over 50 times the pre-sale estimate, underscoring the immense value placed on such exquisite and historically significant Chinese art objects.
Philly News 