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Christie's to auction imperial Beijing enamel glass brushpot

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-05-22 11:23

Christie's Hong Kong announced Wednesday it will auction an imperial Beijing enamel glass brushpot, Qianlong mark and of the period 1736-1785, and half of the proceeds will be donated to the relief efforts for the severe earthquake in Sichuan Province.

The exquisite enameled glass brushpot was bought by Taiwan art collector Robert Tsao at Christie's Hong Kong Autumn 2007 auction for HK$67.5 million ($8.6 million). It still holds the world auction record price for a Chinese glass work of art.

The brushpot is now offered for auction by Tsao at an estimated price of HK$65 million to HK$85 million. It will be auctioned at Imperial Sale on May 27, which is part of Christie's six-day Hong Kong Spring Sales.

All proceeds will be donated to charity with half going to support relief work for the earthquake-stricken areas in Sichuan through the Red Cross Society in Taiwan and Dharhma Drum Mountain, a Buddhist organization. The remaining proceeds are pledged to two other non-profit organizations in Taiwan.

This enamel glass brushpot is one of the finest and rarest examples of enamels on glass made for the Qianlong Emperor. The translucent milk-white glass ground of the present lot is superbly enameled on each side with a different European "mother-and-child" scene within Western architecture or mountainous landscapes.