Rare ceramics at Christie's spring sales

Several important and rare ceramics will highlight Christie's spring sales in Hong Kong, from May 27 to June 1, among which a Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) famille rose vase deserves special attention.

The well-preserved vase from a private collector features reticulated outer walls and rotating, painted interiors. It is said to be an example of the superior craftsmanship of the imperial kilns during the reign of Emperor Qianlong (1736-96), as few reticulated revolving vases were successfully produced at that time in China.

In 2010, a delicate 40.6 cm vase, also dating to the Qianlong period, and similar in structure, fetched $87.01 million in London, setting the highest price ever paid for a Chinese work of art at public auction.