A monumental Fencai Imperial Qing Dynasty vase auctioned for $24,723,000 at Skinner in Boston, Mass., on the evening of Sept. 17, setting a record as the top grossing lot ever sold in New England and topping all sales of Qing Dynasty vases in the U.S. The Skinner Asian Works of Art auction coincided with Asia Week. This vase has surpassed all other objects sold during the event to date. The consignor is from New England and the buyer from China. It had once sold in 1964 in New York City for $750.
An intensely focused and enthusiastic crowd packed the auction room, and most rose to their feet as the vase soared past the $10 million mark. After spirited bidding from multiple bidders present in the room and participating by phone, the hammer fell to a round of applause.
"The vase is a tour-de-force of ceramic techniques, and it is believed that the Emperor ordered it made," said Judith Dowling, director of Asian works of art at Skinner Inc.
The piece was fired at the Jingdezhen kilns under the direction of the famous superintendent Tang Ying (1682-1750). The National Palace Museum in Beijing, China, is home to the only other known example of the same size and decoration.
Prior to the auction, previews in New York City and Boston generated tremendous excitement. Interested collectors arrived from around the world to view the historically significant piece in person.
"Boston is a vibrant and essential marketplace for Asian works of art, and we at Skinner were honored to have the opportunity to be stewards of such an important and beautiful work of art. The auction was a thrill for all of us who were involved," said Karen Keane, CEO of Skinner Inc.
For more information, visit www.skinnerinc.com.