Skinner Sets U.S. Record for Chinese Art with $24.7 Million Sale of a Qing Dynasty Vase

Sold for $24.7 Million. Monumental Fencai Flower and Landscape Vase, China, Imperial Qianlong period

Sold for $24.7 Million. Monumental Fencai Flower and Landscape Vase, China, Imperial Qianlong period

BOSTON, MA – September 23, 2014 – A monumental Fencai Imperial Qing Dynasty vase auctioned for $24.7 million at Skinner on September 17th, topping all sales of Chinese works of art in the U.S. and setting a record as the top grossing lot ever sold in New England. The Skinner Asian Works of Art auction coincided with Asia Week, and this vase surpassed all other objects sold during the event.

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.

According to Judith Dowling, Director of Asian Works of Art at Skinner, Inc., “The vase is a tour-de-force of ceramic techniques, and it is believed that the Emperor ordered it made.” It 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 and Boston generated tremendous excitement. Interested collectors arrived from around the world to view the historically significant piece in person.

Karen Keane, CEO of Skinner, Inc. noted, “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.”

About Skinner

Skinner auctions draw international interest from buyers and consignors alike, with material regularly achieving record prices. The company’s auction and appraisal services focus on fine art, jewelry, furniture, and decorative arts from around the globe, as well as wine, fine musical instruments, rare books, clocks, Judaica, and more. Monthly Skinner Discovery auctions feature a breadth of estate material. Widely regarded as one of the most trusted names in the business, Skinner appraisers have appeared on the PBS-TV series, Antiques Roadshow, since the show’s inception. Skinner has galleries in Boston and Marlborough, Massachusetts, as well as in Coral Gables, Florida, with an international audience of bidders participating in person, by phone, and online through the SkinnerLive! online bidding platform. For more information and to read our blog, visit the website at www.skinnerinc.com, find us on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter.

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Contacts

Judith Dowling
Director of Asian Works of Art
508-970-3263
asian@skinnerinc.com

Kathryn Gargolinski
Digital Marketing Manager
508-970-3232
media@skinnerinc.com

3 thoughts on “Skinner Sets U.S. Record for Chinese Art with $24.7 Million Sale of a Qing Dynasty Vase

  1. Pingback: Un vase impérial chinois vendu 24,7 millions de dollars | Art Without Skin, l'art sans la peau

  2. congradulations!!!!!!!!!!!! steve fletcher and crew
    its been a long time coming and well worth the wait
    could you ever have imagined steve at those small country auctions we would be at in worcester county in the 1960 s and early 70s that you would would set this record. you deserve every minute of the fame for the work and contribution you have made over the years to the business and to collectors country wide
    skip sansoucy

  3. Pingback: Chinese Auction Market Down, artnet report-artnet News

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