Christie’s Hong Kong Autumn Auctions Showcase Three Prestigious Single-Owner Collections

Christie’s Hong Kong conducted its Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art Autumn Auctions on 29 October 2026, presenting three prestigious single-owner collections. The event offered a distinguished selection of rare and important works spanning imperial ceramics, lacquer, and jade, attracting strong international demand.

The Ai Lian Tang Collection, titled “The Ai Lian Tang Collection – Gems of the Imperial Capital,” achieved a total of HK$214,490,000 (US$27,334,155). With 97% of lots sold, the hammer price was 163% above the low estimate. This result brought the collection’s three-season total to HK$737,824,100 (US$94,026,754), establishing it as the third most valuable Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art single-owner collection ever sold at auction worldwide.

Among the highlights was a magnificent yangcai “hundred deer” hu-form vase, which realised HK$35,060,000 (US$4,467,973). Another standout was a very rare carved emerald-green jadeite “taotie” snuff bottle, which sold for HK$25,910,000 (US$3,301,916). This price was more than seven times its low estimate and set a new world auction record for a Chinese snuff bottle in over a decade.

The Au Bak Ling Collection, under the title “The Au Bak Ling Collection Volume III,” realised HK$140,527,200 (US$17,908,491), with a hammer price 113% above the low estimate. This brought the collection’s three-season total to HK$335,446,700 (US$42,748,623).

A dedicated single-lot auction featured a magnificent imperial gold ewer and cover created for the Qianlong Emperor, which became the top lot of the season by achieving HK$55,800,000 (US$7,111,035).

The auctions reflected strong international interest across all collecting categories, underscoring collectors’ confidence in the quality, rarity, and provenance of the works offered. Christie’s continues to reinforce its position as the leading auction house for prestigious single-owner collections worldwide.

Earlier in the week, live auctions of Fine Chinese Classical Paintings and Calligraphy and Fine Chinese Modern and Contemporary Ink Paintings, held on 27 and 28 October, realised a combined total of HK$230,143,200 (US$29,340,023), with a hammer price 115% above the low estimate. Notable sales included Bada Shanren’s album “Flowers and Birds,” which sold for HK$61,900,000 (US$7,894,478), and Li Keran’s “Sailing in River Li,” which realised HK$12,800,000 (US$1,631,265).

In 2026, Christie’s celebrates its 40th Anniversary in Asia, marking four decades as the region’s leading auction house. The year-long programme includes art and luxury sales, exhibitions, and events across Asia, highlighting Christie’s ongoing commitment to the region’s art market.