Hong Kong, 30 April 2026 - On 30 April 2026, Christie's Hong Kong Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art presented the return of The Ai Lian Tang Collection: 800 Years of Chinese Ceramics, featuring a selection of 20 iconic works from one of the world's most discerning private collections of Chinese art, spanning over eight centuries of ceramic achievement, from the Northern Song to the Qing dynasty. With a packed auction room, the sale achieved HK$376,796,500 (US$48,085,789), with 100% of lots sold, and extremely competitive bidding drove the total hammer price to 298% over the low estimate, with half of the lots sold above HK$10,000,000. The results underscore strong market demand for exceptional Chinese works of art with notable provenance across categories.
The leading lot of the sale was a magnificent Yuan Jinxiang Ting narrative jar (bottom left image), which realized HK$174,900,000 (US$22,320,283) and stands as the most valuable object sold at auction in Asia this year to date across all categories. Following the success of The Ai Lian Tang Collection: Imperial Scholar's Objects last October, the combined total of this collection has reached HK$523,334,100 (US$67,035,475), with a combined hammer price 216% above the low estimate. The collection has become the most valuable single-owner collection of Chinese arts ever sold at Christie's in Asia.
Christie's is immensely honored to offer these remarkable art works and imperial objects to Asian Art collectors and enthusiasts. The results of The Ai Lian Tang Collection this season further reinforce Christie's position as the auction house of reference for prestigious collections globally. In addition to the live auctions, an online auction, Pavilion Online: Chinese Art featuring The Dawentang Collection, is open for bidding until 12 May.
Chinese Paintings live auctions
During Christie's Hong Kong Asian Art Week, two live auctions of Chinese Paintings were successfully concluded on 28 and 29 April. Fine Chinese Classical Paintings and Calligraphy and Fine Chinese Modern and Contemporary Ink Paintings together realized a total of HK$259.61M (US$33.12M), with a 15% year-on-year increase and 47% of lots sold over high estimate, underscoring the robust global demand for rare and highly sought-after artworks. Poem in Running Script by Wang Yangming (1472 to 1529) was the top lot of the sales and sold for HK$63,940,000 (US$8,159,198), achieving a hammer price over 10 times its low estimate.
Top lots
| Lot | Price realized |
|---|---|
| Yuan Jinxiang Ting narrative jar (Ai Lian Tang Collection) | HK$174,900,000 (US$22,320,283) |
| Wang Yangming, Poem in Running Script (Chinese Paintings) | HK$63,940,000 (US$8,159,198) |
In 2026, Christie's, the world-leading art and luxury business, is celebrating its 40th Anniversary in Asia. Over the last four decades, Christie's has established itself as Asia's leading house, orchestrating many of the region's most historic and record-breaking sales of exceptional objects and collections, driving region-wide expansion, and pioneering digital innovations that have redefined the way Asian collectors connect with and experience the industry. To celebrate this milestone, Christie's is presenting a year-long program of art and luxury sales, exhibitions and events across the region. Stay tuned for details announced throughout the year.
(Press Release)
