T
he act of collecting is rarely a mere accumulation of objects; at its most profound, it is a pursuit of spiritual sustenance. Mr Lai Tak (1921–2013), founder of Songde Tang, understood this intimately. He once observed, “Antiques are my vitamins. They prolong life and ease the spirit.” This striking sentiment speaks to the deeply therapeutic power of art, suggesting these ancient works of art nourish the soul and anchor one in the present.
Mr Lai Tak, founder of Songde Tang 頌德堂創始人黎德先生
Born in Guangdong and settling in Hong Kong during the 1950s, Mr Lai devoted over half a century to Chinese art. His travels abroad were guided by discernment and conviction, each journey a personal quest to encounter works that spoke to his inner life. His acquisition of lot 826 in this catalogue precisely exemplifies this spirit. He pursued the piece in London with unwavering determination, and it was ultimately his sincerity that moved the dealer to part with the treasure — a reminder that the history of an object is inseparable from the human passions that guide its passage through time.
The 25 Ming dynasty imperial ceramics offered this season invite thoughtful contemplation, each embodying the aesthetic sensibilities of its era. The quiet restraint of the Hongwu period reflects an aspiration toward clarity and order, while the assured vitality of Yongle and Xuande, and the luminous brilliance of Jiajing and Wanli, reveal a growing confidence in artistic expression. From the refined elegance of Chenghua to the more unrestrained spirit of Chongzhen, the group traces the evolving rhythms of the dynasty, while reminding us that great art, though rooted in its time, speaks with a voice that transcends it.
Mr Lai’s devotion finds renewed expression in his children, who continue to bridge antiquity and the contemporary mind through acclaimed exhibitions at the University of Hong Kong, including The Fame of Flame and The Multiplicity of Simplicity. These endeavours reinforce how individual passions resonate within a larger cultural narrative, extending a dialogue between past and present that remains ever unfolding.
May collectors engage with these rare masterworks, and in doing so encounter the “life‑extending vitamins” that sustained Mr Lai — an experience that bridges past and present, and reveals beauty as something that endures beyond its moment.
Nicolas Chow Chairman, Asia Chairman and Worldwide Head of Asian Art
