The late Sir Joseph Hotung (1930-2021) was respected and revered in the art world for his Jade collection and for his philanthropy. What was much less known however was his discriminating eye for quality and design. His personal collection was beautifully displayed in his London residence yet seen only by a privileged few.
Sir Joseph’s passion for collecting jade was sparked in the early 1970s when a chance encounter – due to a delayed flight – led him to acquire a pair of perfectly matched Qing-dynasty white bowls from a gallery in San Francisco. This first purchase was the start of a lifelong passion, as Sir Joseph took to assembling artworks from different periods and places. His extensive collection was displayed harmoniously in the elegant London home he personally curated and designed. The glowing patinas of Chinese and English furniture perfectly counterbalancing the vibrant colouring of the Old Master and Impressionist paintings, set against exquisite works of art and porcelain from China, every piece rare and of the highest quality.
Hotung’s keen philanthropy in the arts was particularly felt by cultural institutions, with the major gallery of Asian Art in the British Museum named for him – opened to great acclaim by Her Majesty The Queen in 1992 and again in 2017 – and additional trustee positions at The Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Asia Society, New York, to name a few. Testament to his generosity, Hotung bequeathed almost the entirety of his outstanding collections of early Chinese blue-and-white porcelains and of Jades to the British Museum, where they will be displayed together – in what marks one of the most significant bequests in the British Museum’s recent history.
This Autumn, Sotheby’s will offer over 400 works from Sir Joseph’s personal collection in a series of auctions in London and Hong Kong. Prior to the sales, highlights will be exhibited in London, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Beijing, Taipei and New York.
"Our father (Sir Joseph) took enormous pleasure in studying and collecting many forms of art. Each piece he acquired resonated with him. It was his belief that art should exist for future generations. He felt collectors had a responsibility to be stewards of these priceless works and to tend to them with great care. We are pleased that our father's treasures will now find new homes where they may continue to be cherished and enjoyed by others."
“Sir Joseph Hotung was a private man of great modesty yet unparalleled generosity. This extraordinary series of auctions will showcase the art that he chose to surround himself with and which provided the backdrop to his life in London.”
VIEW PRESS RELEASE HERE
Press Contacts: melica.khansari@sothebys.com | matthew.floris@sothebys.com
