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Chinese Art Consignment
In an ever-changing market, it is more important now than ever to have the most up-to-date information at hand. Sotheby’s is at the forefront of this dynamic market as international leaders for Chinese art, and our team of specialists is at your disposal to provide you with candid advice, market insight and appraisals.
Sotheby’s is the leading international auction house for sales of Chinese Art. In 2022 so far, we have already reached over $241 million USD in sales for our consignors while maintaining an unprecedented sell-through rate of 88%. Our New York Asia Week sales in September included POWER/CONQUEST: The Forging of Empires, a groundbreaking auction of some of the most significant archaic bronzes to come to market, which achieved over $7 million USD, almost double its pre-sale estimate. Earlier this month, our Hong Kong autumn sales realized several landmark results from two of the most distinguished private collections of Chinese art. In the highly anticipated first installment of the sale series, the collection of Sir Joseph Hotung achieved over $71 million USD in sales, over three times the pre-sale estimate. A Ming dynasty huanghuali folding horseshoe-back armchair from this collection set a new auction record at $15.8 million USD. From the esteemed collection of Dr Wou Kiuan, a magnificent Qianlong ruby-ground yangcai ‘trigram’ reticulated vase achieved the outstanding result of $22.6 million USD, making it one of the most expensive Chinese porcelains ever to be sold at auction.
Season after season, we are honored to be entrusted with the collections of some of the world’s greatest Chinese art collectors. The strong results from 2022 are testament to the increasing demand from a growing collector base in this category, and we are confident that the existing market strength will continue into next year.
To learn about the value of your Chinese antique, simply submit images and information through our easy-to-use online estimate form. Our global team of specialists will review your submission and issue preliminary estimates for items that can be included in our sales. By consigning your Chinese antique to Sotheby’s, you are entrusting your Chinese art to the auction house that holds 21 world records for Asian art and has a strong record of selling works well above their estimates, on average realizing over 180% of the pre-sale estimate per lot over the past decade. Want to speak to us? Please find below contact phone numbers for each of our international specialist departments.
How Sotheby’s Became the Undisputed Leader in Chinese Works of Art
Find Out the Value of Your Chinese Antique
Submit photos and information to our easy-to-use consignment platform to begin your complimentary request.
Get an Estimate
Meet with a Specialist Near You
Please contact manon.kuepker@sothebys.com for more information
9 April in Hamburg | Asian Art
Please contact manon.kuepker@sothebys.com for more information
Our specialists will be in traveling in the upcoming months, please contact us to arrange a free and confidential valuation.
Talk to a Chinese Art Specialist
Talk to a Chinese Art Specialist
NEW YORK: +1 212 710 1379
HONG KONG: +852 5803 3893
LONDON: +44 20 3936 0993
PARIS: +33 1 85 14 97 61
Chinese Antiques Consigned with Sotheby's
Frequently Asked Questions
- When is the best time to sell my Chinese antique?Throughout the year, fine Chinese art and antiquities are continually in demand by collectors and connoisseurs. With sales happening year-round, Sotheby's is always available to help you sell your Chinese antique. Submit your object for a complimentary estimate valuation of your vase, bronze, lacquer or other object.
- How much is my Chinese antique worth?Sotheby's has sold some of the rarest Chinese antiques for record-breaking prices and our international team of specialists has decades of experience in valuing and selling the finest vases, bronzes, statues and other Chinese objects. Our specialists take many variables into account when determining the estimate for your Chinese antique, including provenance, condition, rarity and quality.
- Does Sotheby's sell Chinese paintings as well as Chinese antiques?Yes. Sotheby's sells classical and modern Chinese paintings as well.
- What are the top Chinese Works of Art sold by Sotheby’s in 2021?Sotheby’s sold the most expensive Chinese Work of Art so far this year, an outstanding imperial inscribed white jade ‘Ji’entang’ seal from the Qing dynasty, Qianlong period which fetched $18.8 million USD in the Hong Kong spring sales – the highest price ever achieved for any imperial jade seal, and for any white jade object ever sold at auction. In New York, an extremely important Gui vessel documenting a pivotal military campaign by the last king of the Shang dynasty, sold for over 9 times its presale estimate to realize $5.4 million USD. A Ming dynasty, Yongle period blue and white ‘floral’ bowl, previously bought at a Connecticut yard sale for $35 sold for $721,800 USD in New York, attracted international media attention. In London, two magnificent Tang dynasty pottery figures, a Bactrian camel and a caparisoned horse, combined to sell for over $1.5 million USD in our May 2021 Chinese Art auction, over 6 times their presale estimates.