Bonhams Hong Kong Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art auction to be held at 2pm on 24 November at the Island Ballroom of the Island Shangri-La Hotel will offer around 400 lots, including a selection of Imperial porcelain, gilt-bronze, cloisonné, jade, snuff bottle, lacquer, bamboo and scholarly art.
Amongst the fine selection of Ming and Qing dynasty porcelain, the highlight is a magnificent and large Imperial blue and white ‘dragon’ dish dated with Qianlong seal mark and of the period. The central dragon is depicted with the utmost ferocity and overwhelming presence extending sharpened five-claws in fine representation of the Qianlong Emperor. It symbolizes ultimate auspiciousness and authority, total control over all natural elements, luck and prosperity to those who are worthy. Well-known for his penchant for technically innovative and artistically challenging pieces, the sheer size of the dish meant the Emperor would have specially commissioned it. Technically, it was extremely difficult to fire without warping or any imperfections, even in the hands of the Imperial kilns at Jingdezhen. There are very few dragon dishes with such exceptional size and quality in museums and private collections around the world, with even fewer to have been offered at auction.
