Prices up nearly 6-fold in 25 years! Tang dynasty marbled jar sets another record at Christie's New York
This sale featured 6 pieces of early Chinese ceramics, of which 5 sold, achieving a total of USD 657,920, with an average premium rate of 200.7%. The highest premium was Lot 838, a Tang dynasty marbled clay jar (565.6%), which sold at Christie's New York in 2001 from the Falk Collection for USD 58,750, setting a record at the time for Tang dynasty marbled wares. Now, 25 years later, it has reappeared on the market and sold for USD 332,800, an increase of approximately 5.7 times;
2001 Christie's official website record
The only unsold early Chinese piece in this sale was Lot 839, a Ding ware white-glazed basin with carved daylily design. It is worth noting that large Ding ware pieces of similar form do have precedents for high prices on the market (in 2014 at Sotheby's Hong Kong, the Sakamoto Goro sale, a Northern Song Ding ware large octagonal bowl with incised floral design from the Clark collection set a Ding ware record at HKD 146.84 million).
2014 Sotheby's Hong Kong, Sakamoto Goro sale
Lot 839 in this sale
The following are the specific sale results——
Northern Song, Yaozhou ware celadon-glazed zun with carved floral mouth
Estimate USD 8,000 – USD 12,000
Sold for: 35,840 USD
Provenance: Lai's Antiques, Hong Kong, June 6, 1992
lot 838
A Small Tang Dynasty Marbled Jar and Cover
Estimate USD 40,000 – USD 60,000
Sold for: 332,800 USD

Size:9.8 cm
Provenance
C.T. Loo, New York, December 1949 Pauline B. (1910–2000) and Myron S. Falk (1906–1992) Collection, no. 31 The Falk Collection (I): Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, Christie's New York, 16 October 2001, lot 19
Literature
Los Angeles County Museum, Chinese Ceramics from the Prehistoric Period through Ch'ien Lung, Los Angeles, 1952, p. 63, no. 83
Myron S. Falk, Neolithic to Ming, Chinese Objects–The Myron S. Falk Collection, Hartford, Connecticut, 1957, p. 8, no. 19
Oriental Ceramic Society, Catalogue of an Exhibition of the Ceramic Art of China, London, 1971, no. 48
Exhibited
Los Angeles, Los Angeles County Museum, "Chinese Ceramics from the Prehistoric Period through Ch'ien Lung," 1952, no. 83
Northampton, Smith College Museum of Art, "Neolithic to Ming, Chinese Objects–The Myron S. Falk Collection," 1957, no. 19
London, Oriental Ceramic Society, "The Ceramic Art of China", 1971, no. 48
lot 839
Northern Song Dynasty, Ding Ware White-Glazed Basin with Incised Daylily Pattern
Estimate USD 200,000 – USD 300,000
Unsold
Dimensions:24.4 cm
Published: Qingwan Yaji, "Qingwan Yaji Twentieth Anniversary Celebration Collection Exhibition", Taipei, 2012, p. 92, no. 14
Exhibited: Taipei, National Museum of History, "Qingwan Yaji Twentieth Anniversary Celebration Collection Exhibition", 2012, no. 14
lot 840
Northern Song Dynasty, Yaozhou Ware Celadon-Glazed Bowl with Impressed Interlocking Floral Scroll Pattern
Estimate USD 18,000 – USD 25,000
Sold for: 20,480 USD
Dimensions: 19.6 cm
Provenance: Christie's Hong Kong, 31 March 1992, lot 512
lot 841
Northern Song Dynasty, Cizhou Ware Vase with Incised Decoration on White Ground, Yuhuchunping
Estimate USD 30,000 – USD 50,000
Sold for: 76,800 USD
Size: 33 cm
Provenance: Lai's Antiques, Hong Kong, 17 October 1992
lot 842
Northern Song Dynasty, Ding Ware Pillow with Incised Qilin Design on White Ground
Estimate USD 80,000 – USD 120,000
Sold for: 192,000 USD
Size: 26.7 cm
Provenance: Hongxi Museum of Art, Taipei, before 1990
Literature: Hongxi Museum of Art, Selected Chinese Ceramics Through the Ages, Taipei, 1990, pp. 92–93, no. 27
In addition, the results for the Buddhist sculpture lots in this sale have also been compiled, as follows——
Southern Liang Dynasty, Taiqing 2nd Year (548) Gilt-Bronze Standing Figure of Amitabha Buddha
Estimate USD 8,000 – USD 12,000
Chang Foundation Museum, Taipei, before 1993
Chang Foundation Museum, Illustrated Catalogue of Gilt-Bronze Buddhist Figures, Taipei, 1993, pp. 48–49, no. 17Chang Foundation Museum, Treasures of the Chang Foundation: 1996 Beijing Museum of Chinese History, Taipei, 1996, p. 44, no. 4Chang Foundation Museum, The Essence of Chinese Art: Exhibition of the Collection of the Chang Foundation, Taipei, Tokyo, 2001, p. 76, no. 83Jin Shen, Buddhist Figures of Successive Dynasties in Overseas and Hong Kong-Taiwan Collections: A Chronological Illustrated Guide to Masterpieces, Shanxi, 2007, p. 453
Taipei, Chang Foundation Museum, "Gilt-Bronze Buddhist Figures," 1993, no. 17Beijing, Museum of Chinese History, "Treasures of the Chang Foundation Special Exhibition," 1996, no. 4Tokyo, Shibuya Ward Shoto Museum of Art; Obihiro, Hokkaido Obihiro Museum of Art; Shimonoseki, Shimonoseki City Art Museum, "The Essence of Chinese Art: Exhibition of the Collection of the Chang Foundation, Taipei," May–October 2001, no. 83
Sui/Early Tang, 6th/7th Century Gilt-Bronze Standing Figure of Avalokiteshvara
Estimate USD 15,000 – USD 25,000
Chang Foundation Museum, Taipei, before 1993
Chang Foundation Museum, Gilt Bronze Buddhist Sculptures, Taipei, 1993, pp. 70–71, no. 28
Chang Foundation Museum, The Quintessence of Chinese Art: Selections from the Chang Foundation, Taipei, Tokyo, 2001, p. 78, no. 86
Taipei, Chang Foundation Museum, "Gilt Bronze Buddhist Sculptures," 1993, no. 28
Tokyo, Shibuya Shoto Museum of Art; Obihiro, Hokkaido Obihiro Museum of Art; Shimonoseki, Shimonoseki City Art Museum, "The Quintessence of Chinese Art: Selections from the Chang Foundation, Taipei," May–October 2001, no. 28
Eastern Wei/Northern Zhou, mid-6th century, Gilt-bronze Standing Bodhisattva
Estimate USD 7,000 – USD 10,000
Chang Foundation Museum, Taipei, before 1993
Hongxi Museum, *Illustrated Catalogue of Gilt Bronze Buddhist Statues*, Taipei, 1993, pp. 140–141, no. 63
Hongxi Museum, *The Essence of Chinese Art: Exhibition of the Collection of the Taipei Hongxi Museum*, Tokyo, 2001, p. 75, no. 82
Taipei, Hongxi Museum, "Gilt Bronze Buddhist Statues," 1993, no. 63
Tokyo, Shibuya Ward Shoto Museum of Art; Obihiro, Hokkaido Obihiro Museum of Art; Shimonoseki, Shimonoseki City Art Museum, "The Essence of Chinese Art: Exhibition of the Collection of the Taipei Hongxi Museum," May–October 2001, no. 82
Eastern Wei/Northern Zhou, mid-6th century, Gilt-bronze Standing Figure of Avalokiteshvara
Estimate USD 12,000 – USD 18,000
Hongxi Museum, Taipei, before 1993
Hongxi Museum, *Illustrated Catalogue of Gilt Bronze Buddhist Statues*, Taipei, 1993, pp. 68–69, no. 27
Chang Foundation, *Chang Foundation Treasures: 1996 Beijing National Museum of Chinese History*, Taipei, 1996, p. 45, no. 6Chang Foundation, *The Essence of Chinese Art: Collection of the Chang Foundation, Taipei*, Tokyo, 2001, p. 77, no. 85
Taipei, Chang Foundation, "Gilt Bronze Buddhist Sculptures," 1993, no. 27
Beijing, National Museum of Chinese History, "Chang Foundation Treasures Special Exhibition," 1996, no. 6
Tokyo, Shibuya Ward Shoto Museum of Art; Obihiro, Hokkaido Obihiro Museum of Art; Shimonoseki, Shimonoseki City Art Museum, "The Essence of Chinese Art: Collection of the Chang Foundation, Taipei," May–October 2001, no. 85
Tang Dynasty, A Pair of Gilt-Bronze Seated Figures of Dharmapala Bodhisattvas
Estimate USD 6,000 – USD 8,000
Chang Foundation, Taipei, before 1993
Chang Foundation, *Illustrated Catalogue of Gilt Bronze Buddhist Sculptures*, Taipei, 1993, pp. 154–155, no. 70
Taipei, Hongxi Museum of Art, "Gilt Bronze Buddhist Sculptures," 1993, no. 70
Tang Dynasty Gilt-Bronze Standing Figure of Guanyin
Estimate USD 8,000 – USD 12,000
Hongxi Museum of Art, Taipei, before 1993
Hongxi Museum of Art, Catalogue of Gilt Bronze Buddhist Sculptures, Taipei, 1993, pp. 72–73, no. 29
Taipei, Hongxi Museum of Art, "Gilt Bronze Buddhist Sculptures," 1993, no. 29
Tang Dynasty Gilt-Bronze Seated Buddha
Estimate USD 30,000 – USD 50,000
Price realized: 96,000 USD
Chang Foundation, Taipei, before 1993Chang Foundation, Buddhist Sculpture from the Chang Foundation, Taipei, 1993, pp. 16–17, no. 1Chang Foundation, The Quintessence of Chinese Art: Selections from the Chang Foundation, Taipei, Tokyo, 2001, p. 79, no. 88
Taipei, Chang Foundation, "Buddhist Sculpture from the Chang Foundation," 1993, no. 1
Tokyo, Shoto Museum of Art, Shibuya; Obihiro, Hokkaido Obihiro Museum of Art; Shimonoseki, Shimonoseki City Art Museum, "The Quintessence of Chinese Art: Selections from the Chang Foundation, Taipei," May–October 2001, no. 88
A Gilt-Bronze Figure of a Seated Bodhisattva, Liao Dynasty
Estimate 250,000 – 350,000 USD
Price realized: 294,400 USD
Chang Foundation, Taipei, before 1993
Chang Foundation, *A Catalogue of Buddhist Gilt-Bronze Sculptures*, Taipei, 1993, pp. 142–143, no. 64
Chang Foundation, *Treasures of the Chang Foundation: 1996 Beijing National Museum of Chinese History*, Taipei, 1996, p. 47, no. 9
Chang Foundation, *The Essence of Chinese Art: Treasures from the Chang Foundation, Taipei*, Tokyo, 2001, p. 80, no. 89
Taipei, Chang Foundation, "Buddhist Gilt-Bronze Sculptures," 1993, no. 64
Beijing, National Museum of Chinese History, "Treasures of the Chang Foundation Special Exhibition," 1996, no. 9; Tokyo, Shoto Museum of Art, Shibuya; Obihiro, Hokkaido Obihiro Museum of Art; Shimonoseki, Shimonoseki City Art Museum, "The Essence of Chinese Art: Treasures from the Chang Foundation, Taipei," May–October 2001, no. 89
A Gilt-Bronze Figure of Avalokiteshvara Seated in Royal Ease, Ming Dynasty, Yongle Period, Incised Mark "Da Ming Yongle Nian Shi"
Estimate USD 70,000 – USD 100,000
Christie's Amsterdam, 19 October 1992, lot 74 (cover lot)
Chang Foundation, Taipei, before 1993
Chang Foundation, *A Catalogue of Gilt-Bronze Buddhist Sculptures*, Taipei, 1993, pp. 76–77, no. 31
Chang Foundation, *Treasures of the Chang Foundation: 1996 Beijing National Museum of Chinese History*, Taipei, 1996, p. 49, no. 13
Taipei, Chang Foundation, "Gilt-Bronze Buddhist Sculptures," 1993, no. 31
Beijing, National Museum of Chinese History, "Special Exhibition of Treasures of the Chang Foundation," 1996, no. 13
A Gilt-Bronze Figure of Vajrapani, Ming Dynasty, Xuande Period, Incised Mark "Da Ming Xuande Nian Shi"
Estimate USD 300,000 – USD 500,000
Chang Foundation, Taipei, before 1993
Chang Foundation, *A Catalogue of Gilt-Bronze Buddhist Sculptures*, Taipei, 1993, pp. 144-145, no. 65Chang Foundation, *Treasures of the Chang Foundation—1996 Beijing National Museum of Chinese History*, Taipei, 1996, p. 54, no. 24Chang Foundation, *The Essence of Chinese Art: Exhibition of the Collection of the Chang Foundation, Taipei*, Tokyo, 2001, p. 82, no. 92
Taipei, Chang Foundation Museum, "Gilt Bronze Buddhist Sculptures," 1993, no. 65 New York, Taipei Gallery, "Exhibition of Gilt Bronze Buddhist Images," January 21–March 11, 1994, no. 65 Beijing, National Museum of China, "Treasures from the Chang Foundation," 1996, no. 24 Tokyo, Shibuya Ward Shoto Museum of Art; Obihiro, Hokkaido Obihiro Museum of Art; Shimonoseki, Shimonoseki City Art Museum, "Essence of Chinese Art: Collection of the Taipei Chang Foundation Museum," May–October 2001, no. 92
A Gilt-Bronze Figure of Vajradhara, Ming Dynasty, 15th Century
Estimate USD 60,000 – USD 80,000
Plum Blossom Collection Ltd., no. 50034 (according to label) Chang Foundation Museum, Taipei, before 1993
Chang Foundation Museum, Catalogue of Gilt Bronze Buddhist Sculptures, Taipei, 1993, pp. 66–67, no. 26
Chang Foundation Museum, Treasures from the Chang Foundation: 1996 Beijing National Museum of China, Taipei, 1996, p. 57, no. 29
Taipei, Chang Foundation Museum, "Gilt Bronze Buddhist Sculptures," 1993, no. 26
Beijing, National Museum of China, "Treasures from the Chang Foundation," 1996, no. 29
Ming Dynasty, 16th/17th Century, Gilt-Bronze Seated Buddha
Estimate USD 100,000 – USD 150,000
Chang Foundation Museum, Taipei, before 1993
Chang Foundation Museum, <i>Illustrated Catalogue of Gilt-Bronze Buddhist Sculptures</i>, Taipei, 1993, pp. 30–31, no. 8
Chang Foundation Museum, <i>Treasures of the Chang Foundation: 1996 National Museum of Chinese History, Beijing</i>, Taipei, 1996, p. 58, no. 31
Taipei, Chang Foundation Museum, "Gilt-Bronze Buddhist Sculptures," 1993, no. 8
Beijing, National Museum of Chinese History, "Treasures of the Chang Foundation Special Exhibition," 1996, no. 31
Pasadena, USC Pacific Asia Museum, "The Arts of China," March 30, 2020–May 14, 2021
Ming Dynasty, 16th/17th Century, Gilt-Bronze Seated Budai Heshang
Estimate USD 30,000 – USD 50,000
Chang Foundation, Taipei, before 1993
Chang Foundation, *Illustrated Catalogue of Gilt Bronze Buddhist Statues*, Taipei, 1993, pp. 64–65, no. 25
Chang Foundation, *Treasures of the Chang Foundation: 1996 Beijing National Museum of Chinese History*, Taipei, 1996, p. 59, no. 33
Taipei, Chang Foundation, "Gilt Bronze Buddhist Statues," 1993, no. 25
Beijing, National Museum of Chinese History, "Treasures of the Chang Foundation Special Exhibition," 1996, no. 33
Ming Dynasty, 16th/17th Century, Gilt-Bronze Twenty-Four-Armed Seven-Headed Avalokiteshvara
Estimate USD 60,000 – USD 80,000
Chang Foundation, Taipei, before 1993
Chang Foundation, Catalogue of Gilt Bronze Buddhist Images, Taipei, 1993, pp. 86–87, no. 36
Chang Foundation, Treasures of the Chang Foundation: 1996 Beijing National Museum of Chinese History, Taipei, 1996, p. 60, no. 36
Taipei, Chang Foundation, "Gilt Bronze Buddhist Images," 1993, no. 36
Beijing, National Museum of Chinese History, "Treasures of the Chang Foundation Special Exhibition," 1996, no. 36
Ming Dynasty, 16th Century, Gilt-Bronze Seated Figure of Shakyamuni Buddha
Estimate USD 30,000 – USD 50,000
Sotheby's Hong Kong, 17–18 May 1988, lot 378
Hanshe, Taipei, 1989; Chang Foundation, Taipei, before 1993
Xu Zhengfu, *Hanshe Miji II*, Taipei, 1989, p. 188
Chang Foundation, *Catalogue of Gilt-Bronze Buddhist Sculptures*, Taipei, 1993, pp. 24–25, no. 5
Taipei, Chang Foundation, "Gilt-Bronze Buddhist Sculptures," 1993, no. 5
A Gilt-Bronze Figure of Seated Shakyamuni Buddha, Ming Dynasty, 16th Century
Estimate USD 10,000 – USD 15,000
Chang Foundation, Taipei, before 1993
Chang Foundation, *Catalogue of Gilt-Bronze Buddhist Sculptures*, Taipei, 1993, pp. 128–129, no. 57
Taipei, Chang Foundation, "Gilt-Bronze Buddhist Sculptures," 1993, no. 57
A Gilt-Bronze Seated Figure of Amitayus, Qing Dynasty, Qianlong Gengyin Year (1770)
Estimate USD 8,000 – USD 12,000
Chang Foundation, Taipei, before 1993
Chang Foundation, *Catalogue of Gilt-Bronze Buddhist Sculptures*, Taipei, 1993, pp. 56–57, no. 21
Chang Foundation, *Treasures of the Chang Foundation: 1996 Beijing, National Museum of Chinese History*, Taipei, 1996, p. 67, no. 50
Taipei, Chang Foundation, "Gilt-Bronze Buddhist Sculptures," 1993, no. 21
Beijing, National Museum of Chinese History, "Treasures of the Hongxi Collection Special Exhibition," 1996, no. 50