Qing dynasty bowl spent 87 years in Chicago museum, then sold for $2.048m
A rare 18th-century Qing dynasty porcelain bowl, crafted during Emperor Yongzheng's reign, sold for $2.048 million at a Christie's auction in New York, significantly exceeding its estimate. The bowl, an example of famille rose porcelain with a unique 'flowering branch passing over the rim' design, had been part of the Art Institute of Chicago's collection for 87 years before being auctioned to fund its Asian art collection.
Why it matters
This sale underscores the enduring value and global appeal of rare historical artifacts, particularly Chinese imperial art, and highlights how museums manage their collections through deaccessioning to support future acquisitions and care.
A rare porcelain bowl made by skilled imperial craftsmen during China's Qing dynasty in the early 18th century has sold for $2.048 million (£1.56 million) at a Christie's auction in New York. The 14.3-centimetre bowl was made during the short reign of Emperor Yongzheng, which lasted from 1723 to 1735. In the early 20th century, it passed through the hands of a well-known Paris art dealer. It was later bought by a private collector and donated to the Art Institute of Chicago in 1939. The bowl remained in the museum's collection for 87 years before being put up for auction to raise money for the care and growth of its Asian art collection. According to a press statement from Christie's, the final sale price was five times the bowl's lowest pre-sale estimate.
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