Christie’s—which in May established the record for total revenues for an auction house in Hong Kong—is offering a number of works with impressive provenance at its 16 fall sessions there, from November 29 through December 3. Of particular note are 151 pieces from the foundation of the late Ping Y. Tai, widow of the Asian-antiques dealer J. T. Tai, a portion of whose renowned collection of ceramics and paintings first hit the block at the house’s September Asia Week sales in New York. Together, the selections from the Tai trove are expected to fetch up to $28 million. A highlight in the December 2 afternoon session is the Ming Dynasty master Qiu Ying’s 16th-century ink work Lotus Picking (est. $HK12–15 million; $1.5–2 million). Another standout, for sale on the 3rd, is a famille rose vase (est. upon request).

Also on the 3rd is a session devoted to the lacquerware of the Chinese-art collector Sammy Yukuan Lee, 106 years old, consigned by his family and featuring a seven-inch-wide Qianlong bowl stand inscribed in 1781 with words from the art-loving emperor at the time (est. upon request). Immediately following this sale is one of imperial goods associated with the reign of the dowager empress Cixi. An exquisite jade hairpin believed to be from her household could bring up to $1 million.

On offer that day as well are two other high-profile collections: elegant imperial jades amassed by the late Sir John Buchanan-Jardine, who once headed the Jardine Matheson Co. conglomerate, and carved-bamboo objects from the London dealer Gerald Hawthorn.

These events will no doubt solidify Hong Kong’s position as the world’s third-biggest auction market. "Rich Heritage" originally appeared in the December 2008 issue of Art+Auction. For a complete list of articles from this issue available on ARTINFO, see Art+Auction's December 2008 Table of Contents.