A rare Chinese bowl manufactured sometime in the 18th century in an imperial workshop has recently set a new world record for Chinese ceramics when it went for a whopping $9.5 million at auction. The 11 cm (4.33 in) ruby red vessel features beautiful lotus flower decorations and is still in excellent condition, according to Sotheby’s ceramics experts.
Finished with Western enameling techniques, the Qing bowl is one of the earliest examples of its kind. The winner of the bidding contest was Mr. Chak, a passionate buyer who also tried to purchase the bowl in 1983 and in 1999, when it was sold by Sotheby’s and Christie’s, respectively. Even though most collectors would keep such a precious vessel for a very long time, Mr. Chak has declared that he intends to resell the piece five years from now, convinced that its price will soar.
