The rare blue, white and celadon porcelain moon flask belonging to the Emperor Qianlong is seen on Sunday. Photo: AFP
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https://scmp.com/news/china/society/article/2150133/rare-18th-century-chinese-moon-flask-sells-us48-million-french People & Culture
Rare 18th century Chinese moon flask sells for US$4.8 million to French woman
The flask once belonged to the Chinese Emperor Qianlong and will now be kept in the buyer’s apartment in Paris
The flask once belonged to the Chinese Emperor Qianlong and will now be kept in the buyer’s apartment in Paris
A rare porcelain moon flask that belonged to the 18th century Chinese Emperor Qianlong has been sold for €4.1 million (US$4.8 million) to a French woman after a bidding war at an auction in France.
The blue, white and celadon flask – more than 200-years-old – was bought by a the woman, who outbid 17 Chinese buyers during a sale that lasted about 10-minutes, according to auctioneers who described the buy as “historic and legendary”.
The final sale including fees totalled more than €5 million (US$5.9 million) – 10 times the auction’s opening price of €500,000 (US$588,705).
The buyer, who bid over the phone during the auction at Artigny chateau in Montbazon, central France, is expected to keep the flask at her flat in Paris but it could potentially be loaned to a museum in future, the auctioneer said.
Emperor Qianlong, one of the longest serving Chinese emperors who ruled for much of the 18th Century, was an avid art collector.
The round-shaped moon flask has eight Buddhist symbols in stylised lotus petals and bears the seal of the emperor. It was discovered by chance in April in a French castle during a valuation of antiques and its original owners remain anonymous.
French auctioneer Philippe Rouillac (right) talks to Chinese buyers during an auction party on Sunday. Photo: AFP
According to the auctioneer Philippe Rouillac, the flask was probably brought back from China by a French navy officer.
Far East art specialist Alice Jossaume said the flask is one of two flasks from Emperor Qianlong that exist.
The other flask was sold for €1.8 million at Sotheby’s in Hong Kong in 2016.