Qing works of art have been setting record prices for Chinese ceramics in recent years, a trend that can be attributed to a change in the profile of collectors, according to an expert.
A pair of Yongzheng famille rose 'peach' bowls that were sold in 1997 for HK$9 million went under the hammer last month for HK$50.72 million, setting a record for Chinese ceramics. In November, a porcelain bowl bought in 1985 for HK$1.1 million was sold for HK$151.23 million, setting a record for a Qing dynasty ceramic work at the time.
Tsang Chi-fan, senior specialist in Chinese ceramics at Christie's Hong Kong, said most of the recent generation of collectors had acquired Chinese artworks for investment purposes, and their preference for pieces that were easily appreciated had fuelled the interest in Qing ceramics.
'Qing pieces are easier to understand. Modern collectors are more reluctant to do their homework. They want their pieces ready-made, and they want to know the value of the piece in two to five years' time,' she said. 'In the old days, when you asked questions about [resale value], people thought it was crass. Now you get immune to that type of comment.'
The older generations regarded Ming ceramics as more important, but things started to change in the 1990s, when people became more open to Qing pieces, Ms Tsang said.
'People used to really appreciate a piece. They would sit in teahouses and talk about their art pieces; they would share information. These days, you look it up on the internet.'
