Christie’s to auction rare Qianlong gold ewer in Hong Kong
A gemstone-embellished vessel from the 18th-century imperial court goes under the hammer on 29 October at Christie's Asia Pacific headquarters.
Christie’s Hong Kong will offer a single lot of exceptional significance on 29 October: an Imperial gold ewer and cover from the Qianlong period (1736–1795). The sale takes place at Christie’s Asia Pacific headquarters on Murray Road, coinciding with Hong Kong Asian Art Week. According to the auction house, the piece ranks among the finest surviving imperial gold vessels held in private collections.
The ewer is fashioned from solid gold and adorned with pearls, rubies, sapphires and turquoise. Its design demonstrates the technical brilliance achieved in the Imperial Workshops, combining elegant proportions with intricate filigree work and lavish gemstone inlay. The object exemplifies the artistic standards sustained during the reign of the Qianlong Emperor.
Provenance and rarity
The vessel formerly belonged to Dr Carl Kempe (1884–1967). It has been displayed internationally and featured in scholarly publications. Archival records from the Imperial Workshops document that a comparable jewel-embellished gold ewer was commissioned in 1740 and finished the following year, matching the present object in both dimensions and decorative scheme, according to Christie’s.
Marco Almeida, Senior Vice President and Head of Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art at Christie’s Asia Pacific, said the ewer “vividly embodies the personal world of the Qianlong Emperor” and stands as “an exceptional testament to the cultural sophistication and artistic achievement that characterised the Qianlong court.”
Historical parallels
The ewer’s design shares characteristics with the Jin’ou Yonggu cup, an iconic imperial gold vessel employed by Qing emperors for New Year observances. The ewer, like that celebrated cup, features richly sculpted floral ornament, filigree detailing and gemstone embellishment that position it among the most luxurious and technically accomplished works of the early Qianlong court.
Preview and sale details
The ewer will be previewed in Taipei from 17 to 18 October at the Taipei Marriott Hotel, and in Hong Kong from 22 to 28 October at Christie’s Asia Pacific headquarters. Pre-registration is required. The sale itself takes place on 29 October at the same Hong Kong location.
The auction coincides with Christie’s year-long celebration of its 40th anniversary in Asia. The house is marking the milestone with exhibitions and events across the region throughout 2026.
This article was compiled by the CityLifeBytes editorial desk from the official announcements and reporting listed under Sources.
