Throne of Qianlong Emperor Breaks Auction Records

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The frenzied bidding lasted 10 minutes, with 36 bids from all over the world. The winning bid by an unnamed Shanghai businessman considerably exceeded the highest estimate of $4 million.

Nicolas Chow, Sotheby’s International Head of Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, commented after the sale: “This throne was literally the seat of Imperial power and this has aroused enormous interest among discerning collectors from around the world. As the finest piece of Imperial furniture to come to the market in decade, it is appropriate that it has now broken the world auction record for Chinese furniture”.

The “dragon” throne is 140 centimetres long and carved of zitan wood. It feautures carved panes, curved legs and five dragon carving on the back. The number of dragons was not accidental; it represented the “five blessings” of old age, health, virtue, wealth and peaceful death.

To read more about Imperial Family of China, visit this thread.

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