Shang Dynasty Ritual Wine Vessel sold for $2.4 Million

Sotheby's in New York broke more records with its latest auction of Chinese art. Among the highlights was this small (9 3/8 inches or 24 cm tall) Shang Dynasty ritual wine vessel, c. 1200 to 1000 BCE:

Dr. Tao Wang, Head of Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art at Sotheby’s New York said: “This was an extraordinary week in New York. Time and time again, we saw multiple bidders – sometimes as many as ten on a single lot - drive prices for the very best Chinese Works of Art far over the estimates. Collectors both in China and elsewhere continue to seek pieces that have been hidden in private collections, such as the Barbed Rim Dish which has never appeared on the market and went on to sell for $4.2 million. The other story this week was the ever-growing appeal of Archaic Bronzes such as those in our special auction, and the distinguished Tian Mian Fu Yi Jiao which fetched $2.4 million.”

The rise of Chinese billionaires continues to reshape the world in interesting ways.