The market for good Chinese works of art had been hugely strong for more than a decade. Well-provenanced objects from the Qing period in particular have excelled with a corresponding growth of interest in works from both earlier and later periods.

Sworders have achieved great results in recent years for mark and period porcelain, selling a Qianlong famille rose wall vase inscribed with an imperial poem for £484,880 in November 2019, and a Kangxi blue and white brush pot inscribed with the text of the Shengzhu de Xianchen Song for £162,500 in November 2021.

We have also enjoyed success selling Chinese taste bronzes (particularly Buddhist artefacts) plus jades and other carvings. Highlights have included an exceptional rhinoceros horn libation cup from the late Ming period c.1600 (£252,800 in November 2016) and a Qing bronze censer with gilt splash decoration and a four-character Shijia Guzhi mark (£136,500 in November 2020).

Our buyers and sellers can expect the best customer service before and after the sale. Bidders who cannot make it to the sale or attend viewing in person can trust our detailed images and thorough condition reports and benefit from dual language cataloguing when appropriate.

Sworders has continued to observe exceptional results throughout the Covid 19 pandemic, including £182,000 for a Qianlong hardwood lacquer and ivory table screen sold in May 2021 and £27,300 for a Qing silk ‘peach festival’ kesi in May 2020.

To find out more about our forthcoming sales or talk further about potential consignments, please don’t hesitate to contact a member of our specialist team.

Results & Highlights