Christie’s has officially announced that it will once again host the highly anticipated Baileung Kwan Collection auction during Hong Kong’s Asia Art Week in October 2025. This auction is a continuation of Part Two, building on the remarkable success of the 100% sell-through rate achieved at the First Shoot held at Christie’s new Asia-Pacific headquarters, The Henderson, in 2024. This marks the sustained excitement for this rare collection of Chinese porcelain.
Mr. Kwok Pak Ling (1928–2019) was celebrated as a visionary and legendary collector in Hong Kong. He began his journey into the world of Chinese antique ceramics as early as the mid-20th century. His collection spans across the Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties, with a particular focus on the renowned imperial porcelain from the Chenghua period of the Ming dynasty. In 1998, this remarkable collection was invited to be showcased in an exhibition featuring 100 masterpieces at the Royal Academy of Arts in the UK, marking a milestone as the first exhibition dedicated to a single private Chinese collection since the academy’s establishment in 1768, highlighting its scholarly importance and international recognition.
Image source: Christie’s
The debut of Kwan Pak Ling Collection: First Auction in 2024 became a significant part of the opening auction at Christie’s Hong Kong, The Henderson. The auction not only recorded a complete sell-out but also exceeded the pre-auction total estimates. Among the highlights were the Ming Yongle blue-and-white vase adorned with seasonal floral patterns, the Qing Yongzheng powder blue gourd vase, and the Qing Qianlong doucai gilded dark eight immortals multi-eared vase, all of which captured the spotlight in the Asian art market that year, drawing immense attention from collectors.
2024, Christie’s Hong Kong Kwan Pak Ling Collection: First Auction
Sale Price: HK$27,600,000
This jade vase features lines that are naturally smooth, adorned with blue and white floral depictions of spring, summer, autumn, and winter, arranged in a harmonious manner. Collected by Mr. Koo Pak-ling for many years, it made its debut at The Henderson’s inaugural auction, ultimately changing hands for nearly thirty million Hong Kong dollars, confirming the enduring allure of early Ming imperial kiln porcelain.
Christie’s has noted that the second part of this series will continue to showcase the exquisite collection of imperial kiln pieces gathered by the Qu family, with details to be announced shortly. Based on past curatorial directions, it is anticipated that the auction items will maintain high academic value and preservation standards, furthering the eager anticipation within the collecting community for the Qu family’s treasures.
As Christie’s Asia Pacific headquarters approaches its one-year anniversary, the auction house has also planned a three-month autumn auction series, featuring various categories of art. September will spotlight 20th and 21st-century art, while October will focus on Asian art, including Chinese calligraphy, paintings, and porcelain crafts. November will center around exquisite items such as jewelry, luxury watches, handbags, and fine wines. This lineup not only celebrates the fruitful achievements of the past year but also reinforces Christie’s solid standing in the Asian art market.
This second part of the District Bailing Collection special event is set to be a key highlight of the Fall 2025 auction series, and it offers collectors another close encounter with legendary imperial porcelain. For collectors who seek historical value, artistic quality, and stable provenance, this series undoubtedly presents another rare opportunity to acquire prized pieces.
Christie’s has announced that it will soon disclose the preview dates, selected auction items, and scholarly research information. Interested collectors can stay updated on the latest developments by visiting the official website or contacting the Asian Art Department directly.
