By William Stolerman

Sotheby’s Hong Kong spring sale series is expected to fetch in excess of HK$2.4 billion (US$300 million).

Kevin Ching, Chief Executive Officer, Sotheby’s Asia, said: “2010 was a triumphant year for Sotheby’s Hong Kong. Our Autumn sale series achieved the highest total ever for a sale series in Hong Kong. Building upon this historic result, we are privileged and honoured to be entrusted by internationally renowned art connoisseurs with a series of museum-quality private collections of exceptional rarity this Spring.”

Leading the season are two special evening sales featuring two monumental private collections of Chinese art from Europe: The Meiyintang Collection – An Important Selection of Imperial Chinese Porcelains and The Ullens Collection – The Nascence of Avant-Garde China.

Together they will offer a host of iconic pieces from the fourteenth to eighteenth century, as well as a variety of museum grade pieces of contemporary Chinese art.

One of the highlights of the Meiyintang Collection is a Falangcai ‘foreign colour’ vase depicting golden pheasants which was produced in the Qing Dynasty (second top). Measuring 20.3cm, it is expected to fetch in excess of HK$180 million (US$23 million).

In contrast, the star attraction in the Ullens Collection is Zhang Xiaogang’s oil on canvas masterpiece, Forever Lasting Love (above). Painted in 1988, it’s estimated to go for HK$25 – 30 million (US$3.2 – 3.8 million).

Offerings from other categories include masterpieces by Daqian and Chu Teh-chun, Burmese Rubies, Patek Philippes and top Bordeaux from The Classic Cellar from a Great American Collector VII.

www.sothebys.com