Imperial sutras set auction record in Hong Kong at US$30m

Two sets of Ming dynasty imperial sutras fetched 239 million HK dollars (about US$30.4 million) on Tuesday, setting a new auction record for a Buddhist manuscript.

Sotheby's Hong Kong Chinese Works of Art Spring Sale was held on Tuesday morning, when the imperial sutras and a Qing dynasty enameled pink-ground "falangcai" bowl were sold at 239 million HK dollars respectively.

Sam Shum, Senior Specialist of Chinese Works of Art of the renowned auction house, said the sutras were in incredibly good condition despite that they were produced more than 600 years ago in the Ming dynasty, making them rare and precious.

As for the enameled bowl, it was valuable due to the superb craftsmanship, which had had a great, positive impact on the development of imperial porcelain production later in the Qing dynasty, according to Shum.

Sotheby's Hong Kong Spring Sale 2018 was held between March 30 to April 3, when Chinese art works, modern Asian art works, wines, jewels, watches and some other items were auctioned.