Auction introduction: Sotheby’s Hong Kong is delighted to present "Imperial Connoisseurship: Treasures of Chinese Art from a Prestigious Collection," an exceptional group of works that offers a rare glimpse into the highest achievements of Chinese imperial craftsmanship and aesthetic sensibility. Carefully assembled with a discerning eye for quality and historical significance, this curated selection spans the most illustrious periods of Chinese art, from the Yuan and Ming dynasties through to the technical brilliance of the Qing. Each piece has been carefully chosen not only for its rarity and beauty, but also for its ability to represent the artistic and cultural ideals of its era. Highlights of the collection include a magnificent and exceptionally rare copper-red and underglaze-blue ‘dragon’ vase, tianqiuping, Seal mark and period of Qianlong, and an exceedingly rare copper-red and underglaze-blue 'fish' stem bowl, Ming dynasty, Chenghua period, exemplifying the technical and artistic mastery of Jingdezhen’s imperial kilns. Its dynamic depiction of four copper-red fish swimming among lotus in cobalt blue not only showcases exceptional craftsmanship but also carries profound Daoist symbolism, representing freedom and ease. The combination of copper-red with underglaze-blue is notoriously difficult to achieve, making this piece a true rarity and a highlight of Ming imperial porcelain. The collection also features an extremely rare and superbly painted blue and white 'dragon' jar and cover from the Yuan dynasty.