Auction introduction: Sotheby's Hong Kong is delighted to announce the return of the esteemed "CHINA/5000 YEARS" sale, showcasing a wide range of exquisite artifacts across various categories, with a special presentation of jade treasures from the Chuan Ching Tang Collection (Hall of Transmitted Celebration) in Taipei. This exceptional collection spans the Shang and Zhou dynasties through to the Tang and Song periods, encompassing a range of cultural regions across China. The second-generation custodian of Chuan Ching Tang has penned a personal essay to introduce the collection: Chuan Ching Tang is renowned for its remarkable collection of jade, curated by my father, Mr Lin, who was warmly referred to by his friends and peers in the art world as the Lin of Huadu. Since the 1960s, he had passionately gathered a wealth of Chinese art, with an emphasis on jade as his centerpiece. Mr. Lin, a devoted connoisseur, immersed himself in the research of each piece's history, with a particular fondness for archaic jades from the Neolithic era up to the Han Dynasty. New additions to the collection were meticulously examined with the insight of the National Palace Museum's ancient jade specialists. Our home was adorned with a specially designed tea room that provided an intimate setting for guests from around the world to admire the jade collection. While the tactile allure and extensive nature of the collection mean that larger pieces are a rarity, the assortment is nevertheless broad and culturally rich. It spans a timeline from practical Neolithic tools and weaponry to sophisticated ritual items, ornamental jades, and ceremonial pieces meant for burial. The collection celebrates a variety of ancient cultures, including the Amur River, Majiabang, and Dawenkou, with a particular spotlight on the Hongshan culture of the north and the Liangzhu culture of the south.