Angela McAteer, Head of Sotheby’s Chinese Works of Art Department in New York, commented: “This season, we were entrusted with a number of significant private collections from Asia and the Americas. Today’s results are a testament to the appetite for works fresh to the market, and the global demand for rare, exceptional and beautiful Chinese art.”MING: LUMINOUS DAWN OF EMPIRESale Total: $9,394,500

The first of this morning’s auctions, dedicated to the first century of the Ming Dynasty, climbed above its high estimate and totaled $9.4 million. The curated group was led by an Exceptionally Rare and Important Blue and White Ewer, Xuande Mark and Period. Appearing in public for the first time in nearly 600 years, this striking work of art from the Detring / von Hanneken Collection elicited bids from three eager telephones in the auction room. Over the course of four minutes, the work flew above its pre-sale estimate of $600/800,000, before selling to an private Asian collector for $3,135,000.JINGYATANG: TREASURES OF CHINESE BUDDHIST SCULPTURESale Total: $3,033,000

Masterpieces of Chinese Buddhist sculpture from esteemed Asian private collection Jingyatang was highlighted by a Carved Limestone Head of Avalokiteshvara. From the Sui Dynasty, the bodhisattva of compassion founds bids in the room and on the telephone before selling for $843,500, above its pre-sale high estimate.KANGXI: THE JIE RUI TANG COLLECTIONSale Total: $ 4,469,000

Personally selected by collector Jeffrey P. Stamen, the Jie Rui Tang Collection of Kangxi porcelain offered earlier today achieved a total of $4.5 million. A Large and Important Famille-Verte ‘Investiture of the Gods’ Rouleau Vase from the Qing Dynasty, Kangxi Period attracted at least eight bidders on the telephone and in the salesroom. After seven minutes of bidding, the exemplary wucai-decorated vase, measuring 29 3/4 inches in height, sold for $1,575,000 against a pre-sale estimate of $400/600,000.INSPIRED: THE GERSON AND JUDITH LEIBER COLLECTION OF CHINESE ARTSale Total: $1,305,563

Curated over the course of seven decades, the Gerson and Judith Leiber Collection encapsulated the aesthetic vision of this artistic couple. The top lot of the auction was a Rare Blue and White ‘Luduan’ Censer and Cover from the Ming Dynasty, Wanli Period. A direct reference for one of Mrs. Leiber’s jewel-encrusted minaudières, the playful and majestic mythical creature soared past its pre-sale estimate of $60/80,000 before fetching $325,000.