Chinese works of art to be auctioned by Christie's in London

LONDON, May 13 (Xinhua) -- About 400 lots of Chinese ceramics and works of art are to be auctioned by Christie's in London on Tuesday.

The collection, including important jades, ceramics, bronze and hard stones, is estimated to fetch 12 million pounds, with single estimates ranging from 1,000 pounds to 1.2 million.

Leading the auction is a pair of large imperial famille rose vases, with red seal marks suggesting that they were made during the reign of Emperor Jiaqing (1796-1820) in the Qing Dynasty. They were estimated to be worth of 800,000 to 1.2 million pounds.

Another ceramic highlight is a large coral-ground famille rose jardiniere, with the mark indicating the period of Emperor Qianlong (1736-1795). With its value about 200,000 to 300,000 pounds, it carried some acanthus leaves reflecting the strong influence of European Rococo style in the early Qing period.

A spinach green jade disc at exhibition is measured an impressive 40.7 centimeters in diameter. Supported by a bronze stand featuring two writhing dragons in clouds, it was believed to be made for Emperor Qianlong, before purchased by an European private collector who later gave it to a royal family. Experts note that it could be sold for 400,000 to 600,000 pounds.

Also on offer is a set of three dragon seals, expected to realize 400,000 to 500,000 pounds. Each of them is carved with lines from poems by Qu Yuan, famous patriotic poet from the Warring States period (475-221 BC).

Christie's, the world's leading art business, will launch an Asian Art Week from Tuesday to Friday. Apart from the 400 lots to be sold on Tuesday, another 350 lots, many of them ceramics and textiles with their values from 500 to 50,000 pounds, are to be auctioned on Friday.