The seven-figure price barrier, passed 12 times by Britain’s provincial salerooms during a purple patch from 2005-12, has not been breached in the regions since. Nonetheless, the market for Chinese works of art – again more circumspect and selective in 2016 than in previous years – continues to thrive given the right conditions.
Six-figure results were achieved by a range of regional salerooms in 2016 including Sworders (a £200,000 rhino horn libation cup), Hansons (a £650,000 Qianlong blue and white vase), Halls (a £155,000 Qianlong cinnabar lacquer bitong) and Woolley & Wallis where a Yongzheng doucai jar and cover sold in November for £820,000.