Eternal Ming Treasures from The MQJ Collection Dedicated Live Auction from The Queen of Huanghuali – Grace Wu

Christie’s proudly presents “Eternal Ming – Treasures from The MQJ Collection”, a dedicated auction comprising 15 lots of important classical Ming furniture and tabletop objects. This live auction will be held on 29 November 2024 at The Henderson, Christie’s new Asia Pacific headquarters in Hong Kong.

Taking place during Christie’s inaugural Asian Art Week in Hong Kong in November, this will be the first time that the finest masterpieces from the MQJ Collection are presented at a dedicated auction, reaffirming Christie’s position as the global platform for outstanding Asian art.

Crowned the ‘Queen of Huanghuali’ by collectors, Grace Wu is the world’s leading expert and collector of Ming furniture. Assembled over three decades, the MQJ Collection features the finest and rarest examples of huanghuali and zitan furniture in almost all categories of Ming furniture. Each piece reflects the collector’s profound admiration for the enduring elegance and allure of Ming furniture, the design and form of which transcend boundaries of time and space. The MQJ Collection is unrivalled in quality and rarity. The Special Exhibition of the MQJ Collection, including selected sale highlights, will be on display from 11 to 15 October at Christie’s new Asia Pacific headquarters in The Henderson.

The sale presents an exquisite selection of 15 exceptional and rare pieces from the MQJ Collection, including a huanghuali incense stand (pictured above on the right). Sought after for its graceful curves and classical beauty, this huanghuali incense stand features long and slender cabriole legs that are balanced and elegant. While examples with octagonal tops can be found in records from the Ming dynasty, this is one of the only two pieces made of huanghuali. The other piece was previously owned by Wang Shixiang, and is now in the collection of the Shanghai Museum.

Further highlights include a couch bed Luohan chuang with marble panels, as well as a pair of large square-corner cabinets made of precious huanghuali throughout:

Auction Preview
The Henderson, Hong Kong | 22-28 November


The MQJ Collection Special Exhibition
Hong Kong | 11-15 October | Christie’s New Asia Pacific Headquarters – 6th Floor, The Henderson, 2 Murray Road, Central

Book Launch of Three Decades of Ming Furniture
Hong Kong | 11-15 October | Christie’s New Asia Pacific Headquarters – 6th Floor, The Henderson, 2 Murray Road, Central

Beijing | 31 October and 1 November | The Hong Kong Jockey Club Beijing Clubhouse – No. 68 Jinbao Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing

Shanghai | 4-7 November | Christie’s Shanghai Art Space – BUND ONE, 4/F, No.1 Zhongshan Dong Yi Road, Shanghai

Book Signing of Three Decades of Ming Furniture

*By invitation only

Beijing | 31 October | The Hong Kong Jockey Club Beijing Clubhouse – No. 68 Jinbao Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing

Shanghai | 4 November | Christie’s Shanghai Art Space – BUND ONE, 4/F, No.1 Zhongshan Dong Yi Road, Shanghai