Emperor Qianlong's Flask: 18th century Chinese moon flask sells for 4.1 million euros

World
Europe

01:28

A rare porcelain moon flask that belonged to the 18th century Chinese Emperor Qianlong has been sold for 4.1 million euros, or about 4.8 million US dollars, after a bidding war at an auction in France.

The blue, white and celadon flask -- more than 200-years-old -- was bought by a French woman who outbid 17 Chinese buyers during a sale that lasted about ten minutes. The final sale, including fees, totalled more than 5 million euros -- ten times the auction's opening price of 500,000 euros.

PHILIPPE ROUILLAC AUCTIONEER "Historical and legendary. A French woman beat 17 Chinese people who came from around the world to fetch the item of national heritage."

Emperor Qianlong, one of the longest serving Chinese emperors who ruled for much of the 18th Century, was an avid art collector.

The round-shaped moon flask has eight Buddhist symbols in stylised lotus petals and bears the seal of the emperor. It was discovered by chance in April in a French castle during a valuation of antiques and its original owners remain anonymous. The flask was probably brought back from China by a French navy officer.

Art specialist Alice Jossaume said the flask is one of two flasks from Emperor Qianlong that exist. The other flask was sold for 1.8 million euros at Sotheby's in Hong Kong in 2016.