Hotlotz sell the fruits of 'a born collector'

The Singaporean banker, entrepreneur and investor Quek Kiok Lee (1921-2018) said he was ‘born to be a collector’. Chinese works of art were his passion for close to 70 years.

In that time the so-called ‘Jade king of Singapore’ amassed vast holdings of ceramics, metalwork, hardstone carvings and scholar’s objects and became both a founder of the Southeast Asian Ceramic Society (SEACS) and acquisitions adviser on Chinese antiquities for the University of Singapore.

Elements of his collection were exhibited in the 1970 and 80s at the National Museum of Singapore.

Quek Kiok Lee (1921-2018) collected Chinese works of art for close to 70 years.

Various pieces from the Quek collection have been offered in Hong Kong and London in recent years. However, Singapore auction house Hotlotz has been charged with the dispersal of its considerable residual contents on Quek’s home soil.

Following the successful auction of 250 lots in December 2019, a second two-day timed online sale of works of art from the collection will be held this weekend on thesaleroom.com. The first part of the sale closes at 1pm BST on Saturday with the second part closing at the same time on Sunday.

Pictured here are five potential highlights from more than 500 lots.

Scholar’s rock, estimate Sin$300-500 at Hotlotz.

A scholar’s rock

The appeal of natural occurring gongshi, also known as scholar's rocks, is based on subtleties of colour, shape, surface texture, and sound when struck. Six are in the Quek sale. This example, measuring 10in (25cm) on its hardwood stand, has a guide of Sin$300-500.

Famille verte vase with Kangxi mark, estimate Sin$2000-4000 at Hotlotz.

A famille verte vase

This large 2ft 9in (84cm) famille verte vase has a Kangxi mark but is probably 19^th century. Quek Kiok Lee, who bought it in 1972, admired its size, shape and decoration, devoting three pages of notes to the piece in his archives. Estimate Sin$2000-4000.

Qing inlaid zitan brushpot, estimate Sin$2000-4000 at Hotlotz.

An inlaid zitan brushpot

Quek meticulously researched every piece in his collection and collated detailed records. This 6in (15cm) zitan brushpot is inlaid with a scene of two figures in coloured semi-precious stones, mother-of-pearl, ivory, and agate.

According to the collector's inventory it was bought from dealership Hong Sing in the early 1980s for Sin$3000 when it was considered 18^th century. The guide at Hotlotz is Sin$2000-4000 but bidding has already passed the top estimate.

Longuan celadon brush washer, Sin$600-1000 at Hotlotz.

A Longuan celadon washer

Celadons and monochromes of the Song and later periods were a Quek favourite. Elements of his collection were exhibited in the 1970s and 1980s at the National Museum of Singapore.

This Longuan celadon brush washer with an even blue-green glaze of the type often known by its Japanese name ‘kinuta’. Purchased in 1969, it has a 1978 SEACS label for National Museum Singapore to the base. Estimate Sin$600-1000.

Qing famille rose wine cup, estimate Sin$400-600 at Hotlotz.

A Qing famille rose wine cup

This famille rose wine cup has a Jiaqing (1796-1820) mark and is possibly of the period. Delicately painted with various flowering branches, it was purchased by the collector from China Art House in 1973 for Sin$45. The estimate is Sin$400-600.