Power & Culture

Of Reverence and Excellence

Preface to the Poems Composed at the Orchid Pavilion by Song Dynasty Emperors Renzong and Gaozong from the Canton Collection

Rare Imperial Calligraphy

Hong Kong

Sotheby's Maison, Hong Kong Landmark Chater, 8 Connaught Road Central, Central&nbsp;

Director | Head of Department

Steven Zuo

Deputy Director | Specialist

Sally Fong

Alex Weng

Junior Specialist / Cataloguer

Jacqueline Lee

Meet our Specialists

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The Poon family was one of the most famous and influential Canton merchant houses founded at the height of the Qing dynasty. This generational heirloom collection, first assembled in the 18th century and continued into the 20th century, marks the inaugural Chinese sale of Sotheby’s Maison. Chief among the treasures in the Poon family Collection was the Preface to the Poems Composed at the Orchid Pavilion after Wang Xizhi by the Song Emperors Renzong and Gaozong, an incredibly rare extant scroll of imperial calligraphy. This unique collection of Chinese calligraphy, paintings and works of art spanning a thousand years of history tells a powerful story of the continuum of classical thought and tradition.

Power & Culture – Heirlooms from the Poon Family Collection – Emperor Renzong and Emperor Gaozong’s Preface to the Orchid Pavilion After Wang Xizhi