A rare Chinese Yongzheng era (1722-1735) celadon vase proved the headline lot of Sotheby's Monochrome sale in New York on September 15.

It made $706,000 against a $200,000 estimate, equating to an increase of 252.9%.

The celadon vase was crafted during the 18th Century's Yongzheng era

Sotheby's comments: "The present vase is an exceptional example of the technical perfection achieved by craftsmen working at the imperial kilns in Jingdezhen during the Yongzheng period.

"A great connoisseur of antique porcelain and with a discerning aesthetic sense for works of art, the Yongzheng emperor demanded the highest level of craftsmanship in the production of elegant and finely manufactured implements for personal enjoyment…

"The slightest irregularity would result in the rejection and destruction of the piece, thus pushing the craftsmen to the limits of their abilities, particularly in the production of large vessels such as the present."

Xu Bing's Landscript (1955) was another highlight, beating a valuation of $150,000 by 41.6% to achieve $212,500.

Bing is among China's most influential living artists, his work combining contemporary ideas with ancient techniques.

The lot originates from a 1999 trip he undertook to the Himalayas and represents an attempt to recreate the landscape using Hanzi characters.

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