Story perspectives

Rare Chinese Calligraphy Album Fetches Over $1 Million

11/2/2025

50 11

Summary

Story summary

A rare Chinese calligraphy album, once owned by the Qianlong emperor, sold for over $1 million at Heffel Fine Art Auction House in Toronto.
The album, created by Zhao Mengfu during the Yuan dynasty, was initially expected to sell for $20,000 to $30,000 and began bidding at $15,000.
It features four imperial seals and was preserved in the Forbidden City before being stored in a Vancouver basement for decades.
The album belonged to the descendants of banker Wang Yiling, who immigrated from China, and the auction drew global interest in Asian art.

1 of 1

Story summary

A rare Chinese calligraphy album, once owned by the Qianlong emperor, sold for over $1 million at Heffel Fine Art Auction House in Toronto.
The album, created by Zhao Mengfu during the Yuan dynasty, was initially expected to sell for $20,000 to $30,000 and began bidding at $15,000.
It features four imperial seals and was preserved in the Forbidden City before being stored in a Vancouver basement for decades.
The album belonged to the descendants of banker Wang Yiling, who immigrated from China, and the auction drew global interest in Asian art.