Vase once kept at Philbrook Museum sells for $14.5 million

The Associated Press and The Tulsa World - June 1, 2018 11:48 am

TULSA, Okla. (AP) – A centuries-old Chinese vase that was once in storage at an Oklahoma museum has sold at auction for $14.5 million in Hong Kong.

The rare, porcelain vase was given to the Philbrook Museum of Art in Tulsa in 1960. It was part of the museum’s permanent collection, though it was kept in storage for more than a decade.

The vase is believed to have been commissioned in the early 1700s by Emperor Qianlong. It’s known as a tianquiping, or celestial sphere vase, and had been estimated at $9 million to $11 million ahead of Wednesday’s auction.

Museum director Scott Stulen told the Tulsa World that proceeds from the sale will go into a restricted endowment that will fund the acquisition of more artwork.

 

Latest Stories

Arnold, Robinson run for more than 100 yards as OU stuns No. 7 Alabama 24-3

By CLIFF BRUNT AP Sports Writer NORMAN, Okla. (AP) — Oklahoma’s fans literally couldn’t wait to...

Morton, Brooks lead Texas Tech to a 56-48 win, keep OSU winless in Big 12 play

By HALLIE HART Associated Press STILLWATER, Okla. (AP) — Behren Morton and Tahj Brooks each accounted...

Fred Harris, former US senator from Oklahoma and presidential hopeful, dies at 94

By RIO YAMAT Associated Press (AP) — Fred Harris, a former U.S. senator from Oklahoma, presidential...