Rare 700-year-old scroll fetches $41.8 million in auction
A staff member points to the Chinese classical painting "Five Drunken Princes Returning on Horseback" by Yuan dynasty artist Ren Renfa, estimated between $10,340,000 and $15 million, displayed during a Sotheby's preview in Hong Kong, China
A rare 700-year-old Chinese scroll has been sold for $41.8 million in an auction in Hong Kong.
The 6.6-feet scroll, titled 'Five Drunken Princes Returning on Horseback'is by Ren Renfa, a renowned Chinese artist and government official.
Once owned by Chinese emperors and painted byYuandynastymaster Ren Renfa (1255-1327), the two metre-long scroll wentunder the hammer along with other rare artworks.
The artwork was initially estimated to sell between about $10 million and $15.5 million. Many of Ren's 21 paintings are held in museums or owned by private collectors.
"This is a painting that entered the court collection in the 18th century, in the collection of the Emperor Qianlong. It will have the seals of Emperor Qianlong, his son Jiaqing and further emperors of the Qingdynasty," Sotheby's Asia chairman Nicholas Chow said at a media preview on Wednesday.
The scroll shows the five princes and four attendants, who are also all on horseback in a dynamic scene. Ithas been documented in imperial collections and bears a collection of seals, including those of several emperors.
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why Russian tanks are much lighter compared to US tanks
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why are iPhones so expensive compared to Android phones?
)
Punjab Assembly passes resolution against Centre's mandatory E20 petrol rollout
)
Why did India turn down the US offer for F-35 fighter jets? EXPLAINED
)
‘India’s FCRA bill an attack on Christians, could hit bilateral ties,’ says US lawmaker
)
'I believe in freedom of expression...': Shashi Tharoor clarifies on attending event where RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat will address Gen Zs
)
India avoids higher US tariff, secures lower 10% rate. Here's how
)
Why did FSSAI ban the sale of Old Monk, Antiquity Blue and other liquor brands?
)
WMO warns Super El Niño is set to become monstrous between Aug-Oct - This was 'only a warm-up act'
)
Who is Devendra Nath Mahto, Jharkhand’s 'Sonam Wangchuk' fasting for protesting students?
)
Another assassination attempt? Armed man arrested at Trump's golf course ahead of presidential visit to LA
)
Scientists find descendants of ancient sea creatures trapped under Antarctica's Blood Falls
)
Indian vessel sinks after Red Sea attack off Yemen; all crew rescued
)
'Words had single meaning': Udhayanidhi Stalin denies 'double meaning' remark on actress Trisha, claims he was 'treated like terrorist'
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
New OTT releases this week (August 3-9, 2026): Main Vaapas Aaunga, Uyir, Operation Safed Sagar- 6 titles coming on Netflix, Prime Video and more
)
What’s happening in Nepal? How did a local clash turn into communal violence? WION Decodes
)
Influencer killed on livestream: Mexican cartel boss' son asked dad to kill woman who broke up with him
)
Ghajini villain Pradeep Rawat passes away at 74 after battle with cancer
)
'World's most beautiful village' with only 627 people generated Rs 58 lakh in traffic fines in 2025
)
'Can't rip open my chest but...': On Day 11 of student protest, Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren breaks silence
)
Trump goes 'bing bing bing' 11 times within 5 seconds at Iran war briefing
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Who is Sujatha Vijayakumar? The producer defending daughter Aarti in Ravi Mohan divorce battle
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Can an S-400 detect a bird?
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Meet top 5 bowlers in latest ICC ODI rankings 2026 - check who sits at the top
)
'I was almost trafficked in Paris,' says Australian woman, shares terrifying ordeal - 'I am on the black market'
)
Did military GPS jamming cause a plane to crash in New Mexico? Here's what a report says
)
Munir-protege Mohsin Naqvi’s claim of unearthing huge scam triggers tremors in Pakistan’s power corridors
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
7 longest flights in the world - Singapore, Qantas, Qatar and others
)
The Royals enter the Doctor Who universe: King Charles and Queen Camilla beam into Commonwealth Games in TARDIS
)
Trump says Iranian school bombing photos could be AI-generated - 'I don’t think...'
)
'Should not be bullied': CJP says movement will expand beyond protests. Politics, or something bigger?
)
WI vs PAK, 2nd Test: Spinner Sajid Khan helps Pakistan turn screw for series-levelling win against hosts
"It was in the hands of Pu Yi, the last emperor, who took it out of the Forbidden City and after that sold it on the market. And it entered various very important collections in the West. And it's with us here today," Chow added.
Among other works showcased by Sotheby's was a complete scroll from Qingdynastyartist Wang Hui's famous work, "The Kangxi Emperor's Southern Inspection Tour".
Its twelve scrolls, which are 200 metres (656 feet) long in total, are scattered around the world. Sotheby's described its presentation of a complete scroll as unique.