There wasn’t a great deal of expectation ahead of the autumn auction season after fairly flat sales in spring. Market watchers predicted the Chinese authorities’ continuing crackdown on corruption and restrictions on capital outflows would have a negative effect on the autumn sales in Hong Kong just as they did on the spring auctions.

However, it appears that some of the profits from gains on world stock markets this year are flowing into the auction market. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index has risen by around 25 per cent since January, putting money in the pockets of many collectors, including Chinese ones who over the years have kept a large chunk of their art and financial portfolio outside mainland China.

Nicholas Wilson, general manager of Chinese ceramics and works of art at another auction house, China Guardian Hong Kong, which also held its sales this week, said their sales volume was 36 per cent higher than in spring, when a near identical number of lots were offered for sale.

“The stock market has certainly been a factor. We are also seeing more young Chinese buyers becoming interested in building up their own antique collections, which means that more people are buying,” Wilson said.

The eight-day “golden week” holiday for national day in China drew many more mainland Chinese visitors to the auction previews than normal, he said, but the real buyers were still largely the familiar faces who come to Hong Kong every season.

The dish is one of just 87 known pieces to have survived from an imperial kiln that was only in operation for a short period of time between the late 11th century and early 12th century. Only four known Ru wares currently remain in private hands.

The seller is Robert Tsao, the Taiwan-born founder and former chairman of United Microelectronics Corporation.