Qianlong throne makes record in Sotheby's auction

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A Chinese emperor's throne dating from the Qing Dynasty has fetched 11 million US dollars at a Sotheby's sale in Hong Kong. And that staggering sum breaks the auction record for Chinese furniture.

The "dragon" throne from the Qing Dynasty's Qianlong period had been given a presale estimate of 4 million US dollars. It features elaborate carvings, with a 5 dragon motif symbolizing the emperor.

A Chinese emperor's throne dating from the Qing Dynasty has fetched 11 million US dollars at a Sotheby's sale in Hong  Kong.

Auction giant Sotheby's raked in a higher-than-expected 168 million US dollars or so in total sales for its autumn Asian sales in Hong Kong. And some think this could be a return to positive sentiment on the Chinese art market.