Guided Viewing: "Christie’s Autumn Auctions" with Rosemary Scott and Pola Antebi

Christie’s is delighted to invite the members of the University of Hong Kong Museum Society to a private guided tour of Important Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art from our forthcoming Hong Kong Autumn Auctions. The guided tour will be given by  Rosemary Scott, Senior International Academic Consultant Asian Art, Christie’s, and Pola Antebi, Deputy Chairman, Asia Pacific & International Director, Chinese Ceramics & Works of Art Department, Christie’s.

Resource Persons

Rosemary Scott

Rosemary Scott joined Christie’s in 1997 and in 2006 was appointed International Academic Director to Christie’s Asian Art Departments. In 2017 she changed to a part-time role as Senior International Academic Consultant to Christie’s Asian Art departments.

Ms Scott was formerly the Head of the Museums Department at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London, and was responsible for the Percival David Foundation of Chinese Art and for the Brunei Gallery.

After completing a degree in Chinese Art and Archaeology at the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, Ms. Scott undertook postgraduate research into early Chinese lacquer and its relationship to other materials, particularly textiles and inlaid bronze. In 1979, she joined the Burrell Collection in Glasgow as an Assistant Keeper with curatorial responsibility for Oriental works of art and was appointed Deputy Keeper of the entire collection in 1980. In December 1983, Ms. Scott took up the post of curator of the Percival David Foundation of Chinese Art, School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, and in January 1995 she became the first Head of the SOAS new Museums Department.

Ms. Scott has researched and written numerous books and articles on subjects related to Chinese ceramics and decorative arts, and has also presented papers at many international conferences, in addition to organizing and editing the proceedings of several such conferences in the UK. She has travelled widely in East Asia, America and Europe, lecturing and undertaking research. She served as President of the Oriental Ceramic Society 2006-2009.

Pola Antebi

Drawing from over 30 years of professional experience, Pola Antebi is a global ambassador representing Christie’s in its operations around the world. As one of the most senior Chinese ceramics and works of art specialists in the firm, Pola regularly meets with prominent collectors, dealers and museum representatives in Hong Kong, Japan, South East Asia, Europe and the United States to advise about her market, assist with curation of collections and to secure art objects for sale.

Pola began her career in the field in New York in the mid-1980’s. Her dedication to further the prominence of Chinese works of art brought her to Asia and she joined the Hong Kong office in 1990. As part of a pioneering team, Pola quickly grew the department, and supported the expansion of Christie’s presence throughout Asia. By 1998 Pola was promoted to Head of department, a role she held for 14 years. During this period of unprecedented growth, she was instrumental in elevating the category globally; her department regularly shattered auction sale records.

Through her passion, commitment and engagement with notable academics, Pola has made substantial contribution both to Christie’s and to the study of imperial ceramics and works of art, with a personal emphasis on Chinese imperial ceramics, lacquer and jade carvings from the Song to Qing dynasties.

Pola is also passionate in sharing her knowledge and experience with the younger crop of Christie’s specialist; she actively supports the mentorship program and has initiated a learning and development specialists’ forum which she chairs.