An Asian soapstone carving made in about 1750 auctioned for $2,235,000 in June 2013 at Michaan’s Auctions in Alameda, Calif. It set a record price for any soapstone carving sold at auction. But very few soapstone carvings are that old or of that quality.
Photo: Michaan’s Auctions
I would be very wary about this. It has been a real problem with Chinese bidders driving up prices, but then not paying, for items at Sotheby’s and Christies’ to enhance the value of their inventory.
Is their a provenance link to this being a piece for an Imperial family? That is the only reason why it could be worth so much.