The pre-auction estimate for the piece was set at HK$60 million to HK$80 million.

The finely potted white bowl, decorated with a blossoming apricot, willow and a pair of spring swallows is considered to be one of the great masterpieces of porcelain from the Emperor Qianlong period.

The piece, which once belonged to the Woolworth heiress Barbara Hutton, bears the reign mark of the Emperor Qianlong (1736-1795) on its base.

Another bowl with a similar 10-character poetic inscription and swallow motif is in the collection of the Percival David Foundation in London.

The seller was Chinese art dealer and collector Robert Chang, who celebrates his 80th birthday this year. The winning bidder was his sister, Dr Alice Cheng.

"I paid more than double because I though if a person wants to buy it, it must be worth that money," Cheng said. "Maybe I'll lose money if I sell it, but ... I will not sell. I never sell my things."

The last record price was for a Qing pheasant vase auctioned by Sotheby's in Hong Kong in October 2005 for HK$115.48 million, a Christie's official said.