The Rongbao Auction House in Beijing is previewing some of the priceless antiques going under the gavel in its autumn sale. For both collectors - and for people who simply love fine art - it's a chance to feast their eyes on some outstanding works.

In its autumn sale, Rongbao is offering items once collected during the theme of Reign of Emporer Kangxi. The Qing ruler presided over the dawn of about a century of prosperity for China in the 18th century. He is known for his cultivated worship and patronage of traditional arts and crafts, and most of the antiques heading to the block come from Kangxi's collection.

Among the most prominent lots are several massive glazed porcelains. Insiders are astonished by the size of the works, which points to the perfect mastery of porcelain making techniques back then.

Sharing the limelight is a piece of yellow jade called Tian Huang. Mostly used for seal-carving, the precious stones were a monopoly of the imperial house during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Very little of the raw materials have survived to the present day.