In the 6th year of Qianlong (1741), the Emperor reprimanded Tang Ying (1682–1756), the most inventive and capable supervisor in the history of imperial kilns, for low quality and breakages sent to the court. Seeking redemption, Tang Ying vowed to make up for the shortcomings and, in the few years following, led his potters to an unparalleled period of innovation in porcelain technology and design. This autumn, Sotheby’s Hong Kong will showcase the precious, and extremely rare, ruby-ground yangca