The first Chinese style Steinway piano, Charm of Dragon-Steinway & Sons, was sold for 6.9 million yuan ($1.1 million) at the Guardian 2012 Autumn Auction in Beijing International Hotel on Wednesday afternoon.

The piano, which was made to commemorate the Year of Dragon of 2012, was co-designed by the world’s top piano maker Steinway & Sons and ancient Chinese furniture expert Tian Jiaqing. It is the first time Steinway has cooperated with a Chinese furniture artist.

With Steinway design on the inside, the outside of the piano is full of Chinese cultural elements. It is decorated with an ancient dragon symbol, which stands for the C of China and the S of Steinway. It also has a fan-shaped stand and a music stool designed in an ancient Chinese style, and elements of lacquer art, seal cutting and calligraphy.

John Patton, President of Steinway Piano Shanghai, says the buyer received a good investment and the company is pleased with the auction result, as the opening bid was 5 million yuan.

Steinway & Sons has a 159-year history and makes pianos in both Germany and the US. The company has been operating in China for 13 years and has seen growth of around 16 percent a year during that time. It now has plans to expand it China operations.

Chenyingqun@chinadaily.com.cn