China’s Largest Auction House Launches Inaugural Spring Sale In Hong Kong

China Guardian Auctions , the oldest auction house in Mainland China, specialising in Chinese artwork of all varieties, will build on the huge success of its first auction in Hong Kong last year with its inaugural Spring Auctions in the city on 4-5 April 2013. The lots are unveiled today at the Island Shangri-La, Hong Kong; 300 Chinese ink paintings including 25 Hong Kong ink paintings, and a strong presentation of work for the inaugural Chinese ceramics sale in Hong Kong. The preview will run until 4 April 2013. The total estimate for the sale is in excess of HKD200 million (USD 25.8million).

The first session Chinese Painting and Calligraphy from the Four Seas includes an exceptional selection of ink paintings by leading modern masters of Chinese painting Wu Hufan, Zhang Daqian, Ren Yi and Huang Zhou amongst others. Highlights include Wu Hufan’s handscroll Autumn Sentiments, one of the representative artworks of Chinese ink and wash painting in the 20th century (est. HKD 8million-12million/ USD 1million – 1.546 million); Zhang Daqian’s Cottages in Misty Mountains, a large-scale painting, regarded as one of the best works of the artist’s career (est. HKD 12million-22million/ USD 1.546million – 2.835million); and Huang Zhou’s masterpiece Go to the Fair, (est. HKD 1.6 million to 2.6 million/ USD 206,000 to 335,000); an album of 8 leaves by 8 artists including Lu Yanshao, Cheng Shifa, Xie Zhiliu, Chen Peiqiu, Liu Danzhai, Zhu Qizhan, Lin Fengmian and Ye Qianyu (est. HKD 1 million to 1.8 millio n/ USD 128,838 to 231,910); and a series of 20 classic paintings from the artist Fang Junbi.  Also featured will be a collection of work by 20 Hong Kong artists including Liu Kuo-sung, Lui Shou-kwan, Kan Tai-keung, Luis Chan and Wucius Wong.

A special sale of over 80 pieces of ancient Chinese ceramics and artworks, (est. HKD 40 million/ USD 5,153,543), will be the main session for the second day of the sales on 5 April. A wide range of items spanning from the Shang Dynasty (17BC-11BC) to Modern China will be presented. Highlights include a rare underglazed-red and blue white brushpot with a Kangxi period six-character mark (1622-1722), estimate HKD 3,000,000 – 4,000,000 (USD 386,495 – 515,327). The brush pot was produced exclusively for imperial use. On the body is a script of a Han Dynasty article that celebrates the success of the emperors. A rare and finely cast ritual bronze wine vessel, Shang Dynasty, 12th-11th Century BC,  estimate HKD 12,000,000 – 16,000,000 (USD 1,546,780 – 2,061,308), presents a classical example of the superb techniques of bronze ware production during the Shang Dynasty and has an impeccable provenance, being previously owned by the House of Yamanaka and Tsu i Tsin-tong. A very rare underglaze-blue and yellow-enamelled moonflask with a Yongzheng seal mark and of the period (1723-1735) HKD 3,000,000 – 5,000,000 (USD 386,516 – 644,193) provide another major highlight.

Following the successful debut of furniture sales in Hong Kong last autumn the final sessions ‘Grandeur – Chinese Furniture of Ming and Qing Dynasties’ and ‘Chinese Furniture from Hung’s Collection’ will present an impressive collection of Huanghuali furniture from the Late Ming and Early Qing Dynasty, the Qianlong Period and the 17th Century including five rare pieces from a single owner collection, the Hung family who have been collecting Ming and early Qing furniture for several decades and whose Collection is reputed to be one of the finest in the world.

Highlights in the furniture sections include a Huanghuali single-plank ‘Chilong’ trestle-leg table from Late Ming and early Qing Dynasties, estimate HKD 4,800,000 – 6,800,000 (USD 619,400 – 825,800). The fine workmanship richly embodies the imagination of the craftsmen and the taste of the literati scholars of the time. Another highlight is a Zitan waisted armchair with a floor stretcher from the mid-Qing period, HK$3,000,000 – 5,000,000 (USD 387,100 – 645,200). The wide back of the chair is finely carved with passion flowers in a sharp and fluid execution, characteristic of the finest examples of imperial furniture. Similar examples of small throne chairs can be found in the holdings of the Summer Palace in Beijing.

A highlight from the ‘Chinese Furniture from Hung’s Collection’ is a Huanghuali long table from the Qing Kangxi Emperor period, with an estimated price of HKD 12,000,000 – 22,000,000 (USD1,546,000 – 2,835,000). This single plank table exceeds 3.2 meters long and is made from 400 year old Huanghuali wood. This table has an impressive bulk, is in good condition and features lavish use of richly-figured hardwood to impress the eye.

The preview will also incorporate a special exhibition on Chinese Oil Painting including Chang Yu’s White Plum, Liu Wei’sRevolutionary Family and Xu Bing’s pioneering Quotations from Chairman Mao. A series of 30 pieces of lacquer ware from Song, Yuan, Ming and Qing Dynasty will also be exhibited during the preview.  

Established in 1993, China Guardian is a world-class auction house and a leader in its field. Ranked in the top four art auction houses world-wide with offices in New York, Vancouver, Tokyo, Shanghai, Taipei and Hong Kong, China Guardian is looking to expand to other markets worldwide.

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