HONG KONG.- The China Guardian Hong Kong Autumn Auctions 2019 will take place on 5 – 8 October at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. The sale series will present remarkable artworks and collectibles from around the world, including Chinese Paintings and Calligraphy, Asian 20th Century and Contemporary Art, Ceramics and Works of Art, Classical Chinese Furniture as well as Jewellery, Watches and Luxury Goods. More than 1,800 lots will be offered with a total estimate of approximately HK$ 780 million / US$ 100 million. Selected highlights will be publically exhibited in Hong Kong and Beijing ahead of the auctions.
Ms. Hu Yanyan, President of China Guardian (HK) Auctions Co., Ltd, says, “China Guardian Hong Kong Autumn Auctions this year will take place at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) in October. Every autumn the spacious exhibition hall at the HKCEC offers us enormous freedom and possibilities in the display of the works. It also enables us to accommodate much more than in our Spring sales in terms of both quality and quantity. We are thrilled to announce a stellar line-up for the upcoming sales: White Cloud Studio, a six-metre scroll created by Zhang Daqian in 1947 and gifted to fellow painter Huang Junbi, Qing dynasty painter Jin Nong’s Album of Landscapes and Figures, a masterpiece of poetry, calligraphy as well as painting that was praised by Wu Hufan as ‘a godly creation’; Yoshitomo Nara’s classic work Midnight Vampire, 24.01.73 painted by Zao Wou-ki at the turning point of his life, Li Chen’s 248-cm-tall sculpture Dragon-Riding Buddha appearing at auction for the first time; a rare white-glazed seated figure of a lion from the 7th century with illustrious provenance, a pair of doucai ‘Longevity’ dishes from the former collection of T. Y. Chao, an early Qing dynasty zitan waistless couch-bed of a simple style that transcends time, an important set of Ming dynasty scholar’s rocks spanning 14 metres that evokes distant mountains shrouded in mist, as well as a splendid suite of a jadeite and diamond necklace, earrings and a ring from an important Asian collection.
“This season we will showcase selected highlights in Hong Kong and Beijing ahead of the auctions. We cordially invite collectors and art lovers to join us for a close encounter with our offerings and we hope they will all find the works that touch their hearts.”
Chinese Paintings and Calligraphy
This Autumn China Guardian (HK) will present two sales of Chinese Paintings and Calligraphy, offering more than 600 lots amassed from around the world. Following the success of the private collections last Spring, the upcoming sale will continue to present ‘Important Collections of Fine Chinese Paintings and Calligraphy from Asia’. China Guardian (HK) is honoured to be entrusted by two seasoned Asian collectors to offer 80 lots from each collection. Works in both collections were acquired in Hong Kong and the Guangdong province decades ago, most complete with original receipts. Highlights include Lin Fengmian’s Autumn Scenery, Wu Guanzhong’s Sunrise as well as a selection of Classical works of calligraphy.
The flagship sale of ‘Fine Chinese Paintings and Calligraphy’ will offer modern and Classical works sourced from Asia, North America and Europe. The selection will be led by two works previously belonging to the White Cloud Studio collection, namely White Cloud Studio, a six-metre scroll, and Calligraphy in Running Script, both created by Zhang Daqian in 1947 and given to fellow painter Huang Junbi as gifts. Other highlights include Zhang Daqian’s six-foot-long splashed ink work Landscape, one of five works from a celebrated Korean collector who befriended the artist in the 1980s, Qi Baishi’s Mandarin Ducks and Red Lotus, Letters from Zheng Zhenduo, Wang Yi to Xu Bojiao, as well as works by Guan Liang and Ting Yinyung from private collections.
Classical Chinese paintings in the sale will be led by Qing dynasty painter Jin Nong’s Album of Landscapes and Figures, a masterpiece of poetry, calligraphy and painting that was praised by Wu Hufan as ‘a godly creation’. Other highlights are Chen Hongshou’s A Scholar under Pine Tree, Xiang Shengmo’s Autumn Landscape from the former collection of Wu Hufan, as well as a fine selection of works from private collections.
Asian 20th Century and Contemporary Art
The ‘Asian 20th Century and Contemporary Art’ sale this Autumn will offer more than 160 lots with a total estimate in excess of HK$ 110 million / US$ 14 million. Following the success of the ‘POP ART’ session last Autumn, the upcoming sale will highlight two themed sessions, namely ‘POP ART II’ and ‘Spirit of Calligraphy’. The former will be led by Midnight Vampire from Yoshitomo Nara’s prime as well as an iconic work by sought-after Chinese artist Liu Ye, capturing the diverse and vibrant collecting interest of the younger generation. The ‘Spirit of Calligraphy’ session will take a look at the influence of calligraphy on artists in Asia and the West and some of the groundbreaking innovation it inspires. Highlights include works by Chinese modern master Lin Fengmian, Zao Wou-Ki, Chu Teh-Chun, Ting Yinyung and Yuichi Inoue, avant-garde calligraphy artist from Japan, as well as Georges Mathieu, a pioneer in post-war lyrical abstractionist art.
Towering at 248 cm tall, renowned contemporary Asian sculptor Li Chen’s Dragon-Riding Buddha will also make its auction debut in the upcoming sale and is not to be missed.
Ceramics and Works of Art
Ceramics and Works of Art will be presented a total of over 700 lots divided into six dedicated sales namely ‘Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art’, ‘Ancient Chinese Ceramics from the Tang to the Song Dynasty’, ‘Exquisite Beauty of Archaic Jade Carvings from a San Francisco Private Collection II’, ‘Heavenly Rites: Fine Chinese Jade Carvings’, ‘Curio: The Beauty of Chinese Antiquities’ and ‘The Art of Connoisseurship: The Tang Family Collection of Porcelain from the Republic Period’. Spanning a wide range of categories, lots offered include imperial Chinese porcelain from the Ming and Qing dynasties, ancient ceramics, Republican porcelain, jades, bronzes, lacquer works, textiles, scholar objects, Buddhist art and objects of curiosity. These spectacular examples of Chinese antiquities are gathered from exceptional collections from around the world; it is truly a rare opportunity for all to witness the tremendous artistic achievements representing different periods throughout the history of China.
Classical Chinese Furniture
This Autumn China Guardian (HK) will present two sales of Classical Chinese Furniture for collectors around the world, namely ‘Classic Furniture of Ming and the Qing Dynasties’ and ‘Classic Furniture from The Hung Collection’. The sales will feature properties from illustrious collections and works of great academic value previously included in prominent publications. The ancient simplicity, clean lines and timeless charm of Ming furniture are juxtaposed perfectly with meticulously-designed and lavishly decorated Qing furniture, offering a spectacular display of fine craftsmanship involved.
Among the highlights is a set of scholar’s rocks with sound provenance that was formerly in the collection of the Ming dynasty painter Dai Benxiao. Comprising more than 300 pieces of different sizes and varieties, the set centres on a main section consisting of over 20 Taihu rocks. Towering like miniature mountains, this set creates an illusion of the idyllic Chinese landscape shrouded in mist. In 2018, these rocks were transported to the banks of the Cosson River in France for an exhibition that was part of the 500th anniversary of the Château de Chambord, one of the most famous Renaissance castles in France .
Jewellery, Watches and Luxury Goods
The upcoming ‘Important Jewels and Jadeite’ sale will bring to the market a careful selection of dazzling pieces, offering a total of nearly 200 lots with a total estimate in excess of HK$ 215 million. Highlights include a pair of superb Jadeite Bangles as well as an extremely rare Jadeite Cabochon Necklace Suite as well as other exquisite jadeite pieces, all preserved in an important Asian private collection for years. Diamonds in the sale will be represented by an important 4.58-carat Natural Fancy Purplish Pink Diamond and Diamond Ring. The sweetness of the purplish pink hue is perfectly complimented by the well-proportioned heart shape. As a rare gem that is highly sought after in the collecting community, pink diamond’s value has withstood the test of time in the global market, making it an excellent asset for investment
