BEIJING.- "China Guardian Seasons'' auctions which are considered by as a major benchmark of the market situation lowered the curtain on March 13. This was the first large-scale, comprehensive art auction of 2005. During the 3-day auctions, more than 3200 pieces were presented including Chinese paintings and calligraphy, porcelain, artworks, furniture, copper mirrors recording a total of RMB83.8 million in sales, with deals made on 82% of all items.

The ceramics and works of art section presented over 900 pieces, clinching a total of RMB12.88 million (USD1,556,213) in sales, with deals made on 80% of all items, a record for the category in China Guardian's weekend auctions. Lot 2532, a bowl with cover decorated with blue flowers entangled with twigs created in Qianlong Period (1736-1795) put on a wood frame made in Japan in 18th century, is from a famous Japanese collector. It was glazed all over and decorated both inside and outside. This rare piece is representative of the style of flowers entangled with twigs of the 'yongle' (AD 1403-1425) and 'xuande' (AD 1426-1436) periods. Although there was a flaw, the bowl still topped the section with a hammer price of RMB957,000 (USD115,628). A large blue bowl entitled "Eight Drinking Immortals'' made during the Kangxi Period (1690-1722) of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), depicts the eight poetic talents of the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD). An excellent piece from a private kiln, it was auctioned at RMB363,000 (USD43,859) after fierce competition. A large plate, with its brim decorated with flying dragons made by Long Guanyao during the Yuan Dynasty (1279-1368) was sold at RMB451,000 (USD54,491), after 20 rounds of bidding.

According to analysts, the encouraging results indicate the revival of interest in ceramic works. For example, a vase decorated with pastel butterflies made during the Xuan Tong period (1909-1911) was sold at RMB198,000 (USD24,000). However, during last year's auctions, works of similar quality were only auctioned at a price between RMB80,000 (USD9,650) and 100,000 (USD12,028). Other than ceramics, copper mirrors, Buddhist figures, furniture and other works also achieved outstanding results. The 90 pieces from famous collector, Guan Zuzhang, including copper mirrors and Buddhist figures, were all sold.
This section attracted a large number of buyers who competed fiercely for their favourite items. As there were many rounds of bidding, the auction did not end until 9:00 p.m.

The auction of Chinese paintings and calligraphy remained as popular as ever. During the tense competition, more than 2,000 items were presented, generating a total of RMB70.92 million (USD8,600,000)in sales. Of all the three sections, deals were made on over 83% of all items.
Some excellent works that have been widely recognized achieved good results, as expected. Lu Yanshao's "'Auspicious Snow Greets Spring" was sold at RMB2.035million (USD246,000); Wu Changshuo's four damask silk folding screens entitled with "Pictures of Plum, Bamboo, Orchid and Chrysanthemum " at RMB2.882million (USD348,000), representing the highest price in this section. Wu Changshuo's "Red Plum Blossoms" scroll was auctioned at RMB1.166million (USD140,880); Zhang Daqian's "Persuaded to Return to Home on Yinghai " was finally sold at RMB660,000 (USD79,700). For ancient Chinese paintings and calligraphy, "Farm Pictures" created by Li Song and inscribed by Chinese emperor Song Guangzong, (1190-94), was sold at RMB1.375 million (USD166,133); Wang Duo's calligraphy scroll was sold at RMB638,000 (USD77,085).

These auctions signal that the value of ancient Chinese paintings and calligraphy, as well as modern and contemporary works is expected to rise whileprices of works created from 1911 to 1949 will remain stable.
For ancient Chinese paintings and calligraphy, LOT 1782 is Dai Mingshuo's(a painter from the late Ming and early Qing dynasties) "Ink Bamboo" which was estimated atbetween RMB15,000-25,000 (USD1,812-3,020), but was eventually sold at RMB143,000 (USD17,277). In fact, most of his works were valued between RMB10,000 (USD1,208) and 30,000 (3,624). Another item is Tang Yin's "Collection of Fine Works Made in the West Garden" which was sold at RMB748,000 (USD90,376), over 10 times of its estimate.
In terms of modern and contemporary works, Wu Guangyu's "Beauty" was sold at RMB110,000 (13,290) which was estimated between RMB 40,000 (USD4,832) and 50,000 (6,041) according to previous market performance. Chen Banding's "Flowers" was sold at RMB 96,800 (USD11,695)., Chen Peiqiu's "Birds on a Tree" at RMB132,000 (USD16,000), and Liu Danzhai's "Eremite in Plum Trees" at RMB374,000 (USD45,188), all much higher than previous prices.
About China Guardian Auctions Company Limited
Established in May 1993, China Guardian Auctions Co., Ltd. is a comprehensive national auction company ratified by the Ministry of Culture and the former State Council Economic and Trade Office, and is also registered at the State Administration of Industry and Commerce.
China Guardian has a standing cultural relics and artwork auction catalogue covering traditional Chinese calligraphy and paintings, oil paintings and sculptures, porcelain and jade works of art, classical furniture, rare ancient Chinese books, pearls and marbles, postal articles and coins. China Guardian also auctions property rights, real estate, intellectual rights, confiscated and mortgaged articles as well as abandoned properties.
The company is fast becoming a large auction enterprise that possesses the most complete assortment and variety of auctioned goods in China.