HONG KONG.- Sotheby’s Hong Kong will host its Autumn Sales 2006 at Hong Kong Conference and Exhibition Centre from 6 - 9 October, 2006. Going under the hammer will be an array of about 1,340 lots of superb Chinese art works including ceramics, works of art, paintings, contemporary art as well as stunning jewels and watches. It is estimated to fetch about HK$980,000,000 (US$126,000,000).

Sotheby’s Hong Kong will again offer an extremely intriguing selection of works of art. Fourteen magnificent gilt bronzes cast in the imperial foundries of the Yongle (1403 – 1424) and Xuande (1426 – 1435) will be available for auction. These radiant bronzes depict deities from the pantheon of Tibetan Buddhism and were commissioned as gifts for visiting hierarchs and as images for temple and monastery worship. In terms of rarity, quality and condition, this is the finest collection of Yongle and Xuande sculptures ever to appear at auction.

The Yongle Shakyamuni is one of the largest, most opulent bronzes known from the early Ming period in the early 15th century, and is the single most important Yongle metal image of the Buddha. Only two Yongle statues of the historical Buddha Shakyamuni have survived intact with their separately made thrones. One of them is the key highlight of the Speelman Collection, an Extremely Rare and Important Exceptionally Large Gilt-Bronze Figure of Shakyamuni Buddha (72.5cm, 281/2 in.), whereas the other similar but significantly smaller work is now in the British Museum. Seated on a lotus pedestal and located seamlessly on the throne base that were meticulously crafted and gilded, the statue is decorated with a separate pierced and delicately chased gilt copper repoussé prabhamandala, Arch of Glory. The impressive piece is estimated at HK$60,000,000 – HK$80,000,000.

Classicism in Continuum – The Arts of the Ming - In this sale, an exclusive selection of masterpieces from Ming Dynasty (1368 – 1644) will be on offer. One of the highlights is an Extremely Rare Unrecorded Blue and White Jar and Cover, Ming Dynasty, Yongle (1403 –1424) Period. Having been housed in the estate of a European noble family, the jar is vigorously painted with six fruits symbolising all good blessings in Chinese culture. Of the known jar only one appears to be in a private collection and only one was offered at auction (Sotheby’s London, 6th June 1967, lot 40) which is now in the Museum of Oriental Ceramics, Osaka.

Another equally stunning work is A Magnificent and Exceptionally Rare Tianhuang Carving of a Recumbent Lion by the 17th century master-carver Yang Yuxuan from Zhangpu in Fujian province. The paperweight in the form of a lion is the largest known work by the carver with only one comparable example depicting a ram in the Shanghai Museum.

Fine Chinese Paintings Sale - This sale is composed of 196 graceful works collected from various owners, with estimates totalling over HK$50,000,000. The Chinese painting master, Qi Baishi, is well-known for his down-to-earth approach in selecting subject matters for his paintings. Through the works, the artist conveys his perspective of life and critics of social issues; nevertheless, showing his great sense of humor. Bi Zhuo Stealing Liquor, ink and color on paper, hanging scroll, is a typical example of Qi’s favoured subject, i.e. human beings. The painting, depicting an alcoholic government official who would rather steal liquor than take a bribe, criticizes the serious corruption among government officials in a subtle way. The smooth brushwork reflects Qi’s sophisticated techniques and peace of mind. Participated in two important exhibitions - Yanghetang Collection of Chinese Modern Paintings and Ching Dynasty Ceramics, Idemitsu Museum of Arts, Tokyo (1987) and The World of Qi Baishi, National Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall, Taipei (2002), the painting is estimated to fetch HK$800,000 – HK$1,200,000. In addition to the 196 lots, a distinguished private collection comprising about 60 lots estimated at about HK$20,000,000 will also be offered for auction.

Chinese Contemporary Sale - Following the extraordinary results achieved last season, the upcoming Chinese Contemporary Sale is expected to be promising. Further to the overwhelming sale of the leading Chinese contemporary artist Zhang Xiaogang’s Bloodline Series: Comrade No. 120 at Sotheby’s New York in March 2006, which was sold at US$979,000 (~HK$7,638,000) setting a record for the artist and Chinese contemporary art, another thrilling work of the avant-garde artist will be up for auction this season. Entitled “Bloodline Series: The Big Family”, the painting was executed during the late 1990s, the heyday of this series. Unlike other typical works from the Bloodline series featuring enlarged human faces, this painting depicts the full bodies of two solemn men. Extremely rare and powerful, The Big Family is among the very finest works by the artist to come to market in recent years and is expected to fetch HK$8,800,000 – HK$12,000,000. Another worth noting work is Zhao Wuji’s Mai-Septembre 1992. The superb work of the famous Chinese modern painter has an estimate of HK$7,000,000 – HK$9,000,000.