SHANGHAI.- Following a successful touring of private sales, exhibitions and previews in Paris, Hong Kong and New York, Christie’s announced an exciting new category, Chinese Contemporary Design, that will be officially launched at Shanghai 2014 autumn auction.

Inspired by the historical beauty of 5,000 years of Chinese culture and craft, these modern design pieces represent a large range of furniture, ceramics, and works of art made from the finest of raw materials such as porcelain ‘as light and delicate as an eggshell’, precious and rare woods such as zitan and huanghuali, Chinese traditional natural lacquer, silk from Suzhou, bamboo from Sichuan and white Hetian jade from Xinjiang. Some lost techniques are being revived here such as the application of gold powder on natural bamboo.

Twenty unique pieces designed by Shang Xia will be for the first time offered for sale during the Shanghai auction on October 24, 2014. All have been produced in conjunction with local Chinese masters of their craft from different provinces who integrate the warmth, balance and harmony of Chinese grace into all the products and are designed to match the elegance of today’s modern aesthetic.

Each piece represents a continuous dialogue that transcends the past, the present and the future, as designers seek to preserve the skills of past Chinese artisans from the Song, Ming and Qing dynasties. Today, they try to pass these traditions on and push them to new limits, by incorporating innovative technical skills such as carbon fiber.

Géraldine Lenain, International head of Chinese Works of Art, said, “As a response to the strong demand of the market, we are delighted to bring new art offerings to the Chinese market. The new category fits contemporary aesthetics and modern lifestyle into the great tradition Chinese craftsmanship. This is an extraordinary start for Christie’s and we hope to continue to share the vibrant creativity as we deepen our connections with collectors in China.”