TOKYO.- Tokyo Chuo Auction concluded its spring sales at Tokyo Dome Hotel on 5 March 2015 with excellent results. Bidding was spirited throughout the three-day series of sales, driving the prices well above pre-sale estimates.

Taking centre-stage was Calligraphy by Ming master Chen Chun (1483-1544) which achieved JPY230,000,000, a staggering 19 times its pre-sale high estimate of JPY12,000,000. Rendered with natural, rhythmic and vigorous brushwork, the calligraphy scroll fully reflects the artist’s personality, talent and fondness for natural beauty. Published in the third volume of Jusanshodo Nikki, edited by Masaki Naohiko and published by Chuokoron Bijutsu Shuppan in 1974, it is the last piece of calligraphy made by Chen Chun towards the end of his life, which makes it particularly precious.

Among the Chinese modern paintings on offer, an important landscape scroll, Mount Tiandu by Wu Changshuo (1844-1927) realized JPY63,250,000, more than doubling its pre-sale high estimate.

A further highlight was Five Persimmons by Qi Baishi (1863-1957) which fetched JPY46,000,000, also well above pre-sale expectations. Dedicated to Kakiuchi Tsunejiro, a Japanese banker, the work depicts persimmons hidden behind leaves painted in pale ink and colour. The crabs in the lower section are rendered with simple brushwork in a very lively manner.

In the fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art sale, there was strong interest in a rare archaic bronze ritual vessel from the Western Zhou Dynasty (circa 1100-771 BC) which sold for JPY51,750,000.

A carved clair-de-lune glazed jar with “'basket-weave” design, Yongzheng six-character mark and period (1723-1735) achieved JPY48,300,000, more than doubling its pre-sale high estimate. This magnificent sky blue vase is decorated with “basket-weave” design creating a three-dimensional effect.

An important pair of vases, a white-glazed bottle vase carved with a dragon design and a clair-de-lune glazed bottle vase, Yongzheng six-character marks and period (1723-1735) fetched JPY34,500,000. With perfect proportions and reflecting technical excellence, they represent the finest and most intriguing monochromes from the Yongzheng period.

An Imperial rabbit-shaped Chengni inkstone, Qianlong mark and period (1736-1795) achieved JPY34,500,000 after spirited bidding. The top of this exceptional inkstone is carved with a plain moon-shaped grinding surface and troughed inkwell. The reverse is incised with a fourcharacter mark, “Qianlong Yuwan (Personal Curio of Emperor Qianlong)” painted in gold ink.

Bidding was active in the "Ichigo Ichie: The Art of Tea Ceremony" sale which featured a rich array of fine tea wares and agarwood pieces of exceptional quality. Highlights included a group of agarwood pieces which sold for JPY25,300,000 and a rare set of Yue celadon teawares with floral design, Five Dynasties Period (907-960) which realised JPY19,550,000.

Other highlights:
• A pair of finely carved cinnabar lacquer double-gourd vases, Mid-Qing period Price：JPY32,200,000

• Two Chinese bronze swords Western Zhou Dynasty (circa 1100-771 BC) Price：JPY20,700,000

• A set of pure gold wine vessels Price：JPY11,270,000