HONG KONG.- Poly Auction (Hong Kong) Limited 2015 Spring Auctions will take place in Grand Hyatt Hong Kong from 4 to 7 April, with preview covering 4 and 5 April and auctions being held on 6 and 7 April. There will be 12 sessions in the Spring Auctions in which 2,300 exquisite auction lots will be showcased. The Spring Auctions will cover 7 categories, namely Chinese and Asian Modern and Contemporary Art, Chinese Contemporary Ink Paintings, Fine Modern Chinese Paintings and Calligraphy, Classical Chinese Paintings and Calligraphy, Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, Jewels and Watches and Chinese and Western Wine. The pre-sale estimate is HK$ 800 million.

Mr. Alex Chang, Managing Director of Poly Auction (Hong Kong) Limited, said, ‘Poly Auction Hong Kong symbolises a window through which Poly Auction connects to the world. Collectors from the Greater China region can gain access to rare and exquisite items from around the world through the international auction platform of Poly Auction. As Poly Auction celebrates its 10th anniversary, the Spring Auctions this year will feature private collections which are more diverse and more defined, so as to seek to broaden collectors’ taste and perspectives. Chinese art has always been the forte of Poly Auction Hong Kong, and we will again present several unique sessions of antiques, including bronze items from the Shang and Zhou dynasties, various rare imperial art pieces from the Ming and Qing dynasties, and fine porcelain works from the Song dynasty. As for Fine Modern Chinese Paintings and Calligraphy, the excellent works from contemporary masters of ink paintings including Zhang Daqian, Xu Beihong, Qi Baishi, Lu Yanshao and Le Keran will be displayed. Works of Classical Chinese Paintings and Calligraphy for auction include the rare works of Shen Quan, Chen Jiru, Fa Ruozhen and the work of excellence of semi-cursive script in by Dong Qichang; in Chinese Contemporary Ink Paintings, there will be a new session on ‘Chinese Contemporary Ink Paintings’, and through strengthened research on Hong Kong and Taiwan ink paintings, present ink paintings that combine Chinese and western elements of style; in terms of Chinese and Asian modern and Contemporary Art, while continuing to highlight the strengths of Chinese art, we will introduce to our collectors more excellent works of art from different regions, including Kazuo Shiraga and Yayoi Kusama. There will also be dedicated sessions for works by artists hailed as national treasures in Southeast Asian countries such as Chen Wen Hsi, George Chann and Lee Man Fong. In view of the increasingly diverse collecting interests, we will further increase the variety of auction lots in Jewels and Watches, auction Hermès handbags and accessories, and look for more fine wines from around the world.’

Chinese and Asian Modern & Contemporary Art
The department of Chinese and Asian Modern and Contemporary Art will present works by various masters of Chinese modern art, including Coastal City (Qingdao) by Wu Guanzhong, Chinese Opera - Lotus Lantern by Lin Fengmian, Combat de coqs and 06.02.74 by Zao Wou-Ki, Reminiscences by Chu Teh-Chun. Through the masterpieces created during the prime periods of artists, the auction seeks to comb through the totality of development of Chinese modern art.

In terms of contemporary art, the key artwork is Self-portrait by Zeng Fanzhi, which is an oversized piece of artwork that features Zeng’s series of self-portraits in a wildly abstract style; also up for auction are ‘museum-grade’ works of art by Asian artists, including Hika by Kazuo Shiraga and (I) Dots Accumulation (II) Season of the Green (III) Dots Accumulation (IV) The Evening Glow by Yayoi Kusama and a feature session on Chen Wen Hsi and Lee Man Fong, who are both hailed as national treasures in southeast Asian countries. The feature session will include oil and ink works in their various eras, with both concrete and abstract works. It is believed that this session will be able to attract an attractive following and enthusiastic bidding by collectors.

Yu Youhan, who as early as 1993 was already active in the international art scene, is a pioneer in China’s modern art development. The Yu Youhan feature session will present the following titles: Chairman Mao in Discussion with the Peasants of Shaoshan, Mao and Statue of Liberty, Jiao Yu Lu, 1991.1. Through four key pieces of artwork from his various eras that respectively feature Mao Zedong, abstract works, Communist martyr Jiao Yulu, the session is an epitome of the Chinese modern art through displaying the change in the subject matter and in creative style of Yu Youhan.

Fine Modern Chinese Paintings and Calligraphy
Fine Modern Chinese paintings are represented by a grand era characterised by the existence of many schools, emergence of various masters and a constant wave of creativity. It has been the primary choice for collection as it succeeds to the traditional paintings’ heritage and demonstrates the new trend of the era. In this Spring Auction, the department of Fine Modern Chinese Paintings and Calligraphy will present more than 250 masterpieces from well-known masters, including the brilliant works of Zhang Daqian, Xu Beihong, Qi Baishi, Lu Yanshao and Li Keran, as well as a refined collections, such as the collection of Qi Baishi’s works from his student Guo Xiuyi. All artworks included are representative of the level of brilliance of various masters. Most of the artworks are from known sources, from the collectors themselves, or bear records of curation. Continuing our paradigm of ‘high quality in small quantity’, we will present to art lovers a feast that will dazzle their eyes.

Chinese Contemporary Ink Paintings
In 2015 Spring Auctions, the Chinese Contemporary Ink Paintings Department presents ‘Chinese Contemporary Works of Art on Paper’. The section, featuring paper as an important medium throughout the last hundred years, chronologically documents artworks of early pioneers of ink paintings to New Literati Painting, and gradually moves onto Conceptual Ink Painting, then Contemporary Chinese Ink Painting. Artwork of Xu Lei’s Decent of the Moon will be specially presented in the episode of New Gongbi Art. The piece which has been recorded for publishing for 7 times marks his prime period of creation. Refined pieces like God of Babylon by Qiu Zhijie and Birthday Celebration of the Immortals by Peng Wei will also be showcased to represent the diversified perspectives of Chinese contemporary ink paintings.

In this documentation of early ink paintings, Poly Auction HK put emphasis on exploration and consolidation of ‘Hong Kong and Taiwan Ink Paintings’. Artists from this arena possess an international outlook which is reflected in their artworks, while their works reserve the traditions of ink paintings at the same time. Boating by Fang Zhaolin is also an excellent piece where demonstrating how traditional styles are incorporated into modern paintings.

Classical Chinese Paintings and Calligraphy
The department of Classical Chinese Paintings and Calligraphy has meticulously chosen a collection of calligraphy works from the Ming and Qing dynasties, paired them with paintings, and presented several Dedicated Sale sessions: a Dedicated Sale of the Collection of Fan Paintings section, a Dedicated Sale on Ming dynasties, and The Art of Wu Dacheng. Aware of the relatively high standards required by collectors of calligraphic works, we constantly strive to raise the standard in calligraphic works from Ming and Qing dynasties. It is our privilege that for this auction we have secured the signature work of Dong Qichang, a calligraphy master.

Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art
In this Spring Auction, the department of Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art will present three special Dedicated Sales which feature rare treasures not to be missed. Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art will host a Dedicated Sale on bronze works of art from the Shang and Zhou dynasties. Five pieces of fine stationery from the Song, Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties, rich and diverse in nature, will be available, and among these five items an ancient qin will be the centrepiece. The Dedicated Sale on Buddha statuettes features a heavy presence of gold and bronze statuettes from the imperial Ming and Qing dynasties and the Himalayan area in Nepal, culturally connecting the art of gold and bronze statuettes. An Important Sale of Imperial Works of Art brings together all kinds of precious art from the imperial Ming and Qing dynasties. An Imperial Reticulated Celadon-ground Yangcai with Blue-and-White Core Elephant-handled Vase with a six-character seal mark by Emperor Qianlong, A Large Rare Blue-and-white 'Fruits' Dish with a six-character seal mark in regular script by Emperor Yongzheng (of the Qing dynasty), A Magnificent Blue-and-White 'Flowers and Dragons' Jar, Zhadou with a four-character seal mark in regular script by Emperor Zhengde (of the Ming dynasty) and the An Imperial Coral-ground Wucai and Yangcai 'Floral' Bowl with a four-character seal mark in regular script by Emperor Yongzheng will make up a variable artistic feast for collectors. The Collection of Shu Zheng Zhai- A Selection of Archaic Chinese Ceramics will feature 45 pieces of fine porcelain works of art of the Song dynasty, each an art delicacy of a separate region. This collection will be a dedicated sale for collectors of porcelain works of art from the Song dynasty.

Jewels and Watches
The Important Jewels sale will continue to feature colourful and dazzling diamonds, jewels and high-quality jades. Highlights include the 91.95-carat natural ‘Royal Blue’ sapphire and diamond necklace from Myanmar designed by the famous brand Boucheron, as well as 19th century antique diamond star flower crown / necklace, and an extremely rare jade bracelet made of natural jade from Myanmar of exceeding quality. The Important Watches and Collectibles Sale will have elegant brandname watches and antique timepieces as its focus. Collectors will find in this sale extremely collectible limited edition fine timepieces including Patek Philippe watches that commemorate its 175th anniversary, subtly luxurious rose gold 3939R Patek Emerald Classic Tourbillon wristwatch, as well as the Lord Kalla diamond watch from Vacheron Constantin that is a perfect combination of jewellery and watches. In addition, Poly Auction Hong Kong will hold its first auction of Hermès handbags and accessories, selecting from around the world over 50 auction items of the Hermès brand. One of the not-to-be-missed item is a specially customized Hermès Birkin bag made of alligator skin of three colours with a 30-cm metal buckle, a JPG Should Birkin bag made of red TOGO leather with a 42 cm silver buckle designed for VIPs in Asia and a 16-cm Kelly Doll handbag made of orange SWIFT leather. There will also be Hermès accessories and furniture, which make the sale a definite attraction for countless collectors.