HONG KONG.- China Guardian Hong Kong 5th Anniversary and 2017 Autumn Auctions will take place from 30 Sep to 3 Oct at Hall 5 BC, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. In this spectacular "China Guardian's Year", China Guardian (Hong Kong) will present remarkable artworks from all around the globe to discerning connoisseurs. The auction series encompass Chinese Paintings and Calligraphy, Classical Furniture, Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, Jewellery, Watches & Luxury Goods and Asian 20th Century and Contemporary Art, the varied array of magnificent pieces at the upcoming auction will be a splendid feast for all collectors.
Ms. Hu Yanyan, President of China Guardian (HK) Auctions Co., Ltd, states, “It was in the autumn of 2012 that China Guardian (HK) held its first auction in Hong Kong. Although there were just two sessions, one for Chinese paintings and calligraphy and the other for Chinese furniture, anticipating collectors flocked in. The events were such a sensation that they are probably still fresh in many people’s minds. Without our being aware of it, China Guardian (HK) is into its fifth year and has expanded into such major categories as Chinese Paintings and Calligraphy, Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, Asian 20th Century and Contemporary Art and Classical Furniture and we are thrilled to bring back the Jewellery, Watches & Luxury Goods. To celebrate our 5th anniversary, we have make moved our exhibition and auction venue to Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre with more than 60,000 sq.ft, we would be able to offer wider selection of exquisite items to the connoisseur around the globe . Five years on, we have been entrusted with searching for the next informed and passionate guardian angels for art and artefacts. In facilitating this transmission, we pledge to provide an impartial platform for open and fair trade shored up by our research, interpretation, exhibition and promotion efforts so that art and artefacts can be preserved for posterity in the interest of mankind’s pursuit for beauty.”
Chinese Paintings and Calligraphy
As China Guardian (HK) celebrates its 5th anniversary, it will present three sales this season, offering hundreds of rare and fine Chinese paintings and calligraphy sourced from around the world.
Modern Chinese Paintings and Calligraphy
The various-owner sale titled “Chinese Paintings and Calligraphy” will be led by Zhang Daqian's 1964 pioneering splash-ink-and-colour work Valley and Cloudy Peaks. Painted in vertical composition, it depicts the imposing landscape of the valley with towering mountains, vertical cliffs, meandering streams and endlessly varying degrees of light and shade. This seminal work documenting Zhang’s transition to the splash-ink style is included in The Painting Collection of Zhang Daqian, a revered album of the artist’s works compiled by Kao Ling-mei in 1967. Another outstanding work, Landscape After Mao’s Poem by Fu Baoshi offers a visual representation of breathtaking rolling mountains as portrayed in Mao's poem. Other gems include Qi Baishi’s serene Guanyin recognised by renowned connoisseurs, Zhang Daqian’s glorious portrait of Lady, rare early landscapes by Lu Yan Shao, Deng Fen’s Four Paintings of Lady and more, which are expected to generate great interest among collectors. Connoisseurs will also be delighted by “The Lana Cheung and Jim Kinoshita Collection of Chinese Art”. Lana Cheung was an acclaimed interior designer and Hong Kong-based architect Jim Kinoshita is the creative force behind many prominent buildings in the city such as Jardine House and The Landmark. Both ardent collectors, the couple enjoy longstanding friendships with Wang Shixiang, Qigong and many modern Chinese painters, and have received numerous works as personal gifts. China Guardian has been entrusted by the Kinoshitas to offer a number of paintings by renowned modern Chinese painters in celebration of our fifth anniversary in Hong Kong. Highlights include Fu Baoshi’s Waterfall in Mountain, an outstanding work from a series that documents the artist’s journey to the northeast in the 1960s; Pan Tianshou’s Chrysanthemum and Wine, a common festive subject that Pan painted with refined simplicity in 1959 in celebration of the tenth anniversary of the establishment of the People’s Republic of China.
Fine Chinese Classical Paintings and Calligraphy
This season China Guardian will present over 100 meticulously selected pieces including works from legendary collections with impeccable provenance. Highlights include Still Life Sketch that come to life in Qian Xuan’s vivid still-life documented in Shiqu baoji chubian (“The Precious Collection of the Stone Canal Pavilion”). This sale will offer over 20 works from the collection of the Young Marshal Chang Hsueh Liang, ranging from magnificent long scrolls to charming fan paintings. Among them is Landscape by late-Ming scholar Yang Wencong (1596-1646) that reflects the artist’s proud and rebellious sentiments felt on his return to the south in 1637. Once in the collections of Wang Shiyuan (1877-1935?), esteemed collector in the late-Qing dynasty, renowned art expert Han Shenxian (1897-1962) and eventually Chang Hsueh Liang, this gem of superb provenance and mint condition represents a rare collecting opportunity not to be missed. Other outstanding pieces include Landscape After Rain by Wen Zhengming, an elegant work once in the collection of Zhang Qun; Landscapes by Dong Bangda painted refreshing light colours, as well as a number of fan paintings mounted on beautifully crafted skeletons. Offering not only rare and superlative works but also valuable insight into the Young Marshal’s impressive collection and artistic taste, the upcoming sale promises to be a great occasion for discerning collectors.
Chinese Ceramics & Works of Art Department
To celebrate the 5th anniversary of China Guardian (HK), the Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art department will present seven sales this autumn, totalling over 600 lots spanning a variety of collecting categories.
The Lana Cheung and Jim Kinoshita Collection of Chinese Art
For China Guardian Hong Kong 5th anniversary sale, the auction house will present “The Lana Cheung and Jim Kinoshita Collection of Chinese Art”. Their interests and are far ranging; which helped to form a diverse collection consisting of exquisitely-chosen examples of Chinese paintings, classical Chinese furniture, Chinese ceramics, jades and works of art.
Classical Furniture
Hong Kong became a trading hub for Ming furniture in the 1980s and has remained to date a prime destination for connoisseurs of Ming furniture as well as other categories of art and antique. Since launching the first dedicated Ming furniture auction in Hong Kong in autumn 2012, China Guardian (HK) has offered eight furniture sales totalling more than HK$350 million. Celebrating its fifth anniversary last October, China Guardian opened their Autumn Sales 2016 with “A Rendezvous in Autumn” at Island Shangri-la Hotel, a specially curated exhibition of Classical furniture from an overseas collection. The featured furniture, from the Collection of Lu Ban Zhuang of Singapore, will be offered this season in a themed auction. China Guardian will also bring the Hon Ming Collection of rare treasures in a special themed sale. The China Guardian Hong Kong Autumn Sales 2017 will be highlighted by a number of special features, including selected pieces from the Hon Ming Collection as well as Ming and Qing Furniture from the Lu Ban Zhuang Collection. Another The Hon Ming Collection, assembled by Mr Kai Sum Lau, will be led by an extremely rare huanghuali couch bed (luohanchuang) with three screens and hoof feet. The back, arms and the short sides of the frame, as well as the seat and apron are both carved out of single pieces of wood. There are abstract patterns like ghost faces, fox faces and alien faces on the surface which can only be found on the truly exceptional huanghuali wood.
The lustrous amber colour and clean, streamlined form render the piece an embodiment of elegance. It is also of a versatile design that enables the back to be installed on either side of the frame, which is undocumented and therefore very likely unique. Such design also illustrates the commonly portrayed pastime of ancient literati who had couch beds placed outdoors so that they could take in the beautiful nature in comfort. A combination of exquisite material, genius design and excellent craftsmanship, this couch bed is the epitome of perfection.
Asian 20th Century and Contemporary Art
The Asian 20th Century and Contemporary Art sale this autumn will be expanded to offer over 100 pieces by master painters, led by two special sections. The first one, titled “Glorious Rebellion”, is dedicated to artists who saw conflicts between East and West, as well as clashes between the old and the new at the beginning of the 20th century. Boldly deviating from tradition, these artists brought about a revolution that gave rise to new art that represents the era, inspiring countless artists of the generations to come.
Another special section, “Rhythm of Feminity”, will showcase in an art-historical narrative outstanding 20th Century to Contemporary female artists. Last but not least, China Guardian will present a gem from the former collection of Ms Jiang Biwei, namely Harvest by Xu Beihong, celebrated educator and master of Chinese realist painting. Also noteworthy are Chao Ge’s Woman on the table of captivating spirituality and tension, as well as rare early works by prominent Chinese contemporary artists including Zhang Xiaogang, Zeng Fanzhi, Yue Minjun and Liu Wei, to be offered in “The Schoeni Family Collection”.
Jewellery, Watches & Luxury Goods
As China Guardian (HK) celebrates its 5th anniversary and the commemorative “Guardian’s Year”, the auction house will bring back the Jewellery and Watches Department. Following the valued tradition of prudence, integrity and professionalism, China Guardian (HK) stands at the forefront of the global auction market and strives to source for collectors the rarest and most coveted treasures. The offerings include diamonds of superb quality, coloured gemstones, jadeite, wristwatches, western antiques, fine watches and clocks as well as modern luxury goods.
A creation of ingenious design and splendid workmanship, each jewel dazzles with a timeless and priceless beauty that commands admiration. Subtle and elegant, each piece of jadeite glows with an enduring regal mysteriousness that exudes the spiritual essence of the esteemed Chinese gentleman. A combination of intricate structure and the unique tradition of a brand, each wristwatch is a parade of quality upheld by a longstanding maison. Like Chinese works of art that have withstood the passage of time, each piece of western antique is a showcase of distinctive style, excellent craftsmanship, exquisite material and impeccable taste on the part of the maker or patron. It therefore comes as no surprise that they incite fascination and love from connoisseurs in the East.
