Founded in May 1993, China Guardian Auctions is an integrated auction house that specializes in Chinese antiques and art, offering annual spring and autumn sales, quarterly auctions and online auctions. Headquartered in Beijing, China Guardian also operates in Shanghai, Guangzhou, Nanjing, Hangzhou, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, the US and Canada. China Guardian (Hong Kong) Auctions Co. Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary established by China Guardian Auctions in May 2011, held its first auction in Hong Kong in October 2012.
So far, China Guardian’s total sales volume has exceeded 81 billion yuan, and more than 430,000 artworks were circulated here. After years of efforts, China Guardian has helped many items that rank at the national treasure level, such as Weng Xincun's collection of ancient books, calligraphy Tang Mo Huai Su Shi Yu Tie and Emperor Song Gaozong's calligraphy, Yang Sheng Lun, to return to China from overseas, or to pass from individuals to important collection institutions. Over the years, many China Guardian items have been purchased and collected by museums and art galleries, including Emperor Song Gaozong's calligraphy, Zhen Cao Er Ti Shu Ji Kang Yang Sheng Lun, by the Shanghai Museum, Zhu Xi and Zhang Shi's calligraphy, Chunyu Tie Jiaxue Tie Xinqi Tie, and calligraphy Sui Ren Shu Chu Shi Song Juan, by the Palace Museum, and Wang Xizhi's calligraphy, Ping'an Tie, by the Long Museum.
China Guardian always adheres to industry ethics, pursues professional service, abides by the rules of benign competition, and advocates industry norms and self-discipline. The company also actively cooperates with government management departments to explore the developing ideas of antiques and art auctions. It participated in and promoted the promulgation of a series of policies, such as the "directional bidder auction" policy for precious antiques in China and "export of overseas returned Chinese antiques" policy. For a long time, China Guardian also has actively participated in charitable donation, art education and other public welfare activities, winning support and trust from society. During China's COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, China Guardian launched an online charity auction and raised 16.95422 million yuan in total. The money provided help to 2,584 people, including doctors and nurses who died of COVID-19 or were infected with the virus and their children.
In 2001, China Guardian became one of the first companies to be awarded the highest qualification, "AAA", of China's auction enterprises, and has been winning this for many years since then. It was awarded the title of "Trustworthy Enterprise" by the government departments of Administration for Industry and Commerce. In 2008, it was exclusively authorized by the Beijing Olympic Expo to hold a special auction for the Olympic Games. In 1999 and 2009, it was appointed by the World Stamp Exhibition to hold the exclusive auction for stamps. In 2018, it again won the title of "Top 30 Enterprises in Beijing", marking its third consecutive year. In 2019, it won the Qinghua Award, the highest award in China's auction industry, marking four consecutive years for winning the honor. In the annual report of Global Chinese Art Auction Market Report 2019, issued by the China Association of Auctioneers (CAA), China Guardian took the lead in various indicators and won first place in seven categories. In 2021, the company again won the designation, "Most Favored Chinese Auction House" by Hurun Report, marking 12 consecutive years.
In November 2017, China Guardian moved into new corporate headquarters, Guardian Art Center, located at No.1 Wangfujing Street, Beijing. As the world’s first ‘one-stop’ artwork trading center focusing on auctions, the center integrates a series of functions, including auctions, exhibitions, education, a hotel, office and fine art storage.
Today, China Guardian is not only the most influential antiques and art trading platform in China, but also the global leader of Chinese art auction houses. In the future, China Guardian will continue to stick to “justice, fairness and openness”, the core values of the company, and promote the sustainable, healthy, transparent and stable development of Chinese antiques and art market.
China Guardian (Hong Kong) International Auction Co. Ltd
Established in May 2011, China Guardian (Hong Kong) International Auction Co. Ltd held its first auction in Hong Kong in autumn 2012, and now it has held eight auctions. The company has outstanding team of international background, with steady working style, solid professional foundation, and sincere attitude. Its line of business includes the auction of Chinese painting and calligraphy, porcelain, antiques, works of art, China’s 20th century and contemporary art, watches, jewelry, jade and other major categories.