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China Guardian 2007 Spring Auctions closed the curtain on May 25 with a pleasing result of over RMB 606 million. The entire auction event lasted 6 days with 15 auction sessions, refreshing a number of new records in the auction practice in China.
China Guardian put forward 3 "first times” during the 2007 Spring Auctions: 1) the first time for a Chinese auction house to be consigned of de-accessioned collection items from a museum---the sale of the de-accessioned collections from the Museum of Fine Art Boston proved to be a great success with 100% transaction rate and of RMB4.1 million in total; 2) the first time to auction stamps, coins and banknotes at a separate venue to that of painting and porcelain, to better meet the demand of the particular clientele, and reached a new record of RMB 64.64 million; 3) the first time for China Guardian to initiate a specific session of Chinese Fine Art Photography, which included most of the established professionals in the fine art of photography in China, also won a pleasing score.
Among the auction items, Chen Yifei’s ‘Eulogy of Yellow River’ sold at RMB 40.32 million, becomes the top record of oil paintings in Mainland China. The Famille-Rose Censer in Yongzheng’s Reign, decorated with turquoise ground and gilt floral designs, was sold at the high price of RMB 26.43 million, while the ‘Yandang Mountain’ by Qian Weicheng sold at RMB 24.08 million.
“In order to better satisfy the requirement of our clients and the market, we made some adjustment to the conformation of the Spring Auctions. For instance, we set up a special session of Chinese Fine Art Photography, and chose a particular time and venue for the auction of stamps, coins and banknotes. These new initiatives are welcome by our clients, and the selling result is a solid approval. It is a encouraging signage for the year’s auction market, indicating a great potential of development,” said Mrs. Wang Yannan, Managing Director of China Guardian Auctions.
Chinese Painting and Calligraphy
The sale of Chinese Painting and Calligraphy was composed of five special sessions, i.e. Modern Painting and Calligraphy I & II, the Jing Guan Ju Collection of Fine Modern Paintings by Fu Baoshi and Zhang Daqian, Classical & Contemporary Painting and Calligraphy and Contemporary Ink Painting. The 5 sessions amounted to about RMB 278 million, with 42 items sold over RMB 1 million each. It was the first time in the past 13 years that the total sum of sold items over RMB 1 million exceeds those below it.
The Jing Guan Ju Collection of Fine Modern Paintings by Fu Baoshi and Zhang Daqian, which consists of 10 masterpieces by the two great artists, selling at RMB 30.40 million with a 100% selling rate. Most of the 10 masterworks have been well known to the collection circles and usually included in professional publications or exhibitions as indispensable great works. ‘Giving Alms’ by Fu Baoshi won laurels at RMB 5.712 million. Another painting of Fu entitled ‘Leaping Tiger Stream’ sold at RMB 4.144 million. Zhang Daqian’s ‘Light Through the Arbor’ took the third at a good price of RMB 3.472 million.
In the sessions of Modern Painting and Calligraphy, the selling prices and rates of works by the established artists are much better than those of last year. The top four works are: Huang Binhong’s ‘Heavenly Scene with Lush Streams’ at RMB 4.592 million; Lu Yanshao’s ‘Spring Colors on Yandang Mountain’ and Wu Guanzhong’s ‘Birch’ both reached RMB 4.256 million; Li Keran’s ‘Sailing Through the Gorges’ at RMB 3.528 million. ‘A Girl Selling Flowers’ by Xu Beihong finally reached RMB 1.848 million. Obviously, paintings from the well recognized artists are still collectors’ favorite.
The Auction of Classical Painting and Calligraphy gathered together about 100 exquisite works in Song to Qing Dynasties, exhibiting a gentle and cultivated sentiment, and a harmonious and refined style. There were 18 items sold at over RMB 1 million, including 2 items over RMB10 million. Qian Weicheng’s ‘Yangdang Mountain’, illustrated by the royal book ‘ Stone Moat Treasured Books, Additional Section’, sold at a great price of RMB 24.08 million, which is the highest selling price of Qian Weicheng’s works up to now. The scroll of painting, 731.2 cm long, containing ten imperial seals of three emperors of Qing Dynasty, is one of the two most famous long scrolls painted by the artist. It has been kept fairly well as an extraordinarily precious masterpiece. According to some experts’ analysis and indication, it still has quite a promising potential of increase in value after this transaction.
Another noteworthy masterwork entitled ‘Landscapes After Classic Paintings’ by Yun Shouping, sold at RMB 12.32 million, which was about four times higher than the estimated price. It was an album of ten leaves, each measuring 26.5×38.2cm, painted with ink and color on paper. It has been illustrated by some special publications, such as “Selected Highlights by Yun Shouping”. It is undoubtedly a masterpiece of high reputation.
The fascinating painting ‘Plum Blossoms and Bamboo’, drawn by Ma Lin of Song Dynasty, was sold successfully at an appropriate price of RMB 3,584,000. It is on a well-preserved colored thin silk measuring 26.5cm X 26cm, the most precious feature is the signature of Ma Lin, which could be seen clearly at the lower left corner. It is a wonderful painting fairly hard to come by. Few of Ma Lin’s works have survived the relentless passing of time, and only about 10 pieces are housed by museums around the world.
Porcelain, Jade and Works of Art
The auction of Porcelain, Jade and Works of Art won a total amount of RMB 66.52 million. The general level of the auction has steadily increased, by gathering a variety of articles and winning a much higher selling rate than the past. Besides the porcelain, some domestic collectors have broadened their collecting area to treasures of the study and brought a much better developing space for this category. As for jade article, according to its rising position in the international market, it began attracting more and more domestic buyers to participate in the business, thus its quality and standard has been obviously upgraded.
After years of experience, many collectors have gained more recognition of cultural and artistic works, their taste and appreciation ability are improving and maturing gradually. There is a meaningful phenomenon that many collectors are inclined to widen their investing fields by purchasing other fine artworks besides the porcelain. For example, the White Jade “Peaches and Bats” Brush Washer with Fu and Shou Characters was sold at a high price of RMB 1.68 million, and a Rhinoceros Horn Cup, engraved with high-relief scene of a night journey to Chibi, won a good result of RMB 560,000.
As a most desirable treasure, the Famille-Rose Censer with Turquoise Ground and Gilt Floral Designs, in Yongzheng’s Reign of Qing Dynasty, sold at the high price of RMB 26.43 million. The heated volleys of bids on this lot lasted for 30 minutes, with many domestic and foreign buyers repeatedly trying to overpass each other as the price steadily climbed. This delicate censer has an octagonal form composed of the body and the cover. It was meant for imperial use due to its shape, firing technique and painting style. It is an exceptionally precious artwork.
The auction of ‘Early Qing Dynasty Porcelain from the Collection of the Museum of Fine Arts Boston’ sold 100% of the 18 lots for a total of RMB 3.3 million. Among the works were two brilliantly colored Shunzhi reign Wucai glazed porcelain, also known as “Da Ming Cai”, and a large group of Kangxi reign porcelains, including various shapes like Bangchui bottles, Huagu beakers, Phoenix-Tailed vases, General’s Hat jars and so on.
According to experts, the value of this group of de-accessioned museum pieces was greatly enhanced compared to similar porcelain works from the same period due to the added value of their museum provenance. The amount of the 18 pieces, combined with the 21 lots auctioned in the March 2007 Seasons Auctions, totaled RMB 4.1 million for the 39 pieces of porcelain from the Museum of Fine Arts Boston. The successful selling of the Boston collections is a milestone marking the first ever of a Chinese auction house holding the auction of the de-accessioned collections from a museum.
Chinese Oil Paintings and Sculptures, Contemporary Art and Chinese Fine Art Photography
The auction of Chinese Oil Paintings and Sculptures totaled over RMB 120 million. Chen Yifei’s magnificent painting ‘Eulogy of the Yellow River’ sold at a tremendous price of RMB 40.32 million. It is not only the highest selling price for an artwork by Chen Yifei, but also a new record for an oil painting in Mainland China. Experts analyzed that the price of an artwork lies not only on its artistic value, but also on its historical value in New China’s art history.
Another elaborate painting named “The Painter-Monk Kun Can”, a masterpiece by Maestro Prof. Jin Shangyi, sold at a high price of over RMB 16 million, setting the highest selling price of his works. This result indicates that the outstanding realistic paintings will still keep the leading position in the art market and will surely set some wonderful new records in the future.
The Auction of Contemporary Art closed at RMB 68.10 million and a selling rate of 83%. In continuance with the theme of ‘the 20 Years Chinese Contemporary Art’ held in last autumn auction, the 2007 Spring Auction gathered the fine works of leading painters such as Liu Xiaodong, Zhang Xiaogang, Zeng Fanzhi and Zhou Chunya, etc. Liu Xiaodong’s ‘Cooperation’ crowned the auction at RMB 7.84 million, just followed by Zeng Fanzhi’s ‘Sky’ at RMB 2.688 million, and both Ding Fang’s ‘Mother Earth-Harvest’ and Zhou Chunya’s ‘Green Dog’ were sold over RMB 2 million.
The session of Chinese Fine Art Photography collected many excellent photos from domestic photography artists. Most of the photos have the artist’s signature and limited printing number in order to be in line with the international market practice. Finally the section totaled 6.33 million at a selling rate of 85.71%, and set up a new record of this business up to now. Some artists’ works were sold at fairly high prices. In recent years, the Chinese art photography has appeared quite lively, it began to step out of the former status of self-enjoyment or self-entertaining, and to influence and enrich the mode and progress of the contemporary art in China.
Rare Books and Manuscripts
The auction of Rare Books and Manuscripts sold at a rate of 73.8% for an amount of RMB 20.29 million. As a traditional section, it has the most faithful collectors. As the growing of the market, several lots were sold at considerable prices successfully in this spring auction, more collectors took part in the bidding and the prices of various rarities have been increased larger than ever before. Manuscripts from Song and Yuan Dynasties are still very popular in the market, the prices of which are several times to that of the past years.
Those in Ming Dynasty are also very pleasing due to the delicate engraving and printing, top-quality paper and celebrities’ annotations. The early editions of Qing Dynasty have become another hot collecting theme. During the late Qing Dynasty and Republic of China, as the modern printing technique was gradually popularized and took the place of the traditional engraving technique, so that some books printed with the traditional method were used as gifts or pastime materials for literates. These high-quality books attracted many collectors. As for the prints, sutras and celebrities’ letters, these were also welcomed in the auction.
The rare block-printed edition ‘Xiang Shan Ye Lu’ from Mao Family in Late Ming Dynasty, which has been handed down by collectors in succession, won the first place of the auction at RMB 4.592 million. Original Books from Song & Yuan Dynasties are extremely precious, thus have always been greatly cherished by buyers. With the same selling price of RMB 4.144 million, the two most brilliant items are: 1. Song Dynasty Edition ‘Ten Volumes of Wu Deng Hui Yuan’ (Volumes VI-X), stamped with seals of several famous collectors, in accordance with the seals on the Volumes I-V (serial No.9615) housed in the National Library of China. 2. Yuan Dynasty Year 1345 Edition ‘Ten Volumes of Rubbings and Inscriptions by Mr. Cang Ya’, containing a lot of seals and prefaces & postscripts, has been circulated among many famous specialists and scholars in Ming and Qing Dynasties.
Stamps, Coins & Bronze Mirrors
The section of Stamps, Coins & Bronze Mirrors lasted for 4 days, set a historic record in domestic market with a total of RMB 64.64 million. It was an important step of systematic adjustment for our business to open an individual auction for this section. The current collecting market is very active, so that we need to get more freedom in choosing the auction time, place and process. We have clearly classified a great variety of auction lots in order to provide better service to our clients all the time. This auction gathered together a lot of precious items from three famous collections of Ma Dingxiang, Li Anshen and Lin Song, thus led to very hot biddings and fairly good selling prices. As the market grows and matures and new buyers participate, all sorts of the auction lots began to show a tendency to increase in value. Besides collections from masters, some rare items with historical and cultural meaning also gained significant attention in the auction.
The Stamps Auction amounted to RMB 5.90 million. The ‘Stage Art of Mei Lanfang Issue, Imperforated Set in Blocks of 10’ crowned the auction at RMB 448,000. This item, from the collection of famous philatelist Mr. Lin Song, is extremely precious with imprint margins and the largest size up to now. An 8-fen stamp of the ‘Long Live the Great Victory of Cultural Revolution Issue’ in 1968 took the second place at RMB 392,000.
The numismatic items are divided into three special auctions: The Collection of the Distinguished Mr. Ma Dingxiang; Banknotes, including the Li Anshen Collection; Ancient Coins, Gold and Silver Sycees and Manufactured Currency. All the three auctions were highlighted with several new world records, and the total amount reached RMB 55.95 million.
The “1929 Gold Pattern of Sun Yat-sen & Good Harvest Silver Dollar” closed at RMB 6.16 million, breaking the former world record which was also set by China Guardian. This gold coin was in perfect uncirculated condition. It was struck as a pattern presented to the Finance Department of the National Government. It is the unique piece in the world, there is no other piece housed by any museums or private collectors. Furthermore, there are only 3 pieces of silver patterns of this coin, one of which was sold twice in 2003 and 2006 auctions of China Guardian at prices of RMB 726,000 and RMB 1,430,000.
“1911 Shensi Government Bank 10-Tael Banknote”, with a selling price of RMB 694,4000, broke the world record of single banknote formerly established by China Guardian. This banknote was printed in late Qing Dynasty and issued during the period of “1911 Revolution”, it had already become a reputable banknote even long before the establishment of the New China. It was printed with so exquisite designs that it was titled as “Shensi Multicolored Dragon” and praised as the most beautiful rarity among banknotes of Qing Dynasty. It has been kept privately for over 60 years, without any public exposure, so it is reasonable gaining such a high price. However, many experts believe it still has a promising potential in the future.
“Jin Dynasty Tian Juan Tong Bao Bronze 2-Cash Coin in Regular Script” closed at RMB 1.344 million, and broke the current world record of Chinese ancient coins, which was also set up by China Guardian. The coin, dia.30mm, thickness 1.7mm and weight 7.5g, boasts legend in handsome and skillful script, refined casting technique, natural luster of bronze, conventional shape and structure, and authentically aged patina. It is totally in accordance with the characteristics of Jin Dynasty coins. It acted as an importance model in forming the connecting link between the early and late coin casting of this period.
The auction of Bronze Mirrors totaled RMB 2.68 million. The mirror with the highest price is the “Six 山Shan Characters Mirror” of Warring States Period, at RMB 470,400. It measures 17.1cm in diameter and 0.68cm in thickness, and weighs 554g. A Mirror with six 山Shan characters is very famous and precious. Only two similar pieces have been seen, one was excavated from the imperial tomb of Southern Yue State in Guangdong, the other is housed in Shanghai Museum. Although it was once broken and restored, it still is a wonderful treasure.
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