After the five-day auctions, China Guardian 2019 Spring Auctions was successfully brought to an end on June 6, with a total turnover of 1.83 billion yuan.
Many highlights emerged during the auctions. No item was more expensive than Wu Guanzhong's Lion Grove Garden, which was sold for 143.75 million yuan, setting a record highest price for Wu's ink painting. 24 items were sold for more than 10 million yuan, 15 items broke records, and 7 sessions achieved a 100 percent turnover rate. The eight-day activities, including previews, lectures, and auctions, attracted more than 40,000 participants.
Director and President of China Guardian Hu Yanyan said:
Previews and auctions have attracted many people this spring. The important works were sold successfully, and also broke many trading records. Wu Guanzhong's Lion Grove Garden and Anselm Kiefer's The Fertile Crescent were sold for 143.75 million yuan and 27.6 million yuan, respectively. Both broke their own personal transaction records. Many sessions achieved a 100 percent turnover rate, 24 items were sold for more than 10 million yuan, and 79 percent of the 6,600 items in the 37 sessions were sold. Generally speaking, the market is stable and orderly, and collectors are very rational and attentive in choosing works. Here, I greatly appreciate continuous support from our friends.
Data of the China Guardian 2019 Spring Auctions
Raised 1.83 billion yuan
▼
6,600 items in 37 sessions reached a total sale rate of 79 percent
7 sessions achieved 100 percent turnover rate
24 items were sold for more than 10 million yuan
15 items broke records
1.08 billion yuan is the total sale of Chinese paintings and calligraphy
Lion Grove Garden sold for 143.75 million yuan, setting a record for the highest price of Wu Guanzhong's Chinese paintings. It also is the most expensive item among all auctions of Chinese paintings and calligraphy globally in this season.
Anselm Kiefer's The Fertile Crescent sold for 27.6 million yuan, breaking the record for his paintings globally.
More than 40,000 people attended the event.
Details of China Guardian 2019 Spring Auctions
The three-day sessions, “Modern Chinese Paintings and Calligraphy”, and “Contemporary Chinese Paintings”, sold 850 million yuan together, 10% higher than the same period from last year. Collectors especially demanded high-end artworks, making the turnover rate of “Grand View: Chinese Paintings Highlight ·Modern”, reach the highest level in the last five years. Wu Guanzhong’s Lion Grove Garden sold for 143.75 million yuan, setting a record for the highest price of his Chinese paintings. It also is the most expensive item of all auctions of Chinese paintings and calligraphy globally in this season.
Items from the session, “Affection to Ink Art: Collection from Lin Hujia and Wang Guming Couple”, were sold out with high prices. The session of Qi Baishi’s works went through intense bidding and contributed a turnover of more than 100 million yuan.
The session, “Yu Youren: Calligraphy Prodigy”, achieved a 100 percent turnover rate. Other sessions, like “Century of Enlightenment: Arts by Literati during May 4th Movement”, “Spirit of China: Modern Art of Wartime”, “Colorful Anthology: Focus on Private Collection”, “Modern Chinese Paintings and Calligraphy and Contemporary Chinese Paintings”, all had good performances, with some contemporary artists setting new records.
---Dai Wei, General Manager of Modern & Contemporary
Chinese Paintings and Calligraphy Department
Top 5 of Chinese Paintings Highlight ·Modern
Lot 383
Wu Guanzhong
Lion Grove Garden
144×297 cm
Price Realized: RMB 143,750,000
Lot 406
Qi Baishi
Temple of Dai
113.5×48 cm
Price Realized: RMB 35,650,000
Lot 354
Pan Tianshou
Sleeping Cat
92×77.5 cm
Price Realized: RMB 29,325,000
Lot 386
Wu Hufan
Clouds above Autumn Mountain
129.5×60 cm
Price Realized: RMB 25,875,000
Lot 357
Huang Binhong
Landscape in Song Style
24.7×118 cm
Price Realized: RMB 20,700,000
The session, “Grand View: Chinese Paintings Highlight·Classical”, gave us many surprises. Shi Tao's works show the buyer's insight and judgment. Dai Xi's Landscape and Calligraphy sold for 4.6 million yuan, which is very rare.
What is more surprising is that 5 records emerged during the session, “Classical Chinese Paintings and Calligraphy”. The items from the Qingfeng Mingyue Ju collection renewed the records of Huang Yi, Xi Gang and Qian Song. Chen Shu’s Flora and Birds and Guan Xining’s Landscape also broke the artists’ records.
---Luan Jingli, General Manager of Classical Chinese
Paintings and Calligraphy Department
Top 5 of Grand View: Chinese Paintings Highlight·Classical
Lot 462
Shi Tao
Landscape and Flora
32.5×24.5 cm (each)
Price Realized: RMB 45,425,000
Lot 457
Shen Zhou
Cottage at East Bay
153×63 cm
Price Realized: RMB 16,100,000
Lot 469
Kangxi Emperor
Calligraphy
26×477 cm
Price Realized: RMB 13,800,000
Lot 463
Wang Yuanqi
Landscape
102×46.5 cm
Price Realized: RMB 10,120,000
Lot 466
Zhu Da
Rock
162×48 cm
Price Realized: RMB 9,200,000
Excellent Achievements in Chinese paintings and calligraphy sessions
Lot 1398
Huang Yi
Landscape and Calligraphy
23.3×32.8 cm (each)
Price Realized: RMB 7,705,000
Classical Chinese Painting and Calligraphy
Lot 370
Huang Zhou
Donkeys ?
69×1920 cm
Price Realized: RMB 6,900,000
Grand View: Chinese Painting Highlight?Modern
Lot 96
Fu Baoshi
Leaves in West Wind
18.5×50.5 cm
Price Realized: RMB 4,197,500
Colorful Anthology: Focus on Private Collection
Lot 744
Sun Zongwei
Poor and Rich
150 × 162 cm × 2
Price Realized: RMB 3,910,000
Spirit of China: Modern Art of Wartime
Lot 859
Wu Changshuo
Peony
179×53 cm
Price Realized: RMB 3,450,000
Modern Chinese Painting and Calligraphy
Lot 1654
Zeng Mi
Full Moon in Spring
233×106 cm
Price Realized: RMB 3,450,000
Contemporary Chinese Painting
Lot 1181
Lin Fengmian
Birds
66×46 cm
Price Realized: RMB 3,105,000
Affection to Ink Art: Collection from Lin Hujia and Wang Guming Couple
Lot 327
Huang Binhong
Landscape and Calligraphy
18.5×50 cm
Price Realized: RMB 1,897,500
Zhizhu Collection: Fans from the Tongbotang Studio
Lot 487
Yu Youren
Calligraphy in Running Script
121×32.8 cm
Price Realized: RMB1,725,000
Yu Youren: Calligraphy Prodigy
Lot 646
Lu Xun
Calligraphy in Running Script
24×20.2 cm
Price Realized: RMB 1,380,000
Century of Enlightenment: Arts by Literati during May 4th
Lot 261
Feng Zikai
Pavilion and Calligrpahy
32.5×21.5 cm (each)
Price Realized: RMB 667,000
Linglong Collection: Paintings from the Renmiaoxuan Studio
20th Century and Contemporary Art
20th Century and Contemporary Art reached a total sale of more than 300 million yuan, with a turnover rate of nearly 80 percent.
Anselm Kiefer's The Fertile Crescent, the first Western contemporary art masterpiece at China Guardian, sold for 27.6 million yuan, breaking the record of his paintings globally. It is a new attempt and breakthrough for us.
---Li Yanfeng, General Manager of 20th Century
& Contemporary Art Department
Lot 2068
Leng Jun
View of the World No. 3
105×199.5 cm
Price Realized: RMB 43,700,000
Lot 2077
Anselm Kiefer
The Fertile Crescent
475×950 cm
Price Realized: RMB 27,600,000
Lot 2073
Wang Xingwei
Poor Old Hamilton
222×177.5 cm
Price Realized: RMB 21,850,000
Lot 2069
Chen Yifei
Tibetan Siblings
200×250 cm
Price Realized: RMB 14,950,000
Lot 2072
Zhao Bandi
Parrot and Fan
200×175.5 cm
Price Realized: RMB 13,800,000
Lot 2071
Liu Xiaodong
Resting
138×120 cm
Price Realized: RMB 11,270,000
Lot 2087
Zhou Chunya
Lying Human Body, a Black Rock
150×120 cm
Price Realized: RMB 9,775,000
Lot 2059
Zao Wou-ki
31.3.59/1.3.69
60×73 cm
Price Realized: RMB 9,200,000
Lot 2066
Wu Zuoren
A Girl Carrying a Basket
74×54cm
Price Realized: RMB 8,280,000
Lot 2085
Liu Wei
Untitled
200×150 cm
Price Realized: RMB 7,245,000
Ceramics and Works of Art
The Yangcai turquoise-ground chi-dragon Ruyi-handled and gilded cloud-shaped mouth vase attracted much attention and of course made great results, selling for 29.9 million yuan.
The results of the liquor sessions are encouraging. The session “Moutai” won white gloves for the sixth time in a row, with a total turnover of 33.06 million yuan. Wine continues to maintain high turnover rate. It is gratifying that whiskey session, auctioned for the first time, sold for 13.45 million yuan, of which The Yamazaki 50-year-old single malt whiskey sold at a high price of 2.65 million yuan.
---David Yu, General Manager of Ceramics
and Works of Art Department
Lot 2723
Jiaqing seal mark and of the period (1821-1850)
A magnificent Yangcai turquoise-ground chi-dragon Ruyi-handled and gilted cloud-shaped mouth vase
H:34.5cm
Price Realized: RMB 29,900,000
Lot 2728
Ming Dynasty, Xuande Period (1426-1435)
An extremely rare and important imperial ‘buddhist lion’ cricket box
H:10.4 cm D:14 cm
Price Realized: RMB 9,200,000
Lot 3145
Yongle period, Ming Dynasty
Vajra-vidarana gilt-bronze, with mark of six characters
H:21 cm
Price Realized: RMB 5,175,000
Lot 3239
Republic of China,20th century
A set of green clay teaware by Gu Jingzhou
Pot: 18.3 cm Cup: 9.1 cm
Price Realized: RMB 4,025,000
Lot 2771
Qing Dynasty, Qianlong Period (1736-1795)
A carved white jade ‘happiness and longevity’ Ruyi
L:40.5 cm
Price Realized: RMB 2,587,500
Lot 3653
The Yamazaki 50 years old single malt Whisky
700ml/each
Price Realized: RMB 2,645,000
Lot 3562
Mou-tai produced in 1977
12 bottles/540ml
Price Realized: RMB 1,150,000
Lot 3853
Chateau Mouton Magnum Vertical Set - Vintage 1996-2008
13 /1500ml
Price Realized: RMB 218,500
Classical Furniture and Works of Art
The sessions of Classical Furniture and Works of Art have good performances. A pair of Zitan side tables with dragon and cloud pattern sold for 32.2 million yuan. A fine and rare lacquered guqin and a rectangular table with a Ye Shimeng inscription from Zhao Yunru and Pu Xuezhai sold at for 9.2 million yuan. The session, The Treasure of WaCunShi – Famous Seal Cutting Works of Huang Shiling and Important Collections of Seal Impressions, achieved a 100 percent turnover rate, with a total sale of 40.85 million yuan.
Ding Chou Jie Yu Yin Cun, edited by Ding Ren, Gao Yehou, Ge Changying and Yu Rencui, set the highest record for books of ancient seals, and a Shoushan stone seal carved by Huang Shiling set the highest record price for Huang Shiling’s seal works. The session, “Qingning-Modern and Contemporary Seal Art”, also had some highlights. A Shoushan gaoshan stone seal carved by Zhao Zhiqian sold for 9.55 million yuan, creating the second-highest price for Zhao Zhiqian's seal carvings. Collections of Wang Shixiang also traded at good prices.
---Qiao Hao, General Manager of Classical Furniture
and Works of Art Department
Lot 4327
Qianlong period of Qing Dynasty
Pair of Zitan side tables with dragon and cloud pattern
270×54.3×90.5 cm ×2
Price Realized: RMB 32,200,000
Lot 4313
Qing Dynasty
Huanghuali waistless daybed(Ta) with six legs and bark pattern
234×92.3×46.5 cm
Price Realized: RMB 7,475,000
Lot 4309
Late Ming and early Qing dynasties
Huanghuali waisted crescent table
109.5×53.5×85 cm
Price Realized: RMB 7,015,000
Lot 4196
A Shoushan gaoshan stone seal carved by Zhao Zhiqian
3.6×3.6×6.5 cm
Price Realized: RMB 9,545,000
Lot 4063
Edited by Ding Ren, Gao Yehou, Ge Changying, Yu RencuiDING
Chou Jie Yu Yin Cun
30.5×17.5 cm×20
Price Realized: RMB 7,245,000
Lot 4062
Qing Dynasty
Edited by Chen Jieqi
Signets of Shi Zhong Shan Fang
12×13.5 cm×191
Price Realized: RMB 3,220,000
Lot 4019
A Shoushan stone seal carved by Huang Shiling
5.9×2×3.9 cm
Price Realized: RMB 2,185,000
Lot 4405
Song Dynasty / Late Qing Period
A fine and rare lacquered Guqin and a rectangular table with
Ye Shimeng inscription from Zhao Yunru and Pu Xuezhai collection
131.7×39×73.5 cm
Price Realized: RMB 9,200,000
Lot 4642
A gilt-bronze statue of Vajrasativaand Vajrasattvatmika
17th Century
17.5×17.5×22.5 cm
Price Realized: RMB 6,670,000
Lot 4665
Lin Yuan
Fishman and Calligraphy
197×80.5 cm
Price Realized: RMB 5,980,000
Lot 4689
Books collected by Wang Shixiang and Yuan Quanyou
Price Realized: RMB 3,105,000
Rare Books, Rubbing and Manuscripts
Two sessions, “Letters and Manuscripts” and “Rare Books & Rubbing Books”, reached a high turnover rate, an average of 85 percent. Collections from Xu Fuguan, Yuan Xingyun and Jinduxuan traded well. Rare books, rubbings and manuscripts had good performances.
---Song Hao, General Manager of Rare Books,
Rubbing & Manuscripts Department
Lot 2421
Translated by Sikshananda buddhavatamsaka mahavaipulya sutra
28.5×45.5 cm
Price Realized: RMB 5,750,000
Lot 2394
Written by Du Yu, Annotated by Lu Deming
Chun Qiu Jing Zhuan Ji Jie (Volume 30)
20×14.2 cm
Price Realized: RMB 2,415,000
Lot 2436
Written by Fan Zhongyan
Fan Wen Zheng Gong Ji (Volume 16-20 only)
22×33 cm
Price Realized: RMB 920,000
Lot 2407
Edited by Chen Jieqi, Inscribed by Zhang Boying
Shi Zhong Shan Fang Yin Ju
13.6×7.4 cm
Price Realized: RMB 2,300,000
Lot 2360
Former Collection of Peng Zongyin
Stele of Lu Shan Temple
23.8×13 cm
Price Realized: RMB 1,150,000
Lot 2354
Titled by Zheng Zuozhen
Stele of Zhang Qian
26×13.5 cm
Price Realized: RMB 1,127,000
Lot 2230
Yan Fu
Calligraphy in Cursive Script
162.5×34 cm
Price Realized: RMB 1,150,000
Lot 2125
Hu Shi, Qian Mu, Pu Ru and etc.
Calligraphy to Xu Fuguan
29.3×23 cm
Price Realized: RMB 1,058,000
Lot 2112
Xiong Shili
Letter to ZhanG Qiyun
1949
20×131.3 cm
Price Realized: RMB 966,000
Lot 2163
Hu Shi
Letter to Shan Buan
1928
28×18.2 cm
Price Realized: RMB 759,000
Stamps, Coins, Silver Sycees, Banknotes, Gold and Silver Wares
Stamps, coins, silver sycees and banknotes achieved good results again in the Spring sales. The session, “Chengzhai’s Ancient Coin Collection”, reached a 100 percent turnover rate. “Ancient Coins and Sycee” also sold 95% of its items. The rare red stamps to mark the victory of the Great Proletarian Revolution sold at a surprising price of 9.78 million yuan. Another group of stamps, The Whole Country Is Red, sold for 2.99 million yuan. An autograph by Marx, sold for 2.53 million yuan, topping the transaction price of the session, “Autographs and Manuscripts”. Important items from the session of Gold and Silver Wares also sold at very high prices.
---Guo Xueguang, General Manager of Stamps, Coins,
Silver Sycees, Banknotes Department
Lot6847
Rare red stamps to mark the victory of the Great Proletarian Revolution (unissued)
Price Realized: RMB9,775,000
Lot 6026
An important gold Tibetan Buddhism sacrificial vessel of Emperor Qianlong
Price Realized: RMB 6,670,000
Lot 6037
An important gold cup of Emperor Qianlong
Price Realized: RMB 4,657,500
Lot 6156
Marx
Autograph letter to Collet
Price Realized: RMB 2,530,000
Lot 8177
Qing Dynasty
“Guangxu Chongbao”with“Baoqian Dangshi”carved coin
33.7mm
Price Realized: RMB 1,840,000
Lot 7305
Jin Dynasty
Sycee, 5-tael, 197g
Price Realized: RMB 943,000
Lot 9040
1933, National Bank of The Soviet Republic of China, Banknote, 1-Yuan
Price Realized: RMB 241,500
These achievements prove once again that there is no shortcut to the art market. Only by adhering to professional standards and market orientation can we win the trust of collectors. China Guardian 2019 Spring Auctions have ended, but we will never cease our quest for innovation.