The year 2018 has suddenly passed us by. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the founding of China Guardian, and it is also the year of growth when we set sail again without forgetting why we started. Looking back on the past year, China Guardian, along with collectors and friends from all over the world, witnessed changes in the auction market, making progress together.
Auction achievements in 2018
Total annual turnover: 5.8 billion yuan
6 items sold for over 100 million yuan
80 items sold for over 10 million yuan
38 auction records made
17 sessions achieved a 100 percent turnover rate
Pan Tianshou's View From the Peak reached the highest price in the world for Modern Chinese Paintings and Calligraphy with a turnover of 287.5 billion yuan.
50th China Guardian Quarterly Auctions
The 50th China Guardian Quarterly Auctions ended successfully on Jan 14. In two days, almost 3,500 lots in six sessions of Chinese Paintings and Calligraphy, Ceramics and Works of Art raised 85.48 million yuan. Many sections witnessed high turnover rates and new trends. The auctions were a good start for the new year.
China Guardian HK 2018 Spring Auctions
On April 3, the China Guardian Hong Kong 2018 Spring Auctions successfully closed with a total turnover of HK$420 million, a year-on-year increase of 28.9 percent. The 20th Century and Contemporary Chinese Art reached a total sales volume of more than HK$ 120 million, which is the highest ever. Western and Southeast Asian oil paintings that were auctioned for the first time achieved high prices. Among them, Ronald Ventura's Horse Around created a record for works on paper.
51st China Guardian Quarterly Auctions
The 51st China Guardian Quarterly Auctions successfully ended on May 20. The event lasted for three days, and posted a total turnover of 135.6 million yuan. There are many highlights as the auction celebrated the 25th birthday of China Guardian.
China Guardian 2018 Spring Auctions
The China Guardian 2018 Spring Auctions concluded on June 22. Five days of spring sales, with a total of 42 sessions, raised 2.036 billion yuan, highlighting the 25th anniversary of China Guardian’s establishment. Two lots were sold for over 100 million yuan each. Shi Bi Jing She Yin Zhu Tang Shu Xiang Jie edited by Chen Jian went for 110.4 million yuan, the highest among rare books, while Li Keran's Thousands of Mountains earned 126.5 million yuan. Hammer prices of 30 lots were more than 10 million yuan each, 16 lots broke records, and eight sessions achieved a 100 percent transaction rate, which reflects the structural adjustment of the art market, sending an important signal of health and prosperity in the market.
The first E-BIDDING
E-BIDDING, the first online auction, was launched at the 52nd China Guardian Quarterly Auctions on Sept 18. The brand-new auction experience and carefully selected items attracted many collectors. The total turnover rate reached 98 percent and the total turnover was 5.098 million yuan. China Guardian adapts to the requirements of the development of the internet age, and meets the public demand for art consumption through this new auction format, which received a warm response from the market and the public.
52nd China Guardian Quarterly Auctions
The 52nd China Guardian Quarterly Auctions dropped the last hammer at the Guardian Art Center on the afternoon of Sept 21, with a total turnover of 108 million yuan and an average turnover rate of 74 percent.
China Guardian HK Autumn Auctions 2018
China Guardian Hong Kong 2018 Autumn Auctions concluded on Oct 3 with outstanding results. 12 sales over 2 days encompassing 5 categories achieved HK$ 690 million / US$ 87.9 million, the highest seasonal total in the Company's 6-year history, bringing the 2018 total of the Company to an impressive HK$ 1.1 billion / US$ 141.8 million, the highest ever annual total at China Guardian (Hong Kong) and 17% up from 2017.
China Guardian 2018 Autum Auctions
The 25th anniversary auction of China Guardian successfully concluded on Nov 24, with a five-day total turnover of 2.475 billion yuan. Popular works among collectors that all sold for over 100 million include View from the Peek by Pan Tianshou, setting a record for his works; 11 rubbings collected by An Siyuan (including six from the Song Dynasty), setting a world record for auctions of rubbings; and Inspired by Mao Tse-Tung's Lyrics by Fu Baoshi. In addition, there were 37 items sold for more than 10 million yuan. The transaction prices for 13 items broke records and eight sessions achieved a 100 percent turnover rate at the auctions.
Exhibitions in 2018
Dreams Come True - Exhibition for the 110th Anniversary of He Haixia's Birth
Chen Zengbi's Classical Furniture Research Documents and Collections Exhibition
After Lunch - Muxinzhai Ancient Tea-set Exhibition
Feast of Eyes - Contemporary Landscape View Exhibition
Captured in Ink – Paintings in the Collection of Zhenru Jingshe
Exhibition of Feng Zikai’s works
Exhibition of collections of Huang Guiquan
Exhibition of Spring Auctions in Shanghai and Shenzhen
Preview of the China Guardian HK 2018 Autumn Auctions in Beijing
Exhibition of Autumn Auctions in Wanlin Art Museum of Wuhan University
Dreams Come True - Exhibition for the 110th Anniversary of He Haixia's Birth
The exhibition Dreams Come True - Exhibition for the 110th Anniversary of He Haixia's Birth opened at the Guardian Art Center on April 14. The exhibition presents more than 110 works collected by the family members of He Haixia, focusing on his important works after he returned to Beijing in the 1980s, as well as his masterpiece Dreams Come True created in 1989, which shows his later years.
Chen Zengbi's Classical Furniture Research Documents and Collections Exhibition
More than 170 works were exhibited, including the furniture collected by Chen Zengbi as well as his works, papers, manuscripts, letters and old photographs. It intuitively shows Chen's way of studying ancient furniture, aiming to enlighten the wisdom of later scholars and continue the scientific and rigorous research methods in future generations.
After Lunch - Muxinzhai Ancient Tea-set Exhibition
The theme originated from a poem by the Tang Dynasty poet Bai Juyi, who wrote: “After lunch—one short nap. On waking up—two cups of tea”. The exhibition collected tea and cultural objects deeply involved in the life of ancient literati in the same space, to more completely present the living conditions and spiritual pursuit of the ancient literati class.
Feast of Eyes - Contemporary Landscape View Exhibition
The Feast of Eyes - Contemporary Landscape View Exhibition opened on May 15 at the Guardian Art Center. The exhibition presents contemporary ink and water works of 12 artists of the field, bringing a different experience of contemporary landscape paintings for viewers.
Captured in Ink – Paintings in the Collection of Zhenru Jingshe
The exhibition first appeared on Sept 30 during the China Guardian HK 2018 Autumn Auctions and officially opened at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. This exhibition included works of many famous artists, such as Xie Zhiliu, Zhu Qizhan, Liu Danzhai and Cheng Shifa. There were works integrating Chinese and Western culture by many artists in the field, such as Lin Fengmian and Guan Liang, and also works from classical artists Qi Baishi, Huang Binhong, Fu Baoshi, Pan Tianshou and Pu Ru. The selected pieces showcase a variety of features, and the unique taste of collectors.
Exhibition of Feng Zikai’s works
During the China Guardian (HK) Auctions, Feng Zikai's nearly 60 collections of calligraphy were presented for the first time, focusing on the special exhibition of Feng Zikai's literature, poetry, art, translation and other aspects of his multifaceted cultivation and talent. His works are a vivid portrayal of the times, while his calm demeanor belongs to the past, present and future.
Exhibition of collections of Huang Guiquan
On Dec 6, an exhibition was held in the office of China Guardian HK in Lippo Centre. The display featured 13 rubbings and seven pamphlets of purple clay pots collected by the retired Hong Kong doctor, prominent collector and photographer, Huang Guiquan. The rubbings were produced by renowned pot makers Yulan, Shen Juechu, Mo Tuo and Wan Yuren as well as several masters of calligraphy and painting. The pamphlets presented the works of famous calligraphers and painters.
Exhibition of Spring Auctions in Shanghai and Shenzhen
The Exhibition of China Guardian 2018 Spring Auctions was held in Shanghai and Shenzhen on May 24 and June 2 respectively. Top museum-level collections were warmly welcomed by collectors from all walks of life. Promoted by the concept of the cross-border coexistence of art and life, the exhibition has also set up a life experience area, aiming to narrow the gap between art and life by providing a variety of cross-border works of art.
Beijing saw first preview of the China Guardian HK 2018 Autumn Auctions
The Preview of China Guardian HK 2018 Autumn Auctions came to Beijing for the first time, unveiled at the Guardian Art Center on Sept 8. The event presented over 100 art treasures covering four major categories: Chinese Paintings and Calligraphy, Asian 20th Century and Contemporary Art, Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, Jewelry, Watches and Luxury Goods. China Guardian HK came to Beijing for the first time to make a tour exhibition. For three days in a row, the preview was very popular, providing a high-quality visual feast for collectors and art lovers.
First Exhibition of Autumn Auctions held in Wanlin Art Museum of Wuhan University
From Oct 27 to 28, the Exhibition of China Guardian 2018 Autumn Auctions first appeared at the Wanlin Art Museum of Wuhan University. Leaders of Wuhan University, representatives of alumni entrepreneurs of the university, representatives of the Chushang Society, and many distinguished guests attended the opening ceremony of the exhibition. The exhibition also reflected the audience's ardent pursuit of art and high recognition of China Guardian. The total number of visitors reached more than 10,000, marking the largest number of visitors to the annual exhibition of Chinese art auctions.
Academic Activities in 2018
12 Guardian Lectures
3 Seminars
Guardian Lectures
In 2018, China Guardian held 12 Guardian Lectures in Shanghai, Shenzhen, Beijing and other places, covering eight categories. Experts in various fields attracted tens of thousands of people interesting in appreciating cultural relics and artworks through in-depth interpretation of knowledge on art collection.
Seminars
China Guardian held seminars on "Edited by Chen Jian: Shi Bi Jing She Yin Zhu Tang Shu Xiang Jie", "Edited by Xue Shanggong, Former Collection of Huang Pilie" and "Appreciation of 11 rubbings of the Song Dynasty by An Siyuan”. The seminars invited a number of experts from the industry to attend, and made academic comments and demonstrations on these rare ancient books and tablets from various perspectives, highlighting their important academic value.
Awards won in 2018
Annual Auctioneer of ART POWER 100
The ninth Best Auctioneer Award of Hurun Report
Honors in the art market value list
Brand Promotion Auction Enterprises in 2018
Four Awards at the third Qinghua Award
Honored among Top 30 Capital Cultural Enterprises for three consecutive years
Top 100 Private Enterprises in Beijing
Top 100 Cultural Industries of Private Enterprises in Beijing
Annual Auctioneer of ART POWER 100
On April 28, the 11th ART POWER 100 with a theme of "Convergence" was successfully held in Beijing. Seventeen art awards and six design awards were unveiled at the ceremony, which initiated the largest and most extensive event since its inception. China Guardian won the honor of Annual Auction House in this grand ceremony.
The ninth Best Auctioneer Award of Hurun Report
The Hurun Research Institute released the Hurun Chinese Luxury C
Report on Brand Tendency of China's Ten Millionaires from 2018 to Shangshan on Jan 24, which is the fourteenth year that the Hurun Research Institute released this report. The report shows that in terms of collections, painting and calligraphy continue to lead the "collection category favored by high-net-worth individuals". Over the next three years, high-net-worth people are expected to be more willing to invest overseas and in works of art. In this report, China Guardian was awarded the ninth Best Auction House Award.
Honors in the art market value list
The third Art Market Value List Award Ceremony was held in Beijing on March 14. The latest authoritative data from the China Association of Auctioneers were released at the event, and the 2008 Art Market Value List was unveiled. China Guardian won many honors such as Brand Promotion Auctioneer 2018, Market Growth Auctioneer 2018 and Most Popular Auctioneer.
Four Awards at the third Qinghua Award
At the third Qinghua Award, held in Shanghai on Aug 9, China Guardian won four awards: Top Ten Enterprises of the Year, Annual Scale Award, Annual Tax Award, and Annual Commission Ability Award.
Honored among Top 30 Capital Cultural Enterprises for three consecutive years
The third Top 30 Capital Cultural Enterprises was unveiled in Beijing on Oct 17. In recent years, China Guardian has been honored among the Top 30 Capital Cultural Enterprises for three consecutive years, because of its outstanding performance in the field of cultural relics and art auctions.
One of the Top 100 Private Enterprises in Beijing and Top 100 Cultural Industries of Private Enterprises in Beijing
The news conference of 2018 Top 100 Private Enterprises in Beijing was held in Yanqi Lake International Convention and Exhibition Center on Oct 19. At the event, the Beijing Federation of Industry and Commerce issued a list of the top 100 private enterprises in Beijing in 2018 and a special survey report. China Guardian won titles as one of the Top 100 Private Enterprises in Beijing and Top 100 Cultural Industries of Private Enterprises in Beijing.
Great Events in 2018
Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor visits Guardian Art Center
CEO Seminar of Y.B.L China Entrepreneurs Forum held in the Guardian Art Center
China Guardian HK welcomes the joy of relocation
China Guardian's 25th birthday
Grand Opening of the 25th Anniversary Celebration of China Guardian
Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor visits Guardian Art Center
Ms. Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor , Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, and her delegation visited the Guardian Art Center to exchange ideas and make an inspection on July 27. During the discussion, Chen Dongsheng, the founder of China Guardian, introduced the deep-seated friendly cooperation and exchanges between China Guardian and Hong Kong art and collection circles for many years. He also expressed his willingness to further strengthen cooperation with Hong Kong in the collection of cultural relics and artworks, insurance finance and private enterprise exchanges in the future, which won the approval and support of the chief executive.
CEO Seminar of Y.B.L China Entrepreneurs Forum held in the Guardian Art Center
The CEO Seminar of Y.B.L China Entrepreneurs Forum was held at the Guardian Art Center on May 19. Under the leadership of Chen Dongsheng, chairman of China Entrepreneurs Forum and founder of China Guardian, more than 20 Y.B.L entrepreneurs went into the Guardian Art Center to feel the power of art and learn the story behind the auction of cultural relics and artworks.
China Guardian HK welcomes the joy of relocation
Since the hammer first came down in Hong Kong in the autumn of 2012, China Guardian HK has thrived with the support of all its clients. In order to facilitate the development of the business in Hong Kong and provide clients with better and diversified services, the China Guardian HK office moved to a new site at Lippo Centre on June 11. The exhibition space at the new office provides a more spacious and complete base for Hong Kong's business development, which is conducive to the excellence and innovation of China Guardian HK in the fierce competition.
China Guardian's 25th birthday
May 18 is the 25th birthday of China Guardian. As one of the most shining places in the world, the huge screen on the Bund of Shanghai illuminates the birthday wishes of China Guardian. This is also to express our gratitude to the vast number of collectors and friends from all over the world who have strongly supported China's Guardian for the past 25 years. Every frame of the picture shows a beautiful vision and sincere gratitude.
Grand Opening of the 25th Anniversary Celebration of China Guardian
The 25th anniversary celebration of China Guardian, with the theme of "Year of Growth", opened with nearly 1,000 guests at the Guardian Art Center on Nov 17. The completion of the Guardian Art Center means that China Guardian, with auctions as its core, can broaden its development space and become a new art complex with many functions, such as art auctions, warehousing, restoration, publishing, exhibitions and financial services, helping the auction and collection of Chinese cultural relics and arts to enter a new page.
This year, we move forward in good times.
Those impressive moments, and flashbacks
Outlined the year of China Guardian's growing path,
And opened a brand-new chapter in the new year.
Let us further carry on, hand in hand, in 2019.