Christie's Hong Kong will sell over 180 Chinese classical
paintings and calligraphy as well as 350 Chinese modern and
contemporary paintings in its autumn auctions in November, some of
which were showcased in a media preview on Tuesday.
The two auctions, named respectively Fine Chinese Classical
Paintings and Calligraphy and Fine Chinese Modern and Contemporary
Paintings, will take place on November 26 at the Hong Kong
Convention and Exhibition Center.
Mie Zhi Tie, a tracing copy from the Tang Dynasty (7th-8th
century) of calligraphy originally inscribed by Wang Xizhi, is
estimated at HK$30 million to HK$40 million (US$3.87 million to
US$5.16 million), was highlighted in the media preview
Wednesday.
Wang was born in the Eastern Jin Dynasty and his writing is
majestic with sublime and abstract brushstrokes. Wang's calligraphy
is highly coveted and considered irreplaceable because of its
rarity and exquisite technique.
The Mei Zhi Tie is a Tang-dynasty copy of Wang's original
calligraphy. No actual works by the master survive and thus this
very early and skillful copy is an extremely rare find.
An album of eight leaves of calligraphy and paintings by
prominent Chinese artist Dong Qichang, is estimated at HK$8 million
to HK$10 million (about US$1.03 million to US$1.29 million).
Also featured at the preview is a painting named Eight Horses by
Xu Beihong, master of Chinese paintings. This painting, which is
one of the most important works by Xu ever to come to market, is
estimated at HK$6 million to HK$8 million (about US$774,200 to
US$1.03 million). It depicts horses gently sipping water, observing
their surroundings and communicating with each other.
(Xinhua News Agency November 14, 2007)