HONG KONG.- Poly Auction Hong Kong’s 2015 Autumn Auctions features pieces ranging from extremely rare Chinese art works from the imperial palaces, to Buddhist art, designer custom-made jewelry and a Hermes product collection. Taking place at Grand Hyatt Hong Kong from 3 to 6 October, with the preview on 3 and 4 October and the auction held on 5 and 6 October, the auction is set to attract collectors from Hong Kong, mainland China and around the world.
Auction pieces include pieces under seven categories: Chinese and Asian modern and Contemporary Art, Chinese Contemporary Ink Paintings, Classical Chinese Paintings and Calligraphy, Fine Modern Chinese Paintings and Calligraphy, Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, Jewelry and Watches, and Chinese and Western Wine.
Alex Chang, Managing Director of Poly Auction Hong Kong, said, “We are pleased to gain such strong support from collectors, receiving two rare masterpieces during Poly Auction’s tenth anniversary. We are delighted to be presenting the precious masterpieces Roses in a White Pitcher, a key work in one of Sanyu’s early series creations and the national treasure A Glance of Nanjing City, painted by Feng Ning. This honour shows the support and trust collectors have in Poly Auction as well as the positive growth in the Asian art market. Our specialist departments have been working hard to design Autumn Auctions’ main premise and themes, presenting rare and valuable pieces with careful consideration to academic context and the direction of the Asian market. We hope this auction brings fresh perspective and visual delight, while providing a golden opportunity for collectors to buy the finest works.”
Chinese and Asian Modern and Contemporary Art
Following on from the success of last season’s auction, Chinese and Asian Modern and Contemporary Art will be presented including artwork from notable contemporary Chinese artists, including classic works from Sanyu, Zao Wou-ki, Chu The-chun and Wu Guanzhong. Sanyu’s Roses in a White Pitcher shows the artist’s creative concept in one of his earliest key works. The drawing reflects harmony between the artist’s carefree state of mind and the nature world around him, it also symbolises the realm and the aesthetic of life. The art piece set up a cornerstone for the future development and also the perfect combination through the exploration of the inner and outer realities.
Chu The-chun’s snow scenery series, painted in the mid-eighties, is considered to be representative of the pinnacle of his career. Subtilité hivernale, an important first piece of his snow scenery series, shows the artist following traditional Chinese aesthetics through its elements and theme. The snow scenes combine poetry, writing and drawing and observes the coming of spring. The presentation of the scene, space, frame and arrangement of lines, colour and elements of the structure are illustrative of the artist’s breakthrough of self.
The contemporary art selection is led by the Mask series 2001 No.5 by Zeng Fanzhi. This series involves the discussion of human beings, telling stories mainly based on portraits, intimating the description of spirits, disclosing the true emotions covered with masks. Sharp-born Black Rose by Mao Yan, first seen at the Shanghai Fine Arts Biennial Exhibition, has never before been exposed in market. The leading role’s pale face is rich with fine layer changes and the base layer of black greasepaint carries the stack of blue, green and yellow, which not only indicates the trail during Mao Yan’s work with brushes and paints, but also creates the sensitive style of the work as a whole.
To mark the 30th anniversary of 85 Art Movement, Poly Auction presents significant works by Zhang Peili, Geng Jianyi, Gu Wenda, Mao Xuhui, and Yu Youhan. 85 Art Movement was a momentous movement in China’s contemporary art history, during which many internationally influential artists and works emerged establishing the art structure of contemporary China and its position in world of art.
Classical Chinese Paintings and Calligraphy
Classical Chinese Paintings and Calligraphy at this year’s auction includes national treasure Feng Ning’s A Glance of Nanjing City. This scroll, measuring 10 metres in length, is one of the best examples of Emperor Qianlong’s cause to promote culture. It tells the story of the wealth of Nanjing (previously known as Jingling), the ancient Song dynasty city by the Qinhuai River, as well the story of the lives of everyday people at that time. Similar to Along the River During the Qingming Festival, this long scroll is one of the most accurate representations depicting folk customs of ancient China. It was previously displayed in one of China’s ancient imperial palaces where it was admired by many Emperors. It is one of the few surviving treasures from this period, and Poly Auction Hong Kong is honoured to be presenting it to collectors and art lovers at the Autumn Auctions.
Chinese Contemporary Ink Paintings
At Poly Auction Hong Kong’s 2015 Spring Auctions, the Chinese paper scroll paintings were highly regarded by expert collectors and the art world. This year’s Autumn Auctions will continue to maintaining the auction house’s long-standing values of “authenticity, excellence in quality and rarity”.
In this series of pioneering ink-wash paintings, Poly Auction Hong Kong presents some the greatest ink-wash paintings from the turn of the 21st century, including Lin Fengmian’s Chinese Opera Characters and Wu Guanzhong’s Waterfall. In addition, Poly Auction Hong Kong will present the valuable works of Hong Kong and Taiwan artists, including The Rise and Fall of Sun and Moon by Liu Kuo-sung (organiser of “April Painting Association” and the first spokesperson for contemporary ink-wash paintings), A Young Girl by Hsiao Ju-sun as well as other classical works. The famous Chinese writer Liu Yong has always attracted attention from experienced collectors for his fine yet elegant paintings. Poly Auction Hong Kong presents Liu Yong’s Spring, where the artist shows his elaborate skill in the drawing of cherry blossom petals.
Fine Modern Chinese Paintings and Calligraphy
The selection of Fine Modern Chinese Paintings and Calligraphy includes brilliant and varied styles of art showcasing continued innovation by generations of famous painters. The selection of works preserves the tradition of the ancient style of painting while demonstrating new movements in contemporary society. In curating the selection for Autumn Auctions 2015, Poly Auction Hong Kong’s expert team travelled the globe in search of private collections. The items for the Autumn Auctions include the finest works from painters from Jingjin (Beijing-Tianjin), Haishang (Shanghai) and Lingnan and demonstrate the artistic achievements made by the greatest masters of the art from different time periods. Poly Auction Hong Kong employs the lesson of “refined quantity, the highest quality” in presenting this outstanding collection.
Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art
The Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art team continue in their efforts to uncover for the most historically and culturally significant works. Poly Auction Hong Kong has selected Buddhist art mainly from the Ming and Qing Dynasties as well as Jin bronze statues, in particular the palatial statues of the Ming Dynasty. The works produced from the imperial kiln under the reign of the three Qing emperors (Kangxi, Yongzheng and Qianlong) contribute to the larger part of the exhibits. One of the works is the extremely rare, A Magnificent Imperial Blue-glazed Hxagonal Four Dragon Handles was produced under the reign of Yongzheng in the Qing Dynasty. The pair of monochrome wares under the reign of Kangxi, A Pair of Yellow-glazed Mallet-shaped vases, showcase the difference between the tastes of the two generations of emperors. While A Blue-ground Gilt-decorated ‘Lotus’ Double-Gourd Triple-Vase reflects extravagant tastes, and A Large and Rare Guan-tipe Hexagonal Vase, Hu is an example of the archaic work copied under the reign of Qianlong.
Jewels & Watches
The Jewels & Watches department displays century-old designer custom-made jewellery with rare gems, unique designs, royal styles and fashion trends and a sophisticated collection of watches. Following the well-received Spring Auctions featuring the Hermès collection, Poly Auction Hong Kong will display Hermès products in their Autumn Auctions with a rich collection of products to satiate the desires of collectors. Across the decades, custom-made and limited-edition Hermès handbags have been used as a status symbol for the distinguished and elite; the brand’s classic style and high quality has maintained an influential force throughout its lifetime. The making of each handbag is strictly regulated down to its exact shade of colour, with each season bringing in carefully chosen variations in leather and colour. Poly Auction Hong Kong will present a hand-picked collection of Hermès bags, giving guests the chance to experience the rich history of the brand and the charm its greatest classics.
Chinese and Western Wine
Poly Auction Hong Kong’s Chinese and Western Wine department will present a selection of labels rarely-seen in the auction market, including the popular Karuizawa and the LOUIS XIII Rare Cask, by the “King of Cognac” Remy Martin. The Autumn Auctions will showcase renowned and rare French reds carefully-chosen by a team of experts, including Burgundy 3-litre jeroboam of Romanee-Conti 1998, Bordeaux 6-liter Imperial of Chateau d'Yquem of Lvsa-Lvsi and Bordeaux Château Mouton Rothschild vertical collection of vintage labels from 1945 to 2012.
