HONG KONG.- Tokyo Chuo Auction Hong Kong’s Autumn Auctions held at the Four Seasons Hotel on 25 and 26 November 2015 achieved a grand total of HK$120,555,075/ US$15,455,779. Over 400 lots of exceptional Chinese paintings, calligraphy pieces, imperial Chinese works of art and tea wares including rare works from eminent Japanese collections were offered.
The auction was highlighted by the 100%-sold ‘white glove’ sale of The Enchantment of Chinese Ink - Letters and Manuscripts previously from an important Japanese Collection offered for the first time. Thirteen cherished pieces from the collection of The Japanese Calligraphic Association were all well received by collectors. Of particular notes were masterworks by Wu Changshuo, Zhao Zhiqian and Zhang Ruitu.
In the Classical Chinese Paintings sale, works from the collection of an oil painter from the Taisho period (1912-1926) were highly sought-after. The top lot was a superb painting Flower Basket by Li Song (attributed to, circa Song to Yuan dynasty) which achieved HK$19.32 million/ US$2,476,923 after spirited bidding, multiple times its pre-sale high estimate of HK$800,000/ US$102,400. Li Song was a court painter best known for his flower and figure paintings. All the flowers and leaves are meticulously drawn and vibrantly painted so that the overall composition represents a lively tribute to the joy of spring.
Another outstanding work Young Birds by Li Di (attributed to, circa Song to Yuan dynasty) realized HK$14.26 million/ US$1,828,205, multiple times its pre-sale high estimate of HK$900,000/ US$115,200. With meticulous brushstrokes, he depicted two chicks gazing forward. The various colours of the subjects are in harmony with the light brownish tone of the background, further creating a sense of harmony and refinement.
The Imperial Treasures sale featured a selection of superb works of art from the collections of the Qing court led by a rare blue and white ‘dragon’ meiping, Kangxi mark and period (1662-1722) that realized HK$9.2 million/ US$1,179,487. Painted in different tones of flamboyant blue on the white-glazed body, the five-clawed dragon, symbolising Imperial power and dignity, cavorts in the sky with its whiskers and mane flying in the wind. Known as Tuweilong, or ‘dragon with bare tail’, the painted dragon design was invented by the Qing Imperial Kilns and was most widely used during the Kangxi era.
Another highlight was an Imperial celadon-glazed square-formed vase, Yongzheng mark and period (1723-1735) from the Konoike Family collection. It achieved HK$9.2 million/ US$1,179,487 after keen competition, tripling its pre-sale high estimate. Made in the shape of the ancient bronze vessel Zun, the square-formed body of this exceptional vase is glazed in pure celadon on which no further decoration compromises the vessel’s elegance and simplicity.
