00:30, January 24, 2022 witnessed the successful closure of Xiling Yinshe 2021 Autumn Auction with a total revenue of RMB 848 million and sell-through rate of 82.9%.
Sincerest gratitude to the support and kindness of all the collectors and wish you a happy new year in advance!
Just a few days ago, there was a discussion about whether Su Shi’s birthday should be the day according to the Gregorian calendar or lunar calendar apart from other calendars in China.
Auctioneers have their own calendars concerning spring and autumn auctions, a rhythm shared by each of us.
The successful ending of Xiling Yinshe Autumn Auction is not only a year-end report, but also signals a closing to the auctions in the domestic art market. The consignments will continue next year signifying another spring to come.
Academic in research, broad in categories
aspiring for classics, and advocating literati cultures
Highlights
·Chinese Painting and Calligraphy·
Five Chinese painting and calligraphy sales succeeded with more than RMB 300 million, including a half from Classical Chinese Paintings & Calligraphy and Manuscripts of Ming and Qing Dynasties. The steady performance of the painting and calligraphy sales has evidenced the great market purchasing power and our ability in digging the true value of each artwork.
Zhu Yunming Calligraphy
Starting Price: RMB 1,000,000
Sale Price: RMB 6,210,000
The manuscripts of Ming and Qing dynasties are the focus of the Classical Chinese Paintings & Calligraphy sale, which made a stir from its beginning. The sensation started from the letters from Wu’s family in Ming Dynasty collected by Zhu Xingzhai. Wu Kuan’s Cheng Shi Tie started from RMB 500,000 and ended up with RMB 2,875,000. Liu Jue’s Mei Ren Tie started from RMB 500,000 and ended up with 2,530,000. Wang Ao’s Ping Sheng Zong Ji Tie started from RMB 500,000 and sold for RMB 2,070,000. Zhu Yunming’s calligraphy started from RMB 1,000,000 and sold for RMB 6,210,000. The four lots contributed a total sale of RMB 13,685,000 (tax-included). The amount of the sale is above RMB 30,000,000 with a sell-through rate of 98%. Besides, the calligraphic works by Wang Guxiang, Zhu Geng, Wu Weiye, You Tong and Cao Rong also broke records for their works.
Shen Zongjing, Wang Xiangling, Wang Yuezao, Zhu Xuan, Wang Jiuling, etc. Paintings and Calligraphy
Starting Price: RMB 800,000
Sale Price: RMB 3,450,000
The album of Literati’s inscriptions has always been the favorite of collectors, attributed to its rareness for so many inscriptions by different masters. Some albums are even rarer because it is extremely hard to have as many scholars as possible inscribe on the same album for generations. The album of paintings inscribed by Shen Zongjing, Wang Xiangling, Zhu Xuan, Wang Jiuling, etc. is just one of them, sold for RMB 3,450,000, far higher than its estimate of RMB 800,000.
Yun Shouping Landscape after Ancient Masters
Starting Price: RMB 8,000,000
Sale Price: RMB 20,240,000
Mi Wanzhong Poem in Cursive Script
Starting Price: RMB 300,000
Sale Price: RMB 3,622,500
The sale of classical Chinese paintings and calligraphy was concluded at RMB 150,000,000. High sale prices, sell-through rate and premium were absolutely the guarantee to the whole auction. Yun Shouping’s Landscape after Ancient Masters started its bidding from RMB 800,000 and sold for RMB 20,240,000. Another lot Poem in Cursive Script by Mi Wanzhong of late Ming Dynasty was sold for RMB 3,622,500 despite its low estimate of RMB 300,000.
Huang Binhong Landscape after the Rain
Starting Price: RMB 3,600,000
Sale Price: RMB 8,280,000
The modern paintings and calligraphy sale featured famous collections and reliable provenances. In the sale of Chinese Paintings & Calligraphy by Top Members of Xiling Yinshe, Huang Binhong’s Landscape after the Rain which has been illustrated, published and exhibited many times started the bidding from RMB 3,600,000 and sold for RMB 8,280,000. Zhang Daqian collection of three luffa paintings, the origin of the his study's name, including Dragonfly amid Luffas by Qi Baishi, Luffas by Qi Baishi and Luffas by Zhang Daqian, were sold for RMB 4,140,000. A folding fan with horse painting and calligraphy by Pu Zuo and Yi Lixun was concluded at RMB 299,000, nearly 30 times its estimate of RMB 10,000.
Sansizhai Collection of paintings: Dragonfly amid Luffas by Qi Baishi, Luffas by Qi Baishi and Luffas by Zhang Daqian
Sale Price: RMB 4,140,000
Pu Zuo and Yi Lixun Horse·Calligraphy
Starting Price: RMB 10,000
Sale Price: RMB 299,000
·Important Manuscripts and Photographs·
The sale of Important Manuscripts and Photographs remained emphasizing and concentrating on academic research and presentation. Eighty percent of 251 lots including modern artists’ manuscripts, calligraphy and photographs found their masters. Many of them are rare and sought after by the collectors both inside and outside of the saleroom. Among them was a rare calligraphy in running script by Wang Guowei, which was eventually sold for RMB 3,450,000 after dozens of biddings. Another lot, Zhang Ailing’s autograph letter signed to Huang Jundong about the publication of Zhang Kan amazed the auction by its sale price of RMB 839,500.
Wang Guowei Rare Calligraphy in Running Script
Sale Price: RMB 3,450,000
Zhang Ailing Autograph Letter Signed to Huang Jundong about the Publication of Zhang Kan
Starting Price: RMB 400,000
Sale Price: RMB 839,500
Tang Huai Ren Ji Wang Xi Zhi Shu Sheng Jiao Xu, the cover of the catalogue of Fine Ancient Books and Ink Rubbings is the earliest edition known ever before in the country, which was collected by many collectors in Ming and Qing dynasties such as Han Fengxi. The work was also inscribed by seven masters including Yang Bin, and mentioned by Wang Zhuanghong in his work, a renowned contemporary rubbing connoisseur. With such clear and traceable collection records, it started its bidding from RMB 3 million and finally fetched RMB 13,915,000 after fierce competition, making it one of the top valuable rubbings auctioned so far. The fervent passion of the buyers revealed its extraordinariness.
What is notable is Song Ta Huai Ji Wang Sheng Jiao Xu collected by Gao Shiqi and titled by Wang Duo. The lot was sold for RMB 5,980,000, ten times its estimate, evidencing the appetite of the market for classic rubbings and the feasibility of academic research in rubbing auction.
Tang Huai Ren Ji Wang Sheng Jiao Xu
Sale Price: RMB 13,915,000
·Seal Cuttings by Masters and Inkstones from Different Dynasties·
Since the establishment of the Seal Cutting and Inkstone Department of Xiling Yinshe Auction Co., Ltd., the department has inherited the concept of ‘Reserving and studying seals for painting and calligraphy’. Thanks to the efforts for over ten years, the sales of Study Series·Seal Cuttings by Modern and Contemporary Chinese Masters and Study Series·Fine Inkstones and Inksticks remained focusing on academic researches and exchanges to efficiently promote the sound development of the seal collection. The sale of Entertaining Seals by Masters, which was presented in 2015 for the first time, has attracted wide attentions with its special literati charms and culture behind it.
Three seal-cutting related sales have continued high popularity with stella sell-through rates. Entertaining seal, which can be dated back to Qin and Han dynasties, was thoroughly inosculated with poetry, calligraphy and painting in the traditional Chinese literati culture in Qing Dynasty. Nowadays, we study seals to understand the provenance of the work as well as the knowledge and cultivation of the artist before painting and calligraphic researches.
Qing Dynasty A Shoushan ‘Furong’ Stone ‘Beast’ Seal Engraved by Chen Hongshou
Sale Price: RMB 1,058,000
Starting with the most popular seals collected by Yin Lu, fourteen lots were all sold with high premiums after fervent biddings, especially those with the marks of ‘Qing Xiao Yi Chang Song’, ‘Shi Jiu Zun Zui Han’, ‘Ci Dao Mang Ran’ and so on.
Qing Dynasty A Qingtian Stone Seal Engraved by Wu Changshuo for Yang Xian’s Private Use
Sale Price: RMB 747,500
In the sale of Fine Inkstone and Inkstick, the duan inkstone engraved by the master Zhou Zhiyan was a great hit for its rareness. The inkstone with the pattern of tiger roaring towards the moon was finally sold for RMB 877,500, a new record for Zhou’s masterpieces.
Qing Dynasty A Duan Inkstone Engraved by Zhou Zhiyan
Sale Price: RMB 977,500
A new record for Zhou Zhiyan’s masterpieces
Ming Dynasty An Inkstick Made by Cheng Junfang
Sale Price: RMB 540,500
·Refined Articles in the Study·
The sale of refined articles in the study was characterized as a variety of eye-catching selections from famous collections, all concluded at high prices and premiums after enthusiastic biddings.
As the first white glove sale (100% sell-through rate), Chinese Ancient Jade Art of Different Dynasties from Important Collections provided over forty exquisite lots with clear provenances, all resulting in satisfactory outcomes totaling about RMB 20 million.
The precious jade carvings presented in this sale were used to be treasured, appreciated and studied by famous collectors as well as domestic and foreign museums. The star lot, a white jade bowl with landscape pattern, was the blockbuster, topping the sale by the sale price as high as RMB 6,670,000.
Qianlong Period, Qing Dynasty A Fine White Jade Bowl with Landscape Pattern and 'Qianlong' Mark
Starting Price: RMB 2,200,000
Sale Price: RMB 6,670,000
The white jade bowl is of rounded flared form and supported on a low foot, the mottled stone with swirling striations is of a pale and dark grey tone. The ink streaks in the jade present a view of Chinese classic landscape painting. We all know that the graduated jade is elegant by itself without carving. It topped other jade works in art and aesthetic values, becoming one of the most sought-after lots.
Furniture, Guqin and scholar’s rocks presented by the sales of Everlasting Glory·Refined Articles in the Study and Study Series·Refined Articles in the Study were also market focus with many lots sold for considerably higher prices than their pre-sale estimates between clients, phone and online bidders in the salerooms, achieving a high turnover rate of 91.95%.
Ming Dynasty A Jiaoye-Style Guqin Made by Zhu Gongwang
Starting Price: RMB 220,000
Sale Price: RMB 954,500
·Chinese Ceramics·
The sale of ceramics was a big hit, with collectors quite satisfied with their trophies after intensive bidding battles. The sale totaled RMB 69.54 million, advocating the preservation of cultural relics. A 'Guan' celadon censer with string pattern, the cover lot, led the sale, fetching RMB 9.2 million, showing the craftsmanship of government kilns.
The vessel, typical of top works of ‘Guan’ kiln, is a copy of bronze ware. The porcelain body needs to be extremely thin, making it hard to be successfully fired. So the works left are rare and precious. The censer manifests the modesty and elegance of scholars with the celadon color and crack. “Guan” censers with string patterns are rarely seen, be it public or private institutes, with the only exception of the one in the Taipei Palace Museum. The censer achieved the high price with its rarity and significance.
A 'Guan' Celadon Censer with String Pattern
Starting Price: RMB 6,000,000
Sale Price: RMB 9,200,000
A flambè-glazed vase with 'Yongzheng' mark made in the Qing dynasty, a back cover lot, was also chased by bidders for its easy and smooth forms. The lot shone brightly in the auction, inspiring a flurry of intense bidding between clients and phone bidders in the salerooms before achieving RMB 4.6 million.
Yongzheng Period, Qing Dynasty A Flambè-Glazed Vase with 'Yongzheng' Mark
Starting Price: RMB 2,800,000
Sale Price: RMB 4,600,000
Qianlong Period, Qing Dynasty A Turquoise-Ground Famille Rose Vase with Flower Pattern Made by Tang Ying and 'Qianlong' Mark
Starting Price: RMB 3,000,000
Sale Price: RMB 4,600,000
·Zisha Wares·
Zisha wares have always been the most sought-after in the Xiling Yinshe Auction, with a high turnover rate and intensive bidding in the salesroom. The auction saw a strong performance of tea, iron and silver teapots and red clay teapots, ending with over 90% turnover rate and RMB 35.51 million of total sale.
The sale was led by a purple clay teapot made by Shi Dabin in the Ming dynasty, a cover lot with clear provenance, fetching RMB 18.4 million. The lot was exhibited in the Taipei Palace Museum in the 1990s and then Shinkong Mitsukoshi exhibition and illustrated many times.
Ming Dynasty A Purple Clay Teapot Made by Shi Dabin
Sale Price: RMB 18,400,000
·Chinese Paper Money & Coins·
The auction week saw an exciting performance of its opening sale-Chinese Pater Money and Coins. Milled coins trumped others in the sale with a pair of silver coins with the portrait of Yuan Shih-Kai made in the Republic of China period, starting its bidding at the price of RMB 540,000 and reaching reached RMB 3.795 million eventually after fierce bidding, and a silver coin with the portrait of Yuan Shih-Kai sold for RMB 1.725 million against an estimate of RMB 540,000. A one-dollar silver coin with Sun Yat-Sen's mausoleum pattern made in 1927 opened at RMB 1 million and inspired multiple bids before being won at RMB 2.53 million. The four silver coins with the portrait of empress dowager Cixi started at RMB 500,000 and quickly rose to the final sale of RMB 1.15 million. A coin with the profile of Yuan Shih-Kai made in 1914 was sold for RMB 230,000 against an estimate of RMB 8,000. A silver commemorative coin with the portrait of Duan Qirui fetched RMB 747,500. Besides, ancient coins and entertaining coins were also performed well in the sales.
Republic of China Period A Pair of Silver Coins with Portrait of Yuan Shih-Kai
Starting Price: RMB 900,000
Sale Price: RMB 3,795,000
·Chinese Buddhist Art·
The long-prepared, extensive sale of Elegant and Magnificent·Chinese Buddhist Art was a big hit, encouraging bidders to chase after exquisite works. Of over one hundred art pieces, 11 were sold at over RMB 1 million, including a lacquered wood figure of Avalokitesvara made in the Jin-Yuan dynasty (RMB 3.105 million), a lacquer figure of Skanda made in the Ming dynasty (RMB 2.99 million), a bronze figure of Amitabha made in the 14th century (RMB 2.07 million) and a bronze figure of buddha made in the five dynasties period (RMB 1.725 million).
Ming Dynasty A Lacquer Figure of Skanda
Sale Price: RMB 2,990,000
Thanks to the patronage of our clients and collectors worldwide, the Chinese Buddhist department has become the pillar of Xiling Yinshe auction with its hard work and academic studies, playing an active role in the Chinese Buddhist market and academic community.
·Modern art·
Modern oil painting and sculpture sale, featured by its broad art horizon and sound academic research, was dedicated to the preservation of the essence of the time with its modern artworks. The sale brought together Chinese and western aesthetics, present in a modern way and discovered the source of the art. The auction witnessed masterpieces of Guan Liang, Lin Fengmian, Yan Wenliang, Sha Qi, etc. As for modern art, Weeds painted by Zeng Fanzhi, Portrait of H by Mao Yan and Li Shan No. 1·The Logic of Life by Li Shan led the sale. We can expect great growth in the market for Chinese oil painting as evidenced by the wide recognition from collectors and over 90% turnover rate of the sale.
Zeng Fanzhi (b.1964) Weeds
Sale Price: RMB 5,750,000
·Comics·
Admiration of the Superlatives: Comics, Illustrations & Cartoons by Chinese Masters brought an eclectic mix of Chinese paintings, comic drafts, illustrations and new year paintings from masters nationwide in the 2021 Xiling Yinshe Autumn Auction. The salesroom has witnessed a strong performance of original works for the comic strip Meeting at Sangyuan by Wang Shuhui and original works for the comic strip Cai Wenji by Hu Yefo. The two comic strips did live to their justice and stood as a tribute to the two old masters. Furthermore, Lotus by Lin Fengmian closed a deal at RMB 3.473 million against the estimate of RMB 1.5 million.
Wang Shuhui (1912-1985) Original Works for the Comic Strip Meeting at Sangyuan (Complete)
Sale Price: RMB 1,840,000
·Jade·
Jade Carvings by Ancient and Contemporary Chinese Masters was led by a white jade vase with dragon pattern made in the Qing dynasty, the cover lot, achieving RMB 2.99 million, and a white jade plaque with lotus pattern by Pang Ran, fetching RMB 1.725 million. One presenting two magnificent dragons while one depicting a pure lotus, it was a competition between ancient and modern craftsmanship. After three hours of intensive bidding, the sale ended up with RMB 33.13 million.
Qing Dynasty A White Jade Vase with Dragon Pattern
Sale Price: RMB 2,990,000
Pang Ran (b. 1974) A White Jade Plaque with Lotus Pattern
Sale Price: RMB 1,725,000
The sale of Famous Chinese Wine and Tonics continued the tradition of offering excellent wine, especially whisky, triggering multiple bids. The well-known and rare Karuizawa, 35-year-old single malt whisky distilled in 1981 was sold at RMB 575,000. Karuizawa, classic collection series single malt whisky fetched the handsome RMB 322,000.
‘Jin Lun’ Kweichow Moutai Made in 1958
Sale Price: RMB 1,276,500
As for Chinese liquor, Moutai managed to lead the sale in Xiling Yinshe 2021 Autumn Auction. ‘Jin Lun’ Kweichow Moutai made in 1958 cruised through RMB 800,000 to RMB 1.276 million, showing its unique status in the heart of Moutai collectors. Moreover, other liquors were also chased by clients, thanks to their enthusiastic participation.
A Superfine Icy Jadeite 'Fingered－Citron' Pendant
Sale Price: RMB 13,915,000
Oriental Beauty: Magnificent Jewels and Handbags saw enthusiastic bidders struck around for quality lots including a superfine icy jadeite 'fingered－citron' pendant, achieving RMB 13.915 million. The highly transparent pendant measures 72×45×23mm, of a fingered－citron design with vivid emerald green color, and foliage on both sides.
Franco Cervietti Psyche
Sale Price: RMB 345,000
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