Chinese Classical & Modern Paintings

中國古代書畫及中國近現代畫

The Chinese Classical & Modern Paintings department offers paintings and calligraphy by important ink and brush artists. Christie's hosts Fine Chinese Paintings and Calligraphy sales twice a year at our Hong Kong saleroom, featuring both Classical and Modern paintings.

The Classical section consists mainly of works by artists active before the late Qing Dynasty (19th century). The Modern portion offers a fine spectrum of works that dates from late 19th century and 20th century onwards. Artists included in this category are Fu Baoshi, Zhang Daqian, Qi Baishi, Xu Beihong, and all those who made a significant contribution to the different schools of the Chinese modern art history.

At the December 2008 sale, Landscape, Flowers, Birds and Rocks, an exquisite album of seventeen leaves by Bada Shanren (1625-1705), realized a staggering price of HK$34,260,000 (US$4,419,540). The sale of Important Chinese Classical Paintings: Property of the Ping Y. Tai Foundation saw strong international bidding: Yan Hui’s Zhong Kui’s Hunting Procession sold over the high estimate at HK$9,000,000 (HK$1,164,000), and Ding Yunpeng’s The Song of Autumn quadrupling its estimate at HK$4,820,000 (US$621,780).

In our Fine Modern Chinese Paintings category, Wu Guanzhong’s Birch sold for HK$5,060,000 (US$652,740), was among the highlights at our December 2008 sale. Qi Baishi’s Lychee and Fish, estimated at HK$350,000 – 450,000, attracted competitive biddings. It realized a significant price of HK$1,700,000 (US$219,300), almost five times its estimated value. Another magnificent piece is Lin Fengmian’s Houses by the Lake, estimated at HK$700,000-1,000,000, this work fetched HK$2,060,000 (US$265,740).

Upcoming Sales from this department

  • Sep 2009 15 10am & 2pm & 5pm

    Rockefeller Center

    Chinese Works of Art

  • Nov 2009 30 10am

    Hong Kong

    Fine Chinese Modern Paintings

  • Dec 2009 1 10am

    Hong Kong

    Fine Chinese Classical Paintings and Calligraphy

Full Auction Calendar

Department Contact Info

Specialist Profiles

Hong Kong Contacts

New York Contacts