.jpg?w=1)
FROM THE COLLECTION OF LEUNG KING YIN AND KEI SIU-YING (LOTS 1185-1186)
QI BAISHI (1863-1957)
Balsamine
Details
QI BAISHI (1863-1957)
Balsamine
Hanging scroll, ink and colour on paper
135.5 x 33.5 cm. (53 3⁄8 x 13 1⁄4 in.)
Inscribed and signed, with one seal of the artist
Dated spring, yiyou year (1945)
Dedicated to Jingran (Mr. Leung King Yin)
Balsamine
Hanging scroll, ink and colour on paper
135.5 x 33.5 cm. (53 3⁄8 x 13 1⁄4 in.)
Inscribed and signed, with one seal of the artist
Dated spring, yiyou year (1945)
Dedicated to Jingran (Mr. Leung King Yin)
Provenance
Acquired directly from the artist, thence by descent.
Further details
Kei Siu Ying (1922-1999) hailed from a respected family of Cantonese opera artists in Dongguan and became an opera artist herself at a young age. After marrying businessman Leung King Yin, she retired from acting and moved to Hong Kong. In the 1950s, Kei reappeared on a stage tour for three years to raise funds for the devastating Shek Kip Mei fire. The couple enjoyed collecting Chinese antiques and paintings. Qi Baishi’s Balsamine was dedicated to Leung by the artist. Shang Xiaoyun’s Boating at Autumn Night was inscribed by leading Peking opera artists, such as Mei Lanfang and Cheng Yanqiu, which testifies to their friendship with the Peking opera circle. Other works in the collection are offered in Exquisite Eye: Chinese Paintings Online auction that takes place concurrently.
The couple treasured these works for many decades and displayed them in their elegant home. The collection, now inherited by their daughter, is seen in the market for the very first time.
The couple treasured these works for many decades and displayed them in their elegant home. The collection, now inherited by their daughter, is seen in the market for the very first time.
Brought to you by
Carmen Shek Cerne (石嘉雯)
Vice President, Head of Department, Chinese Paintings