Lot Essay
The collector’s seals belong to three 20th century collectors and were stamped after the painting was being remounted.
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CHINESE PAINTING AND CALLIGRAPHY FROM THE DR. S. Y. YIP COLLECTION (LOTS 927-952)Anthology of Ink Chinese Painting and Calligraphy from the Dr. S. Y. Yip CollectionCollecting is a labour of love. A serious collector is not only good at acquiring quality works but also well-educated about each and every piece of his/her collection.Dr. S. Y. Yip started collecting in 1969 under the guidance of his fifth uncle Mr. H. G. Yip and Mr. C. T. Chiu. He was then introduced to the Min Chiu Society and later acquired a long handscroll Rivers Xiao and Xiang by Wang Chen (Lot 937) from the renowned Taiwanese collector Mr. Chiang Chao-Shen. This work shows the exquisite dry ink techniques of the artist. Through his acquaintance with Mr. Low Chuck Tiew(1911-1993), owner of the Xubaizhai, Dr. Yip purchased Landscape by Dong Qichang (Lot 930). And on one of their trips Dr. Yip acquired a Landscape album by Cheng Tinglu (Lot 947) at a hotel friendship store in Lanzhou. As time went by Dr. Yip’s knowledge in appreciation, authentication and collecting was greatly enhanced.Amongst his friends, collectors and connoisseurs, Dr. Yip has the fondest memories of the late Mr. Liu Jiu’an (1915-1999), a member of the State Committee on Authentication at the Palace Museum of Beijing. He has preciously kept all his correspondences with Mr. Liu, whom he treated as his mentor and bosom friend. Thanks to this relationship Dr. Yip further acquired Children at Play by Wang Su (Lot 943), Drinking Cards with Illustrations of Daoist Immortals by Ren Xiong (Lot 940), Landscape by Dai Dayou (Lot 936), Landscape by Cheng Fang (Lot 934), Calligraphy of Manuscripts by Jin and Tang Masters by Dong Qichang (Lot 929), Calligraphy in Running Script by Bi Yuan (Lot 944). The Drinking Cards with Illustrations of Daoist Immortals is particularly rare and important in terms of its place in the history of Chinese woodblock prints. This is one of the two gems of Dr. Yip’s collection; the other gem is Children at Play by Wang Su because of its superb quality. Another very special work from the collection is The Apricot Groves by the Qing master Gao Fenghan (Lot 927). Dated 1743, Gao executed this work with his left hand, as his right hand was paralyzed since 1738. It was dedicated to his doctor Zhao Chengfu, expressing gratitude for his treatment. Being a medical practitioner, Dr. Yip always has this painting in his mind.While Dr. Yip has later switched his collecting towards Ming furniture, his passion and quest for knowledge in Chinese paintings and calligraphy keep going on, making him a very serious and highly respected collector.Christie’s Hong Kong is very honoured to be entrusted by Dr. S. Y. Yip to present a total of 38 Chinese paintings and calligraphy in our Autumn 2019 sales. 26 classical works will be featured in this sale, and 12 modern paintings will be auctioned in our Fine Chinese Modern Paintings sale to be held on 26 November 2019 (Lots 1218-1231).
ZHANG MU (1607-AFTER 1687)
Eagle
Details
ZHANG MU (1607-AFTER 1687)
Eagle
Scroll, mounted and framed, ink and colour on paper
110.5 x 42 cm. (43 ½ x 16 ½ in.)
Inscribed and signed, with two seals of the artist
Six collector’s seals, including four of Ou Hanbo (20th Century)
Dated summer, gengshen year (1680)
Eagle
Scroll, mounted and framed, ink and colour on paper
110.5 x 42 cm. (43 ½ x 16 ½ in.)
Inscribed and signed, with two seals of the artist
Six collector’s seals, including four of Ou Hanbo (20th Century)
Dated summer, gengshen year (1680)
Literature
Anthology of Ink-Ancient Chinese Painting and Calligraphy from the Dr. S. Y. Yip Collection, University Museum and Art Gallery, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 2004, p.28, pl. 5.
Brought to you by
Amy Yang