Art lovers, collectors spoilt for choice
Collectors from all over the world will bid for more than 3,200 lots of exquisite art worth more than an estimated HK$1.6 billion at Sotheby's Hong Kong Autumn Sales 2010.
Held at Hall 3 of the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC), from Saturday to October 8, the sales will present an exciting range of contemporary Asian art, fine Chinese paintings, fine Chinese ceramics and works of art, and an interesting selection of jewellery, watches and wine, the auctioneer say.
'We present a magnificent array of private collections with impeccable provenance, offering yet another opportunity for collectors worldwide to acquire the finest and rarest objects,' says Sotheby's Asia CEO Kevin Ching. 'Highlights include masterpieces of Qing Imperial porcelain from the collection of J.T. Tai & Co, and outstanding collections of modern Chinese paintings and contemporary Chinese art.'
The lots will be exhibited to the public at the HKCEC, from Saturday until October 7, and on Sotheby's online bidding service, BIDnow, which enables clients to 'view live auctions online and place bids in real time from anywhere in the world via Sothebys.com/bidnow', a spokesman says.
Sotheby's Hong Kong Autumn Sales 2010 has 15 sales. Here are some of the highlights.
Contemporary Asian Art Sotheby's Hong Kong's Contemporary Asian Art Autumn Sale 2010 on October 4 offers more than 200 lots that are worth more than HK$150 million. The highlights include an important work of contemporary Chinese art, Zhang Xiaogang's 1992 masterpiece, Chapter of a New Century - Birth of the People's Republic of China II, which is estimated to be worth between HK$21 million to HK$23 million.
The most important work from Zhang's early career as an artist, the piece was exhibited and awarded a prize alongside Chapter of a New Century - Birth of the People's Republic of China I at the Guangzhou Biennial in October 1992, a pivotal event that shaped the contemporary art market on the mainland.
In a 2001 interview, the artist remarked: 'Those two paintings hold tremendous meaning for me. It is the first time I've used old photos in my work ... that was the beginning of what I've become today.'
Marking a turning point in the artist's career, Chapter of a New Century - Birth of the People's Republic of China II is a critical piece that spurred the creation of the Bloodline Series, Sotheby's says.
'Incorporating Zhang's early artistic vocabulary, where surrealist motifs are wielded in an expressionist style, the work also embodies the artist's ruminations on the history and destiny of his nation,' the auctioneer says. The sale also presents property from an important European collection, comprising 38 major works worth a combined HK$30 million by Fang Lijun, Zhang Xiaogang, Wang Guangyi, Li Shan, Ding Yi and others.
Magnificent Jewels and Jadeite Sotheby's Hong Kong unveils a 'dazzling array' of coloured diamonds 'of unrivalled quality' at its 380-lot Magnificent Jewels and Jadeite Autumn Sale 2010 of gems, worth an estimated HK$365 million, on October 6.
Coloured diamonds are among the most sought-after at auction, and the show's highlight is a rare 6.43-carat brilliant-cut Fancy Vivid Pink Diamond and Diamond Ring by Van Cleef & Arpels, which is estimated to be worth between HK$48 million and HK$55 million.
'Coloured diamonds of over five carats have become increasingly rare and the present one, at an impressive 6.43-carat, is the largest fancy vivid pink diamond to appear at auction since the 10.04-carat fancy vivid pink diamond, which set the then world auction record for pink diamonds in April 2006,' Sotheby's says. The sale's other highlights include an important selection of heirloom jewellery with impeccable provenance.
20th Century Chinese Art Sotheby's Hong Kong 20th Century Chinese Art Autumn Sale presents more than 120 lots estimated at HK$130 million on October 4. Lots for sale include a number of works passed down by celebrated Chinese painters active in French art circles from the early 20th Century.
Sanyu's (1901-1966) exceptional Pink Nude on Floral Sheet is keenly anticipated at the auction. Valued between HK$12 million and HK$18 million, the work from the 'pink' phase of Sanyu's career highlights the artist's clean brushstrokes and condensed colours.
Modern and Contemporary Southeast Asian Paintings
Sotheby's Hong Kong will present more than 150 works with a total estimate in excess of HK$30 million at its Modern and Contemporary Southeast Asian Paintings Autumn Sale 2010 on October 4. A sale highlight is A New Dawn, an outstanding work by Indonesian artist S. Sudjojono (1914-1986), whose revolutionary realism earned him the sobriquet 'Father of Indonesian Modernism'.
Valued at between HK$1.6 million and HK$2.5 million, A New Dawn was executed in 1956, when Indonesia severed its last colonial ties with the Netherlands, Sudjojono was increasingly involved in politics and also began his relationship with the love of his life, Rose Pandanwangi.
The painting speaks of new beginnings, hope and progress.
