The variety and quality of Chinese art should attract keen bidding for interesting pieces at Bonhams' auction next Thursday. The auction of Chinese paintings and contemporary Asian art offers 75 lots of traditional ink paintings and modern oil paintings.
The highlight of the classical paintings will be Lot 1201, The Merton 'Myriad Birds' Ten-Scroll Panorama, a set of 10 hanging scrolls dating to the early 19th century (estimate HK$300,000-HK$500,000).
This splendid panorama was in the former collection of distinguished English collector Ralph Merton, who had displayed it at his 18th-century country house until last year.
Wisteria (estimate HK$100,000-HK$150,000), a folding fan painted by Qi Baishi in 1927, is the outstanding lot among the modern paintings.
Limites Franchies by Zhu Dequn could fetch up to HK$700,000. The artist used his oil painting to illustrate traditional Chinese poems to impressive visual effect. Colour strokes flow into each other between dark and light. A certificate of authenticity signed by the artist is included in the lot.
Peacock by Ding Xiongquan is a work with bright green dots splashed all over the painting, creating a vivid and dreamy atmosphere that expresses the artist's passion for life. Although Ding is greatly influenced by western art, his work always lyrically presents the charm of Chinese ink painting. Peacock is likely to be sold for up to HK$550,000.
