Sotheby’s Beijing Presents Modern and Contemporary Chinese Art Auction

Liu Kuo-sung - Winter Landscape 1967

Sotheby’s Beijing announces a series of sales and events to take place from 27 to 30 November during the Autumn Sale season at the China World Summit Wing Beijing. 

The four-day series will include an auction of Modern and Contemporary Chinese Art and a preview of three selling exhibitions: Sotheby’s Diamonds; S. J. Phillips Ltd. – Fine Antique and Period Jewellery with Royal and Aristocratic Provenance; and Koopman Rare Art – Fine Antique Silver with Royal and Noble Provenance, providing a rare opportunity for collectors and connoisseurs alike to acquire high-end jewellery and top-quality Western silverware. 

Panel discussions and lectures will be held as part of the Educational Programme, featuring Sotheby’s international team of specialists, leading art scholars and commentarists to create an interactive platform for artistic exchange.

Kevin Ching, Chief Executive Officer of Sotheby’s Asia, said: “This Autumn in Beijing, Sotheby’s will continue our commitment to promoting cultural exchange between East and West. Modern and Contemporary Chinese Art remains the theme of the auction with a focus on Contemporary Ink paintings, which have achieved impressive results in recent years.

Zao Wou-Ki, 27.1.86, 1986

“Once again, we will offer Western collectibles through selling exhibitions – ranging from European royal antique jewellery to high-end contemporary diamond jewellery and more. By organising a public lecture by distinguished jewellery expert as well as exclusive appreciation workshop for our preferred clients, we hope to deepen Chinese collector’s understanding in jewellery collecting. We have also seen growing interest in European decorative art and Western silverware by Asian and Chinese collectors. Building on our success with the three instalments of the selling exhibition in Asia titled Age of Elegance: European Paintings, Furniture and Works of Art from the 19th Century, this season we are pleased to present in Beijing rare Western royal silver by Koopman Rare Art. With these offerings Sotheby’s is honoured to yet again rise to the occasion of our Chinese clients’ increasingly diversified collecting taste both within and beyond traditional categories of Asian art.”

Zhou Chunya, Peach Blossom, 2010

Wen Guihua, President of Sotheby’s Beijing Auction Co. Ltd., said: “The solid results achieved in our June auction are a testament to Chinese collectors’ trust in Sotheby’s reputation for excellence. This season we will build on the meticulous sourcing approach and offer 56 quality works of Modern and Contemporary Chinese art catering to the taste of our Chinese clients. Headlining the sale is Zao Wou-ki’s 27.01.86 (1986), a classic piece which displays the artist’s brushstroke, use of colour and spirit that are characteristic of his creativity and vision at that time, as well as Zeng Fanzhi’s Portrait (2003), a highly representative piece of his ‘post-mask’ period. We are also delighted to step up our offering of Contemporary Ink paintings in the upcoming sale. With its deep roots in Chinese art history, Contemporary Ink has received increasing market attention in recent years. Since introducing sales of Contemporary Ink art three seasons ago, we have achieved outstanding results and have now established a dedicated department focusing on the development of this category. The works to be offered demonstrate the evolution in aesthetics from traditional through modern perspectives. We look forward to welcoming collectors and art lovers at the series of events this Autumn.”