First Auction at Council Shanghai Posted RMB 645 Million in Sales

After 15 hours of intense bidding, Council Shanghai ended the spring evening auction on the evening of April 30 with a sales amounting to RMB 645 million across 14 sub-sessions.

Sub-session "Dragon in the Cloud" recorded more than RMB103 million in sales. Takashi Murakami's "The Picture of Dragon in Cloud-Red Mutation" sold for the highest price at RMB 55.89 million, and Ren Zhong's "Nine Dragons Crossing the Sea" sold at a record price of RMB17.48 million in the session of individual artist's works. Ma Qinghua's three-piece sets of Hetian pebble nephrite bottles were sold at RMB 34.5 million in "The Night Sub-session of Excellent Porcelain Handicrafts".

The auction was highlighted by record prices at three evening sub-sessions

A collection of treasures of ancient bronze wares, the Ming Dynasty's doucai porcelains, traditional Chinese paintings and Asian contemporary artists' masterpieces were sold for more than RMB103 million at the night sub-session themed "Dragon in the Cloud”.

Takashi Murakami's "The Picture of Dragon in Cloud-Red Mutation"

Sold at RMB55.89 million

Bronze Dragon Made in the Spring and Autumn Period

Sold at RMB21.62 million

Ren Zhong's "Nine Dragons Crossing the Sea"

Sold at RMB17.48 million

The Stationery Case with Colorful Dragon Patterns Made in the Period of Emperor Wanli in the Ming Dynasty, sold at RMB8,165,000

Among others, Takashi Murakami's "The Picture of Dragon in Cloud-Red Mutation" was created for individual exhibition in Rome in 2011. The 18-meter long picture consisting of 9 elements was sold at RMB 55.89 million, the highest price at this auction, following intense bidding which began at RMB 6 million and closed at RMB 48.6 million. Ren Zhong's "Nine Dragons Crossing the Sea", painted under traditional theme in modern style after one year's conception and several months' work, was sold at a record price of RMB 17.48 million in the history of his work collection.

A typical blue and white porcelain in colorful patterns, the stationery case with colorful dragon patterns made in the period of Emperor Wanli in the Ming Dynasty, was sold at RMB8,165,000. The well-protected bronze dragon made in Spring and Autumn Period, highlighting the sophisticated bronze casting process inSpring and Autumn Period, was sold at RMB21.62 million for its unique shape and embellishment.

Long Prosperity by Qi Baishi

Sold at RMB9.2 million

The 60 selected masterpieces of modern and ancient well-known artists achieved a total turnover of RMB142 million at the traditional Chinese Painting and Calligraphy Night''Show themed "Right Way". Among others, Qi Baishi's painting created in the theme of Long Prosperity in 1943 as a revolution in his art works at the senile stage of his life was sold at RMB 9.2 million.

Fu Baoshi's Painting Themed Tianchi Waterfalls

Sold at RMB 8.28 million

Fu Baoshi's sketching created in Northeast China, as an authentic and valuable masterpiece typically depicting the situation of new China under its socialist construction, was sold at RMB 8.28 million. The exquisite works of Chang Dai-Chien, Pan Tianshou, Xu Beihong, Huang Binhong and Lin Fengmian were also sold at a profit.

Ma Qinghua’sThree-piece Sets of HetianPebble Nephrite Bottles

Sold at RMB 34.5 million

A total of 40 pieces of works including porcelains, lacquer, furniture, jade, enamel and so on achieved a total sale of RMB70,420,250,000 in "The Night Sub-session of Excellent Porcelain Handicrafts". Ma Qinghua’s three-piece sets of Hetian pebble nephrite bottles were sold at the highest price of RMB 34.50 million at the auction. The set of works sculptured by quality Hetian pebble nephrite in the patterns and shapes of the works collected by imperial palace of the Qing Dynasty in the ear of Emperor Qianlong with sophisticated craftsmanship and perfect finish were comparable to the jade sculptures in the palace of Emperor Qianlong.

A Variety of Art Works Were Shown in the Auction in Shanghai

This auction consisting of various segments including Chinese calligraphy and paintings, contemporary Chinese paintings, oil paintings and sculptures, porcelain and ceramic wares, cultural relics and Buddha statues, jewelry, gold and stone seal carvings, furniture of the Ming Dynasty and the Qing Dynasty, tea ceremony with purple clay teapots, precious and famous wine, etc. presented a collection of splendid ancient and modern art works for the vast number of collectors through a number of perfect themes.

Wang Quchang's "Seven-character Couplets"

Sold at RMB 943,000

The sub-session of Chinese calligraphy and paintings was a discovery of the art works across the country from ancient to modern times. Among others, more than 250 pieces of works achieved sales of RMB56.85 million. 

Li Keran's Traditional Chinese Painting Themed "Thinking Over for a Poem by a Stone"

Sold at RMB 1,495,000

The modern calligraphy and paintings, displaying the mindset and style of their lovers who collected them in the "Yangyan Pavilion", achieved a turnover of RMB15, 948, 200 at a sub-session of the auction. The calligraphy and paintings collected in the "Yangyan Pavilion" are evaluated by their cultural connotation rather than their market price. The collections embody elegance, loftiness and prosperity.

The Twin Lit Chi Jelly Square Seals with Ancient Animal Buttons

Sold at RMB 575,000

The golden stones are impressive for their charm, profoundness and perceptibility. Each piece of time-honored works of gold and stone art works can not only remind you of the stories in ancient times but also inspire you to explore its cultural connotation and significance. The art works at the sub-session of "Golden Stones" achieved a total turnover of RMB12, 613,200.

Liu Guosong'sPainting Themed Melting Cho Oyu

Sold at RMB 2.07 million

More than 70 selected pieces of works including a number of representative works of the artists in a particular period achieved a sales of RMB14,984,500 at the sub-session themed "Modao—China's Contemporary Paintings". In the sub-session themed "New Chinese Paintings in Ink", part of Liu Guosong’s large Tibetan suite series themed "Melting Cho Oyu" was sold for RMB 2.07 million. The work was created using unique techniques such as paper extension, ripping paper bars, water drag to open up a wide space for traditional Chinese painting language.

Chen Yifei's Traditional Chinese Painting Themed Shrimp Fisher

Sold at RMB 2.99 million

For the first time, the Spring Auction held by Council Shanghai set up "Sub-session of Modern and Contemporary Art Works", which achieved a sales of RMB18,028,550. Ranking high in the list of the masterpieces of modern and contemporary art works are the wide range of works created by the well-known artists including Chen Yifei, Fang Shicong, Li Shan, Zhou Chunya, Changqing and QiuDeshu. It is even more rare that this small and exquisite oil painting auction debut presented Mr. Chen Yifei's three representative works themed "Shrimp Fisher", "Venice Water Scenery" and "As Long as Doctrine Is True" respectively, of which the work themed "Shrimp Fisher" was sold at the highest price of RMB 2.99 million at the sub-session.

Xu SangengWhite Clay Coconut Ladle Pot Created by He Xinzhou in Late Qing Dynasty

Sold at RMB 920,000

The purple clay teapot sub-session themed "Comfort and Seclusion" achieved a turnover of RMB8, 972,300. This sub-session presented a series of exquisite works of three generations of Zhu Ni pots in Qing Dynasty. The Zhu Ni pots of this period are rich in shape and elegant in style. They are indispensable collections of senior collectors and tea-makers.

The Statute of Dhṛtarāṣṭrain the Era of EmperorXuande of the Ming Dynasty

Sold at RMB 3.22 million

Double-body VajrasattvaTangka in the 13th Century

Sold at RMB 1.38 million

From the perspective of imagology, this Buddha art sub-session themed "Cloud, Water and Buddhist Heart " probed into the relationship between the shape and the spiritual cultivation of Buddhist art " in order to interpret the secrets behind Buddhist statues and the symbolic significance of mysterious totem, and explore the behavioral aesthetics of Vajrayana. This sub-session achieved a turnover of RMB23, 917,700.

A Pair of Scentedwood Cabinets in Early Qing Dynasty

Sold at RMB 4.37 million

The exquisite furniture made in the period from the Ming Dynasty to the Qing Dynasty when China's classical furniture manufacturing boomed achieved a turnover of RMB32, 507,050 at the sub-session for the furniture of the Ming Dynasty and the Qing Dynasty themed "Treasures in South China".

A Pair of White Jade Table Screen in the Era of Emperor Qianlong in the Qing Dynasty.

Sold at RMB 1.38 million

A pair of white jade table screen made in the era of Emperor Qianlong in the Qing Dynasty was sold at the highest price of RMB1.38 million at the sub-session themed "Collection of Cultural Relics". This work used to be an exhibit in imperial palace, which is a piece of very valuable art work and collection characterized by the exquisite craftsmanship in the era of Emperor Qianlong in the Qing Dynasty.

16.09 Carat D-color Diamond Ring

Designed by HARRY WINSTON and recommended by HRD.

Sold at RMB 13.8 million

The diamonds, colored gemstones, emerald, luxury watches, luxury bags and accessories, and luxury cars at the sub-session for Jewelry and lifestyle wares were sold for RMB115 million. The 2008 Bugatti Veyron was sold for RMB14,523,000, while the 6.09 carat diamond ring, designed by HARRY WINSTON and specially recommended by HRD, was sold at RMB13.8 million.

GuizhouMaotai Liquor (local State-run Maotai) Produced between 1983 and1986 and between 1983 and 1986 respectively.

Sold at RMB 920,000

111 bidding objects including TiegaiMaotai, Local State-run Maotai and Special Maotai were sold for RMB 21, 979,950 at the sub-session themed "Amber Time-honored Premium Wine" for Jiujiutang Maotai Wine.