Cheng Shifa (1921-2007). Spring Festival Album, 2005. Ink and color on paper, album of eleven double leaves, each leaf inscribed and signed, followed by artist's seals on each leaf. 22 x 16 1/2in (55.9 x 41.9cm) each leaf. US$100,000-120,000. Photo: Bonhams.
On September 12, Bonhams New York will hold its inaugural Chinese painting and calligraphy auction featuring a selection of excellent examples spanning the 14th century to 2005. Comprised of over one hundred works on paper and silk the sale will commence with a number of early classical treasures.
Opening for preview on September 8, collectors and connoisseurs will be enjoy a charming fan painting of a buffalo and calf datable to the fourteenth century (pre-sale estimate $12,000-15,000), a depiction of Bamboo and Rock dated 1695 by the early Qing dynasty orthodox master Wang Yuanqi (1642-1715) (pre-sale estimate $250,000-350,000), a rare group of exquisite album leaves by the Anhui artist Yao Song (18th century) (pre-sale estimate $10,000-15,000), as well as, a sublime depiction of Guanyin by a Lotus Pond datable to the second half of the 17th century, but based on a 16th century composition that has been in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York since 1918 (pre-sale estimate $120,000-180,000).
Following recent market trends, 20th century painting masters working in traditional styles will attract a great deal of attention, notably Qi Baishi’s (1863-1957) Kingfisher and Hibiscus (pre-sale estimate $20,000-30,000); Li Keran’s (1907-1989) Boy and Buffalo (pre-sale estimate $30,000-50,000) with a personal dedication to his fellow artist Yu Zhizhen (1915-1995); and a Zhang Daqian’s (1899-1983) Cabbage, Radish and Mushrooms (pre-sale estimate $50,000-70,000) composition from 1961, which was published and included in an exhibition of contemporary Chinese painting that toured the United States in 1970-1971.
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