Sotheby’s New York Classical Chinese Paintings auction more than doubles pre-sale expectations

NEW YORK, N.Y.- This morning’s auction at Sotheby’s New York of Classical Chinese Paintings, the company’s first dedicated sale in this field for more than a decade, realized the superb total of $6,467,000 (est. $2.6/3.7 million). The auction, which saw more than 87% of the sold lots achieve sums in excess of their pre-sale estimates, established a strong sell-through rate of 88% by lot. The sale was led by Running Script Transcription of an Epitaph, written for Minister Chen Xinyi by Dong Qichang [...]

Sotheby’s announces first dedicated sale of fine Classical Chinese paintings in New York

NEW YORK, N.Y.- On Tuesday 13 September 2011 Sotheby’s will present Fine Classical Chinese Paintings, the first dedicated New York auction in this category for over a decade. The sale is made up of 80 diverse works from the Ming and Qing dynasties, as well as a small selection of modern and contemporary works that were executed clearly in the classical manner. The pre-sale exhibition opens on Friday 9 September. The sale is led by Running Script Transcription of an Epitaph, written for [...]

Luxuries from China’s Forbidden City to Travel to the United States

BEIJING (AP).- Deep in a long-forgotten corner of the Forbidden City and up a twisting stairway are four sets of twin doors, shut for more than eight decades. They reveal rare sweeping views to the north, south, east and west above the golden-tiled rooftops of the imperial palace. The surrounding walls silence the passing tour groups. On the horizon, modern high-rises are softened by the Beijing smog. The view from this private corner has hardly changed since the Chinese emperor [...]