Artistic gems on the block during spring auction

A trove of ink-wash paintings, calligraphy works, Buddhist statues, porcelains and ancient bronze mirrors will go under the hammer during the 2020 Shanghai Council Spring Auction, to be held on the eighth floor of the Shanghai Grand Theater on Wednesday.

The spotlight of the ink-wash painting section goes to “Painting of Shepherds,” created by Cheng Shifa (1921-2007) in 1960. Cheng is widely considered to be one of the most important figures in the avant-garde, East-meets-West culture which emerged in the city during the 1920s and 1930s.

Cheng is noted for his ability in depicting figures with modern esthetic sensibilities. In 1957, Cheng traveled to Yunnan Province where he found artistic inspiration. The painting features shepherd children in minority clothes surrounded by a flock of sheep. The work vividly reflects ordinary life in Yunnan.

Other big names appearing at the auction include Tang Yun (1910-1993), Guan Liang (1900-1986), Li Keran (1907-1989), Xie Zhiliu (1910-1997) and Lin Fengmian (1900-1991).

Another highlight is the tea ware, including purple-clay teapots made during the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties.

Among them, Shi Dabin from the Ming Dynasty and Chen Mingyuan from the Qing Dynasty are two masters in the area of teapot making whose works are coveted by collectors around the world.

Auction info

Preview
Date: August 3-4, 9am-6pm

Auction
Date: August 5, 10am
Venue: 8/F, Shanghai Grand Theater
Address: 190 Huangpi Rd N.