CHRISTIE’S HONG KONG

SPRING 2013 SALE SEASON

INTRODUCING SALES HIGHLIGHTS AND ART PROGRAMMES

 │ HK Private Previews: April 3 - 9 │ Asia Tour: April 19 – May 17 │ Christie’s Art Forum: April – May │ 

│ HK Public Previews: May 23 - 28 │ Spring Auctions: May 25 - 29 │ 

  Hong Kong – Christie’s Hong Kong will hold its 2013 Hong Kong Spring Auctions from May 25 to 29 at the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre. Starting from April, a series of activities will be presented throughout the sale season. Highlights from the auctions will tour to eight cities in Asia, while three private sales featuring contemporary Chinese ink paintings, Impressionist & Modern paintings and original works from the Warhol Foundation will be organized. In addition, Christie’s Art Forum will make its return following its inaugural edition last year, and two short courses on wine tastings and Asian contemporary art will be available through Christie’s Education Hong Kong.

 SPRING SALE HIGHLIGHTS

 Christie’s will present a diverse range of Asian Art across three categories at its Hong Kong Spring Auctions, following the recent highly successful New York Asia Week. “East-Meet-West” continues to be the theme of theAsian 20th Century & Contemporary Art sales, which highlight a number of works by Chinese-French artist Zao Wou-Ki. The sales will also bring Southeast Asian art into the spotlight. Major lots include an important collection by Fernando Zobel, a master of modernism and abstract expressionism, and figurative paintings with avant-garde interpretations by I Nyoman Masiriadi.

The Chinese Classical & Modern Paintings sales boast a wide spectrum of artists, prices and subject matters. A set of four large-scale ink and colour paintings by Zhang Daqian titled Lotus is the category’s top lot. Painted in 1947, the set displays a combination of Zhang’s prowess in xie-yi paintings and his splash-ink technique. Also of note is the private collection of Dr. K. S. Lo, highlighted by Xu Beihong’s In the Faraway Distance – Tianmu Mountains. In addition, an over 20-metre long handscroll titled River Scenery by Ming Dynasty painter Zhou Chen, from The Liu Jing Xiu Tang Collection of Chinese Paintings, demonstrates the artist’s craftsmanship and is an important example ofChinese classical painting.
 

The Chinese Works of Art sales this season feature important single owner collections in various collecting categories. The first comprises a group of cloisonné enamels from a private European collection, all dating to the 18^thcentury, the most prolific period of cloisonné enamel production in China. (Click here to view the press release ofReverence and Perfection - Magnificent Imperial Cloisonne Enamels from a Private European Collection) The second sale is the private collection of YC Chen, a Hong Kong collector and advisor whose passion for Chinese works of art was matched by his generosity with his expertise. Highlights in his collection include a fine ruby groundfamille rose vase from the Qianlong period (1736-1795).

The Watches sale features an antique Swiss harp watch from 1810 and a very rare Rolex “GMT Master II Ice”. Manufactured in 2007, the watch is an 18k white gold and diamond-set automatic dual time wristwatch with date, sweep centre seconds and bracelet. In Jewellery & Jadeite, the top lot is a Colombian emerald and diamond necklace by Boucheron. With a total weight of approximately 105 carats, its eight emeralds are set with large colourless diamonds, each emerald exhibits high clarity. With The Henry Tang Collection sale drawn to a close, Christie’s WineSpecialist team has prepared a selection of fine and rare wines for the Spring sale. Vinous highlights include a rare six magnum case of Château Mouton Rothschild Vintage 1959 and one magnum of Château Cheval-Blanc Vintage 1947.

CHRISTIE’S PRIVATE SALES 

As a response to the demands of the market, Christie’s Private Sales have been providing buyers and sellers with both confidentiality and flexibility in their sales and purchases. This year, three categories are being presented to Asia through this channel. A group of Chinese contemporary ink paintings will be available during the spring sale. This follows a non-selling exhibition in Hong Kong and private sales exhibition in the New York Asian Art Week, which contributed significantly to Christie’s presence in the market. To meet Asian collectors’ rising interest in the region, Christie’s Hong Kong will introduce the first private sale exhibition of Impressionist & Modern Paintings. Moreover, a private sale exhibition of Warhol’s art, as part of the long-term engagement with Warhol Foundation, will return this season. Proceeds from the Warhol sale will go to the endowment that funds the foundation’s core grant-making programme.

CHRISTIE’S ART FORUM

Christie’s Art Forum was newly launched last October with the goal to stimulate industry conversation and promote art appreciation in an interactive setting. This spring, the initiative will be taken further with a book launch of Dr. Stacey Pierson hosted by Christie’s Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art Department, as well as panel discussions on other art categories such as Asian contemporary art and Chinese contemporary ink paintings, featuring artists and experts in the fields.

CHRISTIE’S EDUCATION 

Christie’s Education Hong Kong will present two short courses in April and May. Titled “Deconstructing Wine Tasting: A Journey of Senses” and “Asian Contemporary Art” respectively, these hands-on learning courses, will be taught by Christie’s specialists and guest speakers in both English and Putonghua. These education programmes are part of Christie’s continuing effort to promote art appreciation and provide general public with access to art education. (Click here to view the press release of Christie’s Education Hong Kong Short Courses Spring 2013)

PRESS CONTACTS:

Luyang Jiang Hildebrandt | Hong Kong | +852 2978 9919 |ljiang@christies.com

Suky Lo | Hong Kong | +852 2978 6736 | sukylo@christies.com

To view the sale schedule & more select highlights from Christie’s Hong Kong Spring 2013 sales, please click here.

 About Christie’s 

Christie’s, the world's leading art business, had global auction and private sales in 2012 that totaled £3.92 billion/$6.27 billion. Christie’s is a name and place that speaks of extraordinary art, unparalleled service and expertise, as well as international glamour. Founded in 1766 by James Christie, Christie's has since conducted the greatest and most celebrated auctions through the centuries providing a popular showcase for the unique and the beautiful. Christie’s offers over 450 auctions annually in over 80 categories, including all areas of fine and decorative arts, jewellery, photographs, collectibles, wine, and more. Prices range from $200 to over $100 million. Christie's also has a long and successful history conducting private sales for its clients in all categories, with emphasis on Post-War and Contemporary, Impressionist and Modern, Old Masters and Jewellery.  Private sales totaled £631.3 million/$1 billion in 2012, an increase of 26% on the same period last year.

Christie’s has a global presence with 53 offices in 32 countries and 10 salerooms around the world including in London, New York, Paris, Geneva, Milan, Amsterdam, Dubai, Zürich, and Hong Kong. More recently, Christie’s has led in growth markets such as Russia, China, India and the Middle East, with successful sales, exhibitions and initiatives in Moscow, Baku, Beijing, Mumbai, Delhi, Jeddah, Abu Dhabi, Doha and Dubai.

 *Estimates do not include buyer’s premium. Sales totals are hammer price plus buyer’s premium and do not reflect costs, financing fees or application of buyer’s or seller’s credits.

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