From the Chenn Family Collection. Lot 78329. Wu Changshuo (Chinese, 1844-1927), Peony, Bottle Gourds, and Loquats, Dingzi, 1917. Four works, ink and color on paper; 53-1/4 x 12-3/4 inches (135.3 x 32.4 cm) (work, each), 60-3/8 x 16-1/8 inches (153.1 x 41.0 cm) (frame, each). Each signed and dated, with two or three seals of the artist. Estimate: $300,000 - $500,000. Sold for $399,000 © Heritage Auction

DALLAS, TX.- Multiple bidders drove the price for Wu Changshuo Peony, Bottle Gourds, and Loquats, Dingzi, 1917 to $399,000 to claim top-lot honors in Heritage Auctions’ Asian Art Auction in New York. The final total for the sale, Heritage’s first as a participant in Asia Week New York, climbed to $2,235,135. 

The four ink-and-color-on-paper works that made up the top lot enjoy strong provenance that began with a gift by the artist in 1917. The lot is one of 23 lots in the sale from the Chenn Family Collection of fine Chinese paintings and calligraphy that brought a total of $587,275. 

“It is an honor to be counted among so many prestigious collectors and sellers who convene each in New York each March,” Heritage Auctions Asian Art Director Richard Cervantes said. “In this week, when both attendance and prices for fine Chinese and Asian works of art were up, I am proud to see Heritage Auctions’ Asian Art Department claim an important role among our esteemed auction peers. 

“The March 19 and 20 sales featured a tremendously wide variety of rare and fine artworks from private sources. Even in the field of Asian Arts, we are truly ‘America’s Auction House’ – representing numerous private consignors from across the United States whose works of art were presented for the first time at auction with care and dignity. Our international buyers replied with enthusiasm. The prices realized across all categories demonstrate both our success in generating competitive bidding among the world’s Asian Art buyers and the overall strength of today’s Asian Art market.” 

A Chinese Lacquered and Gilt Bronze Figure of a Seated Luohan enjoyed a massive surge of interest before closing at $87,500, well above the pre-auction estimate. The 13-3/4-inch figurine is a Luohan, which refers to the Buddha’s immediate disciples, a group comprised of monks who have reached an advanced state of spiritual learning and have sworn to protect the Buddhist faith and its teachings until the coming of Maitreya, the Buddha of the Future. 

A Chinese Lacquered and Gilt Bronze Figure of a Seated Luohan, 13-3/4 x 11-1/4 x 7-1/4 inches (34.9 x 28.6 x 18.4 cm). Sold for $87,500. © Heritage Auctions.

Also sparking a frenzy of competitive bids among multiple collectors was a Chinese Enameled Porcelain Plaque, 20th century, painted by a member of the famed “Eight Friends of Zhushan” group and which topped its pre-auction estimate when it brought $81,250. The porcelain plaque shows birds and lotus, with signature and red seal reading “Cheng Yiting” to the right. 

Lot 78195. A Chinese Enameled Porcelain Plaque, 20th century; 14-1/2 x 9-3/8 inches (36.8 x 23.9 cm). Sold for $81,250. © Heritage Auctions.

From the Ding Zhongying Family Collection, Zhang Daqian The Three Friends of Winter, which sold for $71,875. In ink and color on paper, it measures 53 inches high by 17-3/4 inches wide, and is signed with four seals of the artist.  

Lot 78350. From the Ding Zhongying Family Collection. Zhang Daqian (Chinese, 1899-1983), The Three Friends of Winter. Ink and color on paper, 53 x 17-3/4 inches (134.6 x 45.1 cm) (work). Signed, with four seals of the artist. Estimate: $40,000 - $60,000. Sold for $71,875. © Heritage Auctions.

Top lots from the Chenn Family Collection included, but were not limited to:

Lot 78303. Aisin Gioro Hongli, The Emperor Qianlong (1711-1799), Calligraphy after Dong Qichang (1555-1636). Fan leaf, ink on paper with gold leaf, 21-3/8 x 9-1/2 inches (54.3 x 24.1 cm) (work), 14 x 24-1/2 inches (35.6 x 62.2 cm) (frame). Signed Xiang Guang, with three seals of the Emperor Qianlong. Estimate: $50,000 - $70,000. Sold for $62,500. © Heritage Auctions

Lot 78311. From the Chenn Family Collection. Liang Qichao (Chinese, 1873-1929), The Stele of Zhang Qian, early 20th century. Scroll, ink on paper, 49-3/4 x 16-1/8 inches (126.4 x 41.0 cm) (work), 59-1/2 x 18-3/4 inches (151.1 x 47.6 cm) (overall). Signed, with two seals of the artist. Sold for $32,500. © Heritage Auctions.

Provenance: Chen Guoxiang (1879-1919);
Chen Guan (1895-1990) and Zheng Ying (1898-1990), by descent from the above;
Chenn Family, by descent from the above. 

Translation: 

The modest gentleman Zhang,
simple and honest.
He is as pure as virgin snow,
also kind-hearted like a best friend.
We write down his behavior,
like an orchid blooming with fragrance,
to understand the philosophy of life.

Lot 78312. From the Chenn Family Collection. Liang Qichao (Chinese, 1873-1929), Calligraphies, 1916. Hanging scroll, ink on paper, 15-1/8 x 20-5/8 inches (38.4 x 52.4 cm) (works, each), 69-1/2 x 24-1/2 inches (176.5 x 62.2 cm) (overall, each). Signed. Sold for $22,500. © Heritage Auctions.

Provenance: Chen Guoxiang (1879-1919);
Chen Guan (1895-1990) and Zheng Ying (1898-1990), by descent from the above;
Chenn Family, by descent from the above. 

Note: The hanging scroll with two calligraphies, the upper a poem by Cao Zhi (192-232) executed in the style of Wang Xizhi's calligraphy work Luoshen Fu and the lower a copy of the the Epitaph of Zhang Xuan (531), considered one of the best carved epitaph of the Northern Wei Dynasty (386-534) and an excellent exemplary work of Wei Stele script. 

Lot 78308. From the Chenn Family Collection. Wu Mei (Chinese, 1884-1939), Scroll couplet. Hanging scrolls, ink on paper, 56-3/8 x 9-3/4 inches (143.2 x 24.8 cm) (work, each). Signed, with two seals of the artist. Sold for $20,000. © Heritage Auctions.

Provenance: Chen Guoxiang (1879-1919);
Chen Guan (1895-1990) and Zheng Ying (1898-1990), by descent from the above;
Chenn Family, by descent from the above.  

Translation: 

Sing the 'Grand River flowing to the east',
With metal instruments.
When the moon glows in a dark night,
A magpie flies to the south.

Additional top lots included, but were not limited to: 

Lot 78111. A Chinese Carved Celadon Jade Vase with Dragon Figure, late Qing Dynasty-early Republic period; 13-5/8 x 6-1/2 x 4-3/4 (34.6 x 16.5 x 12.1 cm). Sold for $40,000. © Heritage Auctions.

Lot 78351. From the Ding Zhongying Family Collection. Zhang Daqian (Chinese, 1899-1983), Bamboo. Ink on paper, 26-1/2 x 13-1/4 inches (67.3 x 33.7 cm) (work). Signed, with three seals of the artist. Dedicated to Ding Zhongying. Sold for $40,000. © Heritage Auctions.

Lot 78210. A Chinese Gilt Bronze Figure of Seated Buddha Shakyamuni, late Ming-early Qing Dynasty, 16th-17th century; 20-1/2 x 13 inches (52.1 x 33.0 cm). Sold for $35,000. © Heritage Auctions.

Lot 78108. A Large Chinese Archaistic Carved Jadeite Beast-Form Vessel and Cover, Qing Dynasty, 19th century; 8-1/2 inches (21.6 cm). Sold for $30,000. © Heritage Auctions.