China Guardian HK 2018 Auctions Total HK$ 1.1 Billion / US$ 141.8 Million, Highest Ever Annual Total at China Guardian (HK) and 13% Up from 2017

China Guardian Hong Kong Autumn Auctions 2018 concluded on 3 October with outstanding results. 12 sales over 2 days encompassing 5 categories achieved HK$ 690 million / US$ 87.9 million, the highest seasonal total in the Company’s 6-year history, bringing the 2018 total of the Company to an impressive HK$ 1.1 billion / US$ 141.8 million, the highest ever annual total at China Guardian (Hong Kong) and 17% up from 2017.

Ms. Hu Yanyan, President of China Guardian (HK) Auctions Co., Ltd, says, “Over the past two days, nearly 1,000 lots of Chinese paintings and calligraphy, modern and contemporary art, Chinese ceramics, jades, Buddhist art, Classical furniture, as well as jewels and jadeite were sold at our Hong Kong Autumn Auctions for a total of HK$ 690 million / US$ 87.9 million, marking a delightful opening for the Autumn sale season at China Guardian. Five sales achieved a sell-through rate of over 75%, among which the sale of Archaic Jade Carvings from a San Francisco Private Collection achieved rare ‘white glove’ status with 100% of lots sold, and Chinese Paintings and Calligraphy achieved a high sell-through rate of 81%. Our Autumn results brought our 2018 annual total to HK$ 1.1 billion / US$ 141.8 million, the highest total ever achieved at China Guardian (Hong Kong). I am deeply grateful to the great support of our clients and friends from around the globe.

“Extraordinary results were achieved for numerous lots, such as Wu Guanzhong’s Forgetful Snow, Yoshitomo Nara’s Submarines in Girl, Zao Wou-Ki’s 06.10.68, Wang Huai Qing’s 1234567, a very rare Blue and White ‘Bats In Cloud’ Vase from the Qianlong period, a magnificent Ge-Type ‘Bagua’ Moonflask from the Yongzheng period, a Doucai ‘Three Friends of Winter’ Cup from the Yongzheng period, a Huanghuali Square ‘Immortals’ Table with Three Spandrels from the late Ming dynasty, a 19.69-carat Natural Untreated Colombian Emerald and Diamond Ring, a 1.26-carat Fancy Reddish Orange Diamond and Diamond Ring, Zhang Daqian’s Two Horses and Landscape after Wang Meng, Wang Yinchang’s Landscape of Muhuaiyangwushuwu, Residence of Yan Jingming, as well as Five Horses after Han Gan, attributed to Zhao Yong.

“It was business as usual - all went well, with pleasant surprises also occurring throughout the two days of sales. Our clients and friends in the auction world breathed a sigh of relief when the hammer came down for the last lot at over 20 times the pre-sale estimate. They were impressed with, and were reassured by, China Guardian’s ability to deliver solid performances regardless of circumstance.

“Most feel that a stable and rational market, as opposed to a turbulent and uproarious one, yields truer and more realistic rewards. Many experienced players in the market have also acknowledged the fact that this is an opportune moment to enter the market. China Guardian will adapt to changes in the market in order to provide global collectors of Chinese art with professional and valuable services, continuing to drive healthy growth in the market.”

Chinese Paintings and Calligraphy

• Total HK$ 370 million / US$ 48 million
• High sell-through rate of 81%.

Asian 20th Century and Contemporary Art

• Total HK$ 133.62 million / US$ 17 million, the highest ever for the category in the Company
• High sell-through rate of 75%
• Lots in both themed sessions – “The Flaming Era—World Artists in Paris” and “Pop Art” – over 80% sold
• Auction records were set for 6 artists, namely Shinji Ohmaki, Chou Chu-Wang, Shi Jin-Hua, Huang Benrui, Moe Nakamura and Morgan Chua

Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art

• Total HK$ 98.88 million / US$ 12.7 million
• Single-owner sale titled “Exquisite Beauty of Archaic Jade Carvings from a San Francisco Private Collection” achieved rare “white glove” status with all 28 lots sold, many of them at multiple times the pre-sale estimate

Classical Chinese Furniture

• Total HK$ 20.74 million / US$ 2.66 million
• “Fine Bamboo Carvings and Seal Art from Private Collections” 77% sold

Jewellery, Watches and Luxury Goods

• Total HK$ 57.55 million / US$ 7.4 million
• A 19.69-carat Natural Colombian Emerald and Diamond Ring sold for a remarkable HK$ 20.62 million / US$ 2.6 million