Fine Chinese Paintings and Works of Art

In Buddhism, a bodhisattva is someone who can reach enlightenment but stays behind to help others. We can see both the beauty and the sadness of this in the carved wood figure of a bodhisattva offered in the upcoming Chinese Works of Art auction by Bonhams. Like the carved wood figure, the 143 lots in this auction represent a unique part of Chinese culture. Fine art, decorative art, and ethnographic pieces are all available in this auction.

The painting with the highest estimated value is Zhang Daqian’s “Bamboo and Rock”, produced in 1970. Art historians consider Zhang one of the most influential Chinese artists of the 20th Century. He was affiliated with Impressionism, Expressionism, and other artistic movements. Zhang’s painting has an estimated value of $60,000 to $90,000. Emerging collectors looking for a more affordable fine art lot should consider Hu Gongshou’s “Scholar’s Rock”. 

One of the most distinct pieces in this auction is a funerary mask made of copper. The mask, unbelievably, dates back to the Liao Dynasty (916-1125 A.D.). It is realistically modeled with thin, sunken eyes, a small mouth, and a triangular nose. The Denver Art Museum displayed the piece from 1998 to 2016. Those interested in this or any other piece can register to bid online on Bonham’s website.