Related News

Home » Nation

Auctioneer expects US$14.9 million for Wang Xizhi's writing

WANG Xizhi, the much adored Chinese calligrapher (AD 303-361), left hardly any original manuscripts but fascinates his fans via transcripts.

One of Wang's transcripts will be previewed from November 3 to 5 at Le Royal Meridian Shanghai together with 300 objects ranging from traditional ink-wash paintings, antique books, to jewelry and vintage watches will go under the hammer at China Guardian Auction House in Beijing next month.

Deng Jing, spokeswoman for China Guardian Auction House, said, "This piece of writing by Wang Xizhi is expected to fetch about 100 million yuan (US14.9 million)."
The piece contains only 41 characters.

"If it is sold at the estimated price, then each of Wang's characters will be the most expensive such in the world," Deng said.

In June, one calligraphy scroll by Huang Tingjian, a well-known Chinese calligrapher in the North Song Dynasty (AD960-1127), was auctioned for 436.8 million yuan, a record price for Chinese artwork around the world at the Poly Spring Auction. But the 8.24-meter-long scroll has about 600 characters.

"Today, Wang's original writing can be hardly found," Deng pointed out. "So his transcript made in the Tang Dynasty (AD618-907) is widely accepted as the original in the market."

However, the exact period of this piece has not been confirmed. "This is also the reason we don't announce the floor price to the public. But one thing is for sure, it is no later than the Song Dynasty," she added.

Apart from Wang Xizhi's work, it is also the first time for China Guardian Auction House to sell luxury watches at its auction from November 20 to 23 at Beijing International Hotel.



 

Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.

沪公网安备 31010602000204号

Email this to your friend