Painting by Emperor of Song Dynasty Hits Auction Record

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Thursday, April 25, 2002

Painting by Emperor of Song Dynasty Hits Auction Record

An ink-and-wash painting entitled "Portraits of Precious Birds" by Zhao Ji, or Emperor Huizong, a hinese emperor reigned between 1101 A.D and 1125 A.D during the Northern Song Dynasty (960 A.D - 1127 A.D), has been auctioned at a price of 25.3 million yuan (US$3.05 million) by China Guardian at Beijing Kunlun Hotel, April 23.

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An ink-and-wash painting entitled "Portraits of Precious Birds" by Zhao Ji, or Emperor Huizong, a Chinese emperor reigned between 1101 A.D and 1125 A.D during the Northern Song Dynasty (960 A.D - 1127 A.D), has been auctioned at a price of 25.3 million yuan (US$3.05 million) by China Guardian at Beijing Kunlun Hotel, April 23.

The price hit a record high of Chinese paintings and calligraphy auctioned at global markets.

As the focus of " 2002 China Guardian Spring Auction", the painting attracted many art collectors and reporters, and its price soared from the initial 7.8 million yuan (US$942,000) up to 13 million yuan. The final price, taking 10 percent commission into account, was fixed at 25.3 million yuan (US$3.05million).

The scroll painting, 27.5 cm high and 521.5 cm long, is divided into 12 small sections of birds and flowers. Painted by the emperor himself, it has been confirmed an artistic treasure of state level by art experts both at home and abroad.

Records can be found about the painting's collectors from Song Dynasty to Qing Dynasty, from the palace to private scholars, according to art expert Hu Yanyan.

Only 19 works of Emperor Huizong have been left over to this day, of which 9 are collected by Chinese museums, and the other 10 by overseas institutions and individuals. The painting auctioned this time is the biggest in size among the emperor's survived works.

By PD Online Staff Member Li Heng

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