Christie’s Shanghai has celebrated their first year of launch with a series of auctions that mark Christie’s activities in the city. Modern and contemporary art, wine, jewellery, watches and the new category of Chinese Contemporary Design sold to both Chinese and international clients throughout the day in sales that realized RMB 132,350,000.00 /US$21,674,692.
“Collectors have gathered in Shanghai, virtually and in person, to celebrate the art of living and living with art. When Christie’s was permitted to be the first international auction house to host independent auctions in mainland China in 2013, we made a commitment to curate inspiring and inviting artistic experiences for our clients. The selection of Asian and Western art and objects on view this week delivered on this promise,” said Jinqing Cai, President, Christie’s China. “The success of the sales this week complements the reception received by the exhibition, The Art of the Horse, on view to the public for another week in our newly opened Ampire Building location in Shanghai. All of us here at Christie’s are passionate about the art, and our role is to convene in a global network all those who share that passion.”
The gala evening sale of Asian & Western 20th and Contemporary Art offered works in a sale that provoked a fascinating dialogue provoked by the global team of Christie‟s specialists who worked on the selection. Bidding in the sale was truly international demonstrating increasingly global taste and buying activity seen across many categories in today‟s marketplace.
The sale was led by Zeng Fanzhi’s Untitled 06-3 which sold for RMB19,470,000/US$ 3,188,562 (illustrated left, estimate: RMB12,000,000- 22,000,000), and included five new record prices for artists including for works by Qiu Deshu, Xue Feng, Song Kun, Hao Liang and Yuan Yuan. Earlier today the sale of wine, watches and jewellery was also very well received by clients, selling 93% by lot. In a new first for global collecting, Christie‟s also presented Chinese Contemporary Design, a curated
sale which represented a fusion of history and modernity, and celebrated the quality of Chinese craftsmanship. The sale was led by „Da Tian Di‟ (Sky and Earth), an exceptionally large „Bo Luo‟ lacquered Zitan desk which sold for RMB5,070,000/US$ 830,304 (illustrated right, estimate: RMB3,500,000-4,000,000). The sale was entirely sold. Another new collecting category Chinese Contemporary Ink will be launched by Christie‟s in Hong Kong in November.
Growing digital engagement was also in evidence throughout the week with a strong percentage of global bidding via Christie‟s LIVE as well as the extensive use of WeChat to upload catalogue information about all the art and objects on view.
Earlier this week, artist Qin Feng helped to open the new Christie‟s location in the historic Bund district, in a ceremony that saw Christie‟s and Shanghai officials celebrating the progress and commitment to the art and cultural environment in the city. “Recent successful sales in London, Paris and Dubai over the last week demonstrate the interest in collecting art by the global audience continues to grow”, commented Steven Murphy, Chief Executive Officer, Christie’s. “Christie’s successful sales today in Shanghai, combined with the historic opening of our new building in the city, demonstrate our ongoing commitment to serving collectors in China and around the world.”