RENOWNED Chinese artist Huang Yongyu’s famous artwork, “Ashima,” sold for 253,000 yuan (US$34,709) at the Rong Bao Zhai (Shenzhen) 2023 Spring Auction held at the Hilton Shenzhen Shekou Nanhai Hotel yesterday.

The artwork, also the first lot of the auction yesterday, commenced with a minimum bidding threshold of 80,000 yuan but ultimately fetched a price of 253,000 yuan.

The auction featured nearly 800 lots covering categories such as Chinese painting and calligraphy, Buddhist art, purple clay art, contemporary art, and contemporary design and craftsmanship.

The selection of lots highlighted the distinctive cultural attributes of Lingnan, with special sessions dedicated to world-renowned sinologist Jao Tsung-I and Huang, who had lived in Hong Kong for a long time.

Their works not only captured the essence of Lingnan culture, also known as Cantonese culture, but also carry international significance.

Huang’s other piece, “Lotus under Moonlight,” fetched a price of 5.75 million yuan. Additionally, Jao’s artwork, “Dajidali,” was sold for 935,000 yuan.

At the same time, Rong Bao Zhai also strictly selected museum-level masterpieces by influential Chinese calligrapher and painter Dong Qichang, famed artist Qi Baishi, and prominent painter Huang Binhong.

Rong Bao Zhai, a Beijing-headquartered painting and calligraphy brand, was founded in 1672. It was formerly known as Song Zhu Zhai and specialized in selling traditional Chinese stationery, calligraphic works and paintings. In 1894, it adopted its current name, Rong Bao Zhai, which means “making friends with art and reputation is regarded as the most precious value.”

In 1952, the rebranded Rong Bao Zhai became a State-owned company. Over the years, it has evolved into an entity involved in gallery business, auctions, traditional Chinese stationery, intangible cultural heritage, publishing, exhibitions, fine arts education, e-commerce, creative products, and data asset operations.

This year marks the 351st anniversary of Rong Bao Zhai. The hosting of the Rong Bao Zhai (Shenzhen) 2023 Spring Auction will not only speed up its integrated development within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, but also contribute to Shenzhen’s aspirations to establish itself as an internationally renowned art trading center, according to Shenzhen Special Zone Daily. (Wang Jingli)