Koller View 1/21

16 Results of the Asian Art auctions on 3 December 2020 Far Eastern worlds on paper The collection of 77 modern Chinese ink paintings, presented in a separate catalogue on 3 December and exhibited beforehand in a special preview in Bei- jing, generated very lively bidding – only two of the scroll paintings remained unsold. Seven works gar- nered six-figure prices, and all of the most important paintings were purchased by Chinese bidders. In the various owners sale the same day, a series of four Korean ink paintings (ill. 1) caused a sensation: the unsigned works, mounted individually as scroll paint- ings, went to a bidder fromtheUSA for a record-break- ing CHF 415 000. The subjects depict various scenes from the lives of courtly ladies in the late 18 th or early19 th century. Thepaintingsweremeant to instruct the viewer about the appropriate role of high-ranking, virtuous women in the strictly regulated and isolated Confucian society of the Joseon Kingdom. Several other works also sold for many times their pre- sale estimates, such as a view of the Great Wall by He Haixia (ill. 2), that fetched CHF 208 000. Also attract- ing much interest was a 13 th /14 th century green Tara (ill. 4), that sold for CHF 190 000. The latest research ascribes this figure to a distinct Nepalese-Chinese style unique to the imperial court of the Yuan dynasty. 1 2 1 F our fine Korean paintings. 19 th century. Ink and colours on paper. Circa 76 × 43 cm. Sold for CHF 415 000 2 H e Haixia (1908−1998). The eastern end of the Great Wall. Ink and colours on paper. 139 × 69 cm. Sold for CHF 205 000 3 A Wucai charger. China, Wanli six-character mark and of the period. D 38.5 cm. Sold for CHF 17 000 4 A n excellent bronze figure of the Green Tara. Tibeto-Chinese, Yuan, 13 th /14 th century. H 19.2 cm. Sold for CHF 190 000 3 FOR CONSIGNMENTS AND ESTIMATES ASIAN ART Regi Preiswerk asianart@ kollerauctions.com