People check the exhibits at the preview event on Thursday Photo: Xu Liuliu/GT

 

A section of Character Story Photo: Xu Liuliu/GT

Chinese paintings will take center stage during the Council Auction House's  upcoming spring auction, according to a preview event held in Beijing on Thursday and Friday. Items ranging from calligraphy works, porcelain vases and contemporary paintings are set to go under the hammer on Saturday.

The works of Chinese masters including Qi Baishi, Zhang Daqian, Xu Beihong and Lin Fengmian will be auctioned as part of the Cheng Dao: Masterpieces of Chinese Painting section. 

A highlight of this section is Wild Gooses by an unknown Song Dynasty (960-1279) painter. The painting bears seals from the Qianlong Emperor (reign: 1736-95) and the Shiqu Baoji (Collection of Royal Paintings). 

Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) painting Character Story by Zhang Huai and Shi Jing portrays the leisure lives of officials under the Kangxi Emperor (reign: 1661-1722). 

Calligraphy works include works from modern scholars such as Hong Yi, Yu Youren and Ma Yifu. 

Additionally, personal letters from Chinese scholars and figures from the late Qing Dynasty to the Republic of China period (1912-49), including Hu Shi, Kang Youwei and Qian Zhongshu, will also be put up for auction.