ASHBURN, Va. – Snowy landscapes, stormy seas, and awesome waterfalls dominate the scene in Oakridge Auction Gallery’s fourth annual Fall Asian Fine Art & Antiques auction, scheduled for Sept. 19-20 at 10 a.m. EDT each day. Bid absentee or live online through LiveAuctioneers.
The two sessions, beginning with ceramics and works of art on Sept. 19, followed by Chinese paintings and calligraphy on Sept. 20 will feature several long-anticipated works of Chinese jade, porcelain, antique woodwork, painting and calligraphy from Oakridge’s postponed Spring 2020 Fine Asian Art & Antiques auction.
Natural themes are evident throughout both sessions, such as in a Chinese snow scene vase by He Xuren dating to the Republic Period, estimated at $30,00–$50,000. He Xuren (1882-1940) was part of a group of prominent 20th century artists known collectively as the Zhu Shan Ba You, along with Liu Yucen, Wang Yiting, and Bi Botao. His porcelain snow scenes are distinctive for their reputed ability to convey a true sense of cold to the beholder. This bridge between nature and artisanry comes to Oakridge from a Philadelphia collection, brought to the United States from Hong Kong in the 1960s and ’70s.
From winter landscapes, the auction progresses to the foamy waves of the sea in a Chinese gilt table stand of 18 Luohan from the Qianlong Period, made of two gilded, cast bronze panels set in zitan wood. This Qing dynasty piece is part of the collection of Gen. Xiang Hanping, known as the “Confucian General” for his dedication not only to military but also literary exploits. One side of the table stand shows the Luohan, or Arhats, protectors of the Buddhist faith, with mythical creatures, while on the other two sailboats cross a vast sea that stretches past the boundaries of the bronze plaque.
Session 2 showcases over 200 lots of Chinese paintings and calligraphy, with works by Zhang Daqian, Huang Binhong and Wu Changshuo leading the lineup. Mountains, flowers and lakesides rendered in classical and modern Chinese painting styles predominate, but most riveting is a painting of a scholar by Zhang Daqian. The solitary scholar stands in the center of a mountain landscape before a roaring waterfall. His diminutive stature conveys, without doubt, the awesome power of the natural world and the relative unimportance of man. The painting dates to the autumn of 1934 when the artist was based in Suzhou and attests to his skill at rendering landscapes in the classical Chinese style.
Preview appointments may be made with Oakridge by calling 703-291-1010 or emailing auction@oakridgeauctiongallery.com.
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