Christie's Hong Kong will sell over 180 Chinese classical paintings and calligraphy as well as 350 Chinese modern and contemporary paintings in its autumn auctions in November, some of which were showcased in a media preview on Tuesday.

The two auctions, named respectively Fine Chinese Classical Paintings and Calligraphy and Fine Chinese Modern and Contemporary Paintings, will take place on November 26 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center.

Mie Zhi Tie, a tracing copy from the Tang Dynasty (7th-8th century) of calligraphy originally inscribed by Wang Xizhi, is estimated at HK$30 million to HK$40 million (US$3.87 million to US$5.16 million), was highlighted in the media preview Wednesday.

Wang was born in the Eastern Jin Dynasty and his writing is majestic with sublime and abstract brushstrokes. Wang's calligraphy is highly coveted and considered irreplaceable because of its rarity and exquisite technique.

The Mei Zhi Tie is a Tang-dynasty copy of Wang's original calligraphy. No actual works by the master survive and thus this very early and skillful copy is an extremely rare find.

An album of eight leaves of calligraphy and paintings by prominent Chinese artist Dong Qichang, is estimated at HK$8 million to HK$10 million (about US$1.03 million to US$1.29 million).

Also featured at the preview is a painting named Eight Horses by Xu Beihong, master of Chinese paintings. This painting, which is one of the most important works by Xu ever to come to market, is estimated at HK$6 million to HK$8 million (about US$774,200 to US$1.03 million). It depicts horses gently sipping water, observing their surroundings and communicating with each other.

(Xinhua News Agency November 14, 2007)