A Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) painting sold for a record price of 5.17 million yuan (US$625,150) at the 2002 Beijing Hanhai Spring Auction Sunday, surpassing the previous 4.4 million-yuan (US$532,043) for a painting also by famous Chinese painter Zhu Da in China.
The painting, featuring two birds in a lotus pond, was put under the hammer by an overseas collector at a starting price of 2.2 million yuan.
Both domestic and foreign art collectors participated in the bidding.
Sources say that 2,158 items will be auctioned at Hanhai Spring Auction, half of which are owned by overseas collectors.
Another painting, "Mountain and Water", from an American collector was sold Sunday at 2.3 million yuan (US$278,113), attracting wide public attention.
In recent years, an increasing number of ancient Chinese treasures owned by overseas collectors have been sold at domestic auctions.
Experts say that surging market demand for cultural treasures and the efficient operations of Chinese auction companies helped to attract foreign collectors to China.
Meanwhile, a regulation issued by Chinese government in 1997, allowing ancient treasures, which are owned by foreign collectors and sold in China, to leave China after auction, also contributed to boost sales of antique items.
(Xinhua News Agency June 30, 2002)
