New Collectors At Sotheby’s: What To Watch At Upcoming Auctions

How To Save And Start Collecting With Art

On October 7, Sotheby’s will hold its Contemporary Asian Art auction in Hong Kong, a sale packed with dozens of works by the region’s top artists, among them increasingly hard-to-find lots by leading Chinese sculptors, photographers and painters. Despite the fact that many of the rarest and most historical works at the auction are expected to sell for millions of dollars, you don’t have to be a “super-collector” to take home blue-chip Chinese art. For new bidders just now looking to get involved in China’s art market and historical Chinese artists, or seasoned buyers looking to build up their collections with proven, affordable works of art that sell internationally, following up our list of “Top Lots to Watch,” here are Jing Daily’s “Top Lots for New Collectors”:

Wang Keping – “Untitled”
Lot: 895
Wood
Size: 33 (H) by 43 by 12.7 cm.; 13 (H) by 17 by 5 in.
Estimate: HK$120,000 – 180,000 (US$15,475 – 23,300)

Sui Jianguo – “Dying Slave”
Lot: 896
Painted bronze
Size: 115.1 (H) by 38.1 by 38.1 cm.; 45 1/3 by 15 by 15 in.
Estimate: HK$480,000 – 550,000 (US$62,300 – 71,400)

Wang Guangyi – “Great Criticism Series: Siemens” (2003)
Lot: 913
Silkscreen and oil on canvas
Size: 50.2 by 40 cm. 19 3/4 by 15 3/4 in.
Estimate: HK$200,000 – 300,000 (US$25,900 – 38,900)

Li Shan – “Mao” (2005)
Lot: 914
Oil on canvas
Size: 55.3 by 45.7 cm.; 21 7/8 by 18 in.
Estimate: HK$120,000 – 150,000 (US$15,500 – 19,400)

Xu Ruotao – “History No. 1″
Lot: 921
Oil on canvas
Size: 120 by 170.1 cm.; 47 1/4 by 67 in.
Estimate: HK$40,000 – 60,000 (US$5,200 – 7,800)

Song Dong – “Stamping the Water (set of 36)” (1996)
Lot: 924
Photograph
Size: each: 61 by 40 cm.; 34 by 15.7 in.
Estimate: HK$500,000 – 700,000 (US$64,900 – 77,900)

Yin Xiuzhen – “Yin Xiuzhen (set of 10)” (1998)
Lot: 926
Photograph
Size: each: 40.2 by 60.2 cm.; 15 3/4 by 23 3/4 in.
Estimate: HK$80,000 – 120,000 (US$10,400 – 15,500)

Zhang Huan – “To Add One Meter to an Anonymous Mountain” (1995)
Lot: 927
Photograph
Size: 66.7 by 102.9 cm.; 26 1/4 by 40 1/2 in.
Estimate: HK$80,000 – 100,000 (US$10,300 – 12,900)

Hai Bo – “I Am Chairman Mao’s Red Guard (Set of Two)” (2000)
Lot: 932
Photograph
Size: each: 61 by 43 cm.; 24 by 16⅞ in.
Estimate: HK$20,000 – 30,000 (US$2,500 – 3,800)

Hong Hao – “556,066,792,000″ (2004-2005)
Lot: 937
Photograph
Size: 119.7 by 196.2 cm.; 47⅛ by 77¼ in.
Estimate: HK$100,000 – 150,000 (US$12,900 – 19,400)