Sotheby’s Hong Kong made headlines last Thursday with a record-breaking auction that saw a 700-year-old handscroll by calligrapher Rao Jie fetch over $32 million. The intense bidding war lasted a staggering 95 minutes, far surpassing the initial estimates of up to $1.29 million.
Rao Jie, a 14th-century calligrapher, hails from the southeast Jiangxi province and his work reflects the transitional period between the Yuan and Ming dynasties. His style combines elements from the classical “Two Wangs” tradition and the dynamic Wild Cursive tradition of the Tang Dynasty. The handscroll contains transcriptions of Tang dynasty-era essays by scholars Han Yu and Liu Zongyuan, showcasing Rao’s mastery of brushstrokes and literary expression.
What set this handscroll apart were the more than 100 added postscripts, offering insights into the work’s provenance and cultural significance. With a history that includes ownership by the illustrious Qianlong Emperor of the Qing dynasty and later by Prince Gong, the handscroll remained hidden for over a century in the collection of Japanese Shin cleric Ishikawa Shuntai.
The recent auction follows the success of a previous sale that totaled $11.47 million, highlighting the growing interest in classical Chinese paintings and calligraphy. Young collectors, in particular, have been drawn to these works, reflecting a deep reverence for their cultural heritage.
The success of the record-breaking handscroll can be attributed to a resurgence of interest in works associated with the Chinese imperial courts. Collectors are increasingly nostalgic for court life, fueling their imagination and driving up demand for these historically significant pieces.
