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Oh Good Party
For collectors, ancient calligraphy is suitable for those with ample funds, extensive experience, and a high tolerance for risk, while contemporary calligraphy offers new collectors an opportunity to explore the art market and develop investment acumen. Both have their advantages, and the key lies in how investors make choices based on their own conditions and goals.
The National Calligraphy and Seal Engraving Exhibition, held every four years, is the most prestigious national comprehensive calligraphy exhibition in China. Since its establishment by the China Calligraphers Association in 1980, it has become an important platform for showcasing the finest achievements in Chinese calligraphy and seal engraving. The exhibition covers seven categories: Seal Script, Clerical Script, Regular Script, Running Script, Cursive Script, Seal Engraving, and Carved Characters, presenting the latest accomplishments in contemporary calligraphy and seal engraving. This year's exhibition featured 275 outstanding works. These pieces not only demonstrate the elegant style of contemporary calligraphy but also highlight an artistic spirit that respects tradition while embracing innovation. They emphasize a return to the natural and simple essence of writing, further popularizing a refreshing and robust style of calligraphy. The diverse styles and rich individual expressions of the calligraphers reflect the flourishing and diversity of contemporary calligraphy creation.
In this context, collectors are not only focused on the contemporary works displayed in the exhibition but are also beginning to deeply consider the value positioning of calligraphy and seal engraving in investment and collecting. Compared to ancient calligraphy, contemporary calligraphy has its own advantages and disadvantages in terms of investment and collecting experience. Ancient calligraphy, with its profound historical and cultural value and rarity, is often favored by seasoned collectors. Particularly, works by masters and renowned artists, having been tested by time and the market, generally hold stable and appreciating value. However, investing in ancient calligraphy also presents clear challenges. First, the complexity of authentication makes this type of investment highly risky. Advances in forgery techniques have increased the difficulty of identification, requiring specialized technical equipment, deep artistic knowledge, and market awareness to comprehensively assess value. Additionally, the market for ancient calligraphy can be quite volatile, especially during economic instability, when prices may be significantly affected. The high capital threshold for ancient calligraphy also poses a challenge for some investors.
Contemporary calligraphy offers new collectors a relatively manageable and potentially rewarding investment avenue. Compared to ancient calligraphy, contemporary works are generally less expensive, making them suitable for beginners looking to gradually build their experience. Since the market is still developing, some excellent works also have considerable potential for appreciation. Contemporary calligraphers, active in the current art scene, create works that resonate more with contemporary aesthetic tastes. By collecting contemporary calligraphy, collectors can enrich their personal art collections while also having the opportunity to discover promising young artists. Furthermore, the authentication of contemporary calligraphy is relatively straightforward, reducing investment risk. However, the contemporary calligraphy market is not yet fully mature, and the long-term appreciation potential of works is not fully evident, so investors need to carefully select promising artists and closely monitor market trends.
For collectors, ancient calligraphy is suitable for those with ample funds, extensive experience, and a high tolerance for risk, while contemporary calligraphy offers new collectors an opportunity to explore the art market and develop investment acumen. Both have their advantages, and the key lies in how investors make choices based on their own conditions and goals.
Seal engraving collection is closely related to calligraphy. Seal engraving, also known as "Jinshi," is an art form commonly used by calligraphers to create seals and sign their works. It not only serves a practical purpose but is also a category of collection rich in cultural significance. Collecting seal engravings requires an understanding of calligraphy aesthetics, as well as a deep knowledge of stone materials, carving techniques, and seal culture. Ancient seal engravings often carry abundant historical information, serving as important physical evidence for studying the lives and culture of ancient scholars and literati.
The auction market for calligraphy and seal engraving has increasingly attracted the attention of collectors, especially for works with significant historical value and artistic merit. Recent auction records for calligraphy and seal engraving collections include:
Zhao Mengfu, "Running Script: Three Letters Scroll"
Auction House: China Guardian
Auction Date: 2024
Price: ¥92,000,000
Yusheng, Song Luo, Liu Yong, Ji Xiaolan, Yi Bingshou, Ruan Yuan, and others, "Poetry on Autumn Views of Dadu"
Auction House: China Guardian
Auction Date: 2024 Spring Auction
Price: ¥41,400,000
Huang Daozhou, "Cursive Script: Sixteen Self-Composed Poems"
Auction House: Sotheby’s
Auction Date: 2023
Price: HK$29,490,000
Zhang Daqian, "Dragon Lady Worshiping Buddha"
Auction House: Sotheby’s
Auction Date: 2023
Price: HK$29,490,000
Lu Zhi, "Yunchuan Landscape Scroll"
Auction House: Sotheby’s
Auction Date: 2023
Price: HK$42,800,000
Zhao Mengfu, "Prajnaparamita Heart Sutra"
Auction House: Beijing Poly Auction
Auction Date: 2017
Price: ¥190,900,000
Calligraphy by Emperor Gaozong, Emperor Xiaozong, Emperor Guangzong, and Emperor Ningzong of the Southern Song Dynasty: "The Four Imperial Calligraphies"
Auction House: China Guardian
Auction Date: 2017
Price: ¥49,500,000
Wen Zhengming, "Running Script: Seven-Character Poem Scroll"
Auction House: Christie’s
Auction Date: 2019
Price: HK$71,908,560
Calligraphy and seal engraving are not just investments in art but also expressions of personal aesthetic taste. To build a personalized investment portfolio in calligraphy and painting, one must first select works based on personal interest, focusing on specific periods or schools, and then create a unique thematic collection. By deeply understanding the creative journey of the artists, collectors can choose works that resonate with them, thereby enhancing the uniqueness of their collection and making the process more meaningful. Additionally, selecting works with personalized themes and styles, and pursuing unique artistic expressions, will enrich the diversity and depth of the collection.
When collecting calligraphy and seal engraving works, it is important to consider the following:
Authentication
Ensure that calligraphy and seal engraving works are authenticated by qualified institutions to avoid purchasing counterfeits.
Preservation Conditions
Calligraphy works are sensitive to environmental factors and should be protected from direct sunlight, humidity, and high temperatures. Seal engravings require protection from damage and oxidation of the stone material.
Market Research
Conduct thorough market research before purchasing, particularly on the historical sale records of the artist and the potential for future appreciation.
Provenance
Pay attention to the provenance of the works, ensuring that the source is legal and accompanied by complete transaction records.
Artist Background
Understanding the artist's life, creative journey, and style helps in assessing the artistic value and collectability of the works.
Consultation with Experts
Regularly engage with experts and scholars in the collecting community to gain professional opinions and insights into market trends, thereby enhancing your collecting acumen.
For collectors looking to expand their investment portfolio, diversification is a wise strategy. Exploring different art fields, such as painting and ink painting, not only satisfies diverse aesthetic preferences but also helps reduce investment risks. Additionally, focusing on contemporary artists and discovering future art stars is a promising avenue to explore. By interacting with professionals and acquiring market information, collectors can enhance their investment judgment and foresight, ultimately creating a more personalized and forward-looking collection.
In conclusion, attending high-level exhibitions and appreciating outstanding works provide collectors with rich choices and investment opportunities. Whether it’s the historical depth of ancient calligraphy or the innovative vitality of contemporary calligraphy, both contain immense artistic value and potential for collection. For those who love art and are passionate about calligraphy, exploring the world of calligraphy and seal engraving is not only an aesthetic pleasure but also a wise investment.
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