Qi Baishi's "Tiger" auctioned off for 3.6 mln US dollars

A rare painting by 20th Century Chinese art master Qi Baishi was auctioned off for 28 million Hong Kong dollars, about 3.6 million US dollars on Tuesday in Hong Kong. The work was the star lot at Sotheby's Hong Kong spring sale.

The starting price for Qi Baishi's 1950 inkbrush "Tiger" painting is 15 million Hong Kong dollars. After fierce bidding, it finally went under the hammer for 28 million.

A rare painting by 20th Century Chinese art master Qi Baishi was auctioned off for 28 million Hong Kong dollars, about 3.6 million US dollars on Tuesday in HK.

The high price was achieved partly due to the work's rarity. Qi is known for painting birds, insects, and flowers. He seldom painted such large beasts like a tiger. However, he painted this one at the age of 90 as a present to his good friend -- General Yang Hu.

The value was also partly due to the symbolism during the Chinese year of the tiger and impeccable provenance from the collection of renowned collector Robert Chang.

Another star lot Fu Baoshi's "Flaying Flute in Dongshan" sold at 12.5 million Hong Kong dollars. Altogether 30 classical Chinese paintings were auctioned at the sale with a total price of over one hundred million Hong Kong dollars.

The market has seen a growing demand for classical paintings and calligraphy. 2009 saw Chinese classical painting retake its historic position as the most valued form of art collected by Chinese.