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Sunday, 27 May 2007, 15:12 GMT 16:12 UK

In pictures: Asian art auction

A painting entitled Street Musician by Indonesian artist Hendra Gunawan (1918-1983)

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The London-based auction house Christie's has opened a sale of Asian art in Hong Kong, amid booming demand from both art lovers and investors in the region.

A child looks at a painting by South Korean artist Hong Kyong-tack entitled Pencil One

A child looks at a painting by South Korean artist Hong Kyong-tack entitled Pencil One

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On Sunday, the focus was on contemporary art, like this painting by South Korean artist Hong Kyong-tack, entitled Pencil One.

Christie's Dick Lee next to Portrait of the Artist and His Friends by Yue Minjun

Christie's Dick Lee next to Portrait of the Artist and His Friends by Yue Minjun

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Portrait of the Artist and His Friends by Chinese artist Yue Minjun, known for his paintings of grinning faces, was one of the day's top lots.

Zhao Wuji's abstract painting entitled 14.12.59

Zhao Wuji's abstract painting entitled 14.12.59

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A painting by Zhao Wuji, intended to show what organisers called "vividness and harmonious energy" of Chinese culture, set a record for the artist when it sold for US$3.78m.

Bronze sculptures entitled Taiji Series - Big Sparring by Ju Ming

Bronze sculptures entitled Taiji Series - Big Sparring by Ju Ming

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A pair of giant bronze figures by Chinese sculptor Ju Ming, who believes that only art derived from nature possesses true beauty, went for almost $2m.

Portrait of a Lady by Xu Beihong

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One of the star lots was Portrait of a Lady, a work painted by Xu Beihong (1895-1953) when he visited Singapore in 1939.

A gilt-incised lacquer throne dating from the Kangxi period (1662-1772)

A gilt-incised lacquer throne dating from the Kangxi period (1662-1772)

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The four-day sale also features classical paintings, ceramics and other art objects, like this gilt-incised lacquer throne dating from China's Kangxi period (1662-1772).

Two ceramic peach bowls dating from the Yongzheng period (1723-1735)

Two ceramic peach bowls dating from the Yongzheng period (1723-1735)

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These Chinese peach bowls dating from the early part of the 18th Century are expected to fetch nearly $4m when they are auctioned off on Tuesday.

The Biography of Mi Dian, as written by calligrapher Zhu Yunming

The Biography of Mi Dian, as written by calligrapher Zhu Yunming

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Works by Ming dynasty artist Zhu Yunming, a calligrapher who lived from 1450-1526 in Suzhou on China's east coast, are also up for sale. (Photos: Christie's unless otherwise stated)

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Related to this story:
Asian art sale opens in Hong Kong (27 May 07 | Asia-Pacific )