Page 152 - Fine Chinese Art Christies London May 2018

PROPERTY FROM A PRIVATE NORTHERN IRISH COLLECTION (LOTS 152 AND 153)
Dr Douglas James Smyth Crozier was a prominent member of the Hong Kong educational community during the mid-20th century. His career culminated in ten
years of service as Hong Kong’s Director of Education, with a seat on the Legislative Council, from 1951-1961, and on the Executive Council, 1956-1961. In 1961
Crozier was awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Hong Kong, praised in the Chairman’s citation for his vision, energy and drive; and in 1969, an
honorary Doctor of Laws from the Chinese University of Hong Kong, for the foundation of which he had made representations to London.
Crozier built up a small but signifcant collection of Chinese paintings and calligraphy through gifts received for his tireless work to improve Hong Kong’s
education system. Highlights of the collection include one work by Qi Baishi (1863-1957) (lot 152) and another by Ding Yanyong (1902-1978) (lot 153). Qi’s Begonias
are dated to the 86th year of his life, and exemplify his later oeuvre’s combination of spontaneous and fuid brushwork with a mastery of tonal variation. In Ding’s
painting the arresting, wide-eyed bird alludes to eccentric Qing dynasty master Bada Shanren (1626-1705), updated with a modern twist in the graphic use of red
for the fowering morning glory.

152
QI BAISHI (1863-1957) 齊白石 海棠 設色紙本 立軸
BEGONIAS
題識：八十六歲白石畫于京華城西青銕屋
Hanging scroll, ink and colour on paper
Inscribed and signed, with two seals of the artist 鈐印：白石翁、吾家衡嶽山下
Dated to the 86th year of his life
35º x 13¬ in. (89.5 x 34.5 cm.) 來源：香港教育司 D.J.S. Crozier C.M.G.(1908-1976)約1951
至1961年間購自香港;北愛爾蘭私人珍藏，家傳至今
£60,000-80,000 $85,000-110,000
€69,000-92,000

PROVENANCE
Acquired in Hong Kong by The Hon. D.J.S. Crozier C.M.G. (1908-1976),
Director of Education for Hong Kong 1951-1961, and then by descent to the
present owner.
Dr Douglas James Smyth Crozier was a prominent member of the Hong
Kong educational community during the mid-20th century. His career
culminated in ten years of service as Hong Kong’s Director of Education,
with a seat on the Legislative Council, from 1951-1961, and on the Executive
Council, 1956-1961. In 1961 Crozier was awarded an honorary doctorate
by the University of Hong Kong, praised in the Chairman’s citation for his
vision, energy and drive; and in 1969, an honorary Doctor of Laws from the
Chinese University of Hong Kong, for the foundation of which he had made
representations to London.
Crozier built up a small but signifcant collection of Chinese paintings and
calligraphy through gifts received for his tireless work to improve Hong
Kong’s education system. Highlights of the collection include one work by
Qi Baishi (1863-1957) (lot 152) and another by Ding Yanyong (1902-1978)
(lot 153). Qi’s Begonias are dated to the 86th year of his life, and exemplify
his later oeuvre’s combination of spontaneous and fuid brushwork with
a mastery of tonal variation. In Ding’s painting the arresting, wide-eyed
bird alludes to eccentric Qing dynasty master Bada Shanren (1626-1705),
updated with a modern twist in the graphic use of red for the fowering
morning glory.

A similar painting of Begonias, Butterfy and Grasshopper by Qi Baishi, dated
to the 87th year of his life, and dedicated to Edward Anderberg, US State
Department Economic Analyst in China, can be found in the collection of the
Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. Accession number 2008.188.4.

150 Other fees apply in addition to the hammer price – see Section D of our Conditions of Sale at the back of this Catalogue