To mark the 11th running of its spring auction during New York’s Asia Week, Gianguan Auctions has assembled a top-notch collection historic and modern scroll paintings and works of art that will hold special appeal for collectors.

The auction, slated for Sunday, March 16, at 295 Madison Avenue, will be conducted in two sessions. The first session beginning at 11 a.m. is exclusively paintings.

The highlight of the paintings is Spring Time, an ink and color on paper scroll by Southern Song Dynasty court painter Ma Lin (ca. 1180—after 1256), whose famous father Ma Yuan taught him the art of painting. The scroll depicts two parrots on a cherry blossom limb above a peacock atop rockery and a peahen on the ground. The work is further enhanced with prominent cherry blossoms. Bearing the artist’s signature and seal, its provenance is evidenced by Nine Emperor’s Seals and Twelve Collectors seals. It has a colophon by Fan Qin. Lot 38 has a catalog estimate of $1,000,000 - $1,500,000.

Also on the list of highly desirable paintings is Two Racing Stallion by Xu Beihong (1895 - 1953). One of the first Chinese artists to apply Western oil painting techniques to epic Chinese themes, Xu Beihong was instrumental in organizing the first international exhibition of Chinese artists in 1933. He later introduced Qi Baishi and Ren Bonian to art lovers at the Royal Albert Hall. Two Racing Stallion, created at the height of the master’s oeuvre, typifies one his favorite subject matters, horses. The ink and color on paper is dated 1942. It is signed Beihong and caries two artist seals. Lot 32 is valued at $150,000 - $200,000.

Two Solitary Hermits by Zhang Daqian (1899-1983) is a dramatic depiction of Boyi and Shuqi, the Zhou Dynasty pacifists whose protest against an unfeeling emperor ended in death by starvation. Portrayed in a tranquil mountain landscape, color fields of strong blue (for the ground) and red (the robe on one brother) create artistic tension.The highly acclaimed 20th C. master, Zhang Daqian, dedicated this painting to a friend. It is an ink and color on paper, dated 1945, inscribed and signed Zhang Daqian. It carries two artist’s seals. Positioned at Lot 23, the pre-sale estimate is $50,000 - $70,000.

Contemporary ink collectors will find Running Script Calligraphy by Fu Shan (1607-1685) an important historic link to today’s trends in calligraphy. The painting by one of the leading art theorists of the 17th C. was created on the cusp of the Ming/Qing Dynasty, during which transformative foundations were set for the stele school of calligraphy.  The signed ink on paper scroll carries one artist seal.  Lot 45, it is expected to fetch $50,000 - $80,000.

Chrysanthemum by Me Lanfang (1894-1961), the multi-talented artist also known for his operatic Qingyi roles, is representative of the many fine moderate level paintings in the sale. This charming signature floral scroll painting, ink and color on paper, is inscribed by the artist and bears two artist seals. The pre-sale valuation of Lot 24 is $6,000 - $8,000.

For a comprehensive view of the paintings and decorative antiques in the Gianguan Auctions Asia Week sale, please visit www.gianguanauctions.com. For condition reports, please call the Gallery Director at 212-867-7288 or email info@gianguanauctions.com.

Gianguan Auctions is located at 295 Madison Avenue (Entrance on 41st Street). The  auction is Sunday, March 16th. Session 1 begins at 11:00 a.m. Session 2 - Chinese Ceramics and Objects of Beauty - starts at 2:00 p.m. Previews begin March 8 and run through March 15.