A stellar collection of Chinese scholarly and popular paintings comes to the podium on Saturday, June 10, at Gianguan Auctions, NYC.  

The day's marquee is work is "Bird in a Lotus Pond" by Zhu Da (Bada Shanren), the Ming prince turned monk turned professional artist whose works are currently in great demand. The ink on paper portrays an isolated, long beaked bird on a broken branch, caught between pond below and flowers above. It is signed in characters that resemble signs for laughing and crying, and  has one artist seal. It is Lot 80, expected to go off at more than $1.5M. 

The remarkable slate of historic works includes "Scholar in the Mountain,” by Qing Dynasty painter Shi Tao. Dated 1686, inscribed and signed, with one artist seal, the work contrasts the lasting grandeur of nature with the ephemeral life of mortals. It is Lot 111, opening at $200,000.

“Stormy Wind and Waves,” by Yuan Yao, dated 1754, inscribed and signed, depicts a small boat making its way through the channel of a mountain river. It has one artist seal. Positioned at Lot 139, bidding starts at S100,000.

Another 17th century ink on paper titled “Bamboo,” was created by Zheng Xin (Ban Qiao). The two dominant stalks in the foreground are interspersed with calligraphy. The painting is inscribed, signed and bears two artist seals. Lot 108 opens at $150,000.

Modern master, Xu Beihong’s 1943 work “Two Horses Drinking Water” is a powerful portrayal of the pair at rest, untethered and comfortable, perhaps a graphic parable. It is inscribed and signed Beihong and has two artist seals. Lot 202, it is valued at $80,000 or above.

Qi Baishi’s vibrant “Rooster and Young” brings the traits of fidelity and punctuality to the fore as the dynamic animal, proud in its yellow and black plumage and red cockscomb, shows two downy young he is master of the roost. Signed, with three artist seals, the opening bid on Lot 90 is $80,000.

For the complete slate of Chinese scroll paintings, many with animals and plants depicting harmony, good fortune, health, please visit the online catalog at www.gianguanauctions.com. The price range for the paintings runs from $5,000 up.