A recently discovered painting entitled "Chess Game abut of Screen," (Chong Ping Hui Qi Tu) by Five Dynasties court painter Zhou Wenju (942-961) appears to be the original of a painting by the same name that hangs in China's Forbidden Palace and has long been considered a Chinese National Treasure. It will be on view at Gianguan Auctions in New York and is included in the catalog for the gallery's March 19th sale. 

According to a two-page catalog description in English and Chinese, experts have long held the known version of "Chess Game abut of Screen" is a copy, most likely painted by Song Emperor Zong, who was known to have enjoyed making studies of master works from previous dynasties  The new attribution, which comes from a private collection, is made on factors of size, style of painting and inscriptions. 

Zhou Wenju was a Five Dynasties court painter from Jiangsu province. He served under Southern Tang Dynasty emperor Li Yu and was renown for landscapes, figures, vehicles, horses and architecture paintings. Emperor Li often summoned him together with fellow painter Gu Hongzhong to the palace to record banquets and nightlife. A unique feature of Zhou Wenju’s work was his fibrillation pen techniques, which is absent in the version in the Forbidden Palace.

"Chess Game abut of Screen" is described in the catalog as Lot 92, an ink and color on silk with colophons by Song Huizong, Qianlong, Zhang Chou. It has five Emperors seals and two Collectors seals. Interested parties are invited to contact the Gallery Director of Gianguan Auctions for more information.

In addition to "Chess Game abut of Screen," a large collection of exceptional Chinese paintings will come to the podium. Among them is Lot 78, "Five Cattle” by Yan Ciping of the Southern Song Dynasty. The period was one of heightened appreciation for art and fine paintings were often copied. Such is the case with this painting which is after Han Huang’s earlier “Five Cattle”. It is expected to command as much as $5,000,000.

For the complete catalog of Chinese paintings in Gianguan Auctions March 19th sale, please visit www.gianguanauctions.com.

Gianguan Auctions, now in its 13th year, recently moved to 39 West 56th Street, second floor. The March 19th sale will be the second auction in the new space. Gallery founder and president is Kwong Lum.