Ancient Chinese calligrapher's work sold for 46 million dollars

New Delhi, Nov.21 (ANI): A rare hand scroll copy of ancient Chinese calligrapher Wang Xizhi's work was sold Saturday for a staggering 308 million Yuan (46.38 million dollars) at the autumn auction of the Beijing-based China Guardian.

The high auction price was, in the history of the Chinese mainland art market, only second to calligrapher Huang Tingjian's hand scroll "Pillar Ming," which was purchased for 436.8 million Yuan in 2009.

Wang, from the Jin Dynasty around the 4th century, is traditionally acclaimed as the Sage of Calligraphy.

However, none of his original works exist, making this cursive script, named "Safety Wish Script," especially rare for its high quality copy and the clear history of the succession of its collectors, which date back to the Yuan Dynasty (1206-1368).

According to China Guardian Vice President Hu Yanyan, the copy of the original script had nine lines and was later divided into two parts.

The item at Saturday's auction was the first half, with four lines and forty-one characters. (ANI)