GAO QIPEI (ATTRIBUTED TO, 1660-1734)
Ducks in Lotus Pond
Hanging scroll, ink and colour on paper
182.5 x 54 cm. (71 ⁷⁄₈ x 21 ¹⁄₄ in.)
Inscribed and signed, with three seals of the artist
Dated autumn, seventh month, bingchen year

Dedication & Self-Improvement – The Liu Jing Xiu Tang Collection of Chinese Paintings

It was a sensation when Christie’s Hong Kong proudly presented the Liu Jing Xiu Tang Collection of Chinese Paintings in May 2013. This time, we are very honoured to present the second installment of this collection, comprising 16 Classical and Modern works that belonged to the illustrious industrialist - textile giant of modern China, Mr Liu Kuo Chun (1887-1978).

Born in Shengci town, Jingjiang city of Jiangsu province, Liu Kuo Chun studied briefly at private school at the age of 10. In 1901, he went to Changzhou to make a living and subsequently started a business in textile trading with a dye workshop. In 1916, he established Dalun Machine Weaving Factory with his partners and in 1918, he opened Guangyi Weaving Factory in sole proprietorship. In 1930, he set up Dacheng Textile Printing and Dyeing Co., Ltd. In 1938 he established Anda Textile Co. Ltd. in Shanghai and in 1948, he set up South Cotton Mill Ltd. in Hong Kong. He returned to China in 1950 and served as Chairman and General Manager of Dacheng Company, and Vice Chairman and Deputy General Manager of Anda Company. Later he served as a Deputy to the National People’s Congress, Vice Governor of Jiangsu Province, Vice Chairman of the Jiangsu Provincial Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and Member of the Standing Committee of Jiangsu Provincial People’s Congress, to name but a few.

With a gift of discerning opportunities, a passion for advanced technology and management reform and a strength of horses for courses, Liu Kuo Chun eventually became the leader in the textile industry of the time. In 1941 he began acquiring paintings and calligraphy in Shanghai. He also attended exhibitions, where he met and made friends with collectors and connoisseurs such as Qian Jingtang (1907-1983), Wu Hufan (1894-1968), Xie Zhiliu (1910-1997) and Wang Nanping (1924-1985). Through their appreciation sessions from time to time, Mr Liu enhanced his knowledge on paintings and calligraphy. Later he acquired many works from private collections in Nanjing, Beijing, Chongqing , Hong Kong and Changzhou etc. that enriched the quality and quantity of the Liu Jing Xiu Tang Collection.

Named after Mr Liu’s motto ‘Dedication and Self-Improvement’, the Liu Jing Xiu Tang is one of the buildings in his former residence in Shengci town, Jingjiang city. Mr Liu not only had outstanding business achievements but also a strong sense of social responsibility. A philanthropist, he sponsored various charitable projects related to education, temple restoration, etc. Part of his paintings, calligraphy and furniture collection had been donated to various cultural institutions, including Nanjing Museum, Changzhou Museum, Changshu Museum and Jingjiang Archives, for sharing his love of art with the society.