4) "Han Gong Qiu Tu" by an anonymous ancient painter
Though the origin of the painting "Han Gong Qiu Tu" has not been determined, its value has not been affected. On Dec. 4, 2010, the picture was sold for 168 million yuan (US$26.47 million) to an anonymous buyer, also via telephone bid.
The starting price was 30 million, but after three minutes the price exceeded 100 million yuan, and attracted two anonymous buyers who engaged in over 30 rounds of bidding.
The painting illustrates a story related to Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty. One day the emperor was talking with one of his ministers at Weiyang Palace, when they suddenly saw a fairy maiden landing nearby. The painting employs colorful pigments rarely seen in Song Dynasty works.
