Bund-aba

(Chinese, active 1850-1885), View of the Bund at Shanghai, circa 1855, unsigned, oil on canvas, 20-3/4 x 37-1/4 in.; original reticulated Chinese Export frame. The palette of brown and blue and the minute detail of the brushwork suggest the hand of Chow Kwa, who was noted for his remarkable versatility and attention to fine detail. It is thought that Chow Kwa set up a studio in Shanghai in 1855, which is also approximately when this painting was executed. It depicts the Customs House as it appeared with renovated wings following damage incurred during The Sword Rebellion. To the far right is the British Consulate. To the right of the center is the Augustine Heard & Co. building, to which was added an imposing third story around 1854. The river is busy with various types of shipping vessels including an American steamer to the left. Acquired in China, this painting was brought back to the United States by Thomas Peck Bucklin (see lot 0288) on the clipper ship [Comet] sometime between 1854 and 1863. Bucklin was co-owner (Bucklin & Crane, New York) of the ship, which made a record passage from Liverpool to Hong Kong in 1854.

Sold at Brunk Auctions, Asheville, NC for USD420,000.00 from a starting price of USD50,000 and a top estimate of USD90,000. Chinese art of whatever medium is seeing some remarkable prices.