TAIPEI – A Chinese painting, “The Bounty,” created by the celebrated Chinese painter Qi Baishi at the age of 93, sold on March 26 for 1,705,000 yuan (US$206,000) in Beijing.

According to Xinhua News Agency, this painting is special because of the unique calligraphy which states, “To Comrade XX, Qi Baishi, age 93, painted in the capital.” A consultant of the Zhongmao Shenjia Auction Company indicated that this style of autograph with the word “comrade” is extremely rare among Qi Baishi’s collection.

This 105.5 centimeters (41.5 inches) high and 34 cm (13.4 inches) wide painting was heavily bid upon starting at 38,000 yuan (US$4,600). It took more than 10 rounds of bidding before it was sold at a price of 1,705,000 yuan (US$206,000). This year, the Zhongmao Shenjia Company offered 1,703 paintings, an unprecedented number of high quality pieces for this auction.