Sotheby’s Hong Kong 20th Century Chinese Arts Spring Sale 2010 performed well above its pre-sale estimate and achieved a total of $13.15 million, although only 80% of the lots sold. The sale was distinguished by an exceptional group of paintings representing different periods of work by the Chinese master Zao Wou-Ki – from his early, circa 1950, figurative work The Lillies which brought in $1.2 million, through his transitional phase 4.4.1959 ($2.6 million; photo) to his pioneering abstraction 10-3-78 ($1.9 million). The artist had the top four lots of the sales.Sotheby’s Hong Kong 20th Century Chinese Arts Spring Sale 2010 performed well above its pre-sale estimate and achieved a total of $13.15 million, although only 80% of the lots sold. The sale was distinguished by an exceptional group of paintings representing different periods of work by the Chinese master Zao Wou-Ki – from his early, circa 1950, figurative work The Lillies which brought in $1.2 million, through his transitional phase 4.4.1959 ($2.6 million; photo) to his pioneering abstraction 10-3-78 ($1.9 million). The artist had the top four lots of the sales.