 Qi Bashi work featuring plum blossom |
The items, all of which were 20th century ink and colour scroll paintings, were expected to reach highs of just $20,000. However, the continued success of Baishi works and the unquestionable provenance of these items ensured this outstanding success.
The works were part of the Wen Tsan Yu art collection, along with paintings by some of the best-known names in Chinese art.
All five Qi Baishi pieces were signed and sealed by the artist and dedicated to "Yu San" (Wen Tsan Yu's moniker).
Each of the pieces were also stamped with the collector's personal seal.
"Yu's collection is one of the rare collections by a Chinese scholar to come to auction. This collection of art and antiques is among the best I've ever seen." said Ben Wang, the auction house's Asian Specialist.
Three floral scroll paintings on paper reached the highest bids, selling for $410,000, $480,000 and one piece featuring plum blossoms achieving $510,000 against an estimate of $20,000-30,000.
Paul Fraser Collectibles has previously reported on the sale of a pair of Qi Baishi screens, which achieved $9m in a Sotheby's sale last week.
The Chinese artist's work has enjoyed great success in recent years, with Eagle Standing on Pine Tree becoming one of the most expensive paintings ever sold in auction in 2011.
Porcelain also featured heavily in the Wen Tsan Yu collection, with a pair of Famille Verte Bowls selling for $300,000 and a Chinese Republic Period Famille Rose Vase achieving $220,000 against an estimate of just $400.
Collectors may have been spurred on by the sale of this Song dynasty bowl, which set a world-record at Sotheby's last week, with US bidders eager to invest in the successes of the Chinese market.
