Top-ranking relics to be auctioned

Over 6,600 works of art, rare books and documents, ancient furniture, ceramic works and jewelry will go under the hammer in 29 special sales by China Guardian Auctions till Tuesday at the Beijing International Hotel.

The highlight is ten lots, recognized by experts from the Administration of Cultural Heritage as top-ranking cultural relics.

Among them are two letters written by revolutionist Li Dazhao and writer Zhou Zuoren to Hu Shih, a well-known scholar in modern China who founded the New Youth magazine in 1918. There is also a ceramic vessel (pictured) for Buddhist practice made in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911).

There are also five hand-written Buddhist sutras by lay Buddhists of the Tang Dynasty and the Five Dynasties (AD 618-960), and three rare books about Buddhism carved in the Song Dynasty (960-1279).

However, State-owned art organizations have priority to bid for these lots before private buyers do, organizers say.