The over 260 lots are expected to make around US$13 million dollars.

An increased interest in all things Chinese, has seen contemporary Chinese art gain in popularity in recent years.

The star lot in the sale is Qi Baishi´s Tiger painted in 1950, also a year of the tiger. The painting is dedicated to General Yang Hu who held several positions in the army and navy during the short-lived reign of Yuan Shikao, China´s first president.

Painting a tiger in the year of the tiger was considered an auspicious undertaking but the position of the animal makes this painting unique.

The painting is expected to fetch over US$3.6 million at auction.

Other highlights include Fu Baoshi´s ´Playing Flute in Dongshan" which is expected to make almost US$2 million dollars and Landscape by Zhang Daqian.

The global art market has seen a surge in both growth and confidence particularly in Asia.

This has partly been underpinned by the astounding ascendance of new buyers internationally as well as from the region, especially China.