From a cobalt blue-white qinghua bowl from the reign of Emperor Chenghua of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) to the calligraphy of Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911); from a vivid painting album of the prolific 19th-century artist Ren Xiong to the serene, rainy landscapes of southern China by modern master Wu Guanzhong, the continuation and transformations in royal aesthetics and Chinese art over centuries are reviewed at the preview shows of the Beijing Poly International Auction's autumn sales.

Nearly 4,000 works of arts and crafts are on show until Dec 8. Sales will take place until Dec 10.

Pieces for sale include a work from the Jingangpo period of Fu Baoshi (1904-65), a preeminent ink artist of the 20th century, that refers to the eight years he took refuge near Jingangpo in the western suburb of Chongqing during the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression (1931-45). It was during this time that Fu established a style inspired by the unique, mountainous landscapes of Chongqing and ancient paintings, marked by his signature shading technique.

Enthusiasts of classical Chinese furniture will find beds, armchairs and other examples of the Ming and Qing dynasties. Furniture from this period is known for the use of select rare woods, fine craftsmanship and artistry that forms minimalist beauty.