WHO WE ARE

Hougai Tang is a specialized project dedicated to the identification, acquisition, preservation, documentation, and presentation of European artworks for collectors in China. Our activities combine art sourcing, provenance research, conservation coordination, collection development, educational content, and long-term cultural preservation.

Through a network of auction houses, galleries, collectors, restorers, and art professionals across Europe, and particularly in France, Hougai Tang selects primarily artworks that reflect the artistic, historical, and cultural heritage of Europe between 1830 and 1940.

All artworks presented by Hougai Tang are acquired through documented transactions with auction houses, galleries, private collections, artists' estates, professional dealers, and other recognized participants in the European art market.

The project operates through Hougai Tang Ltd., Hong Kong, and its authorized Chinese operating partner, YILI Shanghai Trading Co., Ltd.

AUTHENTICITY AND PROVENANCE

All artworks offered through Hougai Tang have been acquired through documented transactions from established art-market institutions and professional sellers.

A Hougai Tang Certificate of Authenticity and Provenance is provided with every artwork. Attributions, descriptions, dates, and historical information are based upon the information available at the time of acquisition and upon documentation supplied by the selling institutions, experts, or other sources considered reliable.

ARTWORK AVAILABILITY

All artworks displayed on the website are offered subject to prior sale. While every effort is made to keep availability information current, availability is confirmed manually before final acceptance of an order.

ARTWORK INFORMATION AND CONDITION

Each artwork presented on the Hougai Tang website includes photographs, dimensions, descriptive information, and condition observations whenever relevant.

Many artworks may display normal signs of age, restoration, craquelure, frame wear, or other characteristics consistent with their age and history. Significant condition issues are disclosed on our website.

Colors may vary slightly due to photography, lighting conditions, monitor calibration, mobile devices, and screen settings. Buyers are responsible for reviewing dimensions and suitability before purchase.

FRAMES

All artworks offered by Hougai Tang are sold framed. Artworks acquired without frames have been professionally framed prior to importation into China to ensure proper presentation, protection, and immediate display.

Where an artwork was acquired with its original or period frame, that frame has been preserved whenever possible and restored when appropriate, as it forms an integral part of the artwork's historical character and presentation.

As many of these frames are antique and may be several decades or more than a century old, normal signs of age and wear should be expected. Minor imperfections, historical repairs, corner-joint separations, surface marks, or small losses to decorative elements are common characteristics of period frames and do not constitute defects.

VIEWING AN ARTWORK

Private viewings may be arranged by appointment. Our collection is stored in a dedicated art storage facility located in Jinshan District. Appointments should normally be arranged at least 24 hours in advance.

INTERIOR DESIGN ASSISTANCE

Hougai Tang may assist clients in selecting artworks suitable for homes, offices, hotels, restaurants, or commercial spaces. Recommendations are advisory in nature.

PERSONAL ASSISTANCE FOR COLLECTORS

Collectors or buyers seeking additional guidance may request a private consultation with our Hougai Tang curator. Such consultations may include discussion of provenance, artistic context, condition, conservation history, framing, transportation arrangements, or collection-building considerations.

As Hougai Tang's curator is based overseas, consultations are conducted by appointment via WeChat. All consultations are provided in Chinese and are subject to availability.

PRICING POLICY

Artwork prices are established individually and reflect the artistic, historical, and commercial characteristics of each work. As a general rule, prices are firm and not subject to negotiation.

PAYMENT SECURITY

Payments must be made exclusively to the official bank accounts designated by Hougai Tang or its authorized operating entity. Banking instructions are communicated directly by the company on our website or through official channels.

Hougai Tang will never request payment to a private individual, personal bank account, or unofficial third-party account. Buyers are encouraged to verify payment instructions before transferring funds and to contact the company immediately if they receive any suspicious payment request.

PAYMENT

Title to the artwork shall pass to the purchaser only upon receipt of the full purchase price in the bank account of YILI Shanghai Trading Co., Ltd. No reservation or hold of artwork is permitted prior to payment. Payments may be made by bank transfer, WeChat Pay (Weixin Pay), or Alipay. Payment instructions will be provided upon confirmation of purchase.

INVOICES AND FAPIAO

Upon completion of a sale, the buyer will receive an official sales invoice issued by the entity responsible for the transaction. Where applicable and permitted under Chinese regulations, a Chinese VAT invoice (fapiao) will be issued upon request. The availability and type of invoice depend on the legal structure of the transaction and the applicable tax regulations at the time of sale.

LEGAL IMPORTATION

All artworks offered for sale have been imported into China in accordance with applicable customs, taxation, and cultural heritage regulations.

All applicable import duties, taxes, and administrative charges have been settled with the relevant Chinese authorities prior to the artwork being offered for sale.

Buyers purchasing artworks from Hougai Tang within Mainland China are not required to undertake any import procedures or customs formalities related to the original importation of the artwork.

PACKAGING

Hougai Tang takes great care in preparing artworks for shipment. All paintings are packed using professional art-handling materials and methods designed to provide the highest possible level of protection during transport.

Every reasonable precaution is taken to ensure that artworks arrive safely and in the condition in which they left our facilities. Buyers are requested to inspect the package upon delivery and to report any transport-related damage without delay.

TRANSPORTATION AND DELIVERY

Unless otherwise agreed in writing, all transportation and delivery costs are the sole responsibility of the purchaser. Buyers are free to arrange collection and transportation through a carrier of their own choice. Upon request, Hougai Tang may also assist in organizing shipments through one of its preferred transport partners. Such assistance is provided solely as a convenience to the buyer and does not make Hougai Tang a party to the transportation contract.

All risks associated with transportation, handling, loss, theft, delay, or damage pass to the purchaser once the artwork has been made available for collection or has been released to the carrier designated by the purchaser or arranged on the purchaser's behalf.

Buyers are strongly encouraged to ensure that adequate transportation insurance is in place before shipment takes place.

RETURN POLICY

All sales are considered final. Returns based solely upon personal preference, change of mind, color perception, framing preference, decorative suitability, or compatibility with a specific interior cannot be accepted.

PRIVACY AND PERSONAL DATA

Personal information is collected solely for managing enquiries, processing purchases, arranging deliveries, providing customer support, and maintaining transaction records. Hougai Tang does not sell personal information.

COPYRIGHT

All photographs, texts, descriptions, certificates, and other content displayed on this website are the property of Hougai Tang or are used with permission. Unauthorized reproduction or commercial use is prohibited.

WEBSITE INFORMATION

Hougai Tang reserves the right to correct typographical errors, pricing errors, inaccuracies, omissions, or technical mistakes at any time and without prior notice.

CONTACT

Please contact us using the details provided on the Contact page.

You may contact our office by telephone during business hours. A member of our team will be pleased to assist you and answer your questions to the best of their knowledge and authority. Should your enquiry require additional expertise or information, it will be referred to the appropriate member of the Hougai Tang team for follow-up.