Tang Yin's calligraphy scroll in xingshu, or semi-cursive script, sold for 59.6 million yuan ($8.7 million) in Beijing. Photos provided to China Daily

A calligraphy scroll in xingshu, or semi-cursive script, has sold for 60 million yuan ($8.7 million) at a Beijing sale of classic Chinese paintings and calligraphy.

One of the "four great masters of Ming Dynasty", Tang Yin (1470-1524) composed three poems for this piece expressing his dissatisfaction at not being recognized in polite circles.

It was included in the Catalog of Ancient Chinese Paintings and Calligraphy compiled in the 1980s.

The calligraphy generated competitive bidding in China Guardian Auctions' "Grand View" sale.

Dozens of classic Chinese paintings and calligraphic pieces went under the hammer.

These increasingly rare items have attracted more interest over the last three years with buyers seeking a sound source of origin.

A four-screen painting of flowers and birds by Zhu Da (1626-1705), also known as Bada Shanren, the legendary monk painter and a descendant of the Ming royal family, fetched the second biggest selling price. The painting sold for 43.7 million yuan.

Guofang Tie (A Letter to Visiting Friend) by Song Dynasty poet and calligrapher Zeng Yu (1073-1135) came in third, grossing 40.2 million yuan.