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Why does it seem that there is no demand for original works by Hui Chi Mau?

I bought this original painting titled '5 Tigers' by Hui Chi Mau (b.1922). It is a large painting and the painted area measures 54.5" long x 28" tall.

The painting, along with about a dozen smaller bird & flower and various landscape paintings by Mau, came into a local consignment shop about a year ago. The previous owner was a fan and friend of the artist.

Because I could not find auction records to substantiate the market value of the paintings, I waited until now (almost a year) to buy the tiger painting. Its large size, unusual subject matter, and substantially reduced price tag made it a MUST HAVE.

I found 2 online records that talks a bit about the artist's biographical history:

http://images.igavelauctions.com/x/161/Na55739/153359d.jpg

http://p2.la-img.com/359/29665/11493922_3_l.jpg

From what I can assess, Mau's paintings were sold through Lord & Taylors (department store) - sounds a bit commercial. However, I also see he was a student of Qi Bashi (spelled Chi Pai Shi in the text of the 2nd link).

I see auction records for his lithographs sold through DuMouchelles that have sold in the low to mid hundreds, and small original paintings in a similar range (the paintings did not look all that appealing).

So, I am wondering if there is a market for his works in China that may not be reflected in the auction records available here in the USA, or if he is considered a sell out to the commercial world and that there is no real interest in his paintings.

In any regards, I am quite pleased with my purchase and look forward to comments.

Thanks.

I have a painting of his with three tigers. I also have a short bio:
"Hui Chi Mau comes from a long line of gentleman-scholars, who since the days of the Sung Dynasty have traditionally been associated with calligraphy, poetry and painting. He was born in 1922 in the province of Chekiang, near the famous West Lake of Hangchow. He studied classic Chinese Brush painting at the National Art Academy, Hanchow, China and was a protege of Chi Pai-shih, who until his death in 1965 had been China's foremost artist for almost a century. Mr. Mau is most famous for his Chinese impressionist floral-butterfly-birds and contemporary black and white horses, which have won several awards. He had his first one-man show in the US at San Diego Museum in 1967. New York Graphic Society has reproduced Mr. Mau's works and they have been distributed worldwide to art collectors."

I inherited a mau hu chi painting that was owned by Jeanne r janish renowned illustrator... it's running black horses has Chinese stamps but don't know when it was painted..
Is it worth putting in an auction...???

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