Fine Art Asia 2012, Asia’s premier annual art and antiques fair, brings together the elite of antiques galleries worldwide. Expert dealers from both East and West will present an unprecedented range of museum-quality artworks, ranging from ancient Chinese bronzes, lacquer wares, porcelain, furniture, textiles and snuff bottles, to fine French 18th century furniture and decorative arts from the 17th to 19th century.
Rossi & Rossi, London return for their 7th year with a wide range of rare Buddhist and Hindu paintings, sculptures and ritual objects from China, India and the Himalayas. Each piece embodies deep religious significance and displays masterful craftsmanship. An 11th century Vajradhatu mandala, possibly the earliest surviving mandala (ritual cosmic diagram) from Tibet, is of seminal importance in the history of Tibetan art. It was exhibited at the Art Institute of Chicago and later at the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, Smithsonian Institution, Washington. Also included is a fine and delicately painted 13th century Tibetan Portrait of Tashipal, the founder of the Taglung monastery.
Among the sculptures, a monumental 9th century gilt bronze standing Boddhisattva has an otherworldly power and grace. An early 11th century Manjushri-Yamantaka is a rare wrathful form of the bodhisattva Manjushri with many arms to carry weapons, many heads to watch all directions and many legs to trample a multitude of demons. This work was also exhibited at the Art Institute of Chicago and later at the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, Washington. A dark bronze Buddha Sakyamuni dating to the 7th century is a graceful example of the very earliest Kashmiri Buddhist sculpture. A rare piece still complete with its throne, attendants and original back plate, this is one of the most important bronzes surviving from the period.
Galerie Christian Deydier, Paris, returns to Fine Art Asia 2012 with another fine collection of ancient Chinese bronzes. Stand-out pieces include an archaic bronze bell zhong from the Eastern Zhou dynasty, 5th century BC, and a ritual bronze vessel gu dating from the Anyang period of the Shang dynasty, 13th – 12th century BC. Scholar and dealer Christian Deydier is a leading expert on ancient Chinese art, having studied jiaguwen, the earliest known form of Chinese writing as it appeared on oracle bones and tortoise shells in the Shang Dynasty from the 13th to 12th century BC, at Tai Ta University, Taipei.
Vanderven & Vanderven, s-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands, specializes in Asian art with an emphasis on Chinese and Japanese export porcelain. The gallery has sold to private collectors, museums and historical houses worldwide. Showcased at Fine Art Asia 2012 will be a Kendi (a ritual container for holy water) in the shape of an elephant from the Wanli period (1573-1619) of the Ming Dynasty; and rare pieces from the Kangxi period (1662-1722) of the Qing Dynasty including a dish with figures in a gazebo, a deep dish with hunting scene, a pair of rouleau vases and an iron-red baluster vase. Also of note are a blue and white ewer, a double gourd vase with figures, and a large jar featuring a lady with parasol from the Transitional period (mid-17th century); and a blanc de China Buddha, c. 1900.
Galerie Dayan, Paris, exhibiting for the first time at Fine Art Asia 2012, will present a sumptuous exhibition of magnificent French decorative arts from the 17th century to 19th century. A portrait of King Louis XIV of France, “The Sun King”, as a child in coronation dress is attributed to Henri Testelin (1616- 1695) and dates from the end of the 17th century. A similar painting is exhibited in the Museum of the Château of Versailles. Among the objets d’art are a silver and gilt copper jardinière made by the famous house of Cristofle, dating from the end of the 19th century; and a magnificent rare French gilt bronze and agate vase from a private Parisian collection known as a “Du Barry goat vase” in honour of Louis XV’s official mistress, Madame du Barry, in Louis XVI style, also 19th century. Also exhibited is a pair of large gilt bronze wall lights with turtle doves by Jean-François Feuchère, created for Queen Marie- Antoinette, wife of Louis XVI, to use in the Château of Saint-Cloud, c. 1792-1800; and a large Louis XV vernis Martin (imitating Chinese lacquer) and gilt bronze French bracket clock, from a private collection, probably from the Château of Rainçy.
Martin Fung, Hong Kong, is a specialist in Chinese lacquer with over 40 years’ experience of this quintessential Chinese art form. As usual at Fine Art Asia 2012 he will present the finest examples from all periods of Chinese history. Star pieces include a cinnabar lacquer box and cover with a scene of seven sages in a bamboo grove, dating from the Qianlong Period (1736-1795) of the Qing Dynasty; and a carved ivory brushpot with shallow relief carving of pomegranates, birds and flowers, from the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644).
Lillian Nassau LLC, New York, has for over 65 years been the foremost dealer in the work of Louis Comfort Tiffany (1848-1933), the renowned American artist and designer who worked in the decorative arts and is best known for his work in stained glass in the Art Nouveau style. The gallery will present important pieces from the Tiffany Studios, including a number of beautiful leaded glass and bronze table lamps featuring nasturtium, lotus, lily, dogwood and peacock decoration, all dating from the first decade of the 20th century. Also featured are examples of decorative items in “favrile glass”, the special iridescent art glass designed by Tiffany and patented by him in 1894. In favrile glass, unlike other glasses, the colour is ingrained in the glass itself.
Lillian Nassau LLC, New York, has for over 65 years been the foremost dealer in the work of Louis Comfort Tiffany (1848-1933), the renowned American artist and designer who worked in the decorative arts and is best known for his work in stained glass in the Art Nouveau style. The gallery will present important pieces from the Tiffany Studios, including a number of beautiful leaded glass and bronze table lamps featuring nasturtium, lotus, lily, dogwood and peacock decoration, all dating from the first decade of the 20th century. Also featured are examples of decorative items in “favrile glass”, the special iridescent art glass designed by Tiffany and patented by him in 1894. In favrile glass, unlike other glasses, the colour is ingrained in the glass itself.
Other eminent galleries returning to Fine Art Asia 2012 include Maria Kiang Chinese Art, Hong Kong, specializing in scholar’s objects; Littleton & Hennessy Asian Art, London/New York, experts in Chinese antiques; Susan Ollemans, London, showing Indian jewellery and Chinese works of art; Jacqueline Simcox, London, and Teresa Coleman Fine Arts, Hong Kong and Plum Blossoms Gallery, Hong Kong, presenting antique Chinese textiles and embroidered costumes; and Nicholas Grindley, London and MD Flacks, London, displaying classical Chinese furniture. Newcomers to the fair include Bernard Shapero Rare Books, London; Galerie Lamy, Brussels; and Orientique, Hong Kong.
