PARIS.- On June 21st, Artcurial will hold its first sale of the year entirely dedicated to Asian Art. This event is eagerly awaited by international collectors and will have two distinct sections: one focussing on Chinese Art including a private Parisian collection of 20 white porcelain pieces from the 17th to the 19th century and a small sitting Buddha statue (estimation: 8 000 – 12 000 € / 8 800 – 13 200 $); the other focussing on Japanese art will be headed by a group of ivory sculptures showing two doves feeding their chicks.

“A very rare porcelain bowl inspired by the blue and white pieces from the early Ming period, comes from a private French collection and is estimated between 10 000€ and 15 000€. A bowl with a similar form was recently sold in Hong Kong. This one has been housed in the same collection since 1924. It is decorated with a petal motif in the lower section and banana leaves in the upper part.” --Isabelle Bresset, Director of Artcurial Asian Art department

Gilt bronze statuette of Amitayus
Sino-Tibetan, XVth century
Estimation : 10 000 – 15 000 € / 11 000 – 16 500 $
This small statue comes from the ancient Dupin collection and is typical of the gilt bronze statues from the Yongle period, placed on a base. This one is engraved in Tibetan. The ornate jewellery and the square-shaped head are representative of this period and style. The Buddha is shown in a cross-legged seated position with a tranquil face. His hands are carefully holding a vase.

Statue of luohan made from White Chinese marble, Jin dynasty Jin, dated 1167,
Estimation : 40 000 – 60 000 € / 44 000 – 66 000 $
A ‘luohan’ is a direct disciple of Buddha who has reached Nirvana and symbolises the Buddhist quest. The marble statue on offer presents the man standing on a circular base. In his right hand he is holding a rosary and is dressed in a monastery gown. A similar statue made from marble is on display at the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco and has an inscription on the base, dating back to 1180.

Jade and gilt bronze Chinese belt buckle
Yuan-Ming dynasty for the jade and Qianlong period for the setting
Estimation: 4 000 – 6 000 € / 4 400 – 6 600 $
This type of jade oval belt buckle showing geese and aquatic plants is dated from the Jing period, or Yuan era. It shows a small falcon hovering above a goose. The piece is finely crafted and the ornate sculptures show several layers of fine detail including the goose surrounded by lotus flowers. The other side, in gilt bronze, has a carved lotus flower and reeds.