LONDON.- Rossi & Rossi, one of the world’s leading dealers specialising in South Asian Art, is moving its London premises.

On Thursday December 4, Rossi & Rossi will open its prestigious new gallery at 27 Dover Street, one of the most elegant streets in the heart of London’s Mayfair. Until recently Rossi & Rossi was based in Clifford Street.

Over the past three decades Rossi & Rossi has established an international reputation for handling only the finest and rarest examples of Indian and Himalayan art, as well as early Chinese and Central Asian textiles and works of art. Since 2005 the gallery has been successfully nurturing emerging artists from Asia, the Pacific and the Middle East, with a special focus on Tibet, with the aim of bringing them to a broader audience. In 2013 Rossi & Rossi expanded its operations by opening a space in Hong Kong.

Director Fabio Rossi said: “Rossi & Rossi is delighted to be re-affirming and strengthening its London presence particularly as next year sees us celebrating our 30th anniversary. We are very proud of our reputation and remain committed to sourcing and exhibiting the very best examples of classical and contemporary Asian art.

“To reflect our philosophy the new London gallery will open with a selection of exceptional classical treasures for which Rossi & Rossi is so renowned.”

One of the highlights on show will be a very rare early 13th century Tibetan painting on cloth, or thangka, of the Buddha Mahavairocana.

Never previously exhibited in the UK, this painting is one of the most important early thangkas of its kind, depicting a principal figure in Buddhism: the universal Buddha from which all buddhas emanate, and the representation of wisdom and omniscience in Tibetan tantric practices.

Finely painted and filled with elegantly poised figures, the thangka demonstrates the excellence of Tibetan artistic achievement of this era. The intricate ornamentation of the figures, as well as the stylised decoration of the registers, clear references to eastern Indian drawing styles and iconography, provides invaluable documentary evidence of the cultural and artistic exchange between Tibetans and eastern Indians during the mediaeval Pala dynasty. Aside from its extreme rarity, the thangka is exceptional not only for the skill and artistry of its execution, but also its complex composition and quality of expression (price in the region of £ 500,000).

To underline the gallery’s work with contemporary Tibetan artists and to celebrate the opening of the new gallery, Rossi & Rossi has commissioned three contemporary Tibetan artists, Kesang Lamdark, Tenzing Rigdol and Tsherin Sherpa, to each produce a single work inspired by or in the vein of the rare thangka of Buddha Mahavairocana. These new works of art, each executed using different techniques and mediums, demonstrates the variety and vibrancy found in contemporary Tibetan art, as well as the close connection between classical Tibetan art and contemporary practice. These contemporary examples will be shown alongside the thangka as well as other rare classical Himalayan works of art, demonstrating an exciting fusion of past and present artistic traditions and influences.

Fabio Rossi concluded: “Rossi & Rossi is delighted to be continuing its important and relevant role in the London art world. Dover Street is the ideal location for our new flagship gallery. It is centrally situated in the hub of the London’s vibrant art community, home to the Arts Club, as well as a number of distinguished art galleries, leading fashion names and top restaurants.

“Number 27 Dover Street will provide a stylish and elegant showcase for all Rossi & Rossi’s exciting future events and exhibitions. We look forward to sharing our expertise and passion with our friends and clients as we move into our 30th anniversary year.”