PARIS.- On December 15th, Artcurial will organise its second annual auction dedicated to Asian Art. Presenting 230 lots, composed of a fine selection of objects, furniture, sculptures and textiles, the sale will include a rich panorama of both Chinese and Japanese creation.

The auction will open with a set of small, precious objects including eleven snuffboxes made from rare stones (agate, jade and rock crystal.) The consummation of tobacco in China increased when the Manchu conquerors, who founded the Qing dynasty in 1644, came to power. Just like in Europe, tobacco leaves were snorted and the snuffboxes were used to protect the tobacco against humidity. As this practice was reserved for an elite class, the objects are refined and decorated with paint or finely sculpted. Sometimes the decoration can entirely cover the surface of the container, this is the case when the snuffbox is made from ivory.

The auction will also offer decorative objects made from bronze or porcelain.

Dating back to the 17th century, lot number 30 is a Chinese perfume vaporizer made from bronze and partly gold plated and estimated at 5 000 – 7 000 € / 5 500 – 7 700$. The simplicity of the form with a double spout, contrasts with the rich, golden ornaments on the side used to fix the handles and represents two dragon heads carrying a pearl in their mouths. The lid has a beautiful floral motif of lotus flowers and foliated scrolls.

Lot number 187 comes from Nepal and is worth noting; a pair of Mushika rats from Ganesha made from copper and measuring 86cm. According to Hindu mythology, these animals were the ‘vahana’ or vehicle behind the god of Ganesh and are often found at the entrance of Nepalese and Indian temples. The pair of rats is estimated at 12 000 – 15 000 € / 13 200 – 16 500 $.

Ceramic art was an important factor of exchange between Europe and Asia. A pair of porcelain vases covered in blue and white porcelain from the Kangxi period (16621722) is presented with lot number 83 and symbolises the relationship between the West and Oriental East.

Baluster form vases present a traditional Chinese setting of women in their homes or gardens and are often mounted on sculpted wooden bases, tinted gold in a Louis XIV style. (estimate: 10 000 – 15 000 € / 11 000 – 16 500 $). Assembling Chinese porcelain with a sophisticated French-style base is quite common. The auction will put on sale an impressive Buddhist stupa (lot 93) made from famille-rose porcelain and estimated between 30 000 – 40 000 € / 33 000 – 44 000 $. The piece comes from a Belgian collection and is representative of commemorative monuments built on ancient relics by prominent Buddhists. The architectural form of the porcelain model on sale is typical of Tibet. It shows a square base decorated on a pink background, a dome and conic arrow on 13 levels symbolising 13 steps of enlightenment.

One of the most refined pieces on sale dating back to the Qianlong period (1736 - 1795) is presented on two jade celadon slabs each measuring 24,3 x 18 cm (estimate: 50 000 – 70 000 € / 55 000 – 77 000 $). One can distinguish two table panels belonging to the collection of the President of the Republic of France, Felix Faure. The iconography on low relief on both sides shows Chinese artisanal craftsmanship at its best. The transparent aspect of the table panel and lines in the stone accentuates the painted scene depicted. On the reverse side one can see a mountain scene with animals whilst the front side shows a canoe navigating a wild river and on the side, two wise men conversing at the foot of a waterfall.

Out of the sculptures on sale, it is worth pointing out two Buddhist works. The first is a bronze statue representing an Avalokitesvara sitting on a Qilin and is estimated at 60 000 – 80 000 € / 66 000 – 88 000 $. The goddess is presented face on and a mythological animal is raising his head towards her. The piece dates back to the beginning of the 16th century and measures 20cm. A larger piece on offer is the Buddha head (lot 180) made from grey stone, measuring 40cm and dating back to the beginning of the Tang dynasty (7th century.) Coming from an ancient collection belonging to Marianne Densmore, the piece shows a tranquil face with a hint of a slight smile. The iconographical codes such as the half-closed eyes, the forehand marked with an urn and the hair which covers a large ushnisha, are typical for a Buddha from this period.

Carrying on from the religious Buddha themes, Artcurial offers a thangka dating back to the 18th century (lot 186 – estimate: 6 000 – 8 000 € / 6 600 – 8 800 $). Thangkas are Tibetan Buddhist paintings on material, traditionally kept unframed and rolled up. Different sizes exist and they can easily be transported thanks to two rods of wood at each end of the material The scenes depicted are often of a Buddhist deity, mandelas or dalai-lama and they are used as a meditation tool. The thangka on sale is of standard composition, in the centre one can see the goddess surrounded by four dakini gathering around a bodhisattva. At the bottom four other dakini surround a Vajrabhairava.

The auction will conclude with nine miniature lacquered, Japanese boxes. These ‘inro’ were only carried by men. The kimonos didn't have any pockets so these containers were often attached to a belt and used to transport medicine or ones personal seal.